Ancient tin badge — depicting a dragon — found in Poland. It had a special purpose
After discovering a small, lead and tin object in Poland, an archaeologist shared his find with local officials.
It turned out to be an ancient “odznaka pielgrzyma” — which translates to “pilgrim’s badge” — a rare find for the area, according to a Feb. 23 Facebook post from the Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments.
The circular badge is made of a mix of lead and tin, and it measures about 1 inch in diameter, experts said. It was unearthed in the village of Wólka Nieliska.
Experts said the badge depicts a basilisk dragon, which in ancient times was a mythological monster-like serpent known to kill its prey with just a look or a breath.
Photos shared by the conservator show the ancient artifact.
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Pilgrim’s badges originated in the Middle Ages, and they were common between the 11th and 16th centuries, officials said. They were worn by travelers, or pilgrims, as protection against dangers such as assault, theft and disease. They were also meant to manifest the purpose of a trip.
Researchers said the badges came in various shapes and forms. They could be circular, cross-shaped or shield-shaped. Some depicted saints, knights or other human figures, while others showed animal figures, like the dragon.
A handful of other pilgrim’s badges have been found in Poland, but there are more throughout western Europe, according to the conservator.
Wólka Nieliska is in eastern Poland, about 160 miles southeast of Warsaw.
Google Translate and Facebook were used to translate a Facebook post from the Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments.
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