A fragment dating back to medieval times was unearthed in Kamen-Pomorski, Poland, and identified by Arkeonews as a belt ornament used to carry keys or a small purse. The object stands about 5.6 centimeters tall and is remarkably well-preserved, presenting an anthropomorphic silhouette that resembles a man with his hands resting on his hips. The surface displays a pattern of diagonal and horizontal stripes across the torso and thighs, which may reflect the distinctive dress style associated with the late Gothic period. The figure features two perforations: a slot-shaped opening measuring 13 millimeters in length and a small circular hole with a 4 millimeter diameter. To date, Europe has yielded only about fifteen artifacts of this type, making it a relatively rare find for medieval studies.
Contextual imagery from the 15th and 16th centuries often shows men and women wearing belts designed to carry various items, including knives and cutlery. These visual records help researchers interpret the practical and symbolic roles such belts played in daily life, indicating how personal equipment and accessories were integrated into garments and outfits of the era.
Earlier discoveries in Central Europe have revealed other long-lasting traditions, such as the creation of thousand-year-old skates fashioned from the bones of large animals in regions like the Czech Republic. These artifacts illustrate how northern Europe, including areas inhabited by Norse communities, developed specialized tools for transport and trade across ice-bound landscapes. Such finds broaden our understanding of mobility, commerce, and cultural exchange across medieval Europe.
Additional investigations and studies have referenced ancient eyewear and other personal-use items used by Arctic populations, highlighting the diversity of accessories that accompanied people across different climates and eras. These comparative insights help scholars place individual objects, including the belt ornament from Poland, within a wider network of material culture that sheds light on trade routes, craftsmanship, and daily life in the medieval North.