Badania nad technologią wybranych zabytków żelaznych

The extensive programme of research on artefacts recovered from the Przeworsk culture cemetery in Żelazna Nowa, Comm. Magnuszew, included performing a series of metallographic analyses. Only three objects were subjected to the analyses due to their good preservation: two knives and a shield grip fragment. The aim was to determine the technology of manufacture of particular objects and to identify the raw materials from which they were forged. Microstructure was examined using a Leica DMLM metallurgical microscope, and the observed metal structures were photographed. In addition, metal hardness was measured using the Vickers method, with a load of 10 kG (98N). Carbon content of steel was determined based on microscopic observation. As demonstrated by the analyses, the artefacts were made from metal obtained through the bloomery process from bog iron with a significant admixture of phosphorus. The technology used for manufacture of the analysed artefacts was not particularly sophisticated. They were forged from single pieces of bloomery iron. The only exception is a knife (inv. no. CCLII/15), which was forged from two different pieces of metal welded together, namely from a piece of high phosphorus iron and a piece of soft steel. This made the knife more flexible, while rendering its blade sufficiently hard and more resistant to abrasion. One cannot rule out that the blades of both knives were originally hardened by local carburisation, in connection with later thermal processing (quenching). The results of metallographic research seem to support our assumptions. The two knives and the shield grip were manufactured in local Przeworsk culture workshops, perhaps from iron originating from the centre of metallurgy in the Mazowsze (Mazovia) region.

Wyniki oznaczeń taksonomicznych szczątków drewna

A number of samples collected during exploration of archaeological features from the Przeworsk culture cremation cemetery were submitted for xylological examination. The samples contained poorly preserved charred remains of wood, which were subjected to taxonomic identification. Anthracological analyses allowed four taxa of woody plants to be identified, with the predominant share of remains belonging to Scots pine Pinus sylvestris. The high share of pine wood fragments may indicate selective acquisition of this species as a material for building funeral pyres. On the other hand, it may reflect the widespread occurrence of this species in the nearby forest communities, which were shaped by human activity.

Wyroby ze szkła i fajansu egipskiego

During archaeological research in the cremation cemetery in Żelazna Nowa, 106 glass and four faience artefacts were uncovered. Most of them were found in eleven cremation burials (1, 2, 19A, 33, 34, vicinity of 36, 37, 39, 44, 47, 54) dated between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. The glass pieces are highly fragmented, melted, or fused with other elements of the pyre, with only one glass bead completely preserved (type 218c acc. to Tempelmann-Mączyńska). The faience objects have survived in better shape: these are two complete beads and two fragments, all representing type 171 (acc. to Tempelmann-Mączyńska). Chemical compositions of 12 glass pieces and one fragment of a faience bead were determined using EPMA analysis. All the analysed artefacts turned out to be sodium glasses, made using both mineral sodium (natron) and sodium from the ash of halophytic plants (one sample). Natron glasses represent three groups distinguished by varying contents of MgO and K2O. The differences in concentrations of these components indicate that sands from different deposits were added in the glass-making process. This corroborates a hypothesis positing multiple centres of glass production during the Roman Period.

Nieinwazyjne badania archeologiczne na stanowisku 2 w Żelaznej Nowej

Non-invasive archaeological research was carried within the complex of sites 2–3 in Żelazna Nowa, and the analysis of the results. The basic goal of the research was to determine the range of the necropolis in site 2, to reveal its topography, and to assess the state of its preservation. The research was performed using a non-invasive geophysical survey with the magnetic method. An additional objective was to map sites 2 and 3 and present them against a broader geographic background. The maps were created using numeric altitude data from laser scanning (LIDAR) and aerial photography. Site 2, the focus of the research, occupies a well-defined lentoid elevation stretching along the E-W axis, and it encompasses at least three distinct zones. The first zone is the necropolis in the western part of the site, confirmed by archaeological excavations. Geophysical research allows for concluding that the necropolis extended over an area larger than 1 ha. Its southern and eastern boundaries are discernible on the map of magnetic anomalies (Figs. 13.2–7). The second zone is a stretch of land to the east of the necropolis, distinguished by a distinct concentration of archaeological features. The third zone is an area where settlement features also occur, but in much lesser concentrations than in zone 2. Zones 2 and 3 (the eastern one) are distinguished by considerable numbers of artefacts, potsherds in particular, occurring on the surface. In addition, traces of hearths damaged by ploughing were recorded in zone 3 in the form of black spots of various sizes discernible from the level of the ground, and especially from the air (Fig. 13.8). A distinct concentration of features in zone 2 may stem from its transitional nature between the cemetery and the settlement, perhaps with the two partly overlapping at some stages of their development. However, the relatively clear results of the magnetic research only allow for preliminary interpretation of the identified features. The data need to be verified by archaeological excavations. The non-invasive research, especially the magnetic survey, should undoubtedly be extended. It is also worth taking aerial photographs again, in different weather conditions and especially at the time of year when the crops start to grow. This can be expected to reveal previously undetected features, in particular those of settlement nature.

Elementy obrządku pogrzebowego

A total of 65 Przeworsk culture features were discovered in the Żelazna Nowa cemetery. This number included a rectangular groove feature, urned cremations (6), alleged/damaged urned cremations (14), unurned cremations (14), alleged/fully or partly damaged unurned cremations (27), pits containing no bone material (4), undtermined cremations (2), pits containing no archeological material (1). All of the explored burials are cremations. However, a more detailed analysis encounters problems due to the state of preservation of the graves. Features 3, 19A and 19B, 30, 33, 37, 39 have been confidently identified as urned cremations. In many other features fragments of ceramic vessels were found, which may be remains of damaged urns: 18, 21, 23, 25, 31, 35, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 56, 57, and 58. Certain unurned cremations are 4, 6, 7, 8, 11–13, 15–17, 22, 24, 32, and 34. The interpretation of the remaining features is uncertain. Among the features uncovered in the cemetery were pits containing no bones: 5, 60, 61, 62, as well as pits containing no archaeological material at all: 55. The majority of unurned cremations contained pyre debris, while no such remains were observed in the following damaged unurned cremations: 15, 40–42, 45, 61, 62. There were a few cases of double burials identified. Three unurned cremations (6, 13, 15) and one urned cremation (39) contained bones of Infans I and an undetermined individual, while feature 19 contained two urns with individual burials: Infans II and an undetermined individual. Urned cremations, and one alleged unurned cremation (56), are distinguished by a higher standard of furnishing and a considerably larger amount of bone remains. This can be given two interpretations: a higher status of those buried there, or different rituals used for urned and unurned cremations. In two graves the urn was covered with an upturned vessel (features 33 and 37). In one case, an apotropaic behaviour characteristic of the Przeworsk culture was recorded, involving driving sharp objects into the pit’s bottom: in grave 41 these were two spearheads.

Opracowanie anatomo-antropologiczne szczątków kostnych

Subjected to anthropological analysis were bone remains recovered from the archaeological site of Żelazna Nowa in 2007, 2008, 2015, and 2017. In addition, three burial urns complete with their contents were submitted to laboratory analysis (features 33, 37, and 39). The anthropological analysis sought to determine the number of individuals buried in a grave, the sex of the deceased and their age at death, to identify animal bones occurring in graves, pathological changes and traces of ornaments discernible on bones, and to determine the degree of burning of the skeletal material. The assessment of sex and age proved in most cases impossible due to poor preservation of the bones and their deformation stemming from exposure to high temperatures. The results obtained for those graves from Żelazna Nowa for which analysis was possible are presented in Table 7.2. Remains of 35 individuals were identified in 30 features. This is the total minimum number of determinable individuals. Among these 35 individuals are 25 adults (including 2 representing age class Adultus/Maturus and 1 Senilis), 1 individual from age class Iuvenis, and 3 children (including one Infans I and two Infans II). Animal bones were identified in 6 graves.

Podsumowanie

In light of the research carried out to date, site 2 in Żelazna Nowa ranks among the most interesting discoveries in southern Mazovia region. Even the preliminary dating of the cemetery allows placing it among the longest-functioning Przeworsk culture necropolises (phases A3–C1b/C2). A number of phenomena recorded in the site suggest a unique nature of this necropolis. One can mention here the unique groove feature with a family burial (?), indicative of strong connections with the Celtic traditions spreading from the south along the Vistula River.

Zwierzęce szczątki kostne

Animal bone remains retrieved from six cremation graves and from layers in the immediate vicinity of damaged graves were subjected to archaeozoological analysis. There were 32 animal bone fragments in total, of which 23 could be identified with high probability in terms of species and anatomy. The remaining bones represent two types. The first, more common type is comprised of bone fragments showing no traces of processing, possibly consumption waste. The second type is that of fragments of damaged artefacts made from osseous material, bearing discernible traces of processing. Among the analysed materials, five fragments revealed traces of processing – two were fragments of combs, another two most likely belonged to one damaged gaming piece (dice), and the last was a small fragment of a polished plate. All these objects were made of deer antler. The remaining, unworked fragments identified in terms of species, which were consumption waste, belonged exclusively to domesticated mammals and birds: sheep, goat, pig, cattle, horse, and hen. They were found in six out of approximately 65 graves recorded in the explored part of the necropolis, which means in 9.2% of the graves. Animal bone remains are interpreted in many ways, could have been the traces of feasts held during the funeral ceremony. The remains could have provided food for the dead on their way to the afterlife or could have been related to some acts of sacrifice.

Chronologia i planigrafia cmentarzyska

The excavations (which encompassed 6.2 ares) and surface surveys carried out to date allow the chronology of the cemetery to be determined as spanning from phases A3 of the Younger Pre-Roman period to phase C1b/C2 of the Roman period. The cemetery in Żelazna Nowa was established in phase A3 and remained in uninterrupted use until phase C1b (C2?). Due to significant damage and the small number of artefacts being good chronological indicators, only some of the graves could be dated. The earliest phase is represented by a small group of graves discovered in the north-western part of the site and dated to phase A3. Their chronology was determined based on ceramic vessels, three N brooches. Phase B1 is well-discernible in the materials, especially in the north-western part of the necropolis. A concentration of interesting artefacts, including imports, was found in this area during surface surveys: two brass brooches of the A.67a type, two decorative figure-of-eight fittings made from lead brass, and a brass bracelet of the Kamieńczyk type. Phase B2 is the most well-represented phase in the site. Burials from that phase occupy the central part of the explored area, and they include the quadrangular groove feature with three graves and a number of other graves, mainly urned cremations, discovered over a small area. The late phase of the necropolis is only discernible in uncontexted finds: fragments of wheel-made vessels and two bows of tendril brooches.

Wstęp

The Przeworsk culture cemetery in Żelazna Nowa was discovered in 1999, when Stanisław Organiściak found large concentrations of artefacts on the surface of fields belonging to the villages of Żelazna Stara and Żelazna Nowa. The new sites in Żelazna Nowa were later confirmed archaeologically and identified as a cremation cemetery of the Przeworsk culture (site 2), and a settlement of Pomeranian and Przeworsk cultures (site 3). What was evident from the beginning was considerable destruction of the cemetery, caused by prolonged deep ploughing, actions of amateur archaeologists, and floods of the Vistula River, today flowing approx. 2.5 km north-east of the site. The edge of the river terrace forms a distinct arch pointing to the west, and marks a meander scar of the Vistula. Both archaeological sites lie within this arc. The settlement neighbouring the cemetery was investigated by means of surface surveys. Despite relatively large amounts of pottery and daub found on the ground surface, no considerable damage to the archaeological features was observed.