Carolingian Culture in the North Sea World: Rethinking the Cultural Dynamics of Personal Adornment in Viking-Age England
Gabor Thomas
Boosted by a proliferation in metal-detected finds, categories of personal adornment now constitute vital archaeological source for interpreting Viking-age cultural interaction the North Sea region. Previous research England has explored potential this metalwork relation to formation ‘Anglo-Scandinavian’ identity, but without due consideration wider spectrum influences. This article redresses balance shifting attention twenty-eight belt fittings derived from richly embellished baldrics, equestrian equipment, and waist belts manufactured on Frankish continent during period Carolingian hegemony later eighth ninth centuries AD. The is classified then contextualized order track import mechanisms assess impact culture northern peripheries empire. main conclusion that adoption, adaptation, strategic manipulation Carolingian/northern identity formed an embedded component dynamics England, scrutiny which sheds new light patterns interconnectivity linking peoples world.
European Journal of Archaeology