1 month ago
Join Fox News for entree to this content
Plus typical entree to prime articles and different premium contented pinch your relationship - free of charge.
Please participate a valid email address.
A metallic detectorist successful southeastern Poland precocious unearthed a Christian pilgrim badge from nan Middle Ages, authorities officials say.
The badge was recovered successful nan colony of Wólka Nieliska, little than 50 miles southeast of Lublin, according to nan Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments (WKZ).
The pendant, made from lead and alloy, has a diameter of astir 2.8 centimeters and is 1 millimeter thick.
ANCIENT TOMB FILLED WITH GOLD, SACRIFICIAL VICTIMS UNCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS: 'SPECIAL TYPE OF BURIAL'
In a Facebook station that was translated to English, nan WKZ said that nan badge "features a dragon enclosed successful a circle."
A medieval pilgrim's badge was recovered successful nan colony of Wólka Nieliska, little than 50 miles southeast of Lublin, Poland. (Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments via Facebook)
Archaeologist Thomsz Murzyński told Fox News Digital that the artifact was fixed to him by an anonymous metallic detectorist. Murzyński past handed nan badge complete to nan government.
Medieval pilgrims wore badges for a assortment of reasons: not only did they judge it could protect them from illness and danger, but it besides marked them arsenic Christian travelers arsenic they journeyed done unfamiliar territories.
"Such badges served arsenic a benignant of talisman, intended to supply nan personification wearing it pinch occurrence successful nan travel and to protect specified a personification from each kinds of 'evil,' i.e. assault, theft, diseases and different random accidents," nan WKZ described.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER HOARD OF ANCIENT SKELETONS PART OF 'COMPLEX FUNERARY SYSTEM'
The badge is made from lead and alloy and has a diameter of astir 2.8 centimeters. (Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments via Facebook)
"They were besides a measurement to distinguish yourself and manifest your destination."
Travelers could besides acquisition nan badges arsenic souvenirs astatine visit sites, which galore did arsenic a commemoration of their trips. According to nan WKZ, not galore medieval badges person been recovered successful Poland.
The badges day backmost to nan early Middle Ages and gained fame successful nan 12th period aft Thomas Becket's decease inspired wide pilgrimages to Canterbury Cathedral. Pilgrim badges fell retired of favour by nan 16th century.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
A 13th period Spanish miniature of a mediocre man and a pilgrim receiving hospitality astatine a monastery. (Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
According to nan WKZ, nan badges could picture thing from exotic animals to Christian symbols.
"They had various forms and shapes - spiral, square, successful nan shape of cross, shells, rings, shield," nan Facebook station read. "They featured figures of saints, knights, quality heads and chests, arsenic good arsenic zoomorphic figures (birds, animals, dragons)."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Archaeologists opportunity that akin medieval pilgrim's badges are difficult to find successful Poland. (Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments via Facebook)
Fox News Digital reached retired to nan WKZ for comment.
For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
