NARRATOR: This Bronze Age fibula, or garment fastener, is of much greater antiquity than the objects in the Byzantine galleries. Its spiral decoration demonstrates the advanced craftsmanship practiced in Europe from twelve hundred to nine hundred BC.

Melanie Holcomb is a Curator in the Department of Medieval Art at The Metropolitan:

MELANIE HOLCOMB: If we had to chose one object that epitomized the technological achievements of the 20th or 21st century, we might pull out something like the computer chip. But when you’re talking about the late Bronze Age, you need to look at objects like this fibula, which are extraordinary technical and aesthetic achievements.

NARRATOR: The largest spiral, the base of the fibula, and the menacingly long, pointy pin in back were all crafted of a single piece of wire. Four pairs of smaller spirals were fastened to the base. The pin’s imposing size suggests that it probably fastened a cloak made of a fur or animal skin.

The people of European Bronze Age cultures were pre-literate. Lacking any religious or historical texts, objects like these are the best evidence that remains of their ceremonial cultures.