Aucissa fibula fragment
- Date of discovery: 2024-02-10
- Aproximate location of discovery: Borgloon, Vlaanderen
- Context:Â Roman coins, Roman road
The Aucissa fibula, a distinctive Roman brooch type from the late 1st century BCE to the mid-1st century CE, exemplifies the blend of functionality and artistry in ancient personal adornment. Named after the frequent inscription “AUCISSA” on specimens, likely denoting a workshop or craftsman, these fibulae were widely used across the Roman Empire, particularly in military and civilian contexts, to fasten cloaks or tunics at the shoulder. Crafted primarily from bronze, they feature a hinged pin mechanism and a highly arched bow, reflecting influences from earlier Celtic designs while adapting to Roman mass production.
The found fragment, a small bronze piece approximately the size of a fingertip, is the upper bow or headplate. Central to its aesthetic is the “Wellenbandmuster,” or wave band pattern, a decorative motif characterized by undulating lines flanked by parallel ridges. 
The pattern, often incised or molded, demonstrates skilled metalworking techniques, possibly achieved through casting or engraving. Flanking grooves and subtle knurling add texture, suggesting this variant aligns with typological groups like those documented in archaeological studies from sites such as Augst (Switzerland) and Haute-Normandie (France), where similar wave motifs appear on Aucissa variants (Types 5.2.2a).
Figure source: Die römischen Fibels aus Augst und Kaiseraugst, Emilie Riha, 1979.
