Bone fibulae as grave gifts in Upper Moesia

Abstract

This paper deals with the bone specimens of Roman ibulae in Moesia Superior. Although, some parts of some types of Roman brooches were made of bone or ivory, it is quite unusual that whole ibula, or its major part is manufactured of osseous material. Generally, bone ibula would not be functional – it could easily break or bend, especially considering the composite construction of Roman brooches. he reason for the use of bone material for the production of ibulae may be their ritual character. Namely, in Upper Moesia Roman bone brooches were discovered only in burial context, as grave gits.