Treasure of Guarrazar
The term Visigoth crowns consecration several chandelier -like hanging from the ceiling crowns are referred to, probably never as - found the insignia use, but in a sanctuary (church) or ordination space were kept - on the head-mounted. In her artistic style they are in the Byzantine tradition. On two crowns donor inscriptions of the Visigoth kings Suinthila are ( 621-631 ) and Rekkeswinth ( 649/653-672 ) attached.
Fund history
In 1858, farmers found out Guadamur in the province of Toledo in the field Mark Guarrazar several golden crowns and slopes consecration crosses and another device. In the spring of 1859 led José Amador de los Ríos by regular excavations on behalf of the Real Academia de la Historia. It could be clarified that the treasure had been concealed in two hiding at the edge of a cemetery and a cella memoria.
The hoard was divided in the 19th century: six crowns, five crosses, a trailer, etc. came into the Archaeological Museum Nacional de España; a crown, a cross and a cameo with a proclamation presentation are still at the Royal Palace ( Palacio Real) in Madrid, from which, however, the crown Suinthilas was stolen in 1921; more pieces ( three crowns, two crosses and several trailers) are (formerly the Musée de Cluny ) in the Musée national du Moyen Âge in Paris.
Recent studies found between 2002 and 2005 by the German Archaeological Institute Madrid under the direction of Christoph Eger instead. Geophysical methods could be recognized in the expansion of the Fund and resting place still in the ground building structures. Soundings showed that Guarrazar was still inhabited in nachwestgotischer time.
Crown Rekkeswinths
The most important piece of the treasure, the crown Rekkeswinths is suspended on four chains; depends on a fifth - below the crown ring - one about 10 cm high and decorated with blue semi-precious stones and white pearl cross. The diadem -like, that is open at the top, crown itself is decorated with a rotating diamond pattern, in which the corners turn semi-precious stones and beads are embedded. Neither the Crown nor its hanger show figurative or vegetable motifs. The lower hanger consists of several short chains ( Pendilien ), where - in the Roman alphabet - the inscription [R ] ECCESVINTUS REX OFFERET appears; the missing ' R' is located in Paris.
Other consecration crowns
The consecration crowns shown below also come from the treasure trove of Guarrazar; they are all located in the Archaeological Museum Nacional de España ( MNAH ) in Madrid. Materials and workmanship are those of the crown Rekkeswinths comparable. The middle two crowns are open laterally; the fourth crown consists of four - connected by hinges - driven and occupied with semi-precious stones gold plates.