Rozetiniai smeigtukai Žiemgaloje

Abstract

Pins are supposed to be one of the most favoured decorations among the Balts. They were used for deco-rative purposes from the end of the second millenium BC till the end of the 13th century AD. Almost all Baltic tribes wore them during the first centuries AD, but from the second half of the first millenium they had been worn only in the Samogitian, Semigallian, Curonian, Lettigalian, and Selonian tribes. Semigallians was one of the tribes which preserved the custom to fasten clothes with pins throughout the whole Iron Age. Mostly women fastened and at the same time decorated their clothing with pins; in rare cases pins are found in men's graves. The prevailing tradition was to use a pair of pins, joined by long chains; sometimes pendants were attached to pin-eyes. Such pins with pendants and chains comprised a uniform set of adornment. [...]