Numerous metal finds from eastern Poland

Cooperation between archaeologists and metal detectorists exceeded any expectations as three treasure troves and over 500 metal artefacts have been discovered. The systematic fieldwork took place in the valley of the river Sieniocha between Komarów and Tyszowce. The initiative was born in 2013 as detectorists contacted dr Sylwester Sadowski of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin, concerning archaeological finds that they made. The area of the study has been since then the place of intensive metal detection survey followed by archaeological fieldwork and documentation.

Selection of metal finds (by Sylwester Sadowski)

In the course of the project that ended in 2015 over 100 archaeological sites have been studied, resulting on over 500 single finds ranging from as far back to even 40’000 years ago to Medieval and modern times. Among these finds 3 treasure troves have been find. The first one, dated back to early Bronze Age (ca. 1200-1000 BC) consists of 3 bronze sickles attributed to the Lusatian culture. These objects of high value were found in an area that was once a bog, so they might have been hidden or offered to the local water deities – as the archaeologists suspect.

Bronze sickles (by Sylwester Sadowski)
Bronze sickles (by Sylwester Sadowski)

The second treasure consists of a small bronze shield, a bracelet, part of a casting mold for small wax models of axes and of bronze raw material for casting. This hoard, named “the metallurgist’s treasure” is attributed to the Lusatian culture of the Late Bronze Age (900-700 BC). The axe, which would be the product of the casting mold would become a very rare object that doesn’t correspond to any known finds from Middle Europe. Similar forms of such artefacts can be found in Scandinavia or in the basins of the Volga and Kama rivers. What is also unique about these finds is the patina that covers them, as it preserved hair  from the fur in which they were wrapped together.

The so-called metallurgist's treasure (by Sylwester Sadowski)
The so-called metallurgist’s treasure (by Sylwester Sadowski)

The third treasure trove consists of a few dozen pieces of silver jewellery, dated back to Early Medieval times. They can be dated back to 2nd half of 10th cent. The find was made in the vicinity of the Perespa village.

Early Medieval jewellery treasure (by Jerzy Cabaj)

The jewellery treasure trove is similar to the a find made in the end of 2015 by a detectorist uninvolved in the project. It was made in a place not very far from the Perespa village as well. The trove consisted of silver jewellery, glass and stone beads all deposited in a clay vessel.

The Early Medieval jewellery treasure trove (by Stanisław Stadnicki)
The Early Medieval jewellery treasure trove from Perespa (by Stanisław Stadnicki)

All artefacts have been deposited in the Tomaszów Lubelski Regional Museum and will be put on display in the period of 4-12 June.

(after Nauka w Polsce, Sylwester Sadowski, Jerzy Cabaj & Stanisław Stadnicki)

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