Iron Age Gold Plated Brooch Discovered in Finland – History Blog

The rare brooch dates back to the late immigration period (475-550 AD) and was found in Kemi, Lapland, northern Finland. The gilded bronze fibula is engraved with stylized metamorphosis. This is a unique discovery in Finland.

The brooch is 2.6 inches long and has extensive continuous gold plating on the front. The back may initially be silver, although that has worn out. Researchers have identified five animals in the complex line design on the buttons: four bird heads and an oval, perhaps a deer, reindeer or elk. The iron needle that can be secured to the clothes is already rusted, but the two mounts of the pin are still attached to the back of the brooch.

Elite women used such brooches in pairs, fixing the body of the clothes to the shoulder straps. Women wear them in symbols of status and are often buried. Comparable buckles were found in Sweden and Norway, but the only buckles similarly decorative styles were found in Finland 70 miles away.

The only relief buckle in Finland was found in Rovaniemi. No similar relief deductions were found in northern Sweden, as the closest was the Harsinland region in central Sweden. Similar buckles were found in Norway, mainly in southern Norway. “This discovery opened up a whole new perspective for the Iron Age in Lapland and Longau Valley,” Raninen said.

During the creation of objects, during the migration period, different ethnic groups moved around Europe, establishing trade relations with each other. According to this study, the development and transmission of relief locks are particularly associated with the interaction between UK residents and Norwegian residents. Objects (such as various skillfully performed relief buckles) also move with the person.

It was discovered in the Kemi area by metal detector Merja Talvensaari, where Iron Age burial was previously discovered. The plan is to conduct professional excavations of the search site and has been designated as a protected archaeological site, making further metal detector searches illegal. (Swedish metal testing is only permitted with advance permission from the county administration committee.)

The detent was exhibited at the Tornedalen Museum last month and has now been delivered to the Finnish National Antiquities Commission for protection and research.