Research Princess of Zweeloo, Drents Museum Journaal

Onderzoek Princes van Zweeloo
Drents Museum Journaal 2 (2007), p. 24.

For the PDF "Reconstructing the Wardrobe of the Princess of Zweeloo", click here:
https://www.academia.edu/38845292/Reconstructing_the_Wardrobe_of_the_Princess_of_Zweeloo

In 1952, a grave with a very special content was found in the excavation of an early-medieval graveyard field. The cemetery was only partly excavated at the time. Another part was already disturbed by sand extraction. During excavation it was clear that 'grave 87' had an exceptionally rich content, from which a date in the middle of the 5th century could be deduced. The upper part was therefore lifted as a block [unit] and further excavated in the laboratory. The woman buried in the grave wore a linen robe that was closed on the shoulders with two round gold-plated pins. Around her waist a chain of extremely large glass beads and two bronze keys on the chain. Furthermore, she wore two long necklaces around her neck: one of large amber beads and one of single-colored and colorful glass beads. She had a beaver tooth around her neck and also a silver toiletry set. She wore a bronze bracelet around the wrist. Finally, the woman, nicknamed "Princess of Zweeloo," wore a woolen cloak that was closed on the chest with a very large gilt bronze butterfly fibula. Studying the textile remains has shown that the linen robe was a very special weaving achievement in diamond twill with woven-in card-trim. The clothing was reconstructed in 1988 and since then can be seen in the permanent archeology set-up at the Drents Museum.

In recent months, the University of Nijmegen has started an investigation into the beads of the Princess of Zweeloo. In the context of a broader investigation into beads in late Roman and early medieval graves in the Netherlands, the princess receives special attention. Researcher Wil van der Sluijs has studied all the beads extensively under the direction of Professor Michael Erdrich. Looking for parallels in Europe shows that they are very sparse, and not of a size and an amount as in the case of the Princess Zweeloo. Her beads, and especially those of the large cord she wore around her waist, are on average twice as large as those of the largest string of beads known so far. "Completely unique and, moreover, they have never been found in such a large quantity," says researcher Van der Sluis. Most of the time, it would be one or a few larger beads in a cord consisting of smaller beads. Also these large beads were only worn as amulets. The origin of the large string of beads from the princess van Zweeloo remains uncertain. There are indications that it might come from Trier. Researcher Van der Sluijs, however, also sees parallels with finds from the eastern Mediterranean. It appears that already in the 4th century AD also Jewish and Syrian glass makers settled in Trier. The more study is done, the more it becomes clear that the princess wore something very special. This is further enhanced by the large glass crystal bead found in the grave. This bead with its faceted appearance looks as if it were a piece of natural rock crystal. "You will not find such a glass bead of no less than 3.8 cm in diameter anywhere in Europe," says Van der Sluijs.

The name 'Princess of Zweeloo', invented in 1971, is therefore not for nothing. Maybe we are selling her short with this title. Researcher Van der Sluijs hopes to review in the near future, with the knowledge gained now, the excavated field in Aalden in 1950.

Published as:

Onderzoek prinses van Zweeloo. Drents Museum Journaal 2, 24, 2007.

Translated from Dutch, with minor grammar edits by Susan Verberg, 2018.