Determining the Use-Life of Gold Fibulae: Mission (Im)Possible?

Abstract

Fibulae are often used as reliable chronological markers in archaeology. Their use-life could vary greatly depending on their shape, size and the material they were made of. Gold fibulae were extremely rare, although they were a sign of authority and wealth. Two miniature Early La Tène type of fibulae from the Early Hellenistic period and four massive Roman crossbow fibulae, all from the collection of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum in Sofia were examined by a non-destructive XRF analysis and microscopic traceological observation. The aim of the present research is to investigate the possibilities to determine if and how long these artefacts were used before their deposition and what happened to them after their discovery.

Keywords

• gold
• Early La Tène bilateral fibulae
• crossbow fibulae
• artefact`s life-cycle (use-life)
• XRF analysis
• optical microscope
• traceology
• (use-)wear analysis
• National Archaeological Institute with Museum in Sofia
• Bulgaria

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