Kinga Zamelska-Monczak | Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Polish Academy of Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Kinga Zamelska-Monczak

Praehistorische Zeitschrift

The results of archaeological research carried out on the early medieval stronghold in Santok pro... more The results of archaeological research carried out on the early medieval stronghold in Santok prove that from the 2nd half of the 8th century it functioned in the contact zone between Baltic trade centres and inland, as one of the points in the network of goods exchange. We present the centre in a broader context, not only from the perspective of discovered artefacts but from the natural and ideological elements of the landscape of this place created by the communities inhabiting the Warta and Noteć valleys in the 8th and 9th centuries. The settlement was founded in a convergence of waterways in a way that perfectly uses elements of the topography of the area. Wetlands were important ecological niches for residents whose lifestyle was associated with exploring both the valley and upland zones. Santok is difficult to interpret merely as a mere reflection of the practicality of power or economic activity, including manufacturing and trade. It is a clearly legible place in the landscap...

Archeologické rozhledy, 2021

The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature o... more The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature on the provenance and transformation stages of completely wheel-turned ceramics decorated with zoned ornament. This class of ceramics was used in the Early Middle Ages (for about 100 years) by communities living in the area of southern Greater Poland and the north-eastern part of Lower Silesia. The previous ideas suggesting a close relationship between zoned ceramics and vessels produced in northern Bohemia are reconsidered, with the internal diversity of zoned ceramics being pointed out. We argue that inspiration in ceramics manufacturing came not only from the south (Bohemia), but also from the north (Pomerania) and the west (the middle Elbe region), and that there were also changes that appeared independently of these impulses in the ceramics production of small, native communities.

Slavia Antiqua. Rocznik poświęcony starożytnościom słowiańskim, 2020

Archeologické rozhledy LXXIII-3, 2021

The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature o... more The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature on the provenance and transformation stages of completely wheel-turned ceramics decorated with zoned ornament 1. This class of ceramics was used in the Early Middle Ages (for about 100 years) by communities living in the area of southern Greater Poland and the northeastern part of Lower Silesia. The previous ideas suggesting a close relationship between zoned ceramics and vessels produced in northern Bohemia are reconsidered, with the internal diversity of zoned ceramics being pointed out. We argue that inspiration in ceramics manufacturing came not only from the south (Bohemia), but also from the north (Pomerania) and the west (the middle Elbe region), and that there were also changes that appeared independently of these impulses in the ceramics production of small, native communities. wheel-turned ceramics-zoned vessels-early medieval pottery-southern Greater Poland-Lower Silesia-Bohemia

Ceramika i szkło w badaniach interdyscyplinarnych, red. K. Chrzan, P. Rzeźnik, S. Siemianowska Wrocław, 2020

The aim of this paper is to define the nature and degree of advancement of ceramic production of ... more The aim of this paper is to define the nature and degree of advancement of ceramic production of the community living in the early Middle Ages, the north-eastern area of today's Lower Silesia. In this context, we present the structure of ceramics complexes and consider the phenomenon of implementing the new technology of totally wheel-turning as one of the elements of wider cultural changes taking place in the 10th century, and against this background the development of the style of zonal ornamentation of pots, characteristic of the area.
For this research, we used pottery from early medieval strongholds in Góra (site 1), Lelików (site 5) and Wrocławice (site 1), obtained during excavations carried out in 2012-2014. These objects belong to the type of small concave strongholds, with a circular outline, and the line of their ramparts is well preserved and clearly visible in the field. As a result of the analysis, it was found that in the groups from all the above-mentioned sites, the category of partially and totally thrown ceramics were distinguished, but their frequency varied.
Among partially wheel-turning ceramics, the tendencies in the form and ornamentation remain common for all the discussed complexes, while the main tendency is to cover the larger part of the vessel with ornaments, or even extend them over the largest possible surface of the belly, also in the case of two strands pattern. Totally wheel-turning pottery presents two standards of performance, reflecting the different degrees of use of the new technology. The distinguished Wrocławice type vessels, zone-decorated pots, clearly standardized, combine traditional (older) features with completely new trends.
The analysis of ceramics from Gór, Lelikowo and Wrocławice shows the specificity of the changes taking place in the early medieval pottery manufacturing in the north-eastern part of Lower Silesia, related to the phenomenon of introducing and disseminating a new technology - totally wheel-turning.

Przegląd Archeologiczny 68, 2020

This paper presents a case study of a place that during one period in history played an important... more This paper presents a case study of a place that during one period in history played an important role in the structures of the Piast state, and then, as a result of subsequent historical events, lost much of its significance. In the 14 th century, Santok was already on the margins of 'grand history' and fading into oblivion. This changed as a result of archaeological excavations carried out here for the first time in the 1930s. The narrative adopted in this article is based on a presentation of landscape biography and analysis of spatial sources-namely, historical aerial photographs and ones deriving from airborne laser scanning. This point of view has allowed the authors to pay special attention to previously neglected fragments of the history of the landscape under analysis.

Geoarchaeology

Santok played a strategic socio‐political role in the Early Middle Ages. It is situated at the co... more Santok played a strategic socio‐political role in the Early Middle Ages. It is situated
at the confluence of two large rivers (Warta and Noteć) on the boundary
of historical regions in north‐western Poland. The stronghold in Santok is
located on a sandy elevated floodplain with frequent floods in the immediate
vicinity of the morainic plateau. The geological and engineering conditions within
the stronghold were complex, making it a very difficult area for construction. The
oldest settlement in Santok was established in the 8th century AD as a seasonal
exchange point. By the 10th century, a well‐fortified fortress was built as a
strategic centre at the border of the first Polish state. Santok's stronghold was
maintained for over 600 years, during which the community benefited from its
wetland location and useful waterways connecting local and distant territories.
The extended use of one location in Santok allowed for investigation of the
anthropogenic and natural environmental changes throughout a long time period.
Given its past significance, this area has become a key geoarchaeological site to
understand human-environment interactions of the western Slavs in the Early
Middle Ages.

Animos labor nutrit. Studia ofiarowane Profesorowi Andrzejowi Buko w siedemdziesiątą rocznicę urodzin. red. T. Nowakiewicz, M. Trzeciecki, D. Błaszczyk, 2018

The archaeological rescue research carried out during the last dozen or so years resulted in the ... more The archaeological rescue research carried out during the last dozen or so years resulted in the discovery of sites which showed in a new light the settlement and cultural processes taking place in particular historical periods in today's area of ​​Poland. One of such finds, which radically changed the map of early medieval settlement, is the cemetery in Bodzia (site 1, Lubanie commune, Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship), which are unique in our lands. At this site, apart from the burials of people considered to be foreign, coming from Scandinavia or Russia, the remains of the multicultural settlement were also uncovered, including those with early medieval records. The archaeological material has considerable research potential.The remains of the settlement indicating the distinctness of this site from other, typical, open settlements. During the archaeological research, a large set of artefacts was obtained, including a large collection of fragments of pottery.The conducted studies indicate that the settlement and the younger phase of the cemetery in Bodzia could have constituted a valuable settlement and funeral complex, closely connected with the main centers of the region by the network of land roads and river connections.

Slavia Antiqua 60, 2019

This article presents a collection of early medieval trade accessories, folded scales and weights... more This article presents a collection of early medieval trade accessories, folded scales and weights excavated by archaeologists on site no. 1 in Santok (Lubusz province). The collection of weights is formally and chronologically diverse. The oldest specimens come from structures dated back to the 4 th quarter of the 9 th century, the youngest to the 14 th century. Metallographic analyses indicate that to produce the scales and weights, alloys of copper, different types of bronze and brass were used. The fact that exchange of goods in Santok took place earlier than in the other regions of Wielkopolska is evidence of close contacts with the then economic Baltic zone.

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne , 2019

Materiały do wczesnych pradziejów Zachodniej Wielkopolski. Osadnictwo pradziejowe i wczesnośredniowieczne w Lubrzy. Poznań , 2011

Niniejszy artykuł stanowi opracowanie licznych nieruchomych i ruchomych źródeł osadnictwa wczesno... more Niniejszy artykuł stanowi opracowanie licznych nieruchomych i ruchomych źródeł osadnictwa wczesnośredniowiecznego odkrytych podczas ratowniczych badań wykopaliskowych, prowadzonych na trasie autostrady A2 w miejscowości Lubrza, stan. 42 (AUT 33). Zarejestrowano łącznie 850 obiektów nieruchomych oraz ponad 38 000 fragmentów naczyń. Na podstawie analizy pozyskanego materiału zabytkowego wyróżniono jedną fazę zasiedlenia stanowiska, datowaną na fazę C (IX - 1. poł. X w.) wczesnego średniowiecza.

Fontes Archaeologici Posnanienses 53, 2017

The purpose of this work was to presents the first multidisciplinary provenance study of archaeol... more The purpose of this work was to presents the first multidisciplinary provenance study of archaeological amber objects dated to
the period of the Middle Ages in Poland. Performed investigations employed the gemmological analysis combined with the Raman
spectroscopy analysis. In order to determine the provenance of raw material two possible amber sources were taken under the consideration:
the Baltic succinite and the fossil amber from the Czech deposits. Comprehensive study performed for 21 artefacts excavated
at the Santok and Milicz sites have pointed to the deposits at the coast of the Baltic Sea as the source of raw amber. The obtained
results verified the existence of the trade routes between the Baltic zone and the discovered centres like Milicz located in the
northern Lower Silesia (Poland) in the Middle Ages.

Bodzia. Elitarny cmentarz z początków państwa polskiego. Warszawa 2016., 2016

In the burial pits in the cemetery in Bodzi two combs were found, one preserved in its entirety, ... more In the burial pits in the cemetery in Bodzi two combs were found, one preserved in its entirety, the other fragmentarily. In the grave of a child at leg height, there was a one-sided, three-layer comb made of deer antler. The fragment of the second comb was in the grave of a woman, under the skull, which is undoubtedly a unique phenomenon. It is possible that the comb in this case referred to the function of the object - fastening hair. Placing only a piece of the object in the grave could, however, have the symbolic value of giving the deceased. In the set of burial equipment items there are also stone products. In the grave of a woman, at the height of the pelvis, there was found a stone spindlewhirl made of an ovruc slate. in the grave pit, above the the skull, there was a fragment of a quernstone made of granite in a gray-pink colour. The presence of quernstones in graves is rarely recorded in cemeteries from Polish territories.

At the cemetery in Bodzia, clay vessels were found in two burial pits. The features of them indic... more At the cemetery in Bodzia, clay vessels were found in two burial pits. The features of them indicating that they weren't produced especially for ceremonial purposes. The traces of use are also visible on them. There were buckets in the graves of women (5 cases), a man and a child. They are characterized by a simple form, without the use of additional, decorated, fittings. The buckets were made of wood with metal rings and elements. These containers were placed nearby, on the right or left, sporadically between the feet. The lack of standards of containers found in the grave confirms the high value and symbolic significance of the object itself.

Tradycja a nowe wzorce - przemiany w wytwórczości garncarskiej na przykładzie materiałów ceramicznych ze starszych faz wczesnośredniowiecznego grodu w Santoku, (w:) Ceramika i szkło w archeologii i konserwacji, S. siemianowska, P. rzeźnik, K. Chrzan (red.), Wrocław 2017, s. 209-238, 2017

The basis for discussion is ceramics coming from the archaeological research on early medieval st... more The basis for discussion is ceramics coming from the archaeological research on early medieval stronghold in Santok, province lubuskie. Undisturbed stratigraphic system was unveiled there, comprising a long time period - from the 2nd half of the eighth century to the mid-thirteenth century, and with the full Middle Ages. The extensive fragments collection of vessels, obtained both: from inside the castle, and suburbium, arranged in chronological sequence, gave large research opportunities, allowing to trace the cultural phenomena and their multidimensional interpretation.
This has special significance in the case of Santoka, which is the geographical periphery of the three regions: Pomerania, Great Poland and Polabí. Such position had unquestioned influence on the cultural character of the center, where influences from different regions were crossing, but the distance from the centers was not synonymous with the peripherality of the zone.
As is well known vessels played primarily a utilitarian function, which most determined their form or technique of production, but also were carriers of certain information, playing a specific role in the symbolic sphere. They could have a factor integrating given social group, maintaining a sense of belonging and relationships. Possession of certain vessel’s copy could have a connection with prestige and strengthened social position of a person or group. This is of particular overtones in the case of a Santok, located on the borderlands of the regions. Conclusions from the analysis of ceramics indicate the presence of some new stylistic and technological solutions in the pottery industry. It can be observed how the elements of tradition in pottery, are confronted with the newer designs and impulses coming from different cultural zones. It can be seen that this is a place not only receiving the finished patterns flowing from the centers of the neighbouring regions, but the zone of activity and choose their own solutions.

Sacrum - profanum. Dwa żywoty misy mosiężnej z Santoka. Slavia Antiqua LVII (2016), 2016

The article presents the results of interpretation of a part of a brass bowl unearthed in 1958 in... more The article presents the results of interpretation of a part of a brass bowl unearthed in 1958 in the course of millennial excavations in Santok. An engraved ornament is visible on one of the surfaces of the sheet, the most important part of which is an outline of a bust with a head in a hat shown in profile. Three Latin characters allow to identify the image as a personification of Envy (Invidia), while the sheet itself is a fragmented, so called brass bowl representing deadly sins. The vessel were forged in Rhineland and might have been originally used for liturgical ceremonies in St. Andrew's church and its fragmented part was uncovered in the context of a smithy as a recycled material.

Acta Militaria Mediaevalia , 2016

This paper presents an analysis of the polygonal artefact in a cross sectional view, made of antl... more This paper presents an analysis of the polygonal artefact in a cross sectional view, made of antler bone, discovered in the 12th-c.
layer, on the stronghold in Santok. These kind of items, also known in metal, are often referred to as war flail (kisten) – a weapon
very popular in Ruthenia, particularly effective in close combat. On the basis of morphological, stratigraphical and contextual
evidence of European finds, the Authors suggest that these items might have been steelyard weights.

traces of viking culture in Santok?, (w:) Scandinavian Culture in Medieval Poland, ed. S. Moździoch, B. Stanisławski, P. Wiszewski. Wrocław 2013, 267-277. , 2013

The settlement in Santoku was founded in the 8th century, on the island at the confluence of the ... more The settlement in Santoku was founded in the 8th century, on the island at the confluence of the rivers Noteci and Warta, flowing in the Toruń-Eberswald glacial valley, for centuries attractive for settlements and interregional communication. It was a good place for the location of a trade point, on the route connecting the Baltic zone with the inland / interiors. Located at the contact zone of differenf regions, it has become a factory, service point on the trail. The importance and intensive development of the center in Santoku were links with the northern zone, even its founding in this place and time was a consequence of the economic situation in the Baltic zone. The proper location and prosperity made Santok a very important point on the waterway.

Początki ośrodka grodowego w Santoku w świetle nowszych ustaleń archeologicznych, (w:) Ad Oderam fluvium. Księga dedykowana pamięci Edwarda Dąbrowskiego, (red.) B. Gruszka. Zielona Góra 2008, s. 99-109, 2008

Santok to jeden z ważniejszych ośrodków w Wielkopolsce północno-zachodniej w okresie wczesnego śr... more Santok to jeden z ważniejszych ośrodków w Wielkopolsce północno-zachodniej w okresie wczesnego średniowiecza. Został dogodnie ulokowany, w miejscach zbiegu dwóch rzek. Najstarsza osada funkcjonowała już w VIII wieku, założona jako miejsce na wodnym trakcie komunikacyjno-handlowym, o czym przekonują liczne znaleziska przedmiotów, głównie obcej proweniencji.

Praehistorische Zeitschrift

The results of archaeological research carried out on the early medieval stronghold in Santok pro... more The results of archaeological research carried out on the early medieval stronghold in Santok prove that from the 2nd half of the 8th century it functioned in the contact zone between Baltic trade centres and inland, as one of the points in the network of goods exchange. We present the centre in a broader context, not only from the perspective of discovered artefacts but from the natural and ideological elements of the landscape of this place created by the communities inhabiting the Warta and Noteć valleys in the 8th and 9th centuries. The settlement was founded in a convergence of waterways in a way that perfectly uses elements of the topography of the area. Wetlands were important ecological niches for residents whose lifestyle was associated with exploring both the valley and upland zones. Santok is difficult to interpret merely as a mere reflection of the practicality of power or economic activity, including manufacturing and trade. It is a clearly legible place in the landscap...

Archeologické rozhledy, 2021

The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature o... more The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature on the provenance and transformation stages of completely wheel-turned ceramics decorated with zoned ornament. This class of ceramics was used in the Early Middle Ages (for about 100 years) by communities living in the area of southern Greater Poland and the north-eastern part of Lower Silesia. The previous ideas suggesting a close relationship between zoned ceramics and vessels produced in northern Bohemia are reconsidered, with the internal diversity of zoned ceramics being pointed out. We argue that inspiration in ceramics manufacturing came not only from the south (Bohemia), but also from the north (Pomerania) and the west (the middle Elbe region), and that there were also changes that appeared independently of these impulses in the ceramics production of small, native communities.

Slavia Antiqua. Rocznik poświęcony starożytnościom słowiańskim, 2020

Archeologické rozhledy LXXIII-3, 2021

The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature o... more The article underlines the need to re-discuss the prevailing views in archaeological literature on the provenance and transformation stages of completely wheel-turned ceramics decorated with zoned ornament 1. This class of ceramics was used in the Early Middle Ages (for about 100 years) by communities living in the area of southern Greater Poland and the northeastern part of Lower Silesia. The previous ideas suggesting a close relationship between zoned ceramics and vessels produced in northern Bohemia are reconsidered, with the internal diversity of zoned ceramics being pointed out. We argue that inspiration in ceramics manufacturing came not only from the south (Bohemia), but also from the north (Pomerania) and the west (the middle Elbe region), and that there were also changes that appeared independently of these impulses in the ceramics production of small, native communities. wheel-turned ceramics-zoned vessels-early medieval pottery-southern Greater Poland-Lower Silesia-Bohemia

Ceramika i szkło w badaniach interdyscyplinarnych, red. K. Chrzan, P. Rzeźnik, S. Siemianowska Wrocław, 2020

The aim of this paper is to define the nature and degree of advancement of ceramic production of ... more The aim of this paper is to define the nature and degree of advancement of ceramic production of the community living in the early Middle Ages, the north-eastern area of today's Lower Silesia. In this context, we present the structure of ceramics complexes and consider the phenomenon of implementing the new technology of totally wheel-turning as one of the elements of wider cultural changes taking place in the 10th century, and against this background the development of the style of zonal ornamentation of pots, characteristic of the area.
For this research, we used pottery from early medieval strongholds in Góra (site 1), Lelików (site 5) and Wrocławice (site 1), obtained during excavations carried out in 2012-2014. These objects belong to the type of small concave strongholds, with a circular outline, and the line of their ramparts is well preserved and clearly visible in the field. As a result of the analysis, it was found that in the groups from all the above-mentioned sites, the category of partially and totally thrown ceramics were distinguished, but their frequency varied.
Among partially wheel-turning ceramics, the tendencies in the form and ornamentation remain common for all the discussed complexes, while the main tendency is to cover the larger part of the vessel with ornaments, or even extend them over the largest possible surface of the belly, also in the case of two strands pattern. Totally wheel-turning pottery presents two standards of performance, reflecting the different degrees of use of the new technology. The distinguished Wrocławice type vessels, zone-decorated pots, clearly standardized, combine traditional (older) features with completely new trends.
The analysis of ceramics from Gór, Lelikowo and Wrocławice shows the specificity of the changes taking place in the early medieval pottery manufacturing in the north-eastern part of Lower Silesia, related to the phenomenon of introducing and disseminating a new technology - totally wheel-turning.

Przegląd Archeologiczny 68, 2020

This paper presents a case study of a place that during one period in history played an important... more This paper presents a case study of a place that during one period in history played an important role in the structures of the Piast state, and then, as a result of subsequent historical events, lost much of its significance. In the 14 th century, Santok was already on the margins of 'grand history' and fading into oblivion. This changed as a result of archaeological excavations carried out here for the first time in the 1930s. The narrative adopted in this article is based on a presentation of landscape biography and analysis of spatial sources-namely, historical aerial photographs and ones deriving from airborne laser scanning. This point of view has allowed the authors to pay special attention to previously neglected fragments of the history of the landscape under analysis.

Geoarchaeology

Santok played a strategic socio‐political role in the Early Middle Ages. It is situated at the co... more Santok played a strategic socio‐political role in the Early Middle Ages. It is situated
at the confluence of two large rivers (Warta and Noteć) on the boundary
of historical regions in north‐western Poland. The stronghold in Santok is
located on a sandy elevated floodplain with frequent floods in the immediate
vicinity of the morainic plateau. The geological and engineering conditions within
the stronghold were complex, making it a very difficult area for construction. The
oldest settlement in Santok was established in the 8th century AD as a seasonal
exchange point. By the 10th century, a well‐fortified fortress was built as a
strategic centre at the border of the first Polish state. Santok's stronghold was
maintained for over 600 years, during which the community benefited from its
wetland location and useful waterways connecting local and distant territories.
The extended use of one location in Santok allowed for investigation of the
anthropogenic and natural environmental changes throughout a long time period.
Given its past significance, this area has become a key geoarchaeological site to
understand human-environment interactions of the western Slavs in the Early
Middle Ages.

Animos labor nutrit. Studia ofiarowane Profesorowi Andrzejowi Buko w siedemdziesiątą rocznicę urodzin. red. T. Nowakiewicz, M. Trzeciecki, D. Błaszczyk, 2018

The archaeological rescue research carried out during the last dozen or so years resulted in the ... more The archaeological rescue research carried out during the last dozen or so years resulted in the discovery of sites which showed in a new light the settlement and cultural processes taking place in particular historical periods in today's area of ​​Poland. One of such finds, which radically changed the map of early medieval settlement, is the cemetery in Bodzia (site 1, Lubanie commune, Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship), which are unique in our lands. At this site, apart from the burials of people considered to be foreign, coming from Scandinavia or Russia, the remains of the multicultural settlement were also uncovered, including those with early medieval records. The archaeological material has considerable research potential.The remains of the settlement indicating the distinctness of this site from other, typical, open settlements. During the archaeological research, a large set of artefacts was obtained, including a large collection of fragments of pottery.The conducted studies indicate that the settlement and the younger phase of the cemetery in Bodzia could have constituted a valuable settlement and funeral complex, closely connected with the main centers of the region by the network of land roads and river connections.

Slavia Antiqua 60, 2019

This article presents a collection of early medieval trade accessories, folded scales and weights... more This article presents a collection of early medieval trade accessories, folded scales and weights excavated by archaeologists on site no. 1 in Santok (Lubusz province). The collection of weights is formally and chronologically diverse. The oldest specimens come from structures dated back to the 4 th quarter of the 9 th century, the youngest to the 14 th century. Metallographic analyses indicate that to produce the scales and weights, alloys of copper, different types of bronze and brass were used. The fact that exchange of goods in Santok took place earlier than in the other regions of Wielkopolska is evidence of close contacts with the then economic Baltic zone.

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne , 2019

Materiały do wczesnych pradziejów Zachodniej Wielkopolski. Osadnictwo pradziejowe i wczesnośredniowieczne w Lubrzy. Poznań , 2011

Niniejszy artykuł stanowi opracowanie licznych nieruchomych i ruchomych źródeł osadnictwa wczesno... more Niniejszy artykuł stanowi opracowanie licznych nieruchomych i ruchomych źródeł osadnictwa wczesnośredniowiecznego odkrytych podczas ratowniczych badań wykopaliskowych, prowadzonych na trasie autostrady A2 w miejscowości Lubrza, stan. 42 (AUT 33). Zarejestrowano łącznie 850 obiektów nieruchomych oraz ponad 38 000 fragmentów naczyń. Na podstawie analizy pozyskanego materiału zabytkowego wyróżniono jedną fazę zasiedlenia stanowiska, datowaną na fazę C (IX - 1. poł. X w.) wczesnego średniowiecza.

Fontes Archaeologici Posnanienses 53, 2017

The purpose of this work was to presents the first multidisciplinary provenance study of archaeol... more The purpose of this work was to presents the first multidisciplinary provenance study of archaeological amber objects dated to
the period of the Middle Ages in Poland. Performed investigations employed the gemmological analysis combined with the Raman
spectroscopy analysis. In order to determine the provenance of raw material two possible amber sources were taken under the consideration:
the Baltic succinite and the fossil amber from the Czech deposits. Comprehensive study performed for 21 artefacts excavated
at the Santok and Milicz sites have pointed to the deposits at the coast of the Baltic Sea as the source of raw amber. The obtained
results verified the existence of the trade routes between the Baltic zone and the discovered centres like Milicz located in the
northern Lower Silesia (Poland) in the Middle Ages.

Bodzia. Elitarny cmentarz z początków państwa polskiego. Warszawa 2016., 2016

In the burial pits in the cemetery in Bodzi two combs were found, one preserved in its entirety, ... more In the burial pits in the cemetery in Bodzi two combs were found, one preserved in its entirety, the other fragmentarily. In the grave of a child at leg height, there was a one-sided, three-layer comb made of deer antler. The fragment of the second comb was in the grave of a woman, under the skull, which is undoubtedly a unique phenomenon. It is possible that the comb in this case referred to the function of the object - fastening hair. Placing only a piece of the object in the grave could, however, have the symbolic value of giving the deceased. In the set of burial equipment items there are also stone products. In the grave of a woman, at the height of the pelvis, there was found a stone spindlewhirl made of an ovruc slate. in the grave pit, above the the skull, there was a fragment of a quernstone made of granite in a gray-pink colour. The presence of quernstones in graves is rarely recorded in cemeteries from Polish territories.

At the cemetery in Bodzia, clay vessels were found in two burial pits. The features of them indic... more At the cemetery in Bodzia, clay vessels were found in two burial pits. The features of them indicating that they weren't produced especially for ceremonial purposes. The traces of use are also visible on them. There were buckets in the graves of women (5 cases), a man and a child. They are characterized by a simple form, without the use of additional, decorated, fittings. The buckets were made of wood with metal rings and elements. These containers were placed nearby, on the right or left, sporadically between the feet. The lack of standards of containers found in the grave confirms the high value and symbolic significance of the object itself.

Tradycja a nowe wzorce - przemiany w wytwórczości garncarskiej na przykładzie materiałów ceramicznych ze starszych faz wczesnośredniowiecznego grodu w Santoku, (w:) Ceramika i szkło w archeologii i konserwacji, S. siemianowska, P. rzeźnik, K. Chrzan (red.), Wrocław 2017, s. 209-238, 2017

The basis for discussion is ceramics coming from the archaeological research on early medieval st... more The basis for discussion is ceramics coming from the archaeological research on early medieval stronghold in Santok, province lubuskie. Undisturbed stratigraphic system was unveiled there, comprising a long time period - from the 2nd half of the eighth century to the mid-thirteenth century, and with the full Middle Ages. The extensive fragments collection of vessels, obtained both: from inside the castle, and suburbium, arranged in chronological sequence, gave large research opportunities, allowing to trace the cultural phenomena and their multidimensional interpretation.
This has special significance in the case of Santoka, which is the geographical periphery of the three regions: Pomerania, Great Poland and Polabí. Such position had unquestioned influence on the cultural character of the center, where influences from different regions were crossing, but the distance from the centers was not synonymous with the peripherality of the zone.
As is well known vessels played primarily a utilitarian function, which most determined their form or technique of production, but also were carriers of certain information, playing a specific role in the symbolic sphere. They could have a factor integrating given social group, maintaining a sense of belonging and relationships. Possession of certain vessel’s copy could have a connection with prestige and strengthened social position of a person or group. This is of particular overtones in the case of a Santok, located on the borderlands of the regions. Conclusions from the analysis of ceramics indicate the presence of some new stylistic and technological solutions in the pottery industry. It can be observed how the elements of tradition in pottery, are confronted with the newer designs and impulses coming from different cultural zones. It can be seen that this is a place not only receiving the finished patterns flowing from the centers of the neighbouring regions, but the zone of activity and choose their own solutions.

Sacrum - profanum. Dwa żywoty misy mosiężnej z Santoka. Slavia Antiqua LVII (2016), 2016

The article presents the results of interpretation of a part of a brass bowl unearthed in 1958 in... more The article presents the results of interpretation of a part of a brass bowl unearthed in 1958 in the course of millennial excavations in Santok. An engraved ornament is visible on one of the surfaces of the sheet, the most important part of which is an outline of a bust with a head in a hat shown in profile. Three Latin characters allow to identify the image as a personification of Envy (Invidia), while the sheet itself is a fragmented, so called brass bowl representing deadly sins. The vessel were forged in Rhineland and might have been originally used for liturgical ceremonies in St. Andrew's church and its fragmented part was uncovered in the context of a smithy as a recycled material.

Acta Militaria Mediaevalia , 2016

This paper presents an analysis of the polygonal artefact in a cross sectional view, made of antl... more This paper presents an analysis of the polygonal artefact in a cross sectional view, made of antler bone, discovered in the 12th-c.
layer, on the stronghold in Santok. These kind of items, also known in metal, are often referred to as war flail (kisten) – a weapon
very popular in Ruthenia, particularly effective in close combat. On the basis of morphological, stratigraphical and contextual
evidence of European finds, the Authors suggest that these items might have been steelyard weights.

traces of viking culture in Santok?, (w:) Scandinavian Culture in Medieval Poland, ed. S. Moździoch, B. Stanisławski, P. Wiszewski. Wrocław 2013, 267-277. , 2013

The settlement in Santoku was founded in the 8th century, on the island at the confluence of the ... more The settlement in Santoku was founded in the 8th century, on the island at the confluence of the rivers Noteci and Warta, flowing in the Toruń-Eberswald glacial valley, for centuries attractive for settlements and interregional communication. It was a good place for the location of a trade point, on the route connecting the Baltic zone with the inland / interiors. Located at the contact zone of differenf regions, it has become a factory, service point on the trail. The importance and intensive development of the center in Santoku were links with the northern zone, even its founding in this place and time was a consequence of the economic situation in the Baltic zone. The proper location and prosperity made Santok a very important point on the waterway.

Początki ośrodka grodowego w Santoku w świetle nowszych ustaleń archeologicznych, (w:) Ad Oderam fluvium. Księga dedykowana pamięci Edwarda Dąbrowskiego, (red.) B. Gruszka. Zielona Góra 2008, s. 99-109, 2008

Santok to jeden z ważniejszych ośrodków w Wielkopolsce północno-zachodniej w okresie wczesnego śr... more Santok to jeden z ważniejszych ośrodków w Wielkopolsce północno-zachodniej w okresie wczesnego średniowiecza. Został dogodnie ulokowany, w miejscach zbiegu dwóch rzek. Najstarsza osada funkcjonowała już w VIII wieku, założona jako miejsce na wodnym trakcie komunikacyjno-handlowym, o czym przekonują liczne znaleziska przedmiotów, głównie obcej proweniencji.

Human-environment interactions in the early medieval Santok, NW Poland, 2019

Settlement on the Borderland Between Cultural Zones - Case of Santok in Early Middle Ages, 2018

Settlement on the Borderland Between Cultural Zones - Case of Santok in Early Middle Ages

5th International Landscape Archaeology Conference, 2018

Kinga Zamelska-Monczak, Andrzej Piotrowski, Paweł Sydor Environmental changes around the early me... more Kinga Zamelska-Monczak, Andrzej Piotrowski, Paweł Sydor
Environmental changes around the early medieval Santok, NW Poland

SANTOK STRAŻNICA I KLUCZ KRÓLESTWA POLSKIEGO. WYNIKI BADAŃ Z LAT 1958-1965 (ed. K. Zamelska-Monczak). Seria: Origines Polonorum XIII. Ed. P. Urbańczyk, 2019

Early medieval Santok was a key settlement complex for the north-western Greater Poland area. In ... more Early medieval Santok was a key settlement complex for the north-western Greater Poland area. In a way, we may treat it as a kind of benchmark for the analysis of material from other sites in that region.
As a result of many years of excavations, including those associated with the millennial programme in the years 1958-1965, archaeologists discovered and examined an undisturbed stratigraphic sequence of the site dated to the period from the oldest phases of the early Middle Ages (eighth century) through the end of that period falling around the mid-thirteenth century, up to the height of the Middle Ages. The study presented here is based on source materials obtained during archaeological excavations carried out at that time on the site of the fortified settlement and the suburbium in Santok. So far, they have not been comprehensively analysed and interpreted, despite the fact that the discoveries made over 50 years ago were rather spectacular.
This publication consists of nine main parts – chapters that in several cases are subdivided into a number of subchapters smaller sub-chapters. Furthermore, the information presented in this publication was supplemented with an introduction and a CD that contains additional figures and tables linked to relevant parts of the monograph.