Osada z połowy VII i początku VIII wieku w Mozowie, stan. 23, woj. lubuskie. Źródła archeologicznei środowiskowe, red. B. Gruszka, Zielona Góra 2015, s. 85-136., Jun 2015
The most numerous artefacts recovered during excavations were potsherds. In terms of style they r... more The most numerous artefacts recovered during excavations were potsherds. In terms of style they refer mostly to Suków-Dziedzice group, and in single cases to undecorated pottery of Feldberg type (Kędrzyno variety).
Establishing the chronology of vessels recovered from the site at Mozów, and, accordingly, the dating of the settlement, is not an easy task. The difficulties arise from the fact that pottery from the older phases of the Early Middle Ages lacks sufficiently sensitive chronological characteristics. Until the end of the eighth century the vessel assemblages found in the Middle Odra region consisted predominantly of undecorated forms, which until approximately half of the eighth century were produced mostly without the use of a potter’s wheel. For this reason it is difficult to determine a precise chronological framework of the vessels older than the ninth century only on the basis of formal-stylistic analysis. In the case of ceramic material from Mozów, given the small percentage of decorated forms and those made with a potter’s wheel (about 2%), we can assign terminus ante quem to the end of the eighth century.
An important chronological indicator for the pottery recovered at Mozów is the lack of forms with rims modelled from the inside with deep encircling grooves. As already mentioned this trait is characteristic of the vessels dating to the developed eighth century, and in particular, the ninth century.
Taking into account the chronological clues described above, the early medieval settlement horizon at Mozów should be associated with the seventh and eighth centuries. These relatively broad chronological framework can be narrowed with the help of comparative analysis involving chronologically well-defined vessel assemblages from other sites, as well as by thermoluminescence dates obtained for over a dozen potsherds from Mozów settlement .
Numerous formal and stylistic analogies can be found in pottery assemblages from Sulechów, site 14 and the settlement from the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10. In the case of site 14, the results of AMS radiocarbon dating have clarified the earlier assumptions concerning periodization based on the analysis of archaeological sources. Currently the chronological framework of this settlement is established for the period from the second half of the seventh century to the third quarter of the eighth century. The results of radiocarbon dating and dendrochronological analysis have also confirmed the chronology of the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10 placing it within the period from the end of the seventh century to the end of the eighth or to the beginning of the ninth century.
The radiocarbon dates obtained for the material recovered from the discussed sites at Sulechów fully correspond with the results of thermoluminescence (further called TL) dating of 15 potsherds from the settlement at Mozów, which narrows the chronology of pottery production at the latter site to the period from the second half of the seventh century to the first decade of the eighth century. The TL analysis was performed on vessels recovered from six features located in different parts of the settlement. However, the obtained results do not provide sufficient data to define more detailed intervals (settlement phases) of the studied site. We can only assume that the results of TL analysis allow the possibility that the oldest phase of the settlement, dating to the second half of the seventh century, is represented by six potsherds recovered from features B29 and B129. The youngest of these pottery pieces can be dated to the fourth quarter of the seventh century. The latest remains of the settlement, in turn, are possibly represented by the features which contained pottery manufactured in the first decade or, more generally, in the first half of the eighth century (e.g. features B102, B182, B200). It is worth noting that pottery assemblages of both older and younger chronology do not differ in terms of style, technology, or form.
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In April 2018 in Lubinicko, near the stronghold in Grodziszcze, Świebodzin area (site 1), during the work preceding the geophysical survey, a hoard of iron implements was discovered. The find included two sickles, a scythe, two axes and a shovel fitting. This find, together with similar discoveries in Moraczewo and Ostrowo near Mogilno, mark the northern border of the occurrence of hoard of iron artefacts from the early Middle Ages in the eastern basin of the Odra River. The deposit does not contain artefacts with strict chronology. For this reason, the find can be dated in a broad interval, covering the mid-10th to the 12th century.
leading from Bojadła towards Klenica. The stronghold and its open suburb settlements boast a rich history of studies. The beginnings of
archaeological excavations in the Klenica settlement complex date back to 1935, when Kurt Langenheim discovered the stronghold. Soon
afterwards Ernst Petersen, the head of the State Office for Prehistory in Wrocław, commenced archaeological excavations by digging an
81-metre long trench, which allowed for the exploration of the southern stretch of the ramparts and the central part of the stronghold. In 2016
Andreas Kieseler carried out a study on archaeological material assembled in the pre-war period stored in the archives of the Museum of Archaeology
in Wrocław. In a comprehensive study A. Kieseler also compiled the results of excavations carried out in 2007, which addressed
some research questions and attempted to obtain samples for dendrochronology. The next stage was non-invasive research carried out in
2017. At that time geophysical studies using the magnetometry method in the area of the stronghold as well as a part of one of the suburb
settlements were carried out. At that time many analyses on the reconstruction of the former natural environment were also conducted. One
of the most interesting features discovered during geophysical research is an oval anomaly measuring 28×21 m, registered in the southern
part of the stronghold. Results of magnetometry survey connected with the reinterpretation of the results of archaeological excavations allow
us to put forward yet another research question concerning the function of these identified features. The results of dendrochronological
dating allow us to conclude that the four-stage earth and wooden rampart had been constructed by 850 AD. The stronghold burnt down at
the beginning of the 10th century and was not rebuilt afterwards.
specifics of the selection of wood raw material, as well as environmental conditions and potential directions of logging. The analyzed samples came from moat and were mostly waste generated during carpentry works related to the construction of wood and earth rampart of the stronghold in Przytok. Some of the samples, mainly branch wood, dowels and chips and alder, elm and pine shavings, and perhaps also some oak probably arose when erecting foundation fortifications, which, due to their small amount, seem not to be very extensive. The rest, mainly oak waste from large elements, should be associated rather with the structures of the rampart. One specific item of spheric form can be recognised as a head from the club, but not neccessary a weapon. Other purposes are also considered.
Kurzfassung
Im Laufe der Untersuchung der Fundstelle Nr. 11 (AZP 34-06/79) in Sobieradz, Landkreis Gryfino wurde ein Objekt
registriert, das im Grundriss einem Rechteck mit gerundeten Ecken und birnenförmigem Dreischichtenprofil ähnelt.
Seine Form lässt keine Schlüsse in Bezug auf Chronologie ziehen. Die von der Form her ähnlichen Exemplare kommen
in den Urzeiten und im Frühmittelalter vor (vgl. u. a. Kadrow 1991, 2223; Uciechowska-Gawron 2006, Ryc. 4/65). Das
Objekt mit ähnlicher Form, datiert aber in die Mitte des 12. Jahrhunderts, wurde in Poznañ (Posen) in der Straße Garbary
registriert, wo es als Vorratsgrube klassifiziert wurde (Krenz, Stêpnik 1996, 124, Abb. 3). Die Vorratsgrube, die in der
Siedlung in Miêdzyrzecz erforscht wurde und die in die spätere Phasen des Frühmittelalters datiert, hatte vergleichbares
Profil. Im Objekt wurde die auf den Westpommerschen Kreis knüpfende Keramik geborgen (Krzyszowski 2006, 29,
Abb. 10: 1). Das Keramikmaterial, das aus der ähnlichen Vorratsgrube in Nowiniec, Kreis ¯ary gewonnen wurde (Dziedzic,
Gruszka 2004, 233234, Abb. 5, 1415) weist dagegen deutliche Bezuge zu den Tornow- und Mankendorfstil auf.
Im analogen Objekt im Ort Bøezno in der Nähe von Louny in Tschechien wurden ein Lehmklümpchen sowie 2 Tierknochen
gefunden (Pleinerová 2000, 22, Abb. 17: 6). M. Dulinicz (2001, 153, Ryc. 133) hielt ein Objekt mit ähnlichem
Profil von Radziejowo, Stelle 5, für eine Grube für die Getreidetrocknung.
Auf solche Funktion weist, der Meinung des Forschers nach, die in der Verfüllung erforschte Rösterei sowie Hüttenlehmklumpen
hin.
Bei Betrachtung der Form (doppelkonische Form, die hohe Wölbung der Bauchung) der im Objekt gefundenen
Gefäße sowie der nachlässigen Verarbeitung und der Art der verwendeten ornamentalen Motiven lassen sich die geborgenen
Gegenstände als Gefäße von Menkendorf-Szczecin Gruppe (vom Typ D nach Cnotliwy, Leciejewicz, £osiñski
1983) klassifizieren. Sie bilden den Hauptbestandteil der Keramikkomplexe von Szczecin (Stettin), die in die zweite
Hälfte des 9.-10. Jahrhunderts datieren. (Cnotliwy, Leciejewicz, £osiñski 1983, 205).
The most numerous category of sources are fragment of vessels. Basing on the macroscopic analysis (study of style, form and technology of manufacture) and using specialist investigations we believe that that ceramic discovered in Połupin represents two pottery styles. First, traditional one, corresponds to the older phases of the Middle Ages. These include: small range of coating, lack of decoration, poor profile and appearance of mainly undeveloped rims. Second, progressive stream, are the vessels perfectly, technologically produced, manufactured from especially prepared mass of clay, based on selected, fine-grained temper. This course is represented by vessels of mainly stocky, vase-like forms. Their characteristic feature is decoration in form of plastic rollers (from one to few), placed under the rim. Their origin can be traced primarily in Merovingian pottery workshops, which had produced, mainly in the 7th century, the so called Knickwandtőpfe.
Using the data concerned of vessels style and technique of manufacture, which were gathered during the study of numerous collections of pottery from the Middle Odra River Area, we can try to establish chronological position of discovered assemblage of vessels. The analysis indicates quite high percentage of coated vessels (circa 65%), with simultaneous low share of decorated forms (circa 10%), allow to say that vessels from Połupin were manufactured not earlier than the end of the 8th century, but most likely in the 1st half of the 9th century. This chronology is not being denied by the 14C dating and by the analysis of other categories of finds (hooked spurs and beam). The results of reanalysis have contributed in significant changing the chronology of the stronghold in Połupin. Previous data, which functioned in the literature from the mid 1960s, indicated that the fortress were of 200 years older.
Nutritional needs of the community were met in a variety of ways, combining the use of products derived from crops and livestock, wild plants and possibly wild animals. Excavations carried out at Mozów, site 23 and at other settlements dating to the seventh and eighth centuries have not yielded many faunal remains. Few finds of animal bones, mostly cattle and small ruminants, only confirm the results of pollen analysis indicating the presence of open plant communities which were used as pastures. In the sediments of the discussed layer dating to the beginnings of the Middle Ages disappear heather Calluna vulgaris and common bracken Pteridiumaqilinum, which are the species characteristic mostly of forest communities and peat lands. In addition, after a long absence returns the occurrence of sorrel pollen grains Rumex, typeacetosa/acetosella, the plant associated with grazing. Slightly later appears plantain Plantagolanceolata, which is the indicator of a similar value. Furthermore, the sediments dating to the beginning of the early medieval phase contained rye pollen grains Secale and a single pollen of other grains cerealia, as well as nitrophilous ruderal plants of the goosefoot family Chenopodiaceae. The period after the probable time of functioning of Mozów settlement is characterised by the occurrence of stronger indicators of anthropogenic impact, including mugwort Artemisia, nettle Urtica, or weeds of cereal crops - cornflower Centaureacyanus. Their presence is probably related to younger settlement dated from the ninth to the tenth century, represented by numerous remains recovered in the area of Sulechów and the village of Kije (where two strongholds dated to the same period existed at that time), or at Zawady, site 1.
The occurrence of pollen grains and weeds is the direct evidence of human activity. Although few in number, they point towards people’s presence and penetration of surrounding areas. The transformations described above, as well as the changes in the proportion of particular ecosystems indicate the initial phase of anthropogenic impact on the environment, the process which continues uninterrupted until today.
The settlement discovered at Mozów, site 23 is one of the most comprehensively excavated remains of occupation from the older phases of the Early Middle Ages in the Middle Odra region. In the studied period also two other settlements functioned in Mozów-Sulechów microregion: Sulechów, site 14, which was similar in size to Mozów, site 23, and a slightly smaller one, known as Sulechów, site 10. A relatively high density of occupation indicates that the second half of the seventh century at the latest was already the period of stable settlement structures of a permanent character in the region.
Further development of this and other similar settlement clusters in the area enabled probably the emergence in the second half of the ninth century of many heavily fortified strongholds which served the role of central points for small tribal communities.
The study of the early medieval site at Mozów has provided new data on possible ways of the organization of space within the settlement in the older phases of the Early Middle Ages. Spatial structure of the site, reconstructed on the basis of recovered relics, was strongly influenced by local topography, which has analogies in other nearby well recognized settlements, e.g. Sulechów, site 10 or Jordanowo, site 7.
Establishing the chronology of vessels recovered from the site at Mozów, and, accordingly, the dating of the settlement, is not an easy task. The difficulties arise from the fact that pottery from the older phases of the Early Middle Ages lacks sufficiently sensitive chronological characteristics. Until the end of the eighth century the vessel assemblages found in the Middle Odra region consisted predominantly of undecorated forms, which until approximately half of the eighth century were produced mostly without the use of a potter’s wheel. For this reason it is difficult to determine a precise chronological framework of the vessels older than the ninth century only on the basis of formal-stylistic analysis. In the case of ceramic material from Mozów, given the small percentage of decorated forms and those made with a potter’s wheel (about 2%), we can assign terminus ante quem to the end of the eighth century.
An important chronological indicator for the pottery recovered at Mozów is the lack of forms with rims modelled from the inside with deep encircling grooves. As already mentioned this trait is characteristic of the vessels dating to the developed eighth century, and in particular, the ninth century.
Taking into account the chronological clues described above, the early medieval settlement horizon at Mozów should be associated with the seventh and eighth centuries. These relatively broad chronological framework can be narrowed with the help of comparative analysis involving chronologically well-defined vessel assemblages from other sites, as well as by thermoluminescence dates obtained for over a dozen potsherds from Mozów settlement .
Numerous formal and stylistic analogies can be found in pottery assemblages from Sulechów, site 14 and the settlement from the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10. In the case of site 14, the results of AMS radiocarbon dating have clarified the earlier assumptions concerning periodization based on the analysis of archaeological sources. Currently the chronological framework of this settlement is established for the period from the second half of the seventh century to the third quarter of the eighth century. The results of radiocarbon dating and dendrochronological analysis have also confirmed the chronology of the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10 placing it within the period from the end of the seventh century to the end of the eighth or to the beginning of the ninth century.
The radiocarbon dates obtained for the material recovered from the discussed sites at Sulechów fully correspond with the results of thermoluminescence (further called TL) dating of 15 potsherds from the settlement at Mozów, which narrows the chronology of pottery production at the latter site to the period from the second half of the seventh century to the first decade of the eighth century. The TL analysis was performed on vessels recovered from six features located in different parts of the settlement. However, the obtained results do not provide sufficient data to define more detailed intervals (settlement phases) of the studied site. We can only assume that the results of TL analysis allow the possibility that the oldest phase of the settlement, dating to the second half of the seventh century, is represented by six potsherds recovered from features B29 and B129. The youngest of these pottery pieces can be dated to the fourth quarter of the seventh century. The latest remains of the settlement, in turn, are possibly represented by the features which contained pottery manufactured in the first decade or, more generally, in the first half of the eighth century (e.g. features B102, B182, B200). It is worth noting that pottery assemblages of both older and younger chronology do not differ in terms of style, technology, or form.
Further development of this and other similar settlement clusters in the area enabled probably the emergence in the second half of the ninth century of many heavily fortified strongholds which served the role of central points for small tribal communities.
The study of the early medieval site at Mozów has provided new data on possible ways of the organization of space within the settlement in the older phases of the Early Middle Ages. Spatial structure of the site, reconstructed on the basis of recovered relics, was strongly influenced by local topography, which has analogies in other nearby well recognized settlements, e.g. Sulechów, site 10 or Jordanowo, site 7.
The discovered remnants of buildings are typical of the northern zone of development of Slavic (so called Sukow) culture. They included predominantly bath-shaped features, which were probably the remains of sunken parts of larger ground-level buildings. The excavations did not reveal the relics that would provide more detailed information on the methods of building construction. We can only assume that some of dwellings were erected with the use of lightweight wattle or post-based structures.
In April 2018 in Lubinicko, near the stronghold in Grodziszcze, Świebodzin area (site 1), during the work preceding the geophysical survey, a hoard of iron implements was discovered. The find included two sickles, a scythe, two axes and a shovel fitting. This find, together with similar discoveries in Moraczewo and Ostrowo near Mogilno, mark the northern border of the occurrence of hoard of iron artefacts from the early Middle Ages in the eastern basin of the Odra River. The deposit does not contain artefacts with strict chronology. For this reason, the find can be dated in a broad interval, covering the mid-10th to the 12th century.
leading from Bojadła towards Klenica. The stronghold and its open suburb settlements boast a rich history of studies. The beginnings of
archaeological excavations in the Klenica settlement complex date back to 1935, when Kurt Langenheim discovered the stronghold. Soon
afterwards Ernst Petersen, the head of the State Office for Prehistory in Wrocław, commenced archaeological excavations by digging an
81-metre long trench, which allowed for the exploration of the southern stretch of the ramparts and the central part of the stronghold. In 2016
Andreas Kieseler carried out a study on archaeological material assembled in the pre-war period stored in the archives of the Museum of Archaeology
in Wrocław. In a comprehensive study A. Kieseler also compiled the results of excavations carried out in 2007, which addressed
some research questions and attempted to obtain samples for dendrochronology. The next stage was non-invasive research carried out in
2017. At that time geophysical studies using the magnetometry method in the area of the stronghold as well as a part of one of the suburb
settlements were carried out. At that time many analyses on the reconstruction of the former natural environment were also conducted. One
of the most interesting features discovered during geophysical research is an oval anomaly measuring 28×21 m, registered in the southern
part of the stronghold. Results of magnetometry survey connected with the reinterpretation of the results of archaeological excavations allow
us to put forward yet another research question concerning the function of these identified features. The results of dendrochronological
dating allow us to conclude that the four-stage earth and wooden rampart had been constructed by 850 AD. The stronghold burnt down at
the beginning of the 10th century and was not rebuilt afterwards.
specifics of the selection of wood raw material, as well as environmental conditions and potential directions of logging. The analyzed samples came from moat and were mostly waste generated during carpentry works related to the construction of wood and earth rampart of the stronghold in Przytok. Some of the samples, mainly branch wood, dowels and chips and alder, elm and pine shavings, and perhaps also some oak probably arose when erecting foundation fortifications, which, due to their small amount, seem not to be very extensive. The rest, mainly oak waste from large elements, should be associated rather with the structures of the rampart. One specific item of spheric form can be recognised as a head from the club, but not neccessary a weapon. Other purposes are also considered.
Kurzfassung
Im Laufe der Untersuchung der Fundstelle Nr. 11 (AZP 34-06/79) in Sobieradz, Landkreis Gryfino wurde ein Objekt
registriert, das im Grundriss einem Rechteck mit gerundeten Ecken und birnenförmigem Dreischichtenprofil ähnelt.
Seine Form lässt keine Schlüsse in Bezug auf Chronologie ziehen. Die von der Form her ähnlichen Exemplare kommen
in den Urzeiten und im Frühmittelalter vor (vgl. u. a. Kadrow 1991, 2223; Uciechowska-Gawron 2006, Ryc. 4/65). Das
Objekt mit ähnlicher Form, datiert aber in die Mitte des 12. Jahrhunderts, wurde in Poznañ (Posen) in der Straße Garbary
registriert, wo es als Vorratsgrube klassifiziert wurde (Krenz, Stêpnik 1996, 124, Abb. 3). Die Vorratsgrube, die in der
Siedlung in Miêdzyrzecz erforscht wurde und die in die spätere Phasen des Frühmittelalters datiert, hatte vergleichbares
Profil. Im Objekt wurde die auf den Westpommerschen Kreis knüpfende Keramik geborgen (Krzyszowski 2006, 29,
Abb. 10: 1). Das Keramikmaterial, das aus der ähnlichen Vorratsgrube in Nowiniec, Kreis ¯ary gewonnen wurde (Dziedzic,
Gruszka 2004, 233234, Abb. 5, 1415) weist dagegen deutliche Bezuge zu den Tornow- und Mankendorfstil auf.
Im analogen Objekt im Ort Bøezno in der Nähe von Louny in Tschechien wurden ein Lehmklümpchen sowie 2 Tierknochen
gefunden (Pleinerová 2000, 22, Abb. 17: 6). M. Dulinicz (2001, 153, Ryc. 133) hielt ein Objekt mit ähnlichem
Profil von Radziejowo, Stelle 5, für eine Grube für die Getreidetrocknung.
Auf solche Funktion weist, der Meinung des Forschers nach, die in der Verfüllung erforschte Rösterei sowie Hüttenlehmklumpen
hin.
Bei Betrachtung der Form (doppelkonische Form, die hohe Wölbung der Bauchung) der im Objekt gefundenen
Gefäße sowie der nachlässigen Verarbeitung und der Art der verwendeten ornamentalen Motiven lassen sich die geborgenen
Gegenstände als Gefäße von Menkendorf-Szczecin Gruppe (vom Typ D nach Cnotliwy, Leciejewicz, £osiñski
1983) klassifizieren. Sie bilden den Hauptbestandteil der Keramikkomplexe von Szczecin (Stettin), die in die zweite
Hälfte des 9.-10. Jahrhunderts datieren. (Cnotliwy, Leciejewicz, £osiñski 1983, 205).
The most numerous category of sources are fragment of vessels. Basing on the macroscopic analysis (study of style, form and technology of manufacture) and using specialist investigations we believe that that ceramic discovered in Połupin represents two pottery styles. First, traditional one, corresponds to the older phases of the Middle Ages. These include: small range of coating, lack of decoration, poor profile and appearance of mainly undeveloped rims. Second, progressive stream, are the vessels perfectly, technologically produced, manufactured from especially prepared mass of clay, based on selected, fine-grained temper. This course is represented by vessels of mainly stocky, vase-like forms. Their characteristic feature is decoration in form of plastic rollers (from one to few), placed under the rim. Their origin can be traced primarily in Merovingian pottery workshops, which had produced, mainly in the 7th century, the so called Knickwandtőpfe.
Using the data concerned of vessels style and technique of manufacture, which were gathered during the study of numerous collections of pottery from the Middle Odra River Area, we can try to establish chronological position of discovered assemblage of vessels. The analysis indicates quite high percentage of coated vessels (circa 65%), with simultaneous low share of decorated forms (circa 10%), allow to say that vessels from Połupin were manufactured not earlier than the end of the 8th century, but most likely in the 1st half of the 9th century. This chronology is not being denied by the 14C dating and by the analysis of other categories of finds (hooked spurs and beam). The results of reanalysis have contributed in significant changing the chronology of the stronghold in Połupin. Previous data, which functioned in the literature from the mid 1960s, indicated that the fortress were of 200 years older.
Nutritional needs of the community were met in a variety of ways, combining the use of products derived from crops and livestock, wild plants and possibly wild animals. Excavations carried out at Mozów, site 23 and at other settlements dating to the seventh and eighth centuries have not yielded many faunal remains. Few finds of animal bones, mostly cattle and small ruminants, only confirm the results of pollen analysis indicating the presence of open plant communities which were used as pastures. In the sediments of the discussed layer dating to the beginnings of the Middle Ages disappear heather Calluna vulgaris and common bracken Pteridiumaqilinum, which are the species characteristic mostly of forest communities and peat lands. In addition, after a long absence returns the occurrence of sorrel pollen grains Rumex, typeacetosa/acetosella, the plant associated with grazing. Slightly later appears plantain Plantagolanceolata, which is the indicator of a similar value. Furthermore, the sediments dating to the beginning of the early medieval phase contained rye pollen grains Secale and a single pollen of other grains cerealia, as well as nitrophilous ruderal plants of the goosefoot family Chenopodiaceae. The period after the probable time of functioning of Mozów settlement is characterised by the occurrence of stronger indicators of anthropogenic impact, including mugwort Artemisia, nettle Urtica, or weeds of cereal crops - cornflower Centaureacyanus. Their presence is probably related to younger settlement dated from the ninth to the tenth century, represented by numerous remains recovered in the area of Sulechów and the village of Kije (where two strongholds dated to the same period existed at that time), or at Zawady, site 1.
The occurrence of pollen grains and weeds is the direct evidence of human activity. Although few in number, they point towards people’s presence and penetration of surrounding areas. The transformations described above, as well as the changes in the proportion of particular ecosystems indicate the initial phase of anthropogenic impact on the environment, the process which continues uninterrupted until today.
The settlement discovered at Mozów, site 23 is one of the most comprehensively excavated remains of occupation from the older phases of the Early Middle Ages in the Middle Odra region. In the studied period also two other settlements functioned in Mozów-Sulechów microregion: Sulechów, site 14, which was similar in size to Mozów, site 23, and a slightly smaller one, known as Sulechów, site 10. A relatively high density of occupation indicates that the second half of the seventh century at the latest was already the period of stable settlement structures of a permanent character in the region.
Further development of this and other similar settlement clusters in the area enabled probably the emergence in the second half of the ninth century of many heavily fortified strongholds which served the role of central points for small tribal communities.
The study of the early medieval site at Mozów has provided new data on possible ways of the organization of space within the settlement in the older phases of the Early Middle Ages. Spatial structure of the site, reconstructed on the basis of recovered relics, was strongly influenced by local topography, which has analogies in other nearby well recognized settlements, e.g. Sulechów, site 10 or Jordanowo, site 7.
Establishing the chronology of vessels recovered from the site at Mozów, and, accordingly, the dating of the settlement, is not an easy task. The difficulties arise from the fact that pottery from the older phases of the Early Middle Ages lacks sufficiently sensitive chronological characteristics. Until the end of the eighth century the vessel assemblages found in the Middle Odra region consisted predominantly of undecorated forms, which until approximately half of the eighth century were produced mostly without the use of a potter’s wheel. For this reason it is difficult to determine a precise chronological framework of the vessels older than the ninth century only on the basis of formal-stylistic analysis. In the case of ceramic material from Mozów, given the small percentage of decorated forms and those made with a potter’s wheel (about 2%), we can assign terminus ante quem to the end of the eighth century.
An important chronological indicator for the pottery recovered at Mozów is the lack of forms with rims modelled from the inside with deep encircling grooves. As already mentioned this trait is characteristic of the vessels dating to the developed eighth century, and in particular, the ninth century.
Taking into account the chronological clues described above, the early medieval settlement horizon at Mozów should be associated with the seventh and eighth centuries. These relatively broad chronological framework can be narrowed with the help of comparative analysis involving chronologically well-defined vessel assemblages from other sites, as well as by thermoluminescence dates obtained for over a dozen potsherds from Mozów settlement .
Numerous formal and stylistic analogies can be found in pottery assemblages from Sulechów, site 14 and the settlement from the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10. In the case of site 14, the results of AMS radiocarbon dating have clarified the earlier assumptions concerning periodization based on the analysis of archaeological sources. Currently the chronological framework of this settlement is established for the period from the second half of the seventh century to the third quarter of the eighth century. The results of radiocarbon dating and dendrochronological analysis have also confirmed the chronology of the first phase of occupation at Sulechów, site 10 placing it within the period from the end of the seventh century to the end of the eighth or to the beginning of the ninth century.
The radiocarbon dates obtained for the material recovered from the discussed sites at Sulechów fully correspond with the results of thermoluminescence (further called TL) dating of 15 potsherds from the settlement at Mozów, which narrows the chronology of pottery production at the latter site to the period from the second half of the seventh century to the first decade of the eighth century. The TL analysis was performed on vessels recovered from six features located in different parts of the settlement. However, the obtained results do not provide sufficient data to define more detailed intervals (settlement phases) of the studied site. We can only assume that the results of TL analysis allow the possibility that the oldest phase of the settlement, dating to the second half of the seventh century, is represented by six potsherds recovered from features B29 and B129. The youngest of these pottery pieces can be dated to the fourth quarter of the seventh century. The latest remains of the settlement, in turn, are possibly represented by the features which contained pottery manufactured in the first decade or, more generally, in the first half of the eighth century (e.g. features B102, B182, B200). It is worth noting that pottery assemblages of both older and younger chronology do not differ in terms of style, technology, or form.
Further development of this and other similar settlement clusters in the area enabled probably the emergence in the second half of the ninth century of many heavily fortified strongholds which served the role of central points for small tribal communities.
The study of the early medieval site at Mozów has provided new data on possible ways of the organization of space within the settlement in the older phases of the Early Middle Ages. Spatial structure of the site, reconstructed on the basis of recovered relics, was strongly influenced by local topography, which has analogies in other nearby well recognized settlements, e.g. Sulechów, site 10 or Jordanowo, site 7.
The discovered remnants of buildings are typical of the northern zone of development of Slavic (so called Sukow) culture. They included predominantly bath-shaped features, which were probably the remains of sunken parts of larger ground-level buildings. The excavations did not reveal the relics that would provide more detailed information on the methods of building construction. We can only assume that some of dwellings were erected with the use of lightweight wattle or post-based structures.
The main segment of the hillfort, with external dimensions of about 100 × 66 m, is located in the eastern part of the hill. The courtyard, circa 70 × 30 m, is lowered in relation to the top part of well-preserved walls by about 1 m. The relics of the fortifications from the outer base are 8 to 9 m high. In the western part, a clear gap is visible in the wall, which may be a trace of the gate. On the west side, the oval stronghold is adjoined by two horseshoe-shaped sections with an area of 0.5-0.6 ha each. There are probably traces of gates visible in both of them, on the axis. In total, all these elements of the stronghold cover an area of approximately 1.9 ha.
The hillfort was already known in the pre-war period as a stronghold in Rypine or Poleńsk (German Pollenzig). The information included in the Zeitschrift für Ethnologie from 1897, indicate that during the research carried out at that time, fragments of pottery, animal bones and stone axes were discovered there. The research in the post-war period was carried out only in 1957 (surface survey by Wojciech Śmigielski, and excavations were carried out in June and at the beginning of July, 1966. They were conducted by Edward Dąbrowski on behalf of the Lubusz Museum in Zielona Góra. At that time only one trench was made (clearly visible on the Digital Terrain Model) and three small test trenches. Later, only surface surveys were carried out in the settlement, led by Adam Kołodziejski (in 1973) and Andrzej Marcinkian (in 1982). In 2019, as part of the project financed by National Institute of Heritage and the Friends of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a non-invasive research was carried out, which mainly covered the northern part of the hillfort. In 2020, surface resistivity sounding survey was continued in the southern part of the site. In 2019-2020, detailed research related to the reconstruction of the natural environment in the Early Middle Ages was also carried out.
Not much space has been devoted to the stronghold in Tarnawa Rzepińska in the literature so far. Apart from the pre-war mentions briefly discussed above, the most information was collected in the last volume of Studies and Materials for the Settlement of Early Historical Greater Poland. On the basis of a preliminary analysis of the pottery, it was determined that the stronghold functioned in phases B and C of the Early Middle Ages.
During this two-year project, detailed analyzes concerning the reconstruction of the original natural environment (palynological, geomorphological and zooarchaeological analyzes) were carried out, including also detailed geophysical surveys and elaboration of the results of excavations conducted in 1966, which resulted in the discovery of several features and a collection of over 4,000 pottery fragments. Ceramics was analyzed with using interdisciplinary research model, as in addition to the classic macroscopic analysis of pottery fragments, specialist analyzes were performed – petrographic and chemical.
Palynological analyzes
Studies on the reconstruction of the former environment showed that the natural vegetation in the vicinity of the site in Tarnawa Rzepińska was composed of forest communities. They had the character of multi-species deciduous ecosystems or with the dominance of one taxon. A number of deciduous plant communities were associated with water reservoirs. There were riparian forests in the river valley, and alders developed in oxbow lakes and in flooded areas.
Zooarchaeological analyzes
The examined sample of animal remains made it possible to obtain another set of zooarchaeological data from the so-called borderland of Greater Poland-Lubusz in the pre-Piast period. It is however one of the less numerous, among those studied so far. Hence, the set of information obtained from it is also very small. It seems that only the list of fauna and the number of remains of individual taxa can be a reliable basis for reflection on some features of the principles of animal management.
Geophisical surveys
Due to the fact that the entire area of the stronghold (three segments) could have played residential role and traces of houses, invisible on the surface, could be preserved, in order to study the structure of the fortifications, it was decided to conduct non-invasive research using three geophysical methods: magnetic, electrical resistivity and radar. The use of three methods resulted from the repeatedly confirmed observation that the integration of the results of several geophysical methods gives a much larger amount of information than only in the case of using a single method.
Summarizing the results of the geophysical prospecting, it should be stated that despite the relatively good condition of the site, none of the methods used allowed to register traces of regular structures within the suburbiums and acropolis. Considering the highest part of the site (“acropolis”), magnetic studies have shown the existence of a settlement episode, most likely related to the modern stage of history. Within the highest part of the site, anomalies have been documented, which may suggest the existence of additional fortifications at the tops of the embankments surrounding this part, and in their external coatings. A similar situation was also observed in the area of the first and second suburbiums. In addition, the presence of fortifications beyond the defense system visible in the LiDAR imaging was detected using the magnetic and electrical resistivity methods. An interesting feature is also a negative magnetic anomaly with a circular outline, located in the western part of the second borough. Directly next to it, on the west side, two anomalies were also found, which may be the remains of a wooden gate. The northern one of these anomalies is reflected in a higher-resistance structure recorded at the same location.
It should be borne in mind that not all archaeological features may be manifested in the image resulting from geophysical research. For this reason, the interpretation of the lack of internal structures should be treated with appropriate caution. Similarly, interpretations regarding fortifications and the remains of a possible gate require verification in test trenches or archaeological coring.
Analysis of pottery
Research carried out in 1966 resulted in the discovery of over 4,000 pottery fragments. Fragments of the vessels predominate (4,072 shards: 382 rims, 3,572 bellies and 118 base parts), but also 59 construction daub and 37 fragments of the so-called prażnice – clay roasting pans, were discovered. The records in the field inventory show that two fragments of clay spindle whorls were also found, but now these items should be considered lost.
During the analysis the pottery finds, I consciously gave up of considering such elements as: macroscopic determination of the type and amount of the temper and the method of firing. These features were discussed before by Piotr Gunia in separate chapters of this publication. 331 taxonomic units (hereinafter units) were analyzed in detail, including 9 units which were examined with using specialized analyzes. The use of methods taken from the natural sciences made it possible to compare the obtained research results with the results of similar analyzes carried out for over 600 samples of early medieval pottery from the Mid-Odra river area. Macroscopic analyzes were performed on the following features of the vessels: the morphological type of the fragment, walls thickness, diameter of the rim and base, texture and degree of alignment of both surfaces, traces related to the structure of the vessel (various impressions, traces of kneading and joining of clay tapes, smoothing and traces of coting). The final stage of the macroscopic analysis was to determine the type of rim, the base, assigning the vessel to a specific family of form types and the methods of decoration.
Almost 70% of units was ornamented. The motifs from group II, type IV and IX, characteristic for the Menkendorf pottery, were the most numerous. Fragments of pottery of the Feldberg Type were noted sporadically. There are no fragments that can be connected with the Tornow Type.
Both the settlement and the stronghold were discovered between 1956 and 1964. Rescue excavations were carried out on the settlement in June 1967. At that time, two pits containing fragments of vessels made without using a potter’s wheel were found.
In 2008, a series of aerial photographs, mainly of the stronghold clearly legible from the air, were taken. Further research related to the settlement complex in Przytok has not been carried out until 2016. They were part of a project funded by the National Science Center. Magnetic analysis of the stronghold were carried out then, phosphorus content analyzes and small test excavations verifying geophysical research were also carried out. Thanks to the excavations, Edward Dąbrowski’s results concerning primarily the chronology and function of site 1, were verified, as the lack of publication of sources certainly caused considerable difficulties in evaluation of previous results, especially about the existing of the stronghold and settlement. Filling this gap is therefore the primary goal of this publication.
Beside the analysis of archival finds, enriched by the results of specialist research, the book also presents the results of research on the reconstruction of the basic natural environment in the vicinity of the stronghold and settlement, as well as the settlement complex in Przytok against the background of a wider settlement context. An important part of the publication is also the presentation of issues related to new chronological findings, obtained thanks to the comparative analysis of pottery verified by age determinations using the 14C method.
The stronghold and settlement in Przytok are, next to the settlement in Klenica and the settlements in Stożne and Zawada, another archaeologically recognised sites from the early Middle Ages in the area of the middle Odra river valley.
Early medieval settlement in the vicinity of Przytok was not intensive and probably this condition is not the result of insufficient archaeological recognition of this area, because it is an area thoroughly examined by surface survey and identified by a series of aerial photographs regularly taken for about 10 years. Beside the settlement on the site 2 we know also the settlement in Stożne located about 1600 m northwest of the settlement, site 2, from 6th/7th-7th century and in Zawada from the mid 9th-11th/12th century. Both sites were excavated. These two sites were also recognized by surface survey: in Jany, site 9 where 8 fragments of ceramics were found and in Jany, site 4 where 6 fragments of vessels were obtained, whose chronology was determined to the early stages of the early Middle Ages. Due to the lack of detailed research, the chronology of burial mounds located southwest of the stronghold in Przytok (sites 4 and 5 in Przytok) is problematic.
The current shape of the stronghold is similar to an oval with a diameter of about 70 m. In the terrain, as well as in aerial photographs and DTM, an omnidirectional moat is clearly visible, especially visible from the south, west and north. However, the relics of the rampart are difficult to read.
On the opposite side of the river bed, northwest of the stronghold, about 200 m from it, an older settlement was located, which occupies a slightly elevated dune among the wet and partly bogged valley of the Odra and Zimny Potok, which have springs around the settlement complex. The LIDAR image shows the supposed range of the settlement, which was surrounded by slight elevations (earth moulds?). In the 1960s, small excavations were carried out on the site. Two features were discovered then, one of which was the remains of a residential building. Fills of features were heavily saturated with burning.
Juliusz Twardy and Jacek Forysiak presented a detailed description of the location of the stronghold and settlement in Przytok in the geographical and geomorphological aspect. Both the stronghold and the settlement lie within the floodplain terrace of the basins. The relief of the area of the direct hinterland of the sites is not very varied. In the north and east flows the Odra, which at the beginning of the 18th century meandered on the entire width of the valley. Numerous paleomeanders, currently cut off from the main Odra riverbed due to its regulation, are visible in the trace of the former course of the river. The bend of one of these paleomenadres is occupied by a settlement (site 2), which is separated from the stronghold by a valley about 40 m wide, now a wetland with an unnamed stream. To the north of the settlement, a fragment of the paleomeander now occupies the stream of Zimny Potok, whose source is located on the wetland west of the settlement.
The current landscape is the result of a significant transformation of the area by man, especially in the last 150 years (since the start of drainage of the Odra valley). In addition to open areas, mainly meadows, pastures and arable fields, the landscape is diversified by numerous forest communities in the alluvial type and small clumps mainly of oaks.
The area south of the sites changes into a high terrace and a zone of frontal moraine hills, now covered with pine monocultures and occasionally with mixed forests.
Non-invasive geophysical surveys were carried out on both the settlement and the stronghold. In the first case they brought the discovery of magnetic anomalies, which, due to the verrifying excavation trench, can now be quite clearly interpreted as relics of small rampart surrounding the stronghold, made of earth and wood. On the stronghold courtyard few traces were recorded, requiring excavation verification. At the current stage of research, it is difficult to clearly determine their origin.
Research on the remains of the settlement brought the discovery of numerous magnetic anomalies of varying origin. They allow to draw several hypotheses regarding the shape and function of the settlement. However, full understanding of the obtained results requires invasive verification excvations. This will allow for a more accurate recognition of the nature of the features and archaeological layers located on the site. Excavations may also provide answers to a number of more detailed questions, especially regarding the time of construction and functioning of the settlement.
In the stronghold, analyzes were also made of the phosphorus content in the soil. The analysis did not document the increased content of phosphorus in the soil within the outlines of relics of the fortified settlement in Przytok, which could constitute a geochemical trace of intensive settlement and economic activity in the past. The spread of the highest, but also sporadically recorded, values covers areas adjacent to the site from the south. The obtained results of geochemical prospectus may suggest the refugial nature of the object. At the same time, it should be emphasized that, carried out in recent years, surrounded by castle strongholds located at the bottom of the Warta, Luciąża and Warsaw-Berlin valleys, tests of phosphorus content in the ground have resulted in the registration of a generally poor geochemical record in the surroundings of the features.
The elaboration of the results of archival research concerned both movable artefactss, mainly fragments of vessels, wooden items, animal bones and artefacts made of stone material, as well as analysis of the relics of the rampart and the few features that are remains of the structures of the stronghold courtyard and the nearby settlement.
In the case of wooden artefacts, attempts were made to recognize the type of artefacts, the way they were made, the nature of deposition, the specifics of the selection of wood raw material, as well as environmental conditions and potential directions of logging. The analyzed samples came from moat and were mostly waste generated during carpentry works related to the construction of wood and earth rampart of the stronghold in Przytok.
Assemblage of the stone artefacts from Przytok is an example of a typical set of everyday items, often obtaines during the research on sites from the early Middle Ages. Regarding the use of raw materials, selection in terms of rock hardness and technical properties is clearly visible. None of the tested products was made of weathered rock, which proves the correct selection of the right raw material from glacial material.
Pottery analysis especially, supported by radiocarbon dating results, allowed the chronological considerations to be verified. Currently, dating of the stronghold functioning can be determined in the second half of the 8th-first half of the 9th century. In contrast, the settlement may be even older. Fragments of pottery discovered there allow to date the settlement to the end of the 7th-8th century.
The analysis and publishing of this publication were possible thanks to the co-financing of research by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, under the Protection of Archaeological Monuments program and the Archaeological Museum of the Middle Odra river Area in Zielona Góra and funds from the City of Zielona Góra. Part of the research results presented in the publication, including geophysical, phosphoric, 14C dating of wooden rampart and excavations carried out on the stronghold in 2016 were completed and financed due to the National Science Center grant FUGA 4 (UMO-2015/16/S/HS3/00274), Early medieval settlement in the middle Odra river basin until the mid-11th century in archaeological studies.
The site 2 was discovered in the summer of 1961, during the detailed surface survey conducted by the expedition members, who were excavated the nearby stronghold in Krosno Odrzańskie. This summer from the half of July till the mid of September, Edward Dąbrowski conducted the excavations on the newly discovered site. The research was aimed to answer few questions about function of this feature, its size and chronology. Due to the complete lowering of the rampart constructions, basically it was not assumed that the studied feature might have been the relics of the stronghold.
In total, during three seasons, the area of 2,5 ares in 7 trenches was excavated, recognizing the stratigraphy of cultural layers, mainly in the north-south axis (with circa 10° to the east), what was documented on numerous colour outlines. Available documentation from the excavation is complemented by monochrome photographs, especially of the feature outlines.
Publishing of this book was possible thanks to the financial support provided by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, within the program of the archaeological artefacts protection, priority 5. Part of presented here results, primarily those concerning 14C dating, was financed within the grant of the National Center of Science.
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Mozów, site 23 is located in the Lubuskie Province, about 3 km west of Sulechów. It is situated on the slope of a small hill, between a railway line (Sulechów-Czerwieńsk) and county road 278.
Archaeological excavations were carried out at this site in 2009 in connection with the planned construction of expressway S3. The research was conducted by the Foundation of the University of Łódź under the direction of dr Seweryn Rzepecki.
The excavations covered a total area of 186.35 ares divided into five major sectors (hectares) within which 233 features were registered. Cultural attribution was determined for 109 features containing mostly potsherds. Archaeological sources recorded during the research included the material dating to the Stone Age (unspecified chronology), the Neolithic (including the Linear Pottery and the Funnel Beaker cultures), the Jastorf culture and the Roman Influence period (mixed elements of the Wielbark and Pomeranian cultures), as well as the older phases of the Early Middle Ages and the Post Medieval period.
The publication presents the results of research on the archaeological material dating to the Early Medieval period. They are discussed against a wider background of Mozów-Sulechów microregion including several large settlements and less recognised settlement points. Apart from description and analysis of archaeological sources (mainly pottery and remains of building structures at Mozów, site 23), the monograph focuses on issues related to the reconstruction of the natural environment.
The studies on the most abundant archaeological material – pottery, as well as thermoluminescence and radiocarbon dating analyses were carried out within the framework of the project Interdisciplinary research on the early medieval pottery workshop (7-10 c.) in the borderland of Lower Silesia - Great Poland - Lusatia financed by the National Science Centre (agreement no. UMO-2012/05/N/HS3/01425).
Stanowisko odkrył w 1960 roku Edward Dąbrowski (1969, s. 292; 1975, s. 75, przyp. 12). W 1963 roku odkrywca obiektu przeprowadził wstępne badania archeologiczne
(Kołodziejski 1966, s. 42), a dwa lata później, przy udziale Mieczysława Kaczkowskiego, kolejne sondażowe wykopaliska (Kaczkowski 1975, s. 61, przyp. 34). W 1966 roku obiekt został wpisany do Rejestru Zabytków Województwa Zielonogórskiego jako wczesnośredniowieczne grodzisko, z chronologią określoną ramowo na VIII-XII wiek (Kałagate, Magda 1994, s. 329). Wiadomo także, że prace wykopaliskowe były prowadzone w 1968 roku, ponieważ w archiwum MAŚN znajdują się fragmenty naczyń z numerami inwentarzowymi pochodzącymi z tego okresu. Kolejne prace przeprowadzono w ramach akcji AZP w 1984 roku. W tym samym roku wykonano plan warstwicowy stanowiska. W 1998 roku, pod kierownictwem Jarosława Lewczuka, zrealizowano kolejne badania powierzchniowe, podczas których znaleziono 20 fragmentów ceramiki. W okresie od 6 lipca 1992 roku do 7 sierpnia 1992 roku przeprowadzono stacjonarne badania archeologiczne, które poprzedzone były jednodniowym wstępnym rekonesansem stanowiska (27 marca 1992 roku). Badaniami kierowali mgr Marlena Magda i mgr Sławomir Kałagate, finansowano je z funduszu Wojewódzkiego Konserwatora Zabytków Archeologicznych. Głównym celem przeprowadzonych wówczas badań była próba uściślenia chronologii, a także weryfikacja wcześniejszych przypuszczeń, że odkryte stanowisko może być grodziskiem. Podjęcie wykopalisk było uzasadnione także stałym i postępującym niszczeniem stanowiska na skutek prac rolnych.
W trakcie przeprowadzonych badań założono dwa wykopy i jeden rów sondażowy o łącznej powierzchni około 3,5 ara. Odkryto piętnaście obiektów wczesnośredniowiecznych i trzy skupiska ceramiki pradziejowej (Gruszka 2002).
Badania w 1992 roku nie potwierdziły przypuszczeń Edwarda Dąbrowskiego, który sądził, że w 1960 odkrył relikty grodu (Kałagate, Magda 1994, s. 337-338).
W publikacji zostały uwzględnione głównie materiały pozyskane w trakcie wykopalisk z 1992 roku, ponieważ dokumentacja badań prowadzonych w latach 60. XX wieku uległa rozproszeniu (w archiwum MAŚN w Świdnicy zachował się jedynie rysunek jednego z profilów). Ponadto dysponujemy mało wartościową, ze względów poznawczych, kolekcją ceramiki, pochodzącą głównie z badań powierzchniowych. Opublikowano także wybrane znaleziska (Dąbrowski 1999, s. 51, tabl. I: 1, II: 12-17).
Z materiałów pochodzących z badań wcześniejszych w opracowaniu uwzględniono wszystkie dostępne zabytki wydzielone, głównie przedmioty kamienne i metalowe oraz fragmenty glinianych talerzy.
Publikacja jest efektem współpracy zespołu kilkunastu specjalistów z różnych dziedzin. Monografia składa się z trzynastu głównych rozdziałów. Pierwsze trzy omawiają zagadnienia związane z rekonstrukcją pierwotnego środowiska oraz opisują na szerszym tle uwarunkowania środowiskowe lokalizacji osadnictwa. W kolejnych rozdziałach zaprezentowano analizy znalezisk odkrytych podczas wykopalisk. Następnie przedstawiono zagadnienia związane z datowaniem osady. Publikację kończą rozdziały przedstawiające wyniki badań specjalistycznych dotyczące wczesnośredniowiecznej ceramiki. Wyniki przedstawionych powyżej analiz posłużyły do sformułowania wniosków dotyczących rekonstrukcji podstawowych zajęć gospodarczych mieszkańców tej wczesnośredniowiecznej osady oraz jej znaczenia i miejsca w systemie osadniczym na szerszym tle porównawczym.
Publikacja ukazała się dzięki finansowemu wsparciu Ministerstwa Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego, w ramach programu Ochrona Dziedzictwa Archeologicznego, Priorytet 5.