Production perspectives of a high-status polychrome jewellery set from the Hunnic period (mid-5th century AD) Carpathian Basin

Bibliographic Data

ID21081963
AuthorsEszter Horváth (0009-0007-4650-0392, ELTE Research Centre for the Humanities, corresponding author), Viktória Mozgai (0000-0001-9712-2773, Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, corresponding author), László E Aradi (0000-0003-0276-3119, Hungarian National Museum), Boglárka A Topa (0000-0003-1996-2261, Eötvös Loránd University), Bernadett Bajnóczi (0000-0003-0006-7611, Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research)
Year2024
Volume171
Pages106085
Publication date2024-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0305-4403 • E-ISSN: 1095-9238
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jas.2024.106085
OpenAlexW4403321554
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

Fifty years after the discovery of the Regöly grave, the emblematic Hunnic period archaeological assemblage from Hungary, an extensive scientific investigation was performed on the polychrome dress accessories of the high-status woman, often referred to as the “Princess of Regöly”, buried there. The multi-instrumental analyses aimed to characterise material and technological aspects of the gemstone-inlaid artefacts (a set of a pair of bow-brooches and a belt buckle), i.e., the manufacturing and decorative techniques as well as the chemical and mineralogical compositions. The non-destructive and non-invasive gemmological and geochemical analyses applied optical microscopes, handheld XRF, SEM-EDX and Raman microspectrometer. This study provides the first comprehensive examination of the Hunnic period polychrome jewellery, and highlights the potential of combining surface and subsurface analyses to specify garnet provenances. It presents the first evidence of use of antique and early medieval garnet sources during the early Migration period. The findings enhance understanding of the garnet supply chain and trade network, the production organisation and potential workshop connections. Significant differences of the brooches and the buckle reveal varying levels of luxury among the elite, providing insight into the social context of the polychrome jewellery associated with the “Princess of Regöly”. • Indirect insights into the organisation and practice of polychrome metalworking. • Combined use of surface and subsurface analyses to specify garnet provenance. • First evidence of use of antique and early medieval garnet sources in Hunnic period. • Primary and secondary garnet supply revealed by the material and quality diversity. • Prestige versus quality: low-standard luxury in the elite representation

Aesthetics · Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Geography · Late period · Pannonian basin · Polychrome · Structural basin · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History · Geology · Paleontology

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