SU KUŞLU FİBULALAR VE AYDIN ARKEOLOJİ MÜZESİ'NDEN BİR ÖRNEK

The fibulae which can said to be the predecessor of today's safety pins, originated in the Near East, Aegean and Eastern Europe in the 13th-12th century BC and was popular. It is known that fibulae were diversified throughout the ages by different cultures and therefore became a typologically rich group. At first fibulae had a practical purpose which was to fasten clothes but in time precious metals were begun to be used for their production; hence they became prestige objects. The fibulae found for themselves a place in the royal reliefs of Iron Age Anatolia, in the graves of the nobles and they have been used also as temple offerings in the Aegean world. Particularly where maternity is concerned, one of the subtypes that women left as offerings are the waterfowl fibulae known as Island or Rhodian Type. Similar examples have been found in the Aegean and Mediterranean world and according to what we know today the main production centre of these fibulae was in Rhodes. Numerous similar fibulae found in Rhodos validate this island as the main production centre. Waterfowl fibulae, found in other areas are considered as unique artefacts as they are not common outside Rhodes. The waterfowl fibula in the Aydın Archaeological Museum which is analysed in this study is extremely important as to the fact that it is a rare example from Anatolia. It can be dated to the Late Geometric Period.