The Søsdala Horsemen and the Equestrian Elite of Fifth Century Europe

Abstract

Sösdala is no longer just a style – not after the publication of the three early fifth century, spectacular depositions Sösdala I–II and Fulltofta from the central part of Scania. The 17 chapters, followed by summary and captions in Russian, are written by 15 authors from five different countries. Extensive catalogues and illustrations support the text, and the high-quality photos invite us into the book. Informative reconstructions of bridles and saddles make the discussions of the many mounts easier to follow. The concluding chapter 17, written by the editors, works well as an introduction to the book. In chapter 1 Charlotte Fabech presents a comprehensive study on the ‘rescue, musealisation and oblivion’ of the Sösdala and Fulltofta finds. Ulf Näsman deals with the research history of the Sösdala style in chapter 5, discussing chronology as well as its relation to Late Roman provincial art and the Nydam style. Anna Bitner-Wroblewska (chapter 12) prefers the concept ‘Sösdala horizon’ and incorporates ceremonial horse bridles, shieldshaped, bi-conical and pelta-shaped pendants and silver sheet brooches covered by an elaborate and varied stamped ornamentation, shallow chip-carving and niello inlay.