The origin of spurs

[sitalkes]

Hi, I've been finding out some pretty interesting things on my Thracian tour.

I have learnt for instance, that in Helis (or Helios), the Getic capital near the Sveshtari tomb (north-eastern Bulgaria), there have been found 11 spurs, a lance head for a cavalry sarissa, and Hellenistic catapault ammunition (plus the walls to mount catapaults of various types).

Regarding the spurs, the archaeologists say that this is proof of a non-Celtic origin for Thracian spurs. They say that there have been discoveries in Macedonia, Illyria, and Greek Thrace that back up this theory. Does anybody know anything about these other non-Celtic discoveries? I think this theory is suspect as they do not give a date for the spurs they discovered, and Helis/Helios came under attack sometime between 270-280 BC, which is the date of most of the other new finds.

Hi, Christian, if you read this I know you would desperately like to see the book I am referring to (there are pictures and they say there are four types), I'll send the text as soon as i get home or earlier if I can find a place where wireless access actually works.

Cheers,

Chris

PS i'm posting other information I have found on the Yahoo! Groups Thracian list.