Interconnectivity of the Vardar and Struma river valleys. Some hints to the understanding of the south-eastern Balkans role in the 2nd millennium BC

The Vardar and Struma rivers flow through the south-eastern Balkans, creating valleys which have been inhabited by human populations for thousands of years. From an archaeological perspective, from Neolithic times these corridors have long been considered crucial for establishing cultural, trade, and social networks, developed later by the emergence of cultural complexes of Late Bronze Age. This area was incorporated into wide archaeological frameworks of interregional interaction, namely – the world-system theory and its variants. The aim of this paper is an attempt to apply these theoretical models as well as concept of “contact space” to human interactions in the Vardar and Struma rivers’ valleys in the 2nd millennium BC. It analysis bases on tableware pottery evidences with data concerning presence of defensive outposts within easy to control mountainous paths, as well as chosen information deriving from funeral rites. These data may provide insights into the communication networks in south-eastern Balkans and mentioned river valleys may seem as an important area of mutual influences.The Vardar and Struma rivers flow through the south-eastern Balkans, creating valleys which have been inhabited by human populations for thousands of years. From an archaeological perspective, from Neolithic times these corridors have long been considered crucial for establishing cultural, trade, and social networks, developed later by the emergence of cultural complexes of Late Bronze Age. This area was incorporated into wide archaeological frameworks of interregional interaction, namely – the world-system theory and its variants. The aim of this paper is an attempt to apply these theoretical models as well as concept of “contact space” to human interactions in the Vardar and Struma rivers’ valleys in the 2nd millennium BC. It analysis bases on tableware pottery evidences with data concerning presence of defensive outposts within easy to control mountainous paths, as well as chosen information deriving from funeral rites. These data may provide insights into the communication networks in south-eastern Balkans and mentioned river valleys may seem as an important area of mutual influences

Ślady produkcyjne na cegłach profilowanych z placu Kolegiackiego w Poznaniu – próba rekonstrukcji dawnej wytwórczości strycharskiej

Medieval profiled bricks from the remains of the city parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in Poznań are a very important source of information about the brickmaking craftsmanship. The study attempts to identify production traces with specific stages of brick production (the process of forming and drying bricks), along with an attempt to reconstruct these operations that were used by the Poznań brickmakers. In addition to the analyzes related to the number of occurrences, the type of research material was defined, the criteria for isolating individual traces were described, the state of knowledge about brickmaking and analogies of fittings found in medieval buildings, mainly in the city of Poznań, were taken into account.Medieval profiled bricks from the remains of the city parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in Poznań are a very important source of information about the brickmaking craftsmanship. The study attempts to identify production traces with specific stages of brick production (the process of forming and drying bricks), along with an attempt to reconstruct these operations that were used by the Poznań brickmakers. In addition to the analyzes related to the number of occurrences, the type of research material was defined, the criteria for isolating individual traces were described, the state of knowledge about brickmaking and analogies of fittings found in medieval buildings, mainly in the city of Poznań, were taken into account

Rola południowej Galii w produkcji i handlu winem w VI w. p.n.e. – II w. n.e. na tle przemian politycznych w zachodniej części Morza Śródziemnego

The article describes the role of southern Gaul in the production and trade of wine, with particular consideration for the Gauloise flat-bottomed amphorae produced in this area. It provides a brief outline of the history of this area of Mediterranean basin, shaped by the political and economic activities of several Mediterranean peoples – Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Etruscans and Romans. It discusses the types of archaeological sites where the remains of amphorae for Gallic wine were discovered, exemplary stamps characteristic of southern Gaul and the influence of the Romans on the emergence and development of the culture of producing and consuming wine in southern GaulThe article describes the role of southern Gaul in the production and trade of wine, with particular consideration for the Gauloise flat-bottomed amphorae produced in this area. It provides a brief outline of the history of this area of Mediterranean basin, shaped by the political and economic activities of several Mediterranean peoples – Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Etruscans and Romans. It discusses the types of archaeological sites where the remains of amphorae for Gallic wine were discovered, exemplary stamps characteristic of southern Gaul and the influence of the Romans on the emergence and development of the culture of producing and consuming wine in southern Gau

Biada zwyciężonym – gospodarka i relacje społeczne w kulturze lateńskiej

The economy of any community depends on the values which are considered to be the most important. Social organization and technologies are subordinated to their implementation. In traditional societies, including people of the La Tène culture, the most significant issues concerned the status of individuals and the resulting interpersonal relations. The position in rank was manifested and gained through participation in military expeditions. The economy was subordinated to military action. Nonetheless, new technologies and financial solutions created opportunities for military success. This, however, has its price in enormous social inequalities and almost permanent war.The economy of any community depends on the values which are considered to be the most important. Social organization and technologies are subordinated to their implementation. In traditional societies, including people of the La Tène culture, the most significant issues concerned the status of individuals and the resulting interpersonal relations. The position in rank was manifested and gained through participation in military expeditions. The economy was subordinated to military action. Nonetheless, new technologies and financial solutions created opportunities for military success. This, however, has its price in enormous social inequalities and almost permanent war.   &nbsp

Jaka przyszłość czeka muzeum archeologiczne? Dyskusja z tezami zawartymi w książce Moniki Stobieckiej: Natura artefaktu, kultura eksponatu. Projekt krytycznego muzeum archeologicznego

This article is of polemical nature. It discusses main theses of the recently published book by Monika Stobiecka: Natura artefaktu, kultura eksponatu. Projekt krytycznego muzeum archeologicznego (2020). The book presents contemporary archaeology as a very innovative discipline striving for interdisciplinarity and extending beyond traditional research issues and borders. At the same, the authoress postulates a need to reorient archaeology and create a new type of archaeological museum, namely critical museum – “museum of life”.This article is of polemical nature. It discusses main theses of the recently published book by Monika Stobiecka: Natura artefaktu, kultura eksponatu. Projekt krytycznego muzeum archeologicznego (2020). The book presents contemporary archaeology as a very innovative discipline striving for interdisciplinarity and extending beyond traditional research issues and borders. At the same, the authoress postulates a need to reorient archaeology and create a new type of archaeological museum, namely critical museum – “museum of life”

Czego oczy nie widzą, tego archeologom żal – nowe metody dokumentacji sztuki naskalnej (RTI, DSTRETCH)

This article presents the cognitive possibilities of the methods of documentation of rock art. It focuses on the latest and relatively recent documentation methods, such as RTI and DStretch. These techniques have been described in terms of the effectiveness of their application to various types of monuments, with particular emphasis on their application to the Franco-Cantabrian rock art. It was also emphasized that these techniques significantly affect the quality of the collected data and the analytical and interpretative level of cave art.This article presents the cognitive possibilities of the methods of documentation of rock art. It focuses on the latest and relatively recent documentation methods, such as RTI and DStretch. These techniques have been described in terms of the effectiveness of their application to various types of monuments, with particular emphasis on their application to the Franco-Cantabrian rock art. It was also emphasized that these techniques significantly affect the quality of the collected data and the analytical and interpretative level of cave art

Wczesnośredniowieczne grodzisko w Dusinie, pow. gostyński, woj. wielkopolskie w świetle ponownej analizy archeologicznej

The article presents the results of another archaeological analysis carried out on materials from an early medieval settlement in Dusina in southern Greater Poland. The data obtained during the excavations, during the millennium research, prompted the recognition of the settlement as the oldest motte-type object in Poland. During the verification of the old findings, the ceramic material and the stratigraphic situation were re-analyzed, radiocarbon dating was made, and historical and cartographic data were used to confirm the chronology of the stronghold as well as the course of events that led to severe damage and disturbance of the original appearance of the stronghold. A contour plan and a model of the terrain were also prepared.The article presents the results of another archaeological analysis carried out on materials from an early medieval settlement in Dusina in southern Greater Poland. The data obtained during the excavations, during the millennium research, prompted the recognition of the settlement as the oldest motte-type object in Poland. During the verification of the old findings, the ceramic material and the stratigraphic situation were re-analyzed, radiocarbon dating was made, and historical and cartographic data were used to confirm the chronology of the stronghold as well as the course of events that led to severe damage and disturbance of the original appearance of the stronghold. A contour plan and a model of the terrain were also prepared

Were the oasis-cities of the southern branch of the Silk Road in Tarim Basin, China, dispersed urban complexes?

This article reinterprets the urban pattern of the oases of southern Tarim Basin, which flourished in the first half of the first millennium C.E. using the dispersed urban complexes framework. Disperse urban centre, also known as a low-density urban complex, is a site that had an urban function, but its morphology was much different from compact cities of, for example, China or mediaeval Europe. Low-density urban complexes, like Tikal in Mesoamerica or Angkor in South-East Asia, despite their distinct urban functions, had the cityscape consisting of intermingled monumental agriculture, water management features and agricultural field. Thus, the oasis-cities of southern Tarim Basin were different from compact urban centres of neighbouring China and western Central Asia and showed some similarities to complexes like Tikal and Angkor. This article evaluates if those sites can be associated with low-density urbanism. Three selected sites, 尼雅 [Niya], 米兰 [Miran] and 樓蘭 [Loulan], have been evaluated for the presence of characteristic associated with low-density urbanism: dispersed monumental architecture, large scale anthropogenic landscapes modifications, and pattern of alternating housing clusters and agricultural fields. This can affect our understating of both the understanding of urbanism in the region and low-density urbanism on the global scale.This article reinterprets the urban pattern of the oases of southern Tarim Basin, which flourished in the first half of the first millennium C.E. using the dispersed urban complexes framework. Disperse urban centre, also known as a low-density urban complex, is a site that had an urban function, but its morphology was much different from compact cities of, for example, China or mediaeval Europe. Low-density urban complexes, like Tikal in Mesoamerica or Angkor in South-East Asia, despite their distinct urban functions, had the cityscape consisting of intermingled monumental agriculture, water management features and agricultural field. Thus, the oasis-cities of southern Tarim Basin were different from compact urban centres of neighbouring China and western Central Asia and showed some similarities to complexes like Tikal and Angkor. This article evaluates if those sites can be associated with low-density urbanism. Three selected sites, 尼雅 [Niya], 米兰 [Miran] and 樓蘭 [Loulan], have been evaluated for the presence of characteristic associated with low-density urbanism: dispersed monumental architecture, large scale anthropogenic landscapes modifications, and pattern of alternating housing clusters and agricultural fields. This can affect our understating of both the understanding of urbanism in the region and low-density urbanism on the global scale

Próba interpretacji zjawiska rytualnego składania ofiar z ludzi na Słowiańszczyźnie Zachodniej

The subject matter of the article concerns on ritual sacrificial practices related to human sacrifices among the Western Slavs, including the Polish lands and the Polabia region. The chronological range covers the early Middle Ages, from the 7th to the 12th centuries. Considerations on this subject include the review of anthropological and philosophical disciplines research including R. Girard studies in this aspect, an analysis of written sources, and above all the analysis of the occurrence of victims and sacrificial sites from an archaeological perspective. The aim of the study was to identify archaeological remains related to sacrificial rituals by presenting the occurrence of victims and sacrificial sites at selected archaeological sites. The study aims to discuss the issues with interpretations of various aspects of the human sacrifices from the early medival Western Slavdom territory sites. The work is interdisciplinary, as it takes into account and integrates the results of archaeological research, knowledge in the field of history, philosophy and cultural anthropology. The article presents the effectiveness of interdisciplinary methods in expanding analytical and interpretative possibilities of archeology regarding the rituals of sacrifice and sacrificial sites.The subject matter of the article concerns on ritual sacrificial practices related to human sacrifices among the Western Slavs, including the Polish lands and the Polabia region. The chronological range covers the early Middle Ages, from the 7th to the 12th centuries. Considerations on this subject include the review of anthropological and philosophical disciplines research including R. Girard studies in this aspect, an analysis of written sources, and above all the analysis of the occurrence of victims and sacrificial sites from an archaeological perspective. The aim of the study was to identify archaeological remains related to sacrificial rituals by presenting the occurrence of victims and sacrificial sites at selected archaeological sites. The study aims to discuss the issues with interpretations of various aspects of the human sacrifices from the early medival Western Slavdom territory sites. The work is interdisciplinary, as it takes into account and integrates the results of archaeological research, knowledge in the field of history, philosophy and cultural anthropology. The article presents the effectiveness of interdisciplinary methods in expanding analytical and interpretative possibilities of archeology regarding the rituals of sacrifice and sacrificial sites

Żelazo meteorytowe w starożytnym Egipcie przed okresem późnym

The aim of the article is to present an unusual raw material, which is the meteorite iron and its specific status in the culture of ancient Egypt. The presentation of this extraordinary material, highlighting the features allowing to recognize it, the interpretation of the artifacts made of it (taking into account the physicochemical analyzes), and the development of the results of experimental works recreating the methods of its processing allow us to obtain the necessary information about the delineation of meteorite iron metallurgy in ancient Egypt up to the beginning of the Late Period. An important source for achieving the article’s goal are also texts. Text analysis highlights the ambiguity of the terminology used to describe meteorite iron. By reviewing the contexts of its use, they allow us to enrich knowledge about its metallurgy and help to characterize the status of this metal in the consciousness of the Egyptians.The aim of the article is to present an unusual raw material, which is the meteorite iron and its specific status in the culture of ancient Egypt. The presentation of this extraordinary material, highlighting the features allowing to recognize it, the interpretation of the artifacts made of it (taking into account the physicochemical analyzes), and the development of the results of experimental works recreating the methods of its processing allow us to obtain the necessary information about the delineation of meteorite iron metallurgy in ancient Egypt up to the beginning of the Late Period. An important source for achieving the article’s goal are also texts. Text analysis highlights the ambiguity of the terminology used to describe meteorite iron. By reviewing the contexts of its use, they allow us to enrich knowledge about its metallurgy and help to characterize the status of this metal in the consciousness of the Egyptians