Archaeologists investigating a 2,000-year-old burial site in Poland have discovered cremated remains inside a Roman vessel, one of very few of its type ever found in the country.
The discovery was made during research in the town of Kazimierza Wielka, southern Poland, led by archaeologists from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In total, 160 objects were found, with some dating back as far as the Neolithic period, reports the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
A particularly interesting find was a burial site dating to the pre-Roman and early Roman period, which contained four cremation graves and 23 skeletons.
One set of cremated remains had been placed inside a vessel (pictured above), made from copper alloys, imported from the Roman empire and decorated with dolphin shapes.
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“Such vessels are exceptionally rare in Poland,” said Kamil Sikora, a spokesman for the Jagiellonian University.
In areas occupied by the so-called Przeworsk culture, which lived in what is now central and southern Poland between the 3rd century BC and the 5th century AD, only seven such vessels have been discovered and only four were used as urns.
Alongside the urn, the archaeologists discovered weapons typical of warriors from the Przeworsk culture, including a sword and two spearheads, as well as a shield boss. The items had been ritually bent and damaged, which is consistent with the funeral practices of the time.
The researchers also note that the discovery of skeletal remains is unusual for the Przeworsk culture, which normally cremated its dead. Most of those found at this site are the remains of women, who were buried with ornaments and items of clothing.
Image credits: Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
