Wielkopolskie/ Discovery of dozens of burial mounds dating back more than two thousand years
About forty mounds made approx. 2.5 thousand years ago have been located by archaeologists in the forest district Sarbia in the northern part of Wielkopolska. The historic cemetery was unknown to scientists.
The cluster of mounds was located by Maciej Sokolowski from Budzyń, who analysed satellite images for geology. He shared his suspicions - that these were ancient structures - with local archaeologists. After obtaining approval from the Regional Office for the Protection of Monuments in Poznań, in July and August archaeologists started excavations within one of the mounds.
It turned out that the elevation selected for excavation is indeed a mound - archaeologists discovered two surrounding ditches, in which there were large amounts of charcoal and fragments of pottery. In the internal cavity, they found cremated human remains. Archaeologist Piotr Alagierski, who led the excavations, explained in an interview with PAP that the buried person was most likely a child. No grave offerings have been found near the deceased.
Many of the mounds have been preserved in very good condition - some of them are still almost 2 meters high. Their diameter is approx. 20 m.
Based on discovered fragments of pottery, researchers determined that the burial ground served the representatives of the Jastorf culture of the early Iron Age, i.e. before approx. 2.5 thousand years. These people came from southern Jutland and the basin of the lower and middle Elbe. It is identified by some scholars as the tribe of Germanic Bastarnae who were moving from Northern Europe to the Black Sea.
According to researchers, the most characteristic of this culture are vast burial grounds, counting even more than a thousand graves. Given that the newly discovered site is located away from the main centre of the Jastorf culture, the mounds of Notecka Forest are an extremely valuable discovery - researchers believe.
The conservator office announced that excavations within the barrow studied in the summer will continue next year. "After determining the exact time of the functioning of the cemetery and its cultural identity we will be able to enter this unique site in the registry of monuments and cover is with due legal protection" - added Romualda Bartkowiak, a representative of the Regional Office for the Protection of Monuments.
In addition, due to the fact that this area has surprised archaeologists in terms of the abundance of archaeological discoveries, they now intend to carry out an extensive research project in the forest district Sarbia. "Its purpose will be to record all traces of ancient settlements that have not yet been recorded by our service" - explained Bartkowiak, who is the initiator of the project.
This year\'s excavations were funded by the Regional Office for the Protection of Monuments in Poznań.
PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland
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