The puzzling depiction of a vicious predator — either a dragon or a snake — devouring a frog on an early medieval belt buckle from the Czech Republic may be a symbol from an unknown pagan cult, archaeologists say.
The bronze belt fitting or buckle was found by a metal detectorist near the village of Lány, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Prague.
Archaeologists first thought the central design — a snake or dragon devouring a frog-like creature — must be unique. But they have since learned that in the past dozen years, almost identical artifacts have been unearthed in Germany, Hungary and elsewhere in the Czech Republic.
- Catoblepas ( @Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) English4•9 months ago
They say devouring a frog, I say biting a dude’s nuts off.
For real though, what a neat buckle. Since they think it was related to an unknown pagan cult, I wonder what the purpose of wearing the symbol on the belt was? For others to see you were part of the cult (assuming it was worn visibly)?
- Kit Sorens ( @GlitchyDigiBun@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) English2•9 months ago
Could it not just be a war trophy? The frog representing some “barbaric hoard” that the great dragon king put down? What is it that makes it pagan besides the lack of a cross?
- acockworkorange ( @acockworkorange@mander.xyz ) English1•9 months ago
How does a buckle like that work? What part buckles the belt in place?
- TheOakTree ( @TheOakTree@beehaw.org ) English1•9 months ago
The holes at the bottom were probably tacked into a strip of leather and secured, and I’d imagine there’s some sort of stud or hook on the backside of the buckle.