29 March 2023 The Future is the Product of the Past

Dozens of unique bronze ornaments discovered in a drained peat bog in Poland

Numerous bronze ornaments have been discovered in Poland’s Chełmno region (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship).

Archaeologists report that dozens of bronze ornaments, including necklaces, bracelets, greaves, decorative pins, and numerous human bones, were discovered. Scientists believe these are most likely objects used in sacrificial rituals 2,500 years ago.

People threw these treasures into a lake around 2500 years ago. Today, however, the site is a  drained peat bog that has been converted to farmland.

The discovery was made by members of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Group of History Seekers (Kujawsko-Pomorskiej Grupy Poszukiwaczy Historii), who conducted searches using metal detectors.

Once metal detectors discovered something of value was hidden at the site, excavations led by Wojciech Sosnowski at the WUOZ in Toruń began in January. They were attended by researchers from the Institute of Archeology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the services of the Wdecki Landscape Park.

According to archaeologists, the 2,500-year-old artifacts found in the Chełmno district are the remains of sacrificial rituals. Photo: PAP/Tytus Żmijewski

As a result of the plowing, many ancient objects were found scattered loosely on the ground. Scientists discovered three deposits filled with whole or damaged ornaments and bronze items used in all likelihood for ceremonial purposes. The research team recovered necklaces, bracelets, greaves, horse harnesses, and pins with spiral heads.

The discovery of rare organic raw material artifacts like rope fragments and fabrics of antler tools in bronze sheet frames delighted archaeologists. It is unusual to find organic raw materials that have remained well-preserved in such wet conditions.

Most of the monuments, according to the researchers, should be associated with representatives of the Lusatian culture community.

A close view of the artifacts accumulated in the peat bog. Photo: Mateusz Sosnowski
A close view of the artifacts accumulated in the peat bog. Photo: Mateusz Sosnowski

The Lusatian culture was widespread in the Bronze Age and early Iron Age (12th–4th century BC) in the Oder River and Vistula River basins, and extended east to the Buh River. The name is derived from the Sorbian region of Lusatia (Lausitz), now in eastern Germany, where monuments of the culture were first discovered and studied.

Some items, however, are not indigenous to this region and should be correlated with the Scythian civilization and its influences from the region of present-day Ukraine.

Numerous human bones were discovered by scientists among dozens of other artifacts, which supports the theory that this was a location where people and objects were sacrificed.

One of three sacrificial deposits discovered. Photo: Mateusz Sosnowski
One of three sacrificial deposits discovered. Photo: Mateusz Sosnowski

The research team explained that it was a time of increasing unrest related to the penetration into Central and Eastern Europe of groups of nomads from the Pontic Steppe. Local communities found themselves on the threshold of sudden changes. To postpone the rapid changes associated with the appearance of new neighbors, locals began to practice various rituals, including sacrifices.

Archaeologists have not revealed the exact location of the discovery for security reasons. At the same time, they plan further research within the dried-up lake.

PAP

Cover Photo: PAP/Tytus Żmijewski

Banner
Related Post

Xujiayao hominid’s brain in China had the biggest known brain of the time

17 January 2022

17 January 2022

A study showed that the ancient relatives of modern humans in northern China may have had an “Einstein’s brain” at...

Excavation of the Temple of Athena Began in the Ancient City of Aigai

15 October 2021

15 October 2021

The foundations of the Temple of Athena were unearthed during the ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Aigai, located...

Unsolvable Megalithic Mystery of ancient Greek “Dragon Houses”

4 July 2022

4 July 2022

The Dragon Houses of Euboea, which probably dates to the Preclassical period of ancient Greece, are one of the historical...

“Unprecedented” Phoenician necropolis found in southern Spain

28 April 2022

28 April 2022

A 4th or 5th-century B.C Phoenician necropolis has been found at Osuna in Southern Spain. A well-preserved underground limestone vault...

2,300-year-old Buddhist temple discovered in Pakistan

23 December 2021

23 December 2021

Remains of a 2300 years old Buddhist Temple have been discovered in Northwest Pakistan by a joint team of Pakistani...

Impressive proof of technology transfer in Antiquity times “2700 year- old a Leather Armor”

20 July 2022

20 July 2022

Design and construction details of the unique leather-scaled armor found in a horse rider’s tomb in northwest China indicate that...

Ancient Hippodrome, Subject of Ben-Hur Movie, Will Become “Arkeo Sports Park”

8 August 2021

8 August 2021

Ben-Hur, a wealthy prince living in Jerusalem, is a historical figure who struggled for the freedom of the Jews during...

The 11-meter giant statue of the island of Naxos “Dionysus of Apollonas”

22 March 2023

22 March 2023

One of the two ancient marble quarries, thought to have begun the sculpture, the greatest art of antiquity, is located...

Archaeologists discover Stargazer idol fragment in Turkey’s In the ancient city of Beçin

15 December 2021

15 December 2021

During archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Beçin in the Milas district of southern Turkey’s Muğla, the head of...

7,000-year-old Ritual Complex Found In Jordan Desert

23 February 2022

23 February 2022

The team of French and Jordanian archaeologists has discovered a 7,000-year-old ritualistic complex near what is thought to be the...

Early Female Emperors in Japan “Empress Kōken”

2 July 2021

2 July 2021

Born into the aristocratic Fujiwara clan, this extraordinary woman first ascended to the throne as Empress Kōken and became the...

The 3,200-year-old perfume of Tapputi, the first female chemist in history, came to life again

24 July 2022

24 July 2022

One of the scent formulas written in Akkadian on clay tablets by Tapputi, known as the world’s first female perfumer...

New Neolithic structure unearthed at Tas-Silġ in Malta

8 October 2021

8 October 2021

Archaeologists excavating at Tas-Silġ in Marsaxlokk have discovered the remains of another Neolithic structure, Heritage Malta said. The discovery substantially...

2,000-year-old unique luxury Roman villa with “underfloor heating” found in Germany

3 November 2022

3 November 2022

A luxury Roman villa with a thermal bath and underfloor heating has been unearthed in Kempten, Bavaria, one of the...

Archaeologists Find the Missing Link of the Alphabet

15 April 2021

15 April 2021

Researchers believe that Tel Lachish pottery is the oldest of its kind found in the region, and could explain how...

Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *