Fibulae From Apollonia Pontica (+)

Fibulae from Apollonia Pontica
Archaeologia Bulgarica Miglena VASILEVA

XVIII, 1 (2014), 35-63
1
I would like to express my gratitude The paper presents all fibulae found during the recent years in the
to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krastina Panayotova Black Sea apoikia Apollonia Pontica (modern city of Sozopol on
and Dimitar Nedev, who gave me ac-
cess to the fibulae from their excavations Bulgarian Black Sea coast) and reevaluates the current understanding
and the opportunity to publish them. of their use in a Greek context. The relative popularity of these acces-
I would also like to thank Dr. Margarit sories among the population of Apollonia and the systematic study,
Damyanov for his information about the
date of some of the complexes and to on-going, with some interruptions, since 1946, of the cemeteries adja-
PhD candidates Teodora Bogdanova and cent to the city provides the basis and rationale for this study1.
Mila Chacheva from NAIM-BAS Sofia
for their help in finding objects in the The fibulae as part of grave goods
Archaeological Museum of Sozopol and
for their support in research. The main source of fibulae from Apollonia is graves, in which the
2
The dating of the funeral complexes artifacts are found in place and in a state almost unchanged from their
excavated after 2001 is provided by Assoc. original deposition. Further, the discovery of fibulae alongside other
Prof. Dr. Krastina Panayotova, PhD
Margarit Damyanov and Dimitar Nedev artifacts that are well dated has been instrumental in the study of their
to whom I warmly thank. I express also development2.
many thanks to PhD candidates Teodora The role of the fibulae in this Greek apoikia is best represented in
Bogdanova and Mila Chacheva for their
support in this direction. the necropolis at the Kalfata3. Between 1946-1948 a total of 890 graves
3
The study of this necropolis began were found, in 17 of which fibulae were present. The proportion of
with excavations in 1946, led by Ivan graves with fibulae is, therefore, 1.9%. Although complete data regard-
Venedikov. They continued for the next
three years (1947-1949). The graves
ing the number of the graves with fibulae discovered in the years after
were published in detail, and this work 1948 is not available, it is possible to observe the continuation of this
remains one of most frequently cited in trend in subsequent seasons, in which the percentage of graves with
literature dedicated to the material cul-
ture of Thrace during the Classical and
fibulae is around 2-3%, and up to 4%4 maximum.
Hellenistic periods (Венедиков 1948,
7-29; Венедиков 1963а; 1963b; 1963c). Types of fibulae
The study of the Kalfata necropolis con- Thracian type fibulae (cat. #1-26)
tinued with varying intensity during the
following years under Maria Tsaneva, The most common fibulae in Apollonia belong to the so-called
Krastina Panayotova and Dimitar Nedev. Thracian type (Василева 2012, 5). I. Venedikov published some ex-
From 2002 to 2004, a French team, led by amples in 1948 (Венедиков 1948) and 1963 (Венедиков 1963b)5; the
Аntoine Hermary, also took part in the
research (see the Corpus Apollonia du rest, presented in the catalogue of this study (Cat. #1-26), are unpub-
Pont (Sozopol) 2010). lished specimens from the excavations of K. Panayotova and D. Nedev
4
Among the graves discovered 1946- held between 2001 and 2012 (for additional information, see appendix
1949, the percentage of those with fibu-
lae is almost equal to the percentage of to table 1). Their study follows my typology of Thracian type fibulae
graves with other adornments (rings, as proposed elsewhere (Василева 2012).
earrings, bracelets); for example, the The most common fibulae of this type feature a straight vertical
graves with rings are 2.2%, the graves
with earrings are 2.6% and those with
foot that ends with a distinct button. It has a thin arched, sometimes
bracelets 1.1%. Although incomplete, double-sided or triangular bow, the wire of which is similar to the foot
this statistic suggests that the necropo- (Type I, Subtype I.1 as per Василева 2012, 8).
lis in the Kalfata is not an exception to These fibulae are divided into several varieties based on the length
the marked trend of poor distribution
of metal artifacts in the grave inventory of the foot. The first variety features a low vertical foot no higher than
from mainland Greece (Robinson 1942, the middle of the height of the bow (variant I.1а) (Василева 2012, 8)
174; Panayotova 2003, 136; Панайотова (Cat. #1-4, table 1); Венедиков 1963b, 314, обр. 108/1028, 1029, 1030,
et al. 2003, 106; Baralis 2010, 146).
5
After consultation with Dr. Margarit 1034). These fibulae are made of bronze and iron. Their length is 3.8-6
Damyanov about the pottery, the pro- cm but there are exceptions that extend up to 10 cm (Cat. #2).
36 Miglena VASILEVA
The earliest fibula of this variation, dating to the 3rd quarter of

the 5th century BC, appears here as Cat. #16. It parallels fibulae from
Duvanli in its silhouette, and in particular in the symmetry of the bow
and the low foot, which almost forms a right angle with the axis of the
catch-plate. A fibula from Koprivec, Rousse district, also includes a
similar button feature and dates to the same period, the end of the 5th
or the beginning of the 4th century BC (Станчев 1997, 38).
Cat. #2, characterized by its size, also features a composite button
at the end of the foot, very similar to those appearing under Cat. #1. It
also dates to the end of 5th or beginning of 4th century, which suggests
the fibulae of Cat. #1 and Cat. #2 were manufactured by one craftsman
or after one common model.
The third (Cat. #3) and the fourth fibula (Cat. #4) from Apollonia
are dated to the second half of the 4th – first half of the 3rd century BC.
The second variety of Thracian type fibulae from Apollonia
includes those examples with a foot as high as the bow, and with an
arched (symmetric or asymmetric) bow or bow with triangular sil-
houette (Cat. # 5-8, plate 1) (variant I.1b) (Василева 2012, 8-9). These
fibulae are made of bronze and silver, and their length varies from 3.6-
3.7 cm to 7.6-8.2 cm. They date from the last quarter of the 5th century
BC to the beginning of the 3rd century BC.
The final variety is represented by a fibula Cat. #9 (plate 2) with
a foot higher than the bow. A bronze wire, probably part of a broken
chain, is wrapped around the middle of the foot, and suggests that the
fibula was part of a complex adornment. Based on the other material
associated with the grave, this example dates to the late second and
early third quarter of the 4th century BC (variant I.1с) (Василева 2012,
9-10).
In Apollonia, among the most common fibulae with a vertical foot
(type I) are those with twisted thin symmetric or asymmetric bow
posed by I. Venedikov dates for several
(subtype I.3) (Василева 2012, 11), Cat. #10-17, plate 2 (Венедиков of the graves that contained fibulae had
1963a, 38; 1963b, 314-315, обр. 108/1038). The vertical foot varies in been specified: grave 58, Kalfata (1946)
height, and the length of these fibulae is between 4.4 and 6 cm. All dates to the second quarter of the 4th
century BC and grave 68, Kalfata (1946)
fibulae are made of bronze, which is the most suitable material for the to the middle or third quarter of the 4th
twisting of the bow. They were widespread in the second quarter of the century BC. A substantially earlier date
4th century and the beginning of the 3rd century BC. is proposed for grave 60, Kalfata (1947)
which has been assigned from the begin-
Four of the fibulae (Cat. #10-13) were found in a grave together ning of the 3rd century BC to the middle
with Cat. #9. Two of these have a twisted foot, and the other two fea- of the 4th century BC and for the grave
ture a smooth foot, forming two pairs of like objects. 283, Kalfata (1949) which fibulae are
dated by I. Venedikov in the second half
The concentration of so many twisted bow fibulae in Apollonia of the 4th century BC but the pottery
confirms I. Venedikov's suggestion that small-scale workshops for belongs rather to the second quarter –
metal artifacts existed in the apoikia to meet the needs of the local middle of the 4th century BC (table 1).
For other graves with fibulae discovered
market (Венедиков 1963c, 346). in the 1940s, the date remains uncertain,
The second most common fibulae among the Apollonia graves are due in part to some confusion in the
those with a foot curved in the shape of letter “S” (type III) (Василева main publication of the fibulae (Вене-
2012, 14). All fibulae with S-shaped foot found to date in Apollonia диков 1963b, 313-315, fig. 8), in which
some of the numbers are duplicated and
(Cat. #18-22, plate 3 and the fibulae published by I. Venedikov the information about some fibulae does
(Венедиков 1963b, 314-315, обр. 108/1032, 1033)) feature a thin bow not correspond to the printed images.
or bow slightly thickened in the middle (arched or double-sided), 6
The fibula from Grave 305, Kalfata
which can be smooth or twisted (subtype III.1). Their section is cir- district (2002), should also be contem-
porary (Hermary / Panayotova 2006,
cular or rhomboid. The foot varies in length, and its conical or hemi- 54). Unfortunately, it was not available
spherical button is very often curved outwards or upwards. In only during my visit to the Archaeological
one case is the end of the foot not pronounced (Cat. #20, plate 3). Museum of Sozopol.
Table 1. Graves with fibulae from Apollonia Pontica (1946-2010)
Grave
Imported Local Sewing Glass
Grave struc- Burial Rite Jewellery Terracotta Mirror Fibula Coin Armament Other Date
Pottery Pottery Needle Bead
ture
2nd quarter – mid-
58, Kalfata Kantharoi, 2; Jug; Pot;
Pit Inhumation - - - - - Fragments - - - dle of 4th century
(1946) Bowls, 2 Bowl
BC
Middle – 3rd quar-
68, Kalfata Thracian
Pit Inhumation - Jug, red clay - - - - - - - - ter? of 4th century
(1946) type, 1
BC
97, Kalfata
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - Fragments - - Iron cramps, 2 Unknown
(1946)
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - - - Unknown
(1946) type, 1
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - Arrowhead Cramps 4th century BC
(1946) type, 2
(1947) type, 1
54, Kalfata
Pit Inhumation - - Ring - - - - Undefinite, 1 - - - Unknown
(1947)
60, Kalfata Thracian Middle (?) of 4th
Pit Inhumation - Askos - - - - - - - -
(1947) type, 1 century BC
Pit Inhumation - - Earrings, 2 - 1 - - - - - Unknown
(1947) type, 1
Pit Inhumation - - - 1 - - 2 1 - - Unknown
(1947) type, 1
209, Kalfata
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - Undefinite, 1 - - - Unknown
(1949)

(1949) type, 1
Lekythoi, 6; 2nd quarter – mid-
283, Kalfata Earrings, 2; Thracian Alabastra, alabaster, 2;
Pit Inhumation Alabastron; - - 1 1 10 3 - dle of 4th century
(1949) Rings, 2 type, 2 Pendant, glass
Oinochoe BC
369, Kalfata Thracian 2nd half of the 4th
Pit Inhumation - Bowl - - - - - - - -
(1948) type, 1 century BC
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - - Small amphora, glass Unknown
(1947) type, 1
Pit Inhumation - - Earring - - - - - - - Unknown
(1948) type, 1
37
38
Table 1. Continued
Grave
ture
Jug, Pot, Thracian End of the 5th – 1st
3, Parking Lekythoi, 6;
Pit Inhumation Bell-shaped - 1 - - type, 1 - - - half of 4th century
Sector (2001) Bowl, Jug
vessel Cat. #23 BC
Built of Thracian 2nd quarter – mid-
220, Kalfata Fragments
stone Inhumation Lekythoi; 2; - - - - - type, 1 - - - dle of 4th century
(2001) of vessel
blocks Cat. #4 BC
Thracian
236, Kalfata 3rd quarter of the
Pit Inhumation Lekythoi; Bowl Pot - - - - - type, 1 - - Nail
(2002) 4th century BC
Cat. #22
244, Kalfata Thracian 2nd quarter of the
Pit Inhumation Lekythoi, 2 - - - - - - - - -
(2002) type, 1 4th century BC
Fibula in
246, Kalfata form of 2nd – 3rd quarter of
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - - -
(2002) punches, 1 the 4th century BC
Cat. #29
Beginning of 3rd
Pit Inhumation - Cup - 1 - - - - - Nail, Strigil quarter of the 4th
(2002) type, 1
century BC
Thracian
277, Kalfata Fragment 2nd half of the 4th
Pit Inhumation - - - - - 1 type, 2 - - -
(2002) of urn century BC
Cat. #7-8
Oinochoai, 2;
Alabastra, 2; “Magic”
305, Kalfata Kylix; Krater; Thracian Last quarter of the
Pit Inhumation - Rings, 3 - - - - items; Loops;
Miglena VASILEVA
(2002) Bowl; Skyphos; type, 1 5th century BC

Astragaloi, 26
Lekanis
332, Kalfata Red-figure Thracian Middle of the 4th
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - -
(2003) lekythos type, 1 century BC
Lekythos with
net pattern; Thracian
352, Kalfata 3rd quarter (?) of
Pit Inhumation Maroon glazed - - - - - - type, 1 - - Part of loop
(2004) the 4th century BC
lekythos; Cat. #26
Amphora
Thracian
391, Kalfata Lekythos with 3rd quarter of the
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - type, 1 - - -
(2004) red palmette 4th century BC
Cat. #25
Table 1. Continued
Grave
ture
Lekythoi
with relief Thracian
5, ZP 5090 Pot; 2nd quarter of the
Pit Inhumation decoration, - - - - - type, 1 - - -
(2005) Oinochoe 4th century BC
4; Oinochoe; Cat. #14
Kylix
Bowl; Pyxis;
Thracian 2nd quarter- mid-
8Б, ZP IV Gilt lekythos Earring, 1; Knife; Astragaloi, 2;
Cist Inhumation - 1 - - - type, 1 - - dle of the 4th cen-
8036, (2005) with poly- Ring, 1 Part of resin
Cat. #20 tury BC
chromy
Thracian
30, ZP 5089 Early 3rd century
Tile Inhumation Unguentaria - - 1 - - - type, 1 2 - -
(2006) BC
Cat. #6
Lekythos with
net pattern; 2nd quarter- mid-
Thracian
41, ZP 5089 Lekythos with dle of the 4th
Pit Inhumation Pot Rings, 3 1 - - 1 type, 5 - - Lamp; Loop; Pendant
(2006) red palmette; century
Cat. #15-17
Cup Kantharoi BC
2
Thracian
49, ZP 5089 Middle of the 4th
Pit Inhumation Lekythoi, 2 Pot Ring, 1 - 3 - - type, 1 - - “Magic” items
(2006) century BC
Cat. #24
Kylikes, 3; Fish
Thracian 2nd quarter – mid-
27, ZP 5518 plate; Bowl; Pot; Jug;
Pit Inhumation - - - - - type, 1 - - - dle of the 4th cen-
(2007) Amphoriskos; Lekythos
Cat. #19 tury BC

Lid
Thracian 2nd – 3rd quarter
116, ZP 5518
Pit Inhumation - Oinochoe - - - - - type, 1 - - Nail of the 4th century
(2007)
Cat. #21 BC (?)
Kylix; White Thracian
14, ZP 5519, Oinochoe; 3rd quarter of the
Pit Inhumation ground leky- - - - - type, 1 - - Alabastra
(2007) Pot 5th century BC
thos; Bolsal Cat. #1
8, ZP 7099 Lekythos with Thracian 2nd half of the 4th

Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - -
(2007) net pattern type, 2 century BC
Thracian
10, ZP 5084 1st half of the 3rd
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - type, 1 - dagger -
(2008) century BC
Cat. #3
39
40
Table 1. Continued
Grave
ture
Thracian
type, 5: Cat. End of 2nd – be-
32, ZP 5269 #9-13; Fibula ginning of 3rd
Pit Inhumation Lekythos - Ring, 1 - - - 1 - - Loop
VI (2008) with triangle quarter of the 4th
catch-plate, century BC
Cat. #28
Thracian 2nd – 3rd quarter
17, ZP 5536 Black-glazed
Pit Inhumation Lamp Ring, 1 - - - - type, 1 - - - of the 4th century
(2008) Base
Cat. #18 BC (?)
Lekythos with
2nd (?) – 3rd quarter
22, ZP 5536, net pattern; Thracian
Pit Inhumation - - - - - - - - - of the 4th century
(2008) Fragment of type, 1
BC
amphora
Thracian End of 5th – begin-
7, ZP XI-
Pit Inhumation - Lekythos (?) - - - - - type, 1 - - - ning of 4th century
5101 (2009)
Cat. #2 BC
5, ZP 5076 Red-figure 1st quarter of the
Pit Inhumation Pot - - - - - Thracian type - - Strigil
(2010) lekythos 4th century BC
22, ZP Pit with Red-figure Thracian End of 3rd quarter

5100-7 cover of Inhumation lekythos; - - 1 - 1 - type, 2 - - Magic items; Loop – last quarter of
(2010) slabs Lekanis Cat. #5 the 5th century
3, Mesarite 2 Built of Bilateral, 1 1st quarter of the

Inhumation Unguentaria, 3 Pot, Bowl Wreath - - 1 String 1 - -
(2012) stones Cat. #27 3th century BC
Miglena VASILEVA
Appendix to Table 1. Bibliography for the cited graves

Grave 58, Kalfata (1946) – Венедиков 1948, 20; Grave 68, Kalfata (1946) – Венедиков 1948, 21; Grave 97, Kalfata (1946) – Венедиков 1948, 22; Grave 99, Kalfata (1946) – Венедиков 1948, 22; Grave 102,
Kalfata (1946) – Венедиков 1948, 23; Vagalinski 2001, 249; Grave 48, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963a, 21; Grave 54, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963а, 21; Grave 60, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963а, 21;
Grave 80, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963a, 22; Grave 82, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963а, 22; Grave 209, Kalfata (1949) – Венедиков 1963а, 29; Grave 261, Kalfata (1949) – Венедиков 1963а, 32; Grave
283, Kalfata (1949) – Венедиков 1963а, 33; Grave 369, Kalfata (1948) – Венедиков 1963а, 41; Grave 440, Kalfata (1947) – Венедиков 1963а, 48; Grave 482, Kalfata (1948) – Венедиков 1963а, 50; Grave 3,
Parking Sector (2001) – Панайотова / Недев 2002, 80-82, Cat. #23; Grave 220, Kalfata (2001) – Панайотова / Недев 2002, 80-82, Cat. #4; Grave 236, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et al. 2003, 105-107, Cat.
#22; Grave 244, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et al. 2003, 105-107; Baralis et al. 2010, 90-91; Grave 246, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et al. 2003, 105-107, Cat. #29; Grave 265, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et
al. 2003, 105-107; Grave 277, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et al. 2003, 105-107, Cat. #7-8; Grave 305, Kalfata (2002) – Панайотова et al. 2003, 105-107; Hermary / Panayotova 2006, 54; Panayotova 2007, 19,
fig. 23; Grave 332, Kalfata (2003) – Baralis et al. 2010, 105-106, Pl. 37d; Grave 352, Kalfata (2004) – Панайотова et al. 2005, 238-240, Cat. #26; Grave 391, Kalfata (2004) – Панайотова et al. 2005, 238-240,
Cat. #25; Grave 5, ZP 5090 (2005) – Панайотова et al. 2006, 242-246, Cat. #14; Grave 8Б, ZP IV 8036, (2005) – Панайотова et al. 2006, 242-246, Cat. #20; Grave 30, ZP 5089 (2006) – Панайотова et al. 2007,
364-368, Cat. #6; Grave 41, ZP 5089 (2006) – Панайотова et al. 2007, 364-368, Cat. #15-17; Grave 49, ZP 5089 (2006) – Панайотова et al. 2007, 364-368, Cat. #24; Grave 27, ZP 5518 (2007) – Панайотова
et al. 2008, 317-321, Cat. #19; Grave 116, ZP 5518 (2007) – Панайотова et al. 2008, 317-321, Cat. #21; Grave 14, ZP 5519, (2007) – Панайотова et al. 2008, 317-321, Cat. #1; Grave 8, ZP 7099 (2007) – Недев
/ Владова 2008, 313- 314; Grave 10, ZP 5084 (2008) – Панайотова et al. 2009, 345-342, Cat. #3; Grave 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008) – unpublished, Cat. #9-13, 28; Grave 17, ZP 5536 (2008) – Панайотова et al.
2009, 345-342, Cat. #18; Grave 22, ZP 5536, (2008) – Панайотова et al. 2009, 345-342;Grave 7, ZP 5101 (2009) – Панайотова / Пенчева 2010, 299-301, Cat. #2; Grave 22, ZP 5100-7 (2010) – Панайотова
et al. 2011, 264, Cat. #5; Grave 5, ZP 5076 (2010) – Панайотова et al. 2011, 264-265; Grave 3, Mesarite 2 (2012) – Baralis et al. 2012, 183, Cat. #27
Fibulae from Apollonia Pontica 41
Plate 1. 1-4: Thracian type fibulae

with low vertical foot; 5-8: Thracian
type fibulae with high vertical foot (the
numbers of the fibulae on the plates
coincide with their catalogue numbers).
Designed by M. Vasileva
The graves containing these fibulae are dated from the second to
the third quarter of the 4th century BC.
Fibulae with an unprofiled vertical foot in the form of an inverted
cone are the least commonly represented in Apollonia (type II, vari-
ant II.1а) (Василева 2012, 11-12). These feature a thin bow. Only two
examples, Cat. #23-24, plate 3 are currently known. This is absolutely
logical considering that the area of dispersion of the Thracian type
fibulae with conic foot is in north-western Thrace. The examples are
made of bronze, and their length varies from 3.9 to 6 cm (Домарадски
2000, 214; Василева 2012, 12).
Cat. #23 shows a good parallel with a bronze fibula found in the pit
sanctuary in Kozluka area, Malko Tranovo village, Chirpan district7,
alongside materials from the end of the 5th to the first half of the 4th cen-
tury BC. The fibula from Apollonia can also be assigned to this period.
7
This fibula is unpublished. I would Cat. #24 belonged to a grave of the middle of the 4th century BC.
like to express my gratitude to Assос.
Prof. Dr. Milena Tonkova for this infor-
These artifacts provide reasonable grounds for dating the usage of
mation; for the complex see Тонкова Thracian type fibulae with conic foot in Apollonia to the end of the 5th
2010, 198-212. and first half of the 4th century BC.
42 Miglena VASILEVA
Plate 2. 9: Thracian type fibula with

high vertical foot; 10-17: Thracian type
fibulae with vertical foot and twisted
bow (the numbers of the fibulae on the
plates coincide with their catalogue
numbers). Designed by M. Vasileva
All of the Thracian type fibulae from Apollonia display similar fea-
tures: they are made of thick wire with circular or rhombic section.
Two exceptions to this pattern are one iron fibula of the third quarter
of the 4th century BC, which features a bow with rectangular section
(Cat. #25), and one fragmented bronze fibula that is curved like a ring,
the original function of which was probably changed (Cat. #26).
To summarize, in conclusion: the Thracian type fibulae appear
in Apollonia for the first time in the 3rd quarter of 5th century BC as
singular specimens (Cat. #1, 2, 5, 23) that exhibit similarities to fibu-
lae from the interior of Thrace. Only in the second quarter – middle
of the 4th century BC do the number and the variety of the Thracian
type fibulae in this Greek apoikia increase significantly; it is at this
time that the fibulae with S-shaped foot (type III) and the fibulae with
twisted bow emerge (subtype I.3). The twisting of the bow is a type of
decoration particularly popular in Apollonia, although less so in inner
Thrace. This variant provides the most compelling argument in favor
of a functioning production center for fibulae in the colony.
Plate 3. 18-22: Thracian type fibulae

with S-shaped foot; 23-24: Thracian
type fibulae with conic foot;
25: Thracian type fibula with band
without preserved foot; 26: Deformed
Thracian type fibula (the numbers of
the fibulae on the plate coincide with
their catalogue numbers). Designed by
M. Vasileva
In addition to the Thracian type fibulae, other types of brooches

were also found in Apollonia.
Bilateral fibulae (cat. #27, plate 4)
The only fibula with double-spring found to date in Apollonia origi-
nated from Grave 3 in Sector Mesarite 2 (2012), from the chora of the
apoikia, dating to the first quarter of the 3rd century BC (Панайотова
et al. 2013, 227-230, oбр. 1; Baralis et al. 2012, 183). Although its foot
is not preserved, this fibula displays the characteristics of the free-foot
fibulae of the Early La Tène scheme (type I) (Василева 2012, 23-25).
We might conjecture that the end of the foot finished with decorative
spring like the widespread bilateral fibulae in north-eastern Thrace, ex-
amples of which appear as far south as Stara Planina, from Seuthopolis,
Philippopolis, Stoykite (subtype I.3) (Василева 2012, 24). On the basis
of these parallels, the fibula from Apollonia should date from the end
of the 4th to the beginning of the 3rd century BC. Its presence in the
vicinity of Apollonia suggests that the La Tène influence reached this
Hellenic apoikia, even though the intensity of this type is low.
One-spring fibula with triangular catch-plate (cat. #28,
plate 4)
In its triangular catch-plate, Cat. #28, plate 4 resembles a group of
fibulae widespread in southern Thrace from the end of the 8th century
44 Miglena VASILEVA
to the end of the 6th century BC (Гергова 1977, 50). This fibula may
be reminiscent of such an Early Iron Age type, but the context of its
discovery, twisted bow, and smaller size all indicate a later date.
Fibulae in the form of punches (cat. #29, plate 4)
The name of these fibulae refers to the extensions of the bow and the
pin, which form punches (Генчева 2004, 77). They are bimetal, display
an arched bow with oval or rectangular section, and feature low foot,
which ends with a spherical button. The iron pin is attached by a rivet.
There is no consensus in the literature regarding the genesis of
these brooches, which were widespread during the Roman period (see
Feugère 1985, 429-430, fig. 68, 5-7; Генчева 2004, 78). Such items are
known from Olynthus (Robinson 1941, pl. XXI-XXII, 352-355) and
differ from the Roman fibulae of this type in their distinctive foot,
which includes a button.
At this stage, two specimens of this type are known from Apollonia
(Венедиков 1963b 315, обр. 108/1039 and Cat. #29). The discovery
of Cat. #29 in a closed complex – grave 246 in the Kalfata area – sug-
gests an earlier date for these fibulae in the form of punches (Василева
2012, 37). Although, with the exception of the fibula, there is no other
material in the grave, the stratigraphic location of the complex suggests
a date in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 4th century BC.
Grave structures, burial rites and orientation of the
buried with fibulae
The grave structures where most of the fibulae were found were sim-
ple pits, dug in the sandy terrain without any additional structural
elements (type I, variant I after K. Panayotova) (Панайотова 1998,
11). In isolated cases, the fibulae were found in tile graves (Type II)
(Панайотова 1998, 12), graves built of stone blocks (Type III, Variant
1) or slabs (Type III, Variant 2) (Панайотова 1998, 13), or in pithoi
(table 1).
All graves with fibulae are inhumations, the main burial rite used
in Apollonia throughout all periods (Panayotova 2003, 130). Most of-
ten, the body was laid on its back with outstretched limbs and head
directed to the northeast, southeast and east (table 2). In one case, the
deceased was put in contracted position – Grave 10, ZP8 5084 (2008).
Grave goods, accompanying the fibulae (table 1)
The graves containing fibulae can be divided in two groups based
on the other grave goods. The smaller of these two groups includes
graves, where, apart from fibulae, no other funeral goods were includ-
ed: grave 99, Kalfata (1946) (Венедиков 1948, 22); grave 48, Kalfata
(1947) (Венедиков 1963a, 21); grave 209, Kalfata (1949) (Венедиков
1948, 29); grave 261, Kalfata (1949) (Венедиков 1963a, 32); grave
246, Kalfata (2002). The dating of these deposits, made difficult for
obvious reasons, most often covers a wide timeframe and is based on
the relative chronological relationship to grave complexes in the im-
mediate vicinity.
The second group includes graves in which the fibulae were ac-
companied by other goods. Their inventory could be divided in sev-
eral categories. 8
Zoned Property, abbreviated „УПИ“
First among these other goods is pottery, which is the most com- (Урегулиран поземлен имот) in
mon inventory. It may be glazed or not; red-figure, black-glazed leky- Bulgarian.
Plate 4. 27: Double spring fibula;

28: Fibula with triangular catch-plate;
29: Fibula in the form of punches
(the numbers of the fibulae on the plate
coincide with their catalogue numbers).
Designed by M. Vasileva.
Photo by Т. Bogdanova
thoi (with red palmette or net pattern), and black-glazed bowls prevail
over other ceramic forms.
Less common are the kylikes, unguentaria, pyxides, fish plates, and
skyphoi.
Red or grey pottery without glaze is also well presented. The forms
that could be distinguished include pots, oinochoai, jugs, and, less fre-
quently, askoi, bowls, lekythoi, and cups.
Jewellery also accompanied the fibulae in some graves. The most
widespread combination is fibulae with rings or earrings. Sometimes
all three artifacts were found together, as in grave 283, Kalfata (1949)
and grave 8Б, ZP IV 8036 (2005).
The cases in which the fibulae were found together with a sewing
needle are very interesting and will be expanded upon below.
Fibulae in Apollonia were also found in combination with glass
beads and glass pendants. The most common beads have cylindri-
cal shape and are decorated with several concentric rings defined as
“small eyes”.
The combination of fibulae and terracottas, mirrors, coins and as-
tragaloi are more rare.
Elements of armament are also, based on current knowledge, rare-
ly found in combination with fibulae; they are represented only by ar-
rowheads in grave 102, Kalfata (1946) and a dagger in grave 10, ZP
5084 (2008).
The fibula as a gender indicator (table 2)
9
Dr. Ann Keenleyside conducted this
The presence of fibulae among the grave goods poses a number of
research, and it remains unpublished.
I would like to express my gratitude to questions concerning the gender of the deceased. The results from the
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panayotova for the op- anthropological research, conducted in the period 2002-20089 are very
portunity to consult it. useful in this direction.
46 Miglena VASILEVA
Fibulae in female graves

The gender and age of 12 individuals was determined. Their inventory
contained 12 fibulae, among other things. Of them 7 individuals were
female (table 2).
The gender determination of the other deceased buried with fib-
ulae was conditionally based on the grave goods that are presumed
to be female possessions: a terracotta and earrings (grave 80, Kalfata
(1947)); a small glass amphora (grave 440, Kalfata (1948)); alabas-
tra, earrings, rings and a mirror (grave 283, Kalfata (1949)); a pyxis,
an earring with glass adornment, a ring, astragaloi, gilt lekythos with
polychromy (grave 8Б, ZP IV 8036 (2005)); a mirror, a lekanis, the
so called “magic items” (grave 22, ZP 5100-7 (2010)); rings and glass
pendant (grave 41, ZP 5089 (2006)); a ring and a glass bead (grave 32,
ZP 5269-VI (2008)); a funerary wreath, a mirror and a string of beads
in grave 3, Mesarite 2 (2012)10.
Given this material, the total number of graves of women buried
with fibulae can be estimated at 15 (7 determined by anthropological
analysis and 8 determined by grave goods) (table 2).
Fibulae in male graves

Of the 11 individual burials that underwent anthropological analysis,
5 men were identified (table 2).
The hypothetical determination of men was more difficult, since 10
On the basis of the earrings and
only a limited set of objects provide evidence for gender identifi- fibulae found in grave 482, Kalfata, I.
Venedikov unconditionally accepted
cation. For example, in grave 265 in the Kalfata area a fragment of this burial as belonging to a woman
strigil – an artifact that has long been associated with men11 – was (Венедиков 1963b, 314). In my opinion,
found, but the human remains were determined as “probably female” however, firm conclusions regarding the
(Baralis et al. 2010, 92; Hermary 2010, 168). A bronze needle and an gender of the deceased are disputable
iron nail were also included among the grave goods (Baralis et al. 2010, when only one adornment (besides a
fibula) is present without additional jew-
92-93). Conditionally, only grave 102 from the Kalfata area (1946), in ellery or artifacts typical female accesso-
which the fibula was found alongside two bronze loops with small ries (e.g., a mirror or pyxis).
shoulders (probably part of a harness) and a “Scythian type” arrow- 11
It is assumed that the presence of
head (Венедиков 1948, 23) and grave 10, ZP 5084 (2008), which in- strigils on funeral stelae provides unam-
cluded an iron dagger, can be accepted as male burials. biguous information about the masculine
gender of the possessor, as the presence
Of the graves analyzed, therefore, those of men number 7: 5 on the
of a mirror would for a female burial. In
grounds of the anthropological analysis and 2 on the basis of the grave fact, strigils have been found in graves
goods (table 2). of both men and women (Вагалински
This data demonstrates that the fibulae were found in graves of 2009, 54-56; Hermary 2010, 168), which
women and men alike, although they are more common in female means that they, like needles, cannot be
used as definitive gender indicators.
burials (the number of female graves with fibulae was more than 12
The study results the French team at
twice the number of male graves). A similar situation has been docu- Kalfata noted that in grave 339 (2003)
mented in the early Greek necropolis at Pithekoussai and Tarentum in two fragments of a bronze fibula were
Southern Italy (Frederiksen 1999, 239). These findings force a reeval- deposited with the remains of a child
uation of the idea, put forward in the beginning of the 1960s, that the (Baralis et al. 2010, 109-110; Panayotova
owners of fibulae in Apollonia Pontica were only women (Венедиков / Hermary 2010, 255, Pl. 42). The frag-
mented state of the object (Panayotova /
1963b, 314). Hermary 2010, 255, Pl. 42) does not al-
low unconditional inclusion in the fibu-
Fibulae in child graves lae group and it was, therefore, omitted
Among all graves with fibulae, 412 graves of children are registered: from the current analysis.
grave 82, Kalfata (1947); grave 334, Kalfata (1949); grave 49, ZP 5089
13
A fibula was also discovered on the
chest of a child in grave 514 at the ne-
(2006); and grave 27, ZP 5518 (2007). In two of these, the fibulae were cropolis of the Greek polis Olynthus
found on the chest or between the ribs, allowing speculation about (Robinson 1941, 105, #351; Robinson
their position on the deceased at the time of burial13. 1942, 102).
Table 2. Placement of the fibulae in the graves
Orientation
Cat. # Grave Number fibulae Location in the grave Metal Gender
(Head)
- 58, Kalfata (1946) Fragments To the knees Iron Undefined S
- 68, Kalfata (1946) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined S
- 97, Kalfata (1946) Fragments To the thigh Iron Undefined SE
- 99, Kalfata (1946) 1, Thracian type On the breast Bronze Undefined NE
- 102, Kalfata (1946) 2, Thracian type On the breast Bronze Man? NE
- 48, Kalfata (1947) 1, Thracian type On the shoulder Bronze Undefined NE
- 54, Kalfata (1947) 1 undefined Left shoulder Iron Undefined SE
- 60, Kalfata (1947) 1, Thracian type Left shoulder Bronze Undefined E
- 80, Kalfata (1947) 1, Thracian type Next to the right shoulder Bronze Woman? NE
- 82, Kalfata (1947) 1, Thracian type Between the ribs Bronze Child SW
- 334. Kalfata (1949) 1, Thracian type Unknown Bronze Child Unknown
- 209, Kalfata (1949) 1, Thracian type Between the ribs Bronze Undefined NE
- 261, Kalfata (1949) 1, Thracian type On the right shoulder Bronze Undefined NE
- 283, Kalfata (1949) 2, Thracian type Right shoulder; Left hip Bronze Woman? NE
- 369, Kalfata (1948) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined W
23 3, Parking (2001) 1, Thracian type Breast Bronze Undefined SE
4 220, Kalfata (2001) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined NE
22 236, Kalfata (2002) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined W
- 244, Kalfata (2002) 1, Thracian type On the abdomen Bronze Woman 21-35 years NE
1, In form of Bronze
29 246, Kalfata (2002) Right shoulder Woman 21-35 years E
punches and iron
- 265, Kalfata (2002) 1, fragmented Right shoulder Bronze “Rather” woman SE
7 and 8 277, Kalfata (2002) 2, Thracian type Right shoulder Left shoulder Bronze Woman 36-50 years SE
- 305, Kalfata (2002) 1, Thracian type Close to the skeleton, grave gift Bronze Woman 21-35 years NE
- 332, Kalfata (2003) 1, Thracian type Right hip Iron Adult man SE
26 352, Kalfata (2004) 1, Thracian type Close to skull Bronze Man, over 50 years NE
25 391, Kalfata (2004) 1, Thracian type Close to skull Iron Man, 21-35 years SE
14 5, ZP 5090, (2005) 1, Thracian type Below the ribs Bronze Undefined E
20 8Б, ZP IV 8036 (2005) 1, Thracian type Close to the left ankle Bronze Woman? N-E
6 30, ZP 5089 (2006) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined S
5, Thracian type
Right shoulder Left shoulder, 2
15-17 41, ZP 5089 (2006) and 1 with triangu- Bronze Woman? SE
On the breast, 2
lar catch-plate
24 49, ZP 5089, (2006) 1, Thracian type On the breast Bronze Child Unknown
19 27, ZP 5518, (2007) 1, Thracian type Left shoulder Bronze Child, 8-10 years NE
21 116, ZP 5518 (2007) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined E
1 14, ZP 5519 (2007) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined NE
- 8Б, ZP 7099 (2007) 2, Thracian type Right shoulder Left shoulder Bronze Woman? SW
3 10, ZP 5084, (2008) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Iron Man, 36-50 years E
Right shoulder Left shoulder
9-13; 28 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008) 6, Thracian type Bronze Woman? SE
Right hip, 2 Left hip, 2
18 17, ZP 5536, (2008) 1, Thracian type On the breast (left half) Bronze Woman, 36-50 years NW
- 22, ZP 5536, (2008) 1, Thracian type Left shoulder Iron Man, over 50 years E
Between the left shoulder and
2 7, ZP 5101 (2009) 1, Thracian type Bronze Undefined E
the mandible
- 5, ZP 5076 (2010) 1, Thracian type Right shoulder Bronze Undefined E
Silver
5 22, ZP 5100-7 (2010) 2, Thracian type Close the skeleton, grave gift and Woman E
bronze
27 3, Mesarite 2 (2012) 1, Bilateral Right shoulder Bronze Woman? NE
48 Miglena VASILEVA
Apart from the numerous terracottas found in grave 49, ZP 5089

(2006), the funerary goods in child graves do not differ from those of
adults.
It is difficult to determine the role of the fibulae in the child graves.
Were they used, for instance, to fasten children’s clothing to the chest14?
Or were individual objects placed in the grave as a funeral gift15? These
are difficult questions to answer at this stage, but it seems clear that the
simple inclusion of fibulae in graves cannot be considered as a defini-
tive indicator of the deceased’s age.
Connection between the characteristics of the fibulae
and the gender of the deceased
There exist some differences between the fibulae found in male and fe-
male graves in their characteristics, numbers, and metal of production.
For example, researchers established a certain correlation between
the number of the fibulae in the grave and the gender of the deceased:
in some of the graves of women, the number of the fibulae was two
or more. Grave 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008), defined as female, contained
6 fibulae; grave 41, ZP 5089 (2006) – 5 fibulae; and 2 fibulae were
found in grave 283, Kalfata (1949), grave 277, Kalfata (2002), grave
22, ZP 5100-7 (2010), and grave 8, ZP 7099 (2007). At present, only
one grave belonging to a male, grave 102, Kalfata (1946), contained 2
fibulae (table 1).
One additional observation is possible regarding the metal used
for the crafting of the fibulae and the gender of their owner. Four of the
iron Thracian-type fibulae (Cat. #3, 25) were found in graves of men:
grave 332, Kalfata (2003); grave 391, Kalfata (2004); grave 22, ZP 5536
(2008)16; and grave 10, ZP 5084 (2008).
To date, only one Thracian-type fibula made of iron can be de-
finitively linked to a female burial at Apollonia. This gives reason to
assume that iron Thracian-type fibulae are an artifact primarily linked
to the graves of men17. A fibula in the form of punches with an iron
pin, filed under Cat. #29, from the female grave 246, Kalfata, is not
included here.
Some fibulae with an S-shaped foot (Cat. #18 and 20) were found
in female graves (grave 17, ZP 5536 (2008) and grave 8Б, ZP IV 8036
(2005)) and in a child grave (grave 334, Kalfata (1947)). The outward-
twisting foot of these fibulae, which gives elegance to the silhouette,
reflects greater effort in production. It is fully possible that they were
14
A. Klein has drawn attention to the
fact that very often images show chil-
made especially for women and children.
dren dressed in chiton, fastened with a
The majority of the fibulae with twisted bow were also found in belt, and an additional cord crossing in
graves assigned to female burials: grave 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008) (Cat. front of the chest. A large brooch is of-
#10-13; 28) and grave 41, ZP 5089 (2006) (Cat. #15-17). ten depicted at the point where the ends
of the cord join (Klein 1932, 34-35, Pl.
The fibula as a dress accessory XXXVI/A).
15
Such a possibility is suggested by the
When discussing fibulae discovered in graves, attention should be giv- dimensions of the fibulae from the child
en to the role they played in the funeral itself, and whether they were graves, which do not differ from those
part of the costume of the deceased or whether they were deposited as found in the graves of adults.
a funeral gift. The location of their discovery gives evidence of their
16
The foot of this fibula was not pre-
served.
function. For example, we may surmise that when fibulae were found 17
The trend to bury men with iron fib-
on the skeleton, they were part of the garment of the deceased. In con- ulae and women with bronze and silver
trast, those found around the skull (as a deformed bronze fibula, Cat. ones has also been observed in the Celtic
#26, defined in the Inventory as an earring, or the iron fibula, Cat. #25), world (Домарадски 1984, 32).
or close to the skeleton together with other artifacts (as Cat. #5 and the
fibula from Grave 305, Kalfata (2002), were most likely a funeral gift.
Comparison with complexes from Magna Graecia may help to
identify the types of garments that the fibula fastened18. In this region,
women sometimes wore a cloak fastened with one fibula over the right
shoulder or in the center of the chest. A single fibula was also used to
fasten the right shoulder of a man’s short chlamys (Prohaszka 1995,
123-124).
These parallels suggest that, in Apollonia, a fibula found at the
deceased’s shoulder was used to fasten a cloak or another type of
garment19 that left one of the shoulders exposed.
The presence of two fibulae in one grave is more rare. Most often,
they are placed on the chest or on each arm (table 2). In such cases, the
fibulae were most likely used to fasten a chiton (Prohaszka 1995, 124).
There are no registered cases with 3 or 4 fibulae in one grave, but
there are individual cases in which a higher number of fibulae were
included: 5 specimens20 in grave 41, ZP 5089 (2006) and 6 in grave 32,
ZP 5269 VI (2008). Although their location varied, at least one fibula
was always included at one of the shoulders or on the chest. Two fibu-
lae situated on the hips in grave 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008) suggest they
18
In the Greek cities of Southern Italy, fastened a garment with a side opening.
this accessory was popular until around At present, there are no known fibulae found on the outside of
300 BC, as opposed to Greece, where the the upper limbs, which may suggest that the fibulae were not used to
fibula went out of fashion in the begin- fasten the sleeves of clothes. Buttons from the necropolis of Apollonia
ning of the 5th century BC, to be replaced
are also not known to this date.
by the round button. A long tradition of
fibulae throughout the Iron Age likely
reinforced the preferences for its use in Fibulae and needles
Thrace, as in Magna Graecia (Prohaszka To compare the function of fibulae to that of needles (Венедиков
1995, 123). 1963b, 318; Панайотова 1998, 18), special attention should be paid to
19
In Greece such type of male garment
is known as exomis and was worn by ar-
the needles found in burial complexes. The needles from the necropo-
tisans, soldiers, and horsemen, among lis of Apollonia were used for sewing and were made of bronze. They
others (Heuzey 1922, 35-36). have elongated body with circular section, one pointed end and one
20
The position of the fibulae on the thickened end with a hole. There are no other elements or decorations.
skeleton suggests that the garment was Their length rarely exceeds 10 cm, and very often they were found in
asymmetrical, fastened with one fibula
a fragmented state (Венедиков 1963b, 318).
over the right shoulder and two fibulae
over the left shoulder. This type of cloth- Needles are considered typical in female graves. They are usually
ing is also attested in Southern Italy. discovered close to the skull (crown) or at one shoulder, and may have
Clothes fastened with different number fastened veils or shrouds (Венедиков 1963b, 318; Panayotova 2003,
of fibulae on both sides suggest the pos- 136).
sibility that one of the shoulders was left
In most cases, needles are discovered in graves as a single speci-
exposed (Prohaszka 1995, 123).
21
During the excavations held be- men. Based on the current data, needles were somewhat more popular
tween 1946-1949, needles were found than the fibulae21. Most often, they are situated around and under the
in 24 graves (2.7%), while graves with skull22.
fibulae were 17 (1.9%). The ratio of nee- The second most common position for needles was close to, un-
dles compared to fibulae for the period der, or on one shoulder, with a slight predominance of the left side
2002-2004 is 33 to 10. The information is
unpublished and was taken from the in-
position. These almost always appear as single needles.
ventory books of 2002, 2003 and 2004, as Cases in which the needles are located in the knees and shins are
well as from Панайотова et al. 2005, 240; isolated, and these examples are mainly found around the skeleton,
Baralis et al. 2010, 105-106; Panayotova / not on it.
Hermary 2010, 255. Fibulae and needles, therefore, are not located at the same place in
22
This information comes from the
corpus Аполония (Apollonia) 1963
the grave or on the skeleton, and this fact suggests that they had differ-
(Венедиков 1963b, 318) and inventory ent function. This conclusion is reinforced in those complexes where
books of 2002-2008. both objects were found together (table 1).
50 Miglena VASILEVA
According to A. Hermary, the needles discovered in the Kalfata

necropolis served as a tool for stitching and fastened the deceased’s
veil (Hermary 2010, 166-167, ref. 72). This is probably valid for those
cases where the needles were found next to the skeleton, not on it.
Particularly when they are located around the skull, the needles prob-
ably fastened headscarves/veils or served as hairpins or hair accessoar-
ies23 (Hermary 2010, 167, ref. 72).
When needles were found at the shoulders, they may have at-
tached lighter fabrics (a lighter cloak or scarf, e.g.), in contrast to fibu-
lae, which fastened heavier clothing.
Needles and fibulae both are considered a typical female attribute
(Венедиков 1963b, 318). Indeed, most needles were discovered in
graves of women and children, but the presence of a needle in Grave
362, next to the skeleton of a man (Panayotova / Hermary 2010, 114-
115; 259), shows that these artifacts cannot be considered a conclusive
gender determinant. Anthropological research remains the only sure
indicator for identifying the gender of the person buried with a needle
(Hermary 2010, 167).
Needles appear in the Apollonia graves from the third quarter of
the 5th century BC to the end of the 3rd century BC (Венедиков 1963b,
318; Panayotova 2003, 136); their most intensive use was in the second
half of the 4th and the first half of 3rd century BC (Венедиков 1963b,
318; Panayotova / Hermary 2010, 258-259).
Ethno-cultural characteristic of the people buried

with Thracian type fibulae
It is an important question to what extent the fibulae describe the eth-
no-cultural characteristics of their owners and, in particular, the pres-
ence of a Thracian population of Apollonia Pontica.
As mentioned above, the most common fibulae at Apollonia
Pontica are of the Thracian type. Their presence in the graves of this
Greek apoikia caught the attention of the first researchers of the Kalfata
necropolis, and in the initial excavation publication, the Thracian
type fibulae were defined as evidence of Thracian presence in the ne-
cropolis (Венедиков 1948, 27). Later, inhumations in a contracted
position, the raising of tumuli, cremation, and stelae with Thracian
names were also identified as signs of Thracian influence (Венедиков
1963a, 12, 14, 16; 1963b, 346). In recent years, however, the uncondi-
tional acceptance of these signs as ethno-cultural characteristics has
23
Similar use is assumed for the nee-
dles from a Roman cemetery on the is-
been questioned24. land of Samothrace, which are mostly
To determine the ethno-cultural characteristics of those buried found around the skull (Dusenbery
with Thracian type fibulae in Apollonia, a more precise delineation of 1998, 1042).
their distribution in the apoikia may be useful. The early fibulae were 24
For example, it was established that
single specimens and were found in complexes from the 3rd quarter of the inventory of the graves with inhuma-
tion in a contracted position did not dif-
the 5th century and into the beginning of the 4th century BC. These ear- fer from that of the other graves with a
ly examples are evidence of a direct connection with the inner Thrace body in an extended position (Vagalinski
and were probably imported into the Greek colony. Towards the sec- 2001, 249). The use of cremation as an
ond quarter and the middle of the 4th century BC, the fashion had ethnic indicator is also unclear, and some
changed, and fibulae were starting to be used more often by a small consider its practice in the cemeteries on
the northern coast of the Black Sea as an
part of the population, most of whom were women. At this time, too,
element of Greek funerary ritual, despite
local production, most clearly reflected by the appearance of a local the occasional application of this rite by
variant with a twisted bow, begins in the apoikia. different Thracian tribes in neighboring
There exists a strong tradition for wearing fibulae in Thrace, and areas (Panayotova 2003, 130-131).
the prevalence of fibulae in Apollonia corresponds to a time when they

were no longer in use in Greece.
These facts, alongside the data on the presence of Thracians in the
colony, could suggest a link between those buried with Thracian type
fibulae and Thracian traditions. The prevalence of fibulae in female
graves could be the result of mixed marriages with women (so-called
exogamy) from inner Thrace, and their presence in male graves could
be due to the presence of Thracian slaves, artisans, and other workers.
However, the ethno-cultural characteristics of the residents in the
ancient poleis are hardly so predictable. Several generations after the
first settlers – that is, over two hundred years after the founding of the
apoikia – the population did not consist purely of Greeks, even though
Greek customs persisted (see Prohaszka 1995, 189). Suggestive of the
difficulties in determining the ethnicity are the funeral rites. The
burial structure and the funeral goods of the graves in which Thracian
type fibulae were found do not differ from those of other graves in
the necropoleis: inhumation in contracted position is registered only
in grave 10, ZP 5084 (2008), and not one cremation is recorded for
this period (Vagalinski 2001, 248). In addition, most Thracian type
fibulae from Apollonia demonstrate different features and intensity of
use compared with those from inner Thrace. For example, from the
end of the 4th and beginning of the 3rd century BC, the number of the
Thracian type fibulae in the burial complexes in the Greek apoikia
significantly diminished, while in Thrace these artifacts increased in
popularity in the Early Hellenistic period (Василева 2012, 18-20).
Scholars have encountered similar difficulties in explaining
the role of the Thracian type fibulae in the Greek polis Olynthus on
the Halkidiki peninsula. Their discovery in the city and the nearby
Riverside cemetery, supplemented by the presence of coins of the
Thracian kings (Sparatokos, Hebryzelmis, Kotys I, Kersobleptes and
Ketriporis), encouraged the assumption that close contacts with the
Thracians, either through trade or migration, existed (Robinson 1941,
134-135). As at Apollonia, the fibulae from Olynthus also had their
own course of development due to on-site production. Suggestive
of the multiculturalism of the people buried with fibulae is found in
grave 514, where two bronze coins were placed in the mouth of a child
(Robinson 1941, 105; 115) – a custom known from inner Thrace half
a century later (Домарадски 1987, 14-15).
Although the presence of a Thracian type fibula in a grave may
attest to some connections with the hinterland of Thrace and the
Thracians, it can hardly be used as a categorical indicator of the ethno-
cultural identity of the deceased.
Fibulae in other Black Sea colonies

At this stage, Apollonia Pontica remains the only west Greek colony
25
Single specimens are registered in where so many Thracian type fibulae have been recovered25. Unlike
the necropoleis of Histria (Аlexandrescu Apollonia, in the neighboring Mesambria, no fibulae of the Thracian
1966, 231, Pl. 102), Histria Sat (Teleaga type are registered. The several fibulae found in this apoikia are bilat-
/ Zirra 2003, Taf. 19), Histria Pod eral, and they appear in the second half of the 3rd century BC through
(Zimmermann / Avram 1987, 23, Abb.
so-called agrafs. They consist of a double-spring fibula with an attached
22), Odessos (Тончева 1956, 51), Kallatis
(Preda 1961, 295 sq., fig. 1, 15.1, 16); all ornamented plate (Домарадски 1984, 139; Tonkova 1997, 90).
are dated between the middle of the 4th The presence of a relatively high number of Thracian type fibulae
and the end of the 3rd century BC. in the graves of the ancient people of Apollonia, their almost complete
52 Miglena VASILEVA
absence in the other Black Sea colonies, and the presence of bilateral
fibulae a century later in Mesambria, clearly reflect the changing pref-
erence for certain types of personal adornments over the course of the
development of the Black Sea colonies. They were also influenced by
the leading fashion at this time.
Catalogue
Cat. #1 Thracian type fibula, bronze, plate 1/1
Grave 14, ZP 5519, (2007), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section. Low vertical foot with distinct button – two
discs on its base and an elongated conic appendix with small ball. Long arm of the
catch-plate, part of which is missing. Green patina.
The dimensions are hard to define because of the fragmentary state.
third quarter of the 5th century BC
Grave 7, ZP 5101 (2009), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section. Low vertical foot with distinct button – two
discs on its base and elongated conic appendix. Long arm of the catch-plate, part of
which is missing. The catch-plate is on the right side of the fibula (see Василева 2012,
48, фиг.1).
length 9.9 cm; height 3.1 cm
end of 5th – beginning of 4th century BC
Cat. #3 Thracian type fibula, iron, plate 1/3
Arched bow, low vertical foot and short arm of the catch-plate. The catch-plate is
on the right side of the fibula. Corroded.
length 9 cm, height 4.5 cm
first half of the 3rd century BC
Grave 220, Kalfata (2001), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section, low vertical foot with spherical button. Long
arm of the catch-plate. Quadrangular catch-plate on the right side of the fibula. Dark
green patina.
length 4.6 cm, height 1.9 cm
second quarter of 4th century BC
Cat. #5 Thracian type fibula, silver; plate 1/5
Grave 22, ZP 5100-7 (2010), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section. Vertical foot as high as the bow. The foot ends
with conic button. Long arm of the catch-plate. Quadrangular catch-plate on the right
side of the fibula.
last quarter of the 5th – first quarter of the 4th century BC
Arched bow with circular section. Vertical foot with thicken end. The point of the
pin and the end of the foot missing. The catch-plate is on the right side of the fibula.
Green patina.
early 3rd century BC
Grave 277 Kalfata (2002), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section. Vertical foot with conic button as high as the
bow. Long arm of the catch-plate, short trapezium-shaped catch-plate on the right side
of the fibula. Green patina.
second half of the 4th century BC
Grave 277 Kalfata (2002), unpublished
Arched bow with rhombic section. Vertical foot with distinct button, part of
which missing. Long arm of the catch-plate, long trapezium-shaped catch-plate on
the right side of the fibula, broken in two parts. Part of the pin missing. Green pa-
tina.
second half of the 4th century BC
Grave 32, ZP 5269 VI, (2008), unpublished

Arched slightly thickened in the middle bow with rhombic section. Foot higher
than the bow with flattened hemispherical button. A loop is hung on the foot, prob-
ably part of a chain. Long arm of the catch-plate, triangle catch-plate on the right side
of the fibula. The fibula is broken in two parts. Pin missing. Green patina.
length around 5.7 cm, height 2.1 cm
end of 2nd – beginning 3rd quarter of the 4th century BC
Тwisted аrched bow. Vertical twisted foot, high as the bow with big conic but-
ton. Long arm of the catch-plate and long catch-plate. The catch-plate is on the right
side of the fibula. Green patina.
length 5.2 cm, height 2 cm
Тwisted аrched bow. Vertical twisted foot as high as the bow with conic big but-
ton. Long arm of the catch-plate and long catch-plate. The catch-plate is on the right
side of the fibula. The point of the pin missing. Green patina.
length 6 cm, height 2.1 cm
Тwisted аrched bow. Vertical foot as high as the bow with small conic button. Long
arm of the catch-plate. The catch-plate is on the right side of the fibula. Green patina.
length 5.5 cm, height 2.2 cm.
Тwisted аrched bow. Vertical foot as high as the bow with conic button. Long
arm of the catch-plate and long catch-plate. The catch-plate is on the right side of the
fibula. Green patina.
length 5.3 cm, height 1.9 cm.
End of 2nd – beginning 3rd quarter of the 4th BC century
Тwisted аrched bow. Vertical foot as high as the bow with oval button. Long arm
of the catch-plate. Long quadrangular catch-plate on the right side of the fibula. The
pin is broken and part of it missing. Green patina.
second quarter of the 4th century BC
Cat. #15-17 Thracian type fibulae, bronze, plate 2/15-17
Highly fragmented. Twisted bow, vertical foot as high as the bow with small
spherical button. The button of the Cat. #16 missing.
undefined measurements
2nd quarter- middle of the 4th century BC
Arched bow with rhombic section, which changes to circular close to the spring.
S-shaped foot as high as the bow. The foot ends with small conic button. Short arm
of the catch-plate, the catch-plate is high, triangular, on the right side of the fibula.
Green patina.
second – third quarter of the 4th century BC (?)
Double-sided bow with rhombic section. Low S-shaped foot, the end of which
is not pronounced. Long arm of the catch-plate, the catch-plate is on the right side of
the fibula. Broken pin. Green patina.
second quarter – middle of the 4th century BC
Cat. #20 Thracian type fibula, bronze; plate 3/20
Grave 8Б, ZP IV 8036, (2005), unpublished
Twisted arched bow. S-shaped foot with long, slim, conical end. Short arm of
the catch-plate, short triangular catch-plate on the right side of the fibula. Broken
54 Miglena VASILEVA
pin. Green patina.

second quarter – middle of the 4th century BC
Fragmented bow with circular section. The base of the foot is parallel to the
bow and this gives grounds to assume that is was S-shaped. Broken pin. Foot missing
Green patina.
second – third quarter of the 4th century BC (?)
Arched bow with circular section. Low S-shaped foot. Long arm of the catch-
plate, the catch-plate is on the right side of the fibula. The end of the foot missing.
Green patina.
length 7.8 cm., preserved height 3.1 cm
second – third quarter of the 4th century BC
Grave 3, Parking sector (2001), unpublished
Arched bow with circular section. Vertical conic foot slightly thickened at the
end. It is higher than the bow. The catch-plate is on the left side of the fibula. The pin
and the bow are broken. Green patina.
length around 6 cm
end of the 5th – first half of the 4th century BC
Arched bow with circular section. Slightly thicken end of the foot. Long catch-
plate, on the right side of the fibula. The point of the pin missing. Green patina.
length 3.9 cm., height 1.6 cm
middle of the 4th century BC
Cat. #25 Thracian type fibula, iron, plate 3/25
Arched bow with diamond form, viewed from above, and rectangular section.
The pin, the foot and the catch-plate are missing.
preserved length 6.5 cm., height 13.3 cm
Deformed fibula. Curved bow. The foot almost touches the spring. In this way
the fibula forms open ring. The foot ends with conic button. The pin is missing.
Green patina.
Cat. #27 bilateral fibula, bronze, plate 4/27
Grave 3, Mesarite 2 (2012), unpublished
Arched bow slightly thicken in the middle with circular section. The spring is
bilateral with 3 turns and external chord. Trapezoidal catch-plate on the right side of
the fibula. Foot missing.
preserved length 3 cm, height 0.9 cm
end of the 4th – beginning of the 3rd century BC
Cat. #28 one spring fibula with triangular catch-plate, bronze, plate 4/28
Grave 32, ZP 5269 VI (2008), unpublished
Arched twist bow. Triangular catch-plate curved in its end to fix the pin. The
catch-plate is on the left side of the fibula. Green patina.
end of 2nd – beginning 3rd quarter of the 4th BC century
Cat. #29 fibulae in form of punches, bronze and iron, plate 4/29
Fragmented. Arched bow, long triangle catch-plate and low vertical foot with
broken button. The other end, where the pin was fixed on the bow, is in the form of
punches. Green patina and dark corrosion.
second – third quarter of the 4th century BC
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Фибули от Аполония Понтика

Миглена ВАСИЛЕВА
(резюме)
Настоящата статия представя откритите през последните години
фибули в черноморската колония Аполония Понтика (дн.
град Созопол) и с това обогатява натрупаните до този момент
сведения за употребата на фибулите в гръцка среда. Добра
предпоставка за наличието на подобно изследване е относително
голямата популярност на този тип аксесоари сред населението
на Аполония и продължителното системно проучване на
прилежащите към града некрополи, което започва през 1946 г. и,
с известни прекъсвания, продължава до днес.
Фибулите като част от гробния инвентар

Основният източник на фибули от Аполония са гробовете.
Голямо предимство за установяване на хронологията на фибулите
е намирането им заедно с други артефакти (най-вече керамични
съдове), повечето от които са добре датирани.
С най-много информация за ролята на фибулите в гръцката
колония разполагаме от разкопките на некропола в местността
Калфата. За периода 1946-1948 г. в него са разкрити общо 890
гроба, в 17 от които има фибули, което означава, че делът на
гробовете, в които са регистрирани фибули, е 1.9%. Макар да
не разполагаме с пълни данни относно броя на откритите през
следващите години гробове с фибули, наблюдаваната от първите
проучвания тенденция за 2-3% до максимум 4% от общия
брой гробни комплекси е засвидетелствана и през останалите
сезони.
Типове фибули
Фибули тракийски тип (кат. номера 1-26)
Най-широко разпространените фибули в Аполония са
представителите на т. нар. тракийски тип. Включените в
настоящото изследване фибули са 38 – 3 от проучванията през
1946 г. по публикация, 9 от 1947-1949 г. и също публикувани, и
26 от периода 2001-2010 г., които са непубликувани (кат. номера
1-26). Най-многобройни са фибулите с право вертикално краче,
което завършва в края си с обособен бутон (тип I по М. Василева)
(кат. номера 1-9). Те са с тънък дъговиден, по-рядко двускатен
или триъгълен лък, изработен от тел с еднаква дебелина, която е
близка до тази на крачето. В зависимост от дължината на крачето
тези фибули попадат в няколко разновидности. Първата от тях
включва фибулите с ниско вертикално краче, чиято височина
рядко достига средата на височината на лъка (кат. номера 1-4).
Те са датирани в рамките на третата четвърт на V до първата
половина на III в. пр. Хр.
Към втората разновидност фибули тракийски тип с
вертикално краче от Аполония принадлежат тези с ясно изразено
краче, високо колкото лъка, и с дъговиден (симетричен или
асиметричен) лък или лък с триъгълен силует (кат. номера 5-8). Те
също предлагат датировка в по-широки граници – от последната
четвърт на V до началото на III в. пр. Хр.
В последната разновидност е включена фибулата с кат. номер
9. Тя е с високо издигнато над лъка краче и увит около него
бронзов тел, вероятно част от верижка, счупена впоследствие.
Това дава основание за предположението, че фибулата е била
част от многосъставен накит. Комплексът, от който произхожда,
е датиран в края на втората – началото на третата четвърт на IV
в. пр. Хр.
Сред най-разпространените в Аполония фибули с
вертикално краче са тези с тънък усукан лък – симетричен или
асиметричен – кат. номера 10-17. Концентрацията на толкова
много фибули с усукан лък в апойкията подкрепя изказаното
от И. Венедиков предположение за съществуването на един или
няколко производствени центъра, чиято продукция е в малък
58 Miglena VASILEVA
мащаб и задоволява нуждите на местния пазар. Вероятно те са

употребявани в по-тесен хронологичен отрязък – от втората
до третата четвърт на IV в. пр. Хр. и отразяват наличието на
определена мода.
На второ място по разпространение в Аполония се нареждат
фибулите тракийски тип с краче, извито под формата на латин-
ската буква „S“ (тип III по М. Василева, кат. номера 18-22). Те са
с тънък, еднакво дебел по цялата си дължина или слабо удебелен
в средата, лък (дъговиден или двускатен), който може да бъде
гладък или усукан. Крачето е с различна дължина, а завършекът
му най-често представлява извит навън или нагоре конусовиден
или полусферичен бутон, като при кат. номер 20 краят на крачето
не е обособен. Те също са датирани в рамките на втората – трета-
та четвърт на IV в. пр. Хр.
Най-слабо представените фибули тракийски тип в Аполония
са тези с вертикално краче, което не е профилирано в края, а е
удебелено под формата на обърнат конус (тип II по М. Василева,
кат. номера 23-24). Това е напълно логично с оглед на факта, че
ареалът на разпространение на фибулите с конусовидно краче е
Северозападна Тракия. Времето на тяхната употреба в колония-
та е краят на V – първата половина на IV в. пр. Хр.
Особеностите на всички фибули тракийски тип от Аполония
са сходни – те са изработени от тънък тел, с кръгло или ромбо-
видно сечение. Изключение от този модел са само един лък на
желязна фибула с правоъгълно сечение (кат. номер 25) и една из-
вита като халка фрагментирана бронзова фибула, чиято първо-
начална функция е била променена (кат. номер 26).
Алгоритъмът на разпространението на фибулите тракийски
тип в тази гръцка колония е систематизиран по следния
начин: най-ранните фибули са единични екземпляри и са от
комплекси с дата третата четвърт на V – началото на IV в. пр.
Хр. (кат. номерa 1, 2, 5, 23, фибулата от гроб 305, Калфата). Те
свидетелстват за възможни директни връзки с вътрешността
на Тракия и по всяка вероятност са внос в гръцката апойкия.
Едва към втората четвърт – средата на IV в. пр. Хр. броят на
фибулите тракийски тип в колонията нараства значително,
както и тяхното разнообразие по отношение на формата –
появяват се фибулите с S-овидно краче и фибулите с усукан
лък. Усукването на лъка е вид украса, особено характерна
за Аполония, която не е популярна във вътрешността на
Тракия. Именно тези фибули дават най-сигурни основания
да се предположи функционирането на един или няколко
производствени центъра за фибули в колонията.
В края на IV – началото на III в. пр. Хр. броят на фибулите
тракийски тип в гробните комплекси чувствително намалява.
Този интензитет на разпространение на фибулите в Аполония
контрастира ярко с наблюдаваната във вътрешността на Тракия
тенденция, където по това време тези аксесоари изживяват своя
разцвет.
Билатерални фибули (кат. номер 27)
Единствената открита до този момент фибула с билатерална
спирала от Аполония произхожда от гроб в хóрата на Аполония.
Въпреки че е фрагментирана, е предположено, че краят на

крачето е завършвал с нефункционална спирала, по подобие на
широко разпространените билатерални фибули в Североизточна
Тракия, чиито единични представители попадат и на юг от Стара
планина – в Севтополис, Филипопол, Стойките. На базата на тези
паралели фибулата е датирана в края на IV – началото на III в. пр.
Хр. Присъствието Ł в околностите на Аполония дава основание
да се приеме, че, макар и със слаб интензитет, латенското влияние
достига и до тази черноморска колония.
Едноспирална фибула с триъгълна плочка на иглодържателя
(кат. номер 28)
Единствената позната до този момент фибула с триъгълна плочка
на иглодържателя от Аполония показва сходство с една група
фибули, разпространена в Южна Тракия от края на VIII в. до края
на VI в. пр. Хр. Фибулата може да се приеме за реминисценция на
екземплярите от ранножелязната епоха. Индикация за по-късната
Ł дата (втора – трета четвърт на IV в. пр. Хр.), освен контекста на
откриване, са по-малките размери – дължина 4.5 см.
Фибули с форма на клещи (кат. номер 29)
Наименованието на тези фибули идва от продълженията на
задната част на лъка и иглата, които имат формата на клещи. Те
са биметални, с дъговидно извит лък с овално или правоъгълно
сечение и с ниско краче, което завършва със сферичен бутон.
Иглата е закрепяна чрез нит и е желязна. На този етап в
Аполония са регистрирани два екземпляра от този тип. Въпреки
че в литературата не съществува единно мнение за времето на
зараждане на фибулите с форма на клещи, които са широко
разпространени в римската епоха, откриването на кат. номер 29
в затворен комплекс означава, че образците с ясно обособено
краче от този тип могат да бъдат датирани във втората – третата
четвърт на IV в. пр. Хр.
Гробни съоръжения, погребален обряд и ориентация
Гробните съоръжения, в които e откриванa голяма част от фи-
булите, са вкопани в пясъка обикновени ями без допълнително
устройство. Единични са случаите на фибули в гробове, покрити
с керемиди, цисти, гробове, градени с камъни, както и в питоси
(таблица 1). Погребалният обряд при всички комплекси с фибу-
ли е инхумация, който е водещ през всички периоди на използ-
ването на некрополите в Аполония. Най-често покойниците са
полагани по гръб с изпънати крайници и глава на североизток,
югоизток и изток (таблица 2).
Гробен инвентар, съпътстващ фибулите (таблица 1)
В зависимост от инвентара си, гробовете, в които присъстват
фибули, са разделени на две групи – такива, в които са
регистрирани само фибули и такива, в чийто инвентар фибулите
са придружавани от други предмети. Най-често фибулите се
откриват с керамика. Сред съдовете с фирнис се срещат лекити
(с червена палмета и мрежест орнамент) и паници. По-рядко
фибулите се откриват с киликси, балсамарии, пиксиди, ихтии,
скифоси и др. От формите керамика без фирнисово покритие
60 Miglena VASILEVA
с червен и сив цвят на глината могат да се откроят гърнета,

ойнохоета, кани, а спорадично и аскоси, паници, лекити и чаши.
Към втората категория предмети, съпътстващи фибулите,
принадлежат накитите. Най-широко разпространената
комбинация е фибули с пръстени-печати и фибули с халковидни
обици. Фибулите от Аполония са откривани заедно още със
стъклени мъниста с цилиндрична форма и украса „очички“
и стъклени висулки. Огледалата, монетите, астрагалосите,
теракотите и елементите на въоръжението се срещат по-рядко в
комбинация с фибули (таблица 1).
Фибулата като индикатор за пола и възрастта (таблица 2)
Фибулите са откривани в гробове както на жени, така и на мъже.
При жените обаче този атрибут към облеклото се радва на по-
голяма популярност, отколкото при мъжете – женските гробове
с фибули са над два пъти повече от мъжките. Антропологичен
анализ на костния материал е извършен при 12 погребани с
фибули индивида. Установено е, че 7 от тях принадлежат на жени,
а 5 – на мъже. Към тази статистика са добавени още 8 индивида от
женски пол и 2 от мъжки, определени, с известна доза условност,
само по наличния инвентар.
Подобна ситуация се наблюдава и в ранните гръцки некропо-
ли в Южна Италия при Питекуса и Тарент. Този извод е новост
по отношение на представата за пола на притежателите на фибу-
ли от Аполония, които в началото на 60-те години на XX век са
считани само за жени.
Фибули са откривани и в детски гробове. При част от тях
местоположението е в областта на гърдите/между ребрата. На
този етап е трудно да се установи ролята на фибулите в детските
гробове. Трудно е да се отговори на въпроса дали са били
използвани за закрепването на някакви детски дрехи в областта
на гърдите, или са били поставяни единствено в качеството си на
гробен дар. Направен е изводът, че, въпреки някои установени
зависимости, откриването на фибули в гробовете само по себе си
трудно може да се приема като сигурен индикатор за определена
възраст на притежателите им.
Зависимости между характеристиките на фибулите и пола на
погребаните
Регистрирана е определена взаимовръзка между количеството
фибули и пола на погребаните – в някои от гробовете на жени
броят фибули е два или повече от два (на този етап са регистрирани
до максимум 6 фибули в един комплекс – гроб 32, УПИ 5269-VI
(2008 г.). Единствено в гроб 102 от Калфата (1946 г.), за който по
инвентара е предположено, че принадлежи на мъж, са намерени
2 фибули.
Установено е, че железните фибули тракийски тип са срещан
артефакт в гробове на мъже. Това съвпада с наблюдаваната в
келтския свят тенденция мъжете да се погребват предимно с
железни фибули.
Някои от фибулите с усукан лък и тези с S-овидно краче са
открити в гробове на жени и едно дете. При тези фибули е вложено
по-голямо старание в изработката и извиването на крачето навън,
което придава елегантност на силуета. Това напълно отговаря на

възможността те да са били изработени специално за жените и
децата.
Фибулите като аксесоар към облеклото
В настоящата работа е възприето, че намираните върху скелета
фибули са част от облеклото на погребания, а тези, разположени
около черепа или в близост до скелета, заедно с други предмети, са
изпълнявали по-скоро функцията на гробен дар. Наблюденията
върху комплексите от Аполония показват, че почти всички
фибули са откривани върху скелета. Трудно е обаче да се каже с
положителност дали те са били носени приживе или са били част
от тоалета, сложен специално за погребалния ритуал.
Най-многобройни са комплексите, в които е откривана само
по една фибула. Сред тях значителен превес имат случаите, в
които фибулата е разполагана върху дясното рамо (таблица 2).
Наличието на една фибула върху едното рамо на покойниците
от Аполония предполага нейното използване за закопчаването
на някакъв тип наметало или друг вид дреха, при която едното
рамо е оставяно открито (например екзомис, носен от занаятчии,
войници, конници и др.).
Откриването на 2 фибули в гроб е по-рядко срещано. В тези
случаи фибулите най-често са разполагани върху гърдите или върху
двете рамена и са били използвани за закопчаването на хитон.
Засега липсват примери от Аполония за откривани 3 и 4
фибули в един гробен комплекс. Повече на брой фибули (5 и 6) са
регистрирани в единични случаи. Макар местоположението им
да е различно, присъствието на поне една фибула върху едно от
рамената/гърдите е задължително.
На този етап няма известни случаи на фибули, локализирани
от външната страна на горните крайници на погребаните, което
означава, че те не са използвани за закопчаване на ръкавите на
дрехите. Копчета от некропола на Аполония до този момент също
не са известни.
Фибули и игли
Специално внимание е обърнато на откритите в гробовете на
Аполония игли, поради честото приравняване на функцията им
с тази на фибулите.
Иглите от Аполония са шевни и са изработени от бронз.
Когато присъстват в гробове, те почти винаги са представени
само от един екземпляр. От наличните данни е установено, че те
са били по-широко употребявани в сравнение с фибулите. Двете
групи артефакти не са намирани на едни и същи места в гробoве-
те и върху скелетите, което означава, че са имали различно пред-
назначение. Най-често иглите са локализирани около и под че-
репа. На второ място се нареждат иглите, които са открити до,
под и върху едно от рамената, с лек превес на тези при лявото
рамо. Случаите, при които иглите са локализирани в областта на
колената и подбедриците, са единични, като екземплярите почти
винаги са намирани до скелета, а не върху него.
Когато иглите от некропола при Калфата са намирани до, а
не върху скелета, вероятно са служели като инструмент за шиене
62 Miglena VASILEVA
на савана, с който е полаган покойникът. В случаите, когато иг-

лите са локализирани около черепа, е допусната вероятността те
да са прикрепвали забрадки/воали или да са играели ролята на
фиби или аксесоари, сплитани в косата. Когато са откривани в
областта на рамената, е предположено, че иглите са използвани
за закрепянето на по-леки материи – наметала, шалове и др. Те са
имали по-скоро помощна функция за разлика от фибулите, кои-
то са били употребявани за прикрепянето на по-масивни дрехи.
Установено е, че най-често иглите се откриват в гробове на
жени и деца, а присъствието на игла в гроб 362 при Калфата до
скелета на мъж показва, че те не могат да се приемат за предмети,
които категорично определят пола. И в тези случаи антрополо-
гичният анализ остава единственият сигурен начин за установя-
ване пола на погребаните с игли.
Времето на употреба на иглите е в по-широки хронологични
граници в сравнение с това на фибулите – от третата четвърт на
V в. пр. Хр. до края на III в. пр. Хр. Най-големият интензитет
на употреба на иглите е във втората половина на IV – първата
половина на III в. пр. Хр.
Етнокултурна характеристика на погребаните с фибули
тракийски тип
Въпросът за етнокултурната принадлежност на погребаните
винаги е бил тема на оживени дискусии. В този смисъл
установяването на връзка между погребаните с фибули тракийски
тип и траките би било особено привлекателно. То може да намери
известна подкрепа в епиграфските данни за присъствие на траки
в колонията и в широкото разпространение на фибулите във
време, когато в континентална Гърция те вече не са в употреба.
Преобладаването на фибулите тракийски тип в гробовете на жени
би могло да потърси обяснение в евентуалните смесени бракове
на гърците с жени от вътрешността на Тракия, а откриването им
в гробове на мъже да се свърже с присъствието на траки в ролята
на роби, занаятчии или друг вид работна ръка.
Едва ли обаче етнокултурната характеристика на жителите
на апойкията е толкова лесно предсказуема. Няколко поколения
след първите заселници, т. е. двеста и повече години след
основаването на колонията, населението не е било толкова
хомогенно гръцко, дори гръцките обичаи да са били все още
налице. Доказателство за затрудненията при определянето на
етноса на покойниците е и фактът, че погребалният обряд,
гробните конструкции и инвентарът на гробовете, в които
фибулите тракийски тип са открити, не се различават от тези на
останалите гробове в некропола (трупополагане в поза хокер е
регистрирано само в един гроб, като до този момент няма нито
една кремация с фибула!).
Гореизложените факти показват, че фибулите тракийски
тип в Аполония имат собствен път на развитие, който е
засвидетелстван както в по-ранния им разцвет, в сравнение
с образците от вътрешността на Тракия, така и в данните за
производството им в колонията.
Подобни затруднения се срещат и при опитите за обясняване
на ролята на фибулите тракийски тип в гръцкия полис
Олинт на Халкидическия полуостров, където са откривани

и монети на тракийски царе. Особеностите на фибулите от
този полис показват, че те също са имали собствена еволюция,
подкрепена от производството им на място. Доказателство
за мултикултурализма на погребаните с фибули в Олинт е
гроб 514, където в устата на погребано дете са поставени две
бронзови монети „харонов обол“ – обичай, засвидетелстван във
вътрешността на Тракия едва половин век по-късно.
На базата на всички тези особености е направен изводът,
че, макар присъствието на една или няколко фибули тракийски
тип в даден гроб само по себе си да води до асоциации с Тракия
и траките, то трудно може да бъде използвано за категоричен
етнокултурен индикатор на погребаните.
Фибулите в другите черноморски колонии
Единични фибули тракийски тип са регистрирани в Истрия,
Истрия Сат, Истрия Под, Калатис, Одесос, но на този етап
Аполония остава единствената западнопонтийска колония, в
чиито граници е открито толкова голямо количество фибули.
Присъствието на сравнително голям брой фибули тракийски
тип в гробовете на жителите на Аполония, почти пълната им
липса в другите черноморски колонии и наличието на фибули
с билатерална спирала в Месамбрия едно столетие по-късно
(втората половина на III в. пр. Хр.) ясно отразяват тенденцията
за наличието на предпочитания към определени категории
предмети в хода на развитието на черноморските колонии. Те се
оказват повлияни и от водещата мода в съответното време.
Miglena Vasileva PhD

34 Neofit Rilski St.
BG-1000 Sofia
miglena_vas@yahoo.com

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Fibulae From Apollonia Pontica (+)

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Fibulae from Apollonia Pontica

Archaeologia Bulgarica Miglena VASILEVA

The earliest fibula of this variation, dating to the 3rd quarter of

261, Kalfata Thracian

(2002) Bowl; Skyphos; type, 1 5th century BC

Cat. #19 tury BC

8, ZP 7099 Lekythos with Thracian 2nd half of the 4th

22, ZP Pit with Red-figure Thracian End of 3rd quarter

3, Mesarite 2 Built of Bilateral, 1 1st quarter of the

Appendix to Table 1. Bibliography for the cited graves

Plate 1. 1-4: Thracian type fibulae

Plate 2. 9: Thracian type fibula with

Plate 3. 18-22: Thracian type fibulae

In addition to the Thracian type fibulae, other types of brooches

Plate 4. 27: Double spring fibula;

Fibulae in female graves

Fibulae in male graves

Table 2. Placement of the fibulae in the graves

Apart from the numerous terracottas found in grave 49, ZP 5089

According to A. Hermary, the needles discovered in the Kalfata

Ethno-cultural characteristic of the people buried

the prevalence of fibulae in Apollonia corresponds to a time when they

Fibulae in other Black Sea colonies

Grave 32, ZP 5269 VI, (2008), unpublished

pin. Green patina.

Bibliography некропола на Аполония, Панайотова, К. / Недев, Д. / Ников,

Фибули от Аполония Понтика

Фибулите като част от гробния инвентар

мащаб и задоволява нуждите на местния пазар. Вероятно те са

Въпреки че е фрагментирана, е предположено, че краят на

с червен и сив цвят на глината могат да се откроят гърнета,

което придава елегантност на силуета. Това напълно отговаря на

на савана, с който е полаган покойникът. В случаите, когато иг-

Олинт на Халкидическия полуостров, където са откривани

Miglena Vasileva PhD

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