Crossbow fibulae of the 5th and 6th centuries in the southeastern Alps

Abstract

In this article crossbow fibulae with a firm catch plate and with a knob bow of the 5th and 6th centuries found in Slovenia are presented. We have also added new finds to their distribution in the southeastern Alps and tried to show that they were used by the Romanized population. Also, we discuss the rare finds of Balkan crossbow fibulae with an inverted foot in Slovenia, which reflect the less well-known Byzantine presence in the 6th century.

Keywords

• southeastern alps; slovenia; late antiq-uity; crossbow fibulae; knob bow fibulae; fibulae with an inverted foot; hilltop settlements; romanized population; germanic peoples