Remarkable Roman Artefact Unearthed in 2,000-Year-Old Polish Burial Site!
Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery in Kazimierza Wielka, southern Poland. A team from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and the archaeological firm Pryncypat uncovered 160 artefacts dating from the Neolithic period to the early Bronze Age. Among these finds was an ancient cemetery, thought to date from the late pre-Roman to early Roman period, around the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD.
An Extraordinary Find: The Bronze Situla
The highlight of the discovery was a rare bronze vessel, known as a situla, used as a cremation urn. The vessel, described as “almost intact” by lead archaeologist Joanna Zagórska-Telega, features detailed dolphin-shaped handles and legs. Its excellent condition and rarity make it a significant find, offering valuable insights into the cultural and trade connections between Poland and the Roman Empire during this time.
Photo Credit: Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonion University
Diverse Burial Practices
The cemetery revealed a variety of burial customs, including 23 inhumation graves and four cremation burials. The situla was found in one of these cremation graves, along with items suggesting the deceased was a male warrior. Iron weapons, such as a sword, spearheads, and shield fittings, were discovered near the urn, all deliberately bent and burned— a practice common in the Przeworsk culture, which flourished between the 3rd century BCE and the mid-5th century CE.
Insights into Przeworsk Culture
The discovery of the situla in Poland is rare; only a few such vessels have been found in the region, and just four have been used as urns. Researchers believe these bronze vessels were produced in workshops in northern Italy or the eastern Alps and traded into Barbaricum, the area north of the Roman Empire that includes modern-day Poland. This situla, and its use in the burial, underscores the influence of the Celts and the extent of trade networks during the late centuries BCE.
Photo Credit: Michał Podsiadło/Jagiellonion University
Further Analysis and Historical Context
The bronze situla and other artefacts are currently being studied to learn more about their origins and the people buried with them. The metallic composition of the vessel and the cremated remains inside are being analysed to determine the craftsmanship, age, and sex of the deceased. Based on the context, the burial likely dates to the 1st century BCE, adding another layer to our understanding of this period in Polish history.
This discovery has drawn considerable attention due to the rarity and preservation of the situla. According to Kamil Sikora, a spokesperson for the Jagiellonian University, only seven such vessels have been found in Przeworsk culture areas, making this find an exceptional addition to the archaeological record of early Roman-period Poland.