Fibula decorated with filigree

A silver fibula with a comb above a spring, decorated with filigree, was part of the contents of one of the skeletal graves discovered in the burial ground in Żalęcin near Dolice in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Site 4, located there, belongs to the group of biritual burial grounds, i.e. those with both inhumed and cremated graves. In addition to the fibula on display, grave number 17 also contained several bronze objects – two clasps of different designs and decoration, a belt buckle and fitting, a needle and a torc pin – as well as a small earthenware vessel. The Żalęcin burial ground was excavated between 1976 and 1979 by archaeologists from the National Museum in Szczecin due to its destruction by gravel exploration. It is difficult to assess what part of the site had ceased to exist before the rescue survey began. However, archaeologists managed to uncover 14 inhumed graves and 1 cremated burial. Cultural identification of the finds is difficult. The ornaments and elements of costume discovered among the remains of the deceased, including the fibula on display, are typical of the Wielbark culture in the late 2nd to early 3rd century. In the Pyrzyce area, however, at the same time archaeologists observe cultural phenomena indicating the formation of a somewhat distinct local cultural group known as the Pyrzyce cluster. It would have been characteristic of this putative community to be inspired by the traditions of both the Wielbark culture and the Elba Germanic peoples. Bartłomiej Rogalski