Skandinaviško tipo radinys Užpelkių kapinyne

LT1985, 1987-1988, 1990-1993 in. buvo tiriamas Užpelkių (Kretingos raj.) kapinynas I. Ištirtas 1049 kvadratiniu metrų plotas. Rasta 80 gerokai apardytų nedegintų mirusiųjų kapų, 1 sudeginto žmogaus kapas bei 4 žirgų kapai, kurie priklauso IV-VI ir IX-XII a. po Kristaus.

ENThe burial ground at Užpelkiai (Kretinga District) was archaeologically investiga- ted in 1985, 1987-88 and 1990-93. Within an excavated area of 1,049 square meters. there were 80 inhumations, most of them previously disturbed, one cremation grave, and four horse burials. They can be dated to two periods: the 4th-6th centuries A. D. and the 9th-12th centuries. One of the most interesting artefacts was found in 1990 as a scattered find in plot X, square A-7. It was a brass belt buckle, with a metal binding (or buckle plate) decorated in a Scandinavian style. It came from the area of 9th- 12th century burials and probably derives from a male inhumation. Both the buckle and the binding are of cast metal. The belt buckle is 3.7 by 3.2 cm in size, white the two-sided binding measures 5.7 by 2.8 cm. The clasp the tongue and the binding of the buckle all consist of a multicomponent copper alloy which is manufactured by treating copper with zinc, lead, tin, and other admixtures. The buckle loop and the ornamented side of the binding consist of the same multicomponent alloy, which belongs to the II metallurgical group er the bronze group. The other side of the binding plate belongs to the III metallurgical group, otherwise known as the bronze group. Finally, the tongue or fastener can be identified as one from the I metallurgical group, or tombac group.The individual components of the buckle, therefore, are of different metal groups (as well as different colours) that were available during the 9th-12th centuries throughout Lithuania, the east Baltic area, Finland, Gotland and Sweden. It is possible that the buckle loop, the two-sided binding and the tongue all could have been ma- nufactured at the same time, by an individual with an expert knowledge of alloys. Alternatively, the tongue and back side of the binding could have been made later, as replacements to the broken or worn-out original components. Similar buckles have been found in Gotland, at the Kopparsvik burial ground dating back to the 9th-10th centuries. Their alloys, however, are very different. Other Scandinavian style metal components of belts, e. g. "spacer loops" for the attachment of leather purses or other items, have been found in Lithuania, but not at Užpelkiai. The Užpelkiai buckle appears to be the only find of its type in Lithuania. It is worth noting that no identical buckles have been found in Latvia or the former East Prussia, where Scandinavian imports or locally manufactured items that follow a Scandinavian style are not uncommon, The metal loop or clasp of the Užpelkiai buckle, as well as its binding, are ornamented in the Borre style, as is the previously mentioned Kopparsvik buckle. The buckles differ only in minor details. Several details of the Užpelkiai buckle are also similar to those of buckles found in late 9th-early 10th century burials (Nos. 71 and 949) at Birka, Sweden.A comparison of the Užpelkiai buckle with Scandinavian artefacts of the Borre style reveals that it is not a typical example of the Borre style. This, together with the si- milarity of its alloys to those found in Lithuania, suggests that the buckle was locally manufactured, closely following Scandinavian examples and using a very similar tech- nology. Imitations of Scandinavian artefacts are not unknown in Lithuania. A good example is a round flat brooch from a 10th century burial (No. 172) at the Genčal I burial ground (Kretinga District). All in all considering the stylistic peculiarities of the Užpelkiai buckle, its manufacturing technology, its massive form and its alloy composition, we can conclude that the buckle was made during the late 9th-early 10th century either in Lithuania or in a Scandinavian colony in the east Baltic region. This is supported by the con- text of finding it among 9th-10th century burials as a much worn and often mended item.