A remarkable grave from the Early Roman Principate from Nüssau, LA 1 (Kr. Herzogtum Lauenburg)

Abstract

The find of a grave from Nüssau represents a rare exception in the northern und central European barbaricum. It dates to the first half of the 2nd century (phase B2 late) and contained with high probability a female burial. The pair of nearly identical enamel cross-bow brooches easily associates the grave with a great number of assemblages with three brooches. However, Roman brooches exist in these contexts as single pieces at most. In their combination as a pair the enamel cross-bow brooches were a functional entity, found in great numbers in the Roman provinces and worn mainly by women. As the brooches were discovered in a cremation burial it remains unclear whether the buried woman was also accompanied by Roman textiles. It is nevertheless not completely unlikely.