In Roman times, it was believed that pendants, rings and gemstones could possess supernatural magical or medicinal qualities. These artifacts were sometimes made from animals and Romans had a particular interest for exotic and unusual objects. Pliny (23–79 AD) and Antoninus Liberalis (2end-3th century AD) both clearly describe a stag beetle with two long pincers which was used to make infants necklaces which should protect them against maladies. However, no archaeological finds of this practice are known so it is difficult to assess how wide spread this practice was. Therefore, the researcher tried to explore how these beetles would have been collected and turned into jewellery. Comparison is made with the charivari chain of the traditional lederhosen that sometimes include stag beetle heads as amulets. Finally, the fact that a stag beetle head remains moving for a few days after dismembered gives rise to speculate that the medical use of the beetle is related to this peculiar situation between life and death.
More info: Parker A (2019). Curing with creepy crawlies: A phenomenological approach to beetle pendants used in roman magical and medicinal practice. Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal, 2(1): 1–16
