Evidence of Late Bronze Use in Polish Graves

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This article, as reported from the Archeology Network News, is apparently a translation from a Polish website. What I found interesting was the evidence of extensive use of bronze at a relatively late date, plus a possible link to the Black Sea area.

"Dozens of cremation graves from before 1600 have been found by scientists from the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw in Łężany, Warmia and Mazury. This is one of the few ancient cemeteries recently studied in Mrągowo Lake District. Items in the grave, including cicada fibulae [Credit: Agata Wiśniewska] "A large number of graves and the unique nature of many discoveries shed a new light on the cultural image of the region during the Roman and Migration times" - explained Agnieszka Jaremek of the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw. The burial ground was discovered accidentally in autumn 2012 during forestry work. The first excavations started last year. The necropolis consists of flat, single graves. All the dead were cremated, and their ashes put directly in the ground directly in burrows or in earthen vessels - urns. Archaeologists have also located small clusters of human bones deposited in pure sand. "Most of the graves we found contained ornaments, mainly metal clasps, bracelets, necklaces. Also preserved are parts of the outfit - buckles, rivets and fittings. In several burials the deceased were accompanied by miniature vessels" - said Jaremek. Documentation work during excavation [Credit: Agata Wiśniewska] Many objects are made of bronze, others of iron or silver. A unique find, according to the archaeologists, is the discovery of four cicada fibulae in one grave. The objects were used to fasten garments, much like today’s buttons. At the same time, they were spectacular ornaments. "So far from baltic cultural circle we had known only three of those unique ornaments coming from the Black Sea, resembling the shape of insects - cicadas" - explains the archaeologist . Excavations in Łężany are part of a broader research project of Warsaw archaeologists. This research project is carried out since 2011 to comprehensively and systematically recognise and reconstruct cultural heritage of the micro-region of lakes Widryńskie and Legińskie. Research coordinator is Foundation Dajna. The expedition management consists of employees of the foundation, the Institute of Archaeology UW, University of Warmia and Mazury and Academic Diving Club Sea Horse. The field team consisting of dozens of people includes IA UW students and graduates and volunteers. The project "Łężany - burial from the Roman and Migration period in Mrągowo Lake District", including the conservation of monuments and specialized analyses, received a grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2014. This year's research in Łężanach will be carried out in July and August."

 
I was confused at first. I read it as 1600BC the Trzciniec culture, but it's talking about before 1600AD and during the migration period. What were you thinking about the cultural connection of cicada fibulae? The cicada fibulae is a type of 400AD Danubian artifact. The connection might help to enforce the Slavic migration theory "Lusatian culture hypothesis", or at least a Danubian connection with the Polish area. I believe your amazement with the extensive use of bronze is why most historians don't like the Metal Age classification system. Bronze use never really lessen during the Iron Age or thereafter. It remained mostly for decoration, monetary value, and symbols of status along with gold and silver.

This website article has the site dated to 400AD - http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index...gration-period-cremations-unearthed-in-poland
 
I was confused at first. I read it as 1600BC the Trzciniec culture, but it's talking about before 1600AD and during the migration period. What were you thinking about the cultural connection of cicada fibulae? The cicada fibulae is a type of 400AD Danubian artifact. The connection might help to enforce the Slavic migration theory "Lusatian culture hypothesis", or at least a Danubian connection with the Polish area. I believe your amazement with the extensive use of bronze is why most historians don't like the Metal Age classification system. Bronze use never really lessen during the Iron Age or thereafter. It remained mostly for decoration, monetary value, and symbols of status along with gold and silver.

This website article has the site dated to 400AD - http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index...gration-period-cremations-unearthed-in-poland

I'm well aware of the continued use of bronze for decorative items during the Iron Age but the use of bronze did in fact lessen during that period, so if the buckles, rivets and fittings were made of bronze, that would have been rather unusual for Iron Age Europe. As for the apparent connection to the Black Sea, we don't have enough information to know whether it was evidence of migrations or merely evidence of trade routes, but I hope some historian is going to explore that issue.
 
I was confused at first. I read it as 1600BC the Trzciniec culture, but it's talking about before 1600AD and during the migration period. What were you thinking about the cultural connection of cicada fibulae? The cicada fibulae is a type of 400AD Danubian artifact. The connection might help to enforce the Slavic migration theory "Lusatian culture hypothesis", or at least a Danubian connection with the Polish area. I believe your amazement with the extensive use of bronze is why most historians don't like the Metal Age classification system.

The site seems to be in West Prussia, in the hinterland of the Baltic amber coast. Check my write-up on Bronze-age and Roman times amber roads - no surprise Danubian artefacts have been found there (something must have been traded against the amber).
http://www.eupedia.com/forum/threads/30045-Bronze-age-trade-networks?p=433938&viewfull=1#post433938

Otherwise, this is the presumed "second homeland" of the Goths, and the Goths were well present on the Danube during the period in question.
 

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