Ein mittellatènezeitliches Grab mit einem besonderen Instrument aus Zvonimirovo in Nordkroatien

Abstract

The cemetery from Zvonimirovo comprises 99 burials of the period Lt C2 and presents an important site for the study of the Middle La Tène period in the area between the rivers Drau, Save and Danube. The warrior grave LT 45 with its rich assemblage of weapons, brooches and pottery is of special interest as it contains a peculiar tool with a cutting edge and a serrated edge or grater and a kind of tweezers in place of the handle. This object can be compared with similar examples appearing from the period Lt B onwards which are suggested to have a pharmaceutical or medical function. It therefore stands to reason that the deceased from this grave participated in the medical care and might even have been responsible for further rituals. So far, druids were not identifi ed in La Tène graves – however, individuals such as from the burial from Zvonimirovo could be associated with this kind of priesthood.