Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/mjrl3ugzr9
LATE LA TÈNE BUCKET-SHAPED PENDANTS FROM EASTERN CROATIA: AMULETS THAT PROTECTED FROM EVIL AND MISFORTUNE
Marko Dizdar
orcid.org/0000-0003-3964-9002
; Institut za arheologiju Jurjevska 15, 10000 Zagreb, Republika Hrvatska
Abstract
The greatest amount of knowledge about the Late La Tène material legacy of the Scordisci in the western part of their distribution in eastern Croatia comes from numerous excavations conducted in the area of Vinkovci and its surroundings, including finds of bronze bucket-shaped pendants. These pendants, previously unknown in the territory of the Scordisci, were probably worn as miniature objects on necklaces, or perhaps bracelets, together with other forms of pendants and beads; in addition to their decorative role, they had a certain symbolic meaning. The most similar pendants were found at sites in Central and Western Europe in different and heterogeneous cultural environments, while Eastern European sites contained bucket-shaped pendants of slightly different forms. Bucket-shaped pendants probably imitate functional objects from real life and contained some organic substances, which is why they served as amulets with an apotropaic function to protect or heal those who wore them. The finds of these pendants from burials show how they were carried by children and women, and their wearing reflects different aspects of social identities and has a distinctive gender and age mean-
ing. Also, the analysis of the Late La Tène bronze bucket-shaped pendants discovered at the sites in the Vinkovci area recognizes the dynamic cultural contacts of the Scordisci with neighbouring and remote areas, and especially with Central Europe.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
305926
URI
Publication date:
1.2.2023.
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