Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have discovered a bronze belt buckle depicting a serpent or dragon devouring a frog-like creature near the village of Lány. This unusual find may be a symbol from an unknown pagan cult that existed in central Europe during the early Middle Ages, according to researchers.
Unearthing a Puzzling Motif
The belt buckle was discovered by a metal detectorist around 20 miles west of Prague. Initially thought to be a unique design, similar artifacts with the same motif have been found in Germany, Hungary, and other parts of the Czech Republic over the past twelve years. Jiří Macháček, an archaeologist at Masaryk University, suggests that these artifacts indicate the presence of a previously unknown pagan cult that linked different regions of central Europe in the early Middle Ages.
Cultural Connections Across Regions
The serpent or snake devouring its victim motif is present in Germanic, Avar and Slavic mythology. In the absence of concrete evidence, researchers can only speculate about its exact meaning. However, during the early Middle Ages, this motif seems to have served as a spiritual connection among the diverse peoples living in Central Europe.
Study Details and Similar Artifacts
The January issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science features a study led by Macháček, detailing the belt fitting from Lány and three others found in Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. These fittings were commonly worn by Avars, a nomadic people who settled in the Carpathian Basin in Hungary during the sixth century.
Material Analysis
Advanced techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the belt fittings were originally heavily gilded and crafted from copper sourced from the Slovak Ore Mountains in present-day Slovakia. Virtual 3D models indicated that some of the buckles came from the same workshop or shared a common model, utilizing the “lost wax” method for casting bronze.
Cult Connection and Symbolic Meaning
The striking similarity of these artifacts led researchers to propose the existence of a previously unknown pagan cult that connected diverse populations during the early Middle Ages. While the exact significance of the serpent or dragon and the frog-like creature remains unknown, researchers speculate that the motif could be related to fights in pagan creation myths and fertility cult practices.