Pforzen buckle

The so-called runes buckle of Pforzen is an archaeological find of a silver Alemannic belt buckle from the late sixth century with a runic inscription, which was found in 1992 in Pforzen in the district in Eastern Allgäu Bavarian Swabia. The inscription is so far to the most extensive continental runic text outside of Scandinavia. The interpretation of the inscription in its wording and content statement is not clear and object differing assumptions on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

The Fund, which by the inscription plays a great importance in language and literature, is the object of numerous mediävistischer work. Under linguistic aspects of the inscription is considered a witness to the Pre-OHG language (before the implementation of the second sound shift ), or to a second runic inscription in Gothic language in addition to the ring of Pietroassa. Among literary aspects according to some interpretation Runologen by naming the persons name of Egil and Ölrun from the context of the Wieland word as a testimony of the historical development of the Germanic heroic poetry.

Archaeological findings

Pforzen located five kilometers north of Kaufbeuren on a low terrace east of the Lech influx of Wertach. Since the 19th century a number of burial ground on the northeast edge of the village is known. 1991 pedological excavation was necessary as part of construction work on two new semi-detached systems in the course of the years 1991/92 and 1996 a total of 442 burials were excavated. The total number of graves is estimated at 600-700 graves. The grounds of the cemetery indicates a lying near early medieval settlement predecessor of today's village. After the discovery of evaluation allows the application of the cemetery and the settlement date to the 5th century. The settlement is believed near a ford southwest am Mühlbach. Pforzen is thus considered the southernmost foothills of the Germanic settlement by the Alamanni from their northwestern settlement seats of the Swabian space in the Roman province of Raetia secunda Alpenvorraum the.

In addition to the discovery of the runes buckle in 1996 another rune Fund has been made of a casing ring a bronze ornamental disc of ivory.

The Alemannic grave (No. 239), in which the buckle was found dates from the last Dittel of the 6th century and was probably that of a warrior from the higher social class of the settlement community. The complete armament with a lance, a shield, spathe and Schmalsax and grave goods indicate group membership. The buckle itself is probably Roman Mediterranean origin, maybe it comes from a Lombard or Gepid workshop. Although the buckle is functional damage to eye and spine, they remained in use, this indicates a high material or non-material value of the belt buckle for the owner to.

Inscription

The buckle includes a written in runic inscription on its front, which was carved after their preparation.

A linguistic analysis showed that this inscription was written in an early form of Old High German, and thus the well until today the oldest surviving bar rhyming is a West Germanic language, while the inscription on one of the golden horns of Gallehus as the oldest example in a North Germanic language ( Urnordisch ) applies. Nevertheless, researchers have not yet achieved consensus on their exact meaning. It has been suggested that it is a fragment of the Wieland saga, as the name Egil is mentioned.