Original scientific paper
Antique and Late Antique cart elements from Istria
Alka Starac
orcid.org/0000-0002-8254-0849
; Arheološki muzej Istre, Pula, Hrvatska
Abstract
Out of the twenty-three metal cart elements from the Antique Collection of the Archaeological Museum of Istria in Pula, four elements are made from bronze and decorated with mythological figures and figures of apotropaic and protective significance. The elements can be dated approximately to the early Roman Imperial period of 1st–3rd century and they are parts of luxury passenger carts. The manufacturing location of the bronze cart elements should most likely be sought in the Pola colony or in the neighbouring wider area of north-east Italy. Nineteen iron, functional and undecorated clasps and fittings can be attributed to the cart due to their characteristic shape or because of the sensible closed unit of the findings. More than half of all items refer to the iron construction elements created in 7th century in the smithy of the Late Antique villa Dragonera South in the area of Pola. Although they are not numerous, bronze and iron elements of carts found in Istria cover a long period from the first seven centuries AD.
Keywords
Dionysian cult; yoke; cart; Medusa; transport; Pula; animal-drawn vehicle
Hrčak ID:
266598
URI
Publication date:
2.12.2021.
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