Monday, February 18, 2013

Update 4 (and hopefully last) on belts

I have Mom to thank for this one.

Hypothesis:  The so-called "flower buckle" (as seen in OIP 69) is not a buckle at all, but exactly what it appears to be - a concho.  The early Achaemenid weapon belt laces closed and the lace also attaches the round object, but as a purely decorative element.

We have no solid evidence for this hypothesis, but given the lack of contrary evidence, it should work with what we do know.