Hod Hill Fibula Group

Named after a site in Britain, this group of fibulae originated with the Romano-Celtic populations of northern Gaul and was introduced into Britain with the Roman conquest. These hinged bow fibulae come in a huge variety of forms. In fact, few are exactly the same. They are usually divided into those with side projections (lugs or knobs) and those without, and then sub-divided based on their decoration. The were mostly tinned, or partly tinned, though the tinning does not always survive. A few have copper wire inlay inset into the bow.

Dates: c. AD 1 - 100. They flourished AD 20 - 80.

Distribution: Gaul, Britain; Rhine and Danube Limes. They are common on Roman military sites.

Hod Hill Fibulae with Side-Lugs

Hod Hill Fibulae with Two Side-Lugs

Typology: fibula, bow fibula, British fibula

References: Riha 5.7; Ettlinger 34; Hull 61-69

Dates: c. AD 35 - 80

Notes: The pair of knobs can be at the bottom of panel (Hull 61), at the middle of the panel (Hull 62), or at the top of the panel (Hull 63).

Image: Hod Hill fibula with a pair of knobs at the bottom of the panel - hence type Hull 61.  The panel has four notched ridges and was silvered.  The foot is diamond shaped with punch-mark design and small flat foot knob.  The head is made of rolled/folded plate with a slot for the pin which is a modern replacement on this example.  (Berserker collection.)

Hod Hill Fibulae with Saw-Fish Sides

Typology: fibula, bow fibula, British fibula

References: Hull 74, Ettlinger 32.

Dates: mid 1st c AD.

Notes: With many knobs down each side.

Hod Hill Fibulae without Side-Lugs

Typology: fibula, bow fibula, British fibula

References: Riha 5.14; Hull 60; Ettlinger 31

Dates: later 1st c AD, c. AD 50 - 100

Hod Hill Fibulae with Highly Molded Bow

Typology: fibula, bow fibula, British fibula

References: Ettlinger 19; Riha 5.12

Dates: c. AD 1 - 100

Hod Hill Fibulae with Raised Bow Edges

Hod Hill Fibulae with Niello Decoration on Bow

Dates: late 1st c AD

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References

Ettlinger, E. Die römischen Fibeln in der Schweiz. (Bern, 1973).
Hull, M. "The Brooches at Bagendon" in E. Clifford, Bagendon, a Belgic Oppidum (1961). pp. 167 ff.
Riha, E. Die römischen Fibeln aus Augst und Kaiseraugst. (1979). PDF