Merovingian stuff

I finally got to the Archaeological Museum in Saint Germain en Laye - it has taken 20 years. I spent ages in the two small rooms devoted to Merovingian period finds. I finally got to see the pieces from Arnegunde's tomb. They have reinterpreted her costume and done DNA analysis etc. and there was a brochure all about it. The new interpretation makes much more sense! IIn addition to many many brooches, I saw some huge earrings, a lot of gold thread that is the remains of either embroidery or narrow weaving, and a few combs. I took about 100 picures in those two rooms alone. I tried to pay attention to the gallo-roman finds, or the amazing paleolithic pieces, but I was way too tired and excited about what I had already seen. I bought a few books and two reproduction Merovingian glasses. One is from 6th C Strassbourg (practically Siglinde's home town) and in a design I hadn't seen before. I had not planned to use garnets on the brooches I am making, but after looking at all the beautiful brooches on display, I think I will put two into the design after all, if I can find suitable cabochons.