How ancient Germanic tribes lived

The Germanic peoples didn't make up a single tribe; various tribes could be found in the north of the Alps. They lived in village communities where they produced everything they needed. Wood and bone were the most important raw materials for everyday objects, including combs.

Far from their reputation as mere wild barbarians, the above high-quality metalwork art shows the Germanic tribes had mastered advanced techniques. The pressed tin plate shows an animal frieze framed by human heads. Experts believe it was the rim of a bucket.

They had no money, but they did trade and export goods. Amber was a hot seller, in particular with the Romans. Archaeologists do not know what they received in exchange. Perhaps they melted down Roman silver and gold coins and turned them into jewelry.

The Roman historian Tacitus gave the Germanic tribes their name. The tribes often clashed with the Romans for instance when they tried to expand west of the Rhine River, and when the tribes were on a pilfering spree. Beyond the battlefield, the Romans inspired the Germanic tribes, as this Germanic ceramic imitation of a Roman cauldron shows.

Chained hand and foot: the German tribes, too, kept slaves, for instance enemies they had defeated. Often, these slaves were sold to the Romans. There were also Roman soldiers taken prisoner who were enslaved, but the Roman army redeemed them.

Compared to other cultures of that period, there are few archaeological finds related to Germanic tribes. Many artifacts were actually found in mire: After winning battles, they threw the weapons of hostile tribe in swamps, as a symbolic ritual for their final victory. Even wooden objects like this shield have been well preserved there.