Stanowisko nr 1 w Chociczy Małej było badane w związku z budową centrum magazynowo dystrybucyjnego wraz z obiektami towarzyszącymi przez APB Thor Sp. z o.o. z Gniezna. Na obszarze 72 arów zarejestrowano 20 ciałopalnych grobów ludności kultury pomorskiej oraz 20 grobów szkieletowych i dwa depozyty z wczesnego średniowiecza, a także dwa nowożytne budynki zrębowe (XVI-XVII w.). Nekropola ludności kultury pomorskiej została rozpoznana w całości, a użytkowano ją we wczesnej fazie starszego okresu przedrzymskiego. Cmentarzysko wczesnośredniowieczne także rozpoznano w całości i datuje się je na XI wiek.

During research at an early medieval site located 11 km away from Poznań’s Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), a set of tools for weighing bullion was found, consisting of balance scales, 10 standardised weights, and a decorative copper alloy necklace clasp. Due to the state of preservation, mechanical features and the place of uncovering, these artefacts prompted a multi-faceted analysis of the possible reasons why such valuable objects were left in one of the sites of the extensive settlement, located by the Kopel and Michałówka valley. As a result, new evidence has been obtained on the links between the main strongholds of the Polish state and the subordinate settlements, as well as on the existence of possibilities of communication between them (hitherto unconsidered) and on local variations in social stratification. At the same time, the need to carry out methodical research on archaeological sites and to exercise conservation protection over them was stressed, in the face of a threat of losing ample interpretative opportunities when the sites become victims of illegal forms of exploration

This article compares two necropolises of people of Evangelical faith located in different regions of the present Polish lands examined in their entirety in connection of rescue archaeological research. The first cemetery was located in the village of Łaziska in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland), the second in the village of Ciernie in Mazury (Masuria). The analysis showed a number of similarities between these two burial sites. However, differences in the wealth and origin of the communities using the necropolises were noticed, which, according to the authors, had its source in the different dynamics of the historical and social transformations of these two regions.

Luzino burial ground is the easternmost site of the Dębczyno group, located in Wejherowo county, in the northern Polish province of Pomerania. The cemetery occupied the summit of a slightly elevated terrain ridge. The remains of 20 graves, most probably only skeletal burials, were recorded, in which, apart from one case, no bone material survived. Grave goods were recorded in five of them. In four graves, small-sized hand-made vessels were recorded whose state of preservation allowed their reconstruction, while in one burial an elaborate necklace of beads (glass and amber, see below), a brooch and probably a belt buckle were discovered. The materials found at the Luzino site should be associated with the late stages of Migration Period. The burials with grave goods, however, show mainly links to the Elbe circle, while Scandinavian influences are lacking in the mobile materials.

This article presents the hypothesis concerning the practicing of ritual eating of dead bodies of family members by people of Wielbark culture in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) in the Roman Period. Such practices are called as endocannibalism and this custom is connected very closely with ancestors’ worship. It is an expression of love to a dead family member and an attempt of assimilating his best features. Such a possibility is suggested by archaeological discoveries made at Wielbark culture cemeteries in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland). Endocannibalism was noticed in the past, but is also recorded in modern times.

The paper is an attempt to present a model of an attitude towards strangers: getting to know, tolerating, accepting, and finally assimilating them, in terms of funeral rites, and thus of different religion. Such is a case manifested by an appearance of bustum type graves within the Przeworsk culture cemeteries in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) in the Roman Iron Age.

The purpose of this article is to explain why the communities of the Przeworsk and Wielbark cultures occupying Wielkopolska in the broadly-defined Roman period used two different types of cremation urns for burying their dead. The paper provides a description of both types of urns. Type I comprises thin walled, carefully made and burnished vase shaped vessels and situlas. Type II groups carefully made vessels with rough or roughened outside surface: pots, vase-shaped vessels and even cups. This paper provides an overview of previous ideas and interpretations of the phenomenon and examines the construction, grave goods and location of selected graves from two cemeteries of the Przeworsk and Wielbark cultures in Wielkopolska: Kuny and Kowalewko. A hypothesis explaining the presence of two urn types at that time in Wielkopolska is then proposed along with some research postulates and questions that will enable and guide further discussion on this intriguing issue.

This article presents the research related to identifying the actual function of an object made of deer bones excavated in Kujawy, in the village of Brzezie (site 4). It was discovered in the remains of a partly dug building, most probably residential, dated back to the 12th – 13th centuries. Originally, the historic object in question was identified as an ancient percussion instrument. However, in the course of microscopic tests and experiments this interpretation was rejected. It was stated that the artefact could not have served to clean animals’ skins, either. Finally, in the course of research procedures, it was agreed that it was a tool for decorating clay vessels.

The aim of this article is to present issues concerning the presence of so called situlas (pottery vessels, no bronze) in Wielbark culture inventories from Wielkopolska. These vessels are very rare within cemeteries and settlements as well. And until now the criteria of such spatial distribution have remained unknown. In this paper so called situlas from Wielkopolska will be characterised, particularly in the context of their deposition in individual graves and within the necropolises, as well as within settlements. Further parts of this article deal with research problems connected with the role and meaning of so called situlas in Wielbark culture burial rite in Wielkopolska, in particular in the light of anthropological analysis results. The paper also presents the hypothesis explaining sparsity of so called situlas occurrence and very specific localisation of these vessels in the area of Wielkopolska. At the end of the article research demands and questions will be presented. They will enable and give direction for further discussion on the compelling issue of phenomenon of so called situlas of full spatial and chronological aspects of their occurrence.

Did Everybody in Gniezno Ice-Skate? Ice Skates from the Settlement Targowisko in Gniezno – on the Means of Their Use in the Middle Ages and Not Only When writing the present article, the question was posed how common the use of ice skates had been in the period of the Middle Ages, confirmed in the literature on the subject by numerous references and information. It has been assumed that the issue is very complex. On the one hand, ice-skating was treated cursorily – any object made of bone whose shape resembled a “boat” must have been an ice-skate – on the other hand, the common use of skates found no confirmation in interdisciplinary studies. Meanwhile, our micro- and macroscopic analyses of the finds originating from the settlement in Gniezno called Targowisko, supported in full the conjecture that, in very wet places, surrounded by water, “ice-skating”, both as a means of transportation and as a form of recreation (!) was a part of everyday life. Moreover, a definite scheme of research has been developed which can be applied to all artefacts designated as ice skates; in all periods of history. Simultaneously, during our research, there arose many new questions which shall be answered, we hope, as a result of further analyses and related considerations. They are very intriguing questions as they concern man.