«Bear claw» amulet-pendants from the graves of XIII–XV centuries from the Alt-Wehlau necropolis

The article is devoted to the amulets-pendants made from bear claws, which were found in the burials dated to XIII–XV centuries in the Alt-Wehlau necropolis and associated with animal cult practiced by the Prussians. The distribution and morphology of these funds allowed define its significance in the condition of Christianization of Prussia. Totally 10 amulets were found in complexes, 8 of them were located in women’s graves as parts of jewelry complex that included also torques, necklaces and finger-rings. The bases of amulets were the bear claws placed in bronze settings and equipped with bronze pendants. The amulets were fastened to the belt on a chain or strap (Fig. 3: 1–9). These features are equally characteristic of the amulets from other Prussian necropolises and give grounds to conclude that in the second half of XIII–XV centuries the considered items gradually lost their sacral significance and became jewelry pieces.