Warriors, fat birds, and horned horses? A decorated saddle fitting from Mitino (obl. Kaliningrad)

Abstract

In the context of large-scale excavations at the Russian cemetery Mitino near Kaliningrad fragments of an as yet unique horse saddle with decorated sheet metal have been recovered. Its figures and patterns date it to the Migration Period, as do other finds. Convincing parallels to the stamps are mainly known from the Scandinavian region, where there are examples for nearly all its representations. However, the images do not only mirror random contacts between these regions. As a local reception of foreign influences, they are also evidence for cultural, perhaps even political connections, even an expression of the desire for international relations. Thus, together with other finds such as Lithuanian drinking horn fittings, the saddle of Mitino proves the fact that in as early as the midst first millennium, the regions around the Baltic Sea culturally grew together.