02-15-2014, 04:03 PM
While looking for information about late Roman sword belts, i came across H. Steuer's part of the sword article in the „Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde”.
Sword belts during the 4th/5th century (according to Steuer):
Steuer's part also contains Quast's reconstruction proposals regarding the sword belt of the Childerich Sword.
One of the proposals is a shoulder strap with a two-point scabbard suspension:
[attachment=9024]QuastSwordBelt.jpg[/attachment]
Said proposal was inspired by the spatha of the Lavoye grave 319 (one scabbard slide was located below the other).
My third reconstruction proposal is basically Quast's two-point suspension concept implemented with the stuff found in the Kemathen grave:
[attachment=9025]2-PointSuspension.jpg[/attachment]
In my reconstruction the three rivets next to the silver tube would be located the same as the buckle is in Quast's reconstruction (instead being closed temporary with a buckle, my proposal is beeing closed permanently with a row of rivets). The silver tube would serve as a strap end for that part of the belt, that extends past the „closing point“; so in my reconstruction the tube would be in about the same spot as the strap end is in the reconstruction of Quast. The red part is the loop closer to scabbard mouth piece.
Another note regarding the strap ends: The strap end of the Childerich Sword Belt terminates in a tube that is similar to the tube found in Kemathen. Have a look:
[attachment=9026]ChilderichStrapEnd.jpg[/attachment]
Given the right measurements, wrapping the belt around the scabbard would result in the finding-situation: Scabbard beeing „framed by two rows of rivets, silver tube under the scabbard and parallel to it.
Werner dates the sword type Childerich's sword belongs toto „about 450“. The Kemathen Warrior is dated to the second third of the 5th century.
Thoughts?
Sword belts during the 4th/5th century (according to Steuer):
- Late Empire & early Migration Period: Non-adjustable shoulder straps ( ca. 4-6 cm wide)
- 4th/5th century: Waist belts (with one-point scabbard suspension, e.g. Stilicho Dyptich)
- Late 5th century (until ca 600): Shoulder strap (with one point scabbard suspension)
Steuer's part also contains Quast's reconstruction proposals regarding the sword belt of the Childerich Sword.
One of the proposals is a shoulder strap with a two-point scabbard suspension:
[attachment=9024]QuastSwordBelt.jpg[/attachment]
Said proposal was inspired by the spatha of the Lavoye grave 319 (one scabbard slide was located below the other).
My third reconstruction proposal is basically Quast's two-point suspension concept implemented with the stuff found in the Kemathen grave:
[attachment=9025]2-PointSuspension.jpg[/attachment]
In my reconstruction the three rivets next to the silver tube would be located the same as the buckle is in Quast's reconstruction (instead being closed temporary with a buckle, my proposal is beeing closed permanently with a row of rivets). The silver tube would serve as a strap end for that part of the belt, that extends past the „closing point“; so in my reconstruction the tube would be in about the same spot as the strap end is in the reconstruction of Quast. The red part is the loop closer to scabbard mouth piece.
Another note regarding the strap ends: The strap end of the Childerich Sword Belt terminates in a tube that is similar to the tube found in Kemathen. Have a look:
[attachment=9026]ChilderichStrapEnd.jpg[/attachment]
Given the right measurements, wrapping the belt around the scabbard would result in the finding-situation: Scabbard beeing „framed by two rows of rivets, silver tube under the scabbard and parallel to it.
Werner dates the sword type Childerich's sword belongs toto „about 450“. The Kemathen Warrior is dated to the second third of the 5th century.
Thoughts?
