Poland, more Germanic or Slavic?

Should the article about Poland be rewritten?

  • Yes

    Votes: 10 71.4%
  • No

    Votes: 4 28.6%

  • Total voters
    14
Some Poles gravitate towards southern Germans. Some well known Poles such as Mazovians (area around Warsaw) and Poles around Bilyastok are strikingly similar to eastern Slavs (Belarusians in particular). Also, south-eastern Poles living further-south east of Lublin city are very much as western Ukrainians.
 
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During the Migration Period, present-day East Germany and westernmost Poland (Oder River region) were depopulated. However, in West-Central and Central Poland (the region of Wielkopolska) there was a higher degree of settlement continuity:

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Summary of new research on the Migration Period in East Germany and westernmost Poland (Armin Volkmann "Siedlung – Klima – Migrationen: Geoarchäologische Forschungen zur Oderregion zwischen 700 vor und 1000 nach Chr. mit Fokus auf der Völkerwanderungszeit"):

https://www.academia.edu/1495365/Si...h_Chr._mit_Fokus_auf_der_Völkerwanderungszeit

"In the context of the study, an analysis in a GIS of sites from the Iron Age to the Early Middle Ages was applied to the River Oder Region. A site catchment analysis of the topographical setting, the soil and broader parameters was conducted as a GIS examination. In this the spatial data information in a probable operating radius around the respective settlements of the individual periods was collected and evaluated statistically. In this way, statistically significant climate proxies on the relative humidity index and temperature pattern of the paleoclimate could be demonstrated. Through the use of weighted average means it was possible to describe climate signals of the compared periods. The quantitative analysis of the data of more than 500 finding sites allows identifying significant signals. As a result I found out that at the end of the Iron Age and at the beginning of the migration period, dramatic climate fluctuations are recognized. The climate fluctuations are the main reason for emigration out of this region. In the migration period, and again at the end of the Iron Age, the region was virtually uninhabited for 250 years. The data from the site catchment analysis is in a next step the base for a predictive modeling with has clearly defined areas of high and low probabilities of finding sites.

A site catchment analysis of the topographical setting, the soil and broader parameters was conducted as a GIS examination, in which the spatial data information in a probable operating radius around the respective settlements of the individual periods was collected and evaluated statistically. In this way, statistically significant climate proxies on the relative humidity index and temperature pattern of the paleoclimate could be demonstrated. In addition, the deciding location factors of the soil and the geoecological environment of the settlement as well as distortionary anthropogenic and natural superimpositions were discussed. The ecological indicator values were rearranged into concise categories in a transformation process in consideration of their usability and informative value for matters concerning prehistoric, agronomically orientated cultures and checked for climate signals. The identified climate signals do not represent absolute data, but rather indirect, relative data, which permit comparative statements concerning the previous and subsequent level.
With the use of comparative climate research, palynology, dendrochronology, the status of glaciers, river levels and models of paleotemperature, the climate signals that were produced in the context of the GIS environmental analysis could be verified. In this way, the probability and concision of the environmental analysis developed here and its particularly detailed chronological value were substantiated.

The final step of the GIS analysis is based on Voronoi diagrams of the sites mapped as prehistoric space models. They show concepts of space in time. In a cartographic reconstruction of settlement clusters, the relationship between the anthropogenically influenced agricultural area and extensive natural forest areas was visualised. These methods are a part for the predictive modeling to clarify for example the most interesting regions of the settlements in the migration period.

In the early Migration Period (D), the climate worsened dramatically and weather became very cool and dry in the course of only a few decades. Very poor conditions for land cultivation and animal husbandry resulted from this, which withdrew their livelihood in many places from the Germanic groups engaged in subsistence agriculture. On this limited scale, this could be buffered by more intensive trade, like the piled material found on the site and documented by geomorphology on the aforementioned trade and transit routes Settlements in micro regional favoured areas with a guaranteed supply of water such as kettle lakes, for example, could continue to exist. Spatial analysis of settlements shows a strong shrinking of the settlement clusters to remaining areas in which agricultural activity was still possible. Thus, there is a great disparity of a juxtaposition of extremely unequal small scale economic potential, which led to the widespread disintegration of settlement clusters and the accompanying dismantling of settlements in the subsequent late Migration Period (E). Simultaneously, the areas of the extensive natural, potential forest communities that are not influenced by humans increased greatly, whereas in Period E only “islands of remnant settlements” still existed in the surrounding woodlands. These types of settlements are the same as those identified in the late Roman Iron Age, but they have degenerated to a very large extent. Likewise, the parallels in construction are striking, where long houses that were used by a larger settlement community, are very rare. In contrast, smaller residential buildings or barns and storage sheds are frequently in post construction as well as upright and probably log construction, which were used by smaller family alliances, often as individual hamlets.

In this way, the Germanic emigration from the Oder region is to be viewed as being organised into at least three main phases:

1. Already in the late Roman Iron Age there was a substantial migration in spite of the moist, warm climate of the favourable phase, which was triggered by the political weakness of the Roman Empire (the so-called imperial crisis of the soldier emperor with the fall of the Upper Germanic and Rhaetian Limes in 254 AD and the subsequent withdrawal of the border in the Rhine and Danube area) in the 3rd century AD and the related opportunities for plundering. This pulling effect of the Roman Empire which was rocked by crisis continued as a domino effect into the eastern Barbaricum in the Oder area. The Germanic migration is not just to be viewed as pointing to the southwest, however, as some Germanic people turned back again in a single cycle, as individual groups with particularly valuable pieces of furniture in late Germanic burial grounds clarify (the so-called “princely grave group of the Haßleben-Leuna- Häven type”).

2. In the early Migration Period, there is a dramatic worsening of the climate, which withdrew the foundation of the subsistence economy from large sections of the population which were characterized by agriculture. However, the political circumstances of the declining Roman Empire with the possibilities of seizing land and the existence of continuing opportunities to plunder increased the very intense migration of the late Germanic population from the Oder, mainly from Period D2, as numerous find sites from Period D1 are known. The high density of settlements in the moist Spree-Havel region, which was used as an intermediate stage in the south-westerly direction of the wave of migration is noticeable. The magnetic effect of the Roman Empire with its impressive, high-quality cultural assets in combination with the worsening climate in Barbaricum triggered an economically orientated wave of migration, which reached its peak in the 5th century AD (due to the simultaneous, political and military weakness of the-Roman Empire). Thus, undoubtedly, there was a heightened potential for conflict at the peak of the drought period, as is revealed by the incursions of Germanic peoples into the Roman Empire.

3. Despite the sharp rise in rainfall numbers in the late Migration Period (Period E), there was no certainty that grain could be harvested in the Oder region, as, on the one hand, the further reaching climate instability did not facilitate this due to torrential rain followed by temporary periods of drought and as, on the other hand, it must be assumed that there was an immense loss of expertise due to the preceding migration, particularly of the elite, younger and flexible sectors of the population. These problems were intensified even more by the heavy encroachment of scrub and the reforestation or partial desertification of the agricultural areas that were previously forsaken during Period D, as there was no potential labour force available for the agronomic re-cultivation of these fallow lands for labour intensive forest clearance measures (e.g. due to a positive population balance or birth surplus). Now, due to the relative increase in humidity as well, the Spree-Havel area, which had proven to be a favoured settlement area during the dry phase of Period D2, was of no agronomic interest. Up until Period E2 there was an almost complete dismantling of settlements in that area. Only in the northern part of the area being studied, an isolated remnant of the Germanic population whose economic basis is to be viewed as being linked to trade with Scandinavia to compensate for its non-productive agriculture is still also sporadically tangible in the 7th century AD (Period E3). In addition to that, however, all “remnants of Germanic traces” are located in only one diagonal strip of the very fertile marly soil which runs from north to south and is composed of a greatly varied biogeographical potential, which enabled flexible agriculture to be the primary source of income. The site where heaped material was found on both sides of the Oder in regions where there is black earth, with the most fertile soils and above all, an optimal groundwater level is of note. In addition, outside of the area under examination, as in the Magdeburger Börde, in the Thuringian Basin (Thüringer Becken) or in the Wetterau, an elevated incidence of finds from Period E is to be noted in these basin landscapes that are moulded by a relatively dry continental climate. There is a clear connection between the spatial distribution of the black earth and the late Migration Period sites.
The time of the earliest Slavic immigration is to be dated in river Oder region not before 700 AD."

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On the other hand, here quite different conclusions (but it about other areas, northern and Central Poland):

http://www.eaa2017maastricht.nl/download2456

"MIGRATION PERIOD BETWEEN ODRA AND VISTULA: NEW SOURCES, NEW IDEAS
Author: Prof Bursche, Aleksander - University of Warsaw
Co-Author: Dr Zapolska, Anna - University of Warsaw (Presenting author)
Keywords: coins, Barbarians, imitations
Presentation

Brief results of 5-year Project „Migration Period between Odra and Vistula” realised by the international team will be presented in the context of new archeological and natural sciences data including pollen, radiocarbon, DNA or isotopic analysis. Transfer of technology from late Roman Empire to Barbaricum and political conflicts were the main reasons and mechanisms of the migration both to the South - Western Roman Empire and backwards to the North - Scandinavia. New sources from central and northern Poland testify continuation of settlement activity of elite character in so-called central places, emporia, logistic and power centers, having evident traces of Germanic character, until 7th c. AD. Undoubtedly we have to deal with German-Slavonic coexistence, what explains, between other, continuation of hydronims (water names), cf. Vistula. In the light of the most recent results we have to deal with relatively short hiatus from mid 7th until end of 8th century AD, when the first Scandinavian material appeared again at the southern Baltic coast. Perhaps we have to deal with survival in elite’s memory in the North (runs, sagas) relationship between inhabitants of Scandinavia and of the lower Danube/Ukraine region through lower Vistula territory?"

And here another Migration Period settlement, discovered just several days ago:

http://ekoscian.eu/2017/09/28/odkryto-osade-z-wczesnego-sredniowiecza/amp/

More from the same region:

http://naukawpolsce.pap.pl/aktualno...-wplynely-na-ksztalt-wspolczesnej-europy.html

Translated to English:

"(...) Polish archaeologists long thought, that between the Migration Period and the Middle Ages a total collapse of settlement took place - areas of modern Poland were supposed to be abandoned by previous population, and it was thought that only after some time Slavs came from the east and re-settled the area.

But large-scale archeological studies conducted during the last few decades modify this picture, especially in case of Greater Poland [Wielkopolska region].

Archaeologists point out especially to discoveries from Konarzewo. There they have managed to find the larges up-to-now in Poland number of surviving dwellings, which falsifies the claim, that these areas were abandoned during the Migration Period. (...) Constructions are from the 5th and the 6th centuries. They are connected with people representing Przeworsk culture.

"Przeworsk culture during its existence was an entity with an undoubtedly germanic cultural model, but it doesn't mean, that it was formed exclusively by Germanic population" - says prof. Michałowski

Prof. Michałowski cannot provide an explicit answer to the question who inhabited multiple settlements flourishing in Greater Poland in the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries. Material culture - excavated items - indicate germanic influences, "but we don't know what was really their ethnic identity - most likely they just considered themselves to be locals, born in that place, and desiring to live there until their death" - concludes prof. Michałowski.

It is thought that Slavs appeared in areas of present-day Poland in the 2nd half of the 6th century or in the 7th century.

Conclusions of prof. Michałowski are supported by findings of a team of scientists who are members of the research Project "Migration Period between Odra and Vistula" (LINK to project's website), directed by prof. Alexander Bursche.

These scientists have already established by now, that in the mid-1st millennium a total disappearance of human settlement did NOT take place in the territory of present-day Poland. According to this research team, the population adhering to germanic cultural traditions, which was present in the territory of present-day Poland during the Migration Period, stayed and became assimilated with the Slavs. (...)"

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Here is the archaeological situation in the 6th century AD:

pustka osadn. = depopulated areas (based on current knowledge)
A - Prague-Korchak-Penkovka cultures (Slavic)
B - Kolochin culture (Slavic)
C and D - Przeworsk culture (leftovers who didn't emigrate)
E - new settlements established by immigrants from Sweden
F - new settlements by immigrants from Thuringia
G - West Balts settlement area
Sasi = Saxons settlement area

Mapka.png


^^^ That map doesn't include this recently discovered settlement:

http://ekoscian.eu/2017/09/28/odkryto-osade-z-wczesnego-sredniowiecza/amp/
 
Thanks for posting recent research.

Nice to be vindicated again. I always claimed that main cause of population collapse was a climatic change to cold and dry weather. I believed in depopulation to 10% of previous, before collapse, numbers. And that Slavs expended pretty much peacefully without a big war into this region, because there was nobody strong enough to hold the expansion. I believed they came most likely from area where Poland, Belarus and Ukraine meet, the Pripet river area. And that most of territory of today's Poland was settled by Germanic tribes before Slavs.
:)
 
Here is the archaeological situation in the 6th century AD:

pustka osadn. = depopulated areas (based on current knowledge)
A - Prague-Korchak-Penkovka cultures (Slavic)
B - Kolochin culture (Slavic)
C and D - Przeworsk culture (leftovers who didn't emigrate)
E - new settlements established by immigrants from Sweden
F - new settlements by immigrants from Thuringia
G - West Balts settlement area
Sasi = Saxons settlement area

Mapka.png


^^^ That map doesn't include this recently discovered settlement:

http://ekoscian.eu/2017/09/28/odkryto-osade-z-wczesnego-sredniowiecza/amp/
Do you think the Pisast line had beginneing in this Germanic "left overs", Y haplogroup wise? Who obviously took part in unification of Poland later on.
I personally don't care either way, but I have a feeling, that it might bother you. ;)
 
I hope that the Piasts had the same subclade as me (so R1b>DF27>L617). ;) But in the Polish Project of FTDNA there is one guy who claims descent from the Piasts and he is R1b-Z2103. He claimed descent from the Piasts already long ago.

The Piasts usurped power from an earlier dynasty, the legendary Popielids.

In fact the name Piast itself is probably derived from the word piastun, which is like maiordomus.
 
My subclade is most probably from the Celts who had settled in Southern and Central Poland:

91eYtUe.png


Before East Germanic tribes such as Vandals and Goths, Poland was inhabited by the Lugiones.

The Lugiones were not Germanic, but rather multi-ethnic. But the name is of Celtic origin:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Silesia#Celts_in_Silesia_.284th-1st_centuries_BC.29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lendians#History

The Lugiones are one of factions in EBII (which is a very historically accurate mod for M2TW):

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?413770-Preview-The-Lugiones

It is thought that they were a multi-ethnic federation of many tribes (Lugiorum nomen):

dojnCKO.png


http://oi49.tinypic.com/34gx4s5.jpg

34gx4s5.jpg
 
I hope that the Piasts had the same subclade as me (so R1b>DF27>L617). ;) But in the Polish Project of FTDNA there is one guy who claims descent from the Piasts and he is R1b-Z2103. He claimed descent from the Piasts already long ago.
.
No, no, it is my line! lol
Why do you even believe such claims? There is no paper trail to follow. Even if there are some papers, there rest are guesses and belief that all male descendants, going down to Mieszko, were related to their legal fathers. All one thousand years of it!
 
Interesting that there were no Slavs in the Oder area until 700; the first mention of Slavs in the Main River Valley (where my male line, a subclade of R1a-M458, comes from) is the year 741, so they must have either moved very fast relatively or have gone through the Moravian Gate into the Czech lands and from then into Germany. 70% of Czech R1a is M458, so this latter option may be the one that is indeed true. Given the frequency maps of R1b subclades on this site I would venture the Piast subclade would be U106, which is in line with the historic East Germanic settlement in ancient Poland.
 
For what it's worth here is a map (made by me) showing the distribution of ethnic Poles during the 19th and early 20th centuries:

(dark red + red + orange = Polish majority counties; yellow + light yellow = significant minority; white = small minority or none)

XUYBvOC.png


Perhaps I will make a similar map for the Germans - but you can already see that "white" areas in the west and north were German.
 
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the article about Poland. It's crucial to critically evaluate historical narratives, and your insights shed light on the complexities of identity and historical shifts in the region. Engaging in discussions about these topics helps promote a more nuanced understanding of the cultural landscape. Mogę również polecić stronę: https://zscewice.pl/
 

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