ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK

Inštitut za arheologijo  ZRC SAZU

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK 70, 2019

Špela KARO, Timotej KNIFIC

Bridle bits in the Early Middle Ages: evidence from Slovenia

Abstract

Archaeological sites in Slovenia have yielded 28 iron bridle bits that date to the Early Middle Ages. Six of them survived complete and the rest in parts. In their basic form, all are jointed snaffle bits with cheekbars, but show differences in formal and decorative details such as the position of the mouthpiece double loops, the form of the rein link, the form, length and decoration of the cheekbars, manner of attaching the cheeckbars and the cross section of the mouthpiece. These formal details are for the most part not chronologically diagnostic. The bits have parallels from both burial and habitation contexts across early medieval Europe. The Slovenian bits were found at hilltop sites with the exception of one that formed part of a hoard unearthed at Sebenje in the lowland. They were found together with other pieces of horse and military equipment that mainly date to the second half of the 9th and the early 10th century.

Keywords: Slovenia, Early Middle Ages, hilltop sites, horse equipment, bridle bits, hoards

Article (pdf)

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