Cultural Contacts of the Societies of South-Western Poland in the Early Iron Age (original) (raw)

2018, ΕΥΔΑΙΜΩΝ. Studies in honour of Jan Bouzek, Opera Facultatis philosophicae Universitatis Carolinae Pragensis vol. XVIII

We would like to present our observations on the cultural contacts in the south‑western part of Poland in the Early Iron Age. Our remarks are based on the recently excavated sites (Domasław, Milejowice, Stary Śleszów) and those already mentioned in the literature (Kietrz, Łazy, Witnica, Świbie). The formal study of some artefacts indicate that they are not typical for the region where they were found and the parallels point pointing to other origins, both closer (coast of Baltic Sea) and more distant (Hallstatt culture, Etruscan culture, Besarab culture). The emergence of new products resulted in more than their material, tangible presence. The introduction of culturally foreign wares led to other durable and far‑reaching changes in funeral practices, social structure, ways of organizing production, techniques of manufacturing and in architecture. This in turn led to a complete change of the prevailing cultural model, which manifests itself clearly, especially in the social zone. Undoubtedly, the observed changes represent contacts with the dominant cultural centres of Europe at that time, which led to the migration, not only of objects, but also ideas, beliefs and perceptions of the world. The transformation took place under the influence of strong interactions arising from the circle of the Hallstatt culture and from northern Italy, which remained in close contact with the Greek colonies.