The Abbetorp relief brooch, ca 500AD, Sweden

3D Model

The Abbetorp relief brooch was found in 1998 during the excavation of a ritual site in Östergötland, Sweden, with a grave field, cooking pits and a small wetland area with ritual depositions. More than 70 ceramic pots, beads, glass-shards from drinking vessels and a gaming piece were found. Ritual depositions also occured over a larger area - the relief brooch was one such object, found in the vicinity of the grave field. Brooches of this type often occur as single finds but also in female graves. The Abbetorp brooch dates to the 6th century AD. It is made of silver, gold-coated, with inlaid niello. It’s elaborate ornamentation with fragmented animal bodies, birds and a human head at the base can be interpreted symbolically, alluding to myths and beliefs long forgotten. The association with women has led to the suggestion that they were worn by female priestesses. Dimensions: length 116 mm, width 67 mm, height 35 mm. Photos and model by Johan Stenvall.