The nearly four-week excavation resulted in the discovery of, among other things, eight Lusatian culture burials. These were discovered in archaeological excavations that, from the east, connected sites excavated in previous seasons. Three graves whose inventory included more than one vessel were of particular note. In one of these graves, three of the seven vessels contained burnt human bones. At this preliminary stage of the work, we assumed this was a multi-person burial. It is possible that this was a "family" grave. Only the results of anthropological analysis of the burnt human bones will confirm this hypothesis, of course.
The discovery of an urn containing burnt human bones, on which a small, thin-walled vase was deposited was another interesting example. Observations made on the recovered vessels indicate that they demonstrated high quality craftsmanship and the potter's skill. Some vessels were meticulously ornamented. Unfortunately, in most cases, these vessels were destroyed by agricultural work, as the "Lusatian" cemetery is located in an agricultural area.
The chronology of all discovered graves falls within the younger Bronze Age. Consequently, we were able to confirm the presence of a necropolis zone occupied by burials dated this way. This zone did not attract the attention of the Lusatian culture community in the younger Hallstatt period, as we had witnessed in previous years. This earlier phase of cemetery use, falling within the Bronze Age, was characterised by an almost complete lack of bronze objects presented to the deceased as grave goods. Only one urn contained a small bronze pin.
The discovery of a hearth located south of the discovered burials today seems symptomatic. No further burials were found south of it. Therefore, we can assume that this hearth marked the southern boundary of the necropolis. This is another indicator of how the necropolis was organised. It occupied a sand dune running northwest-southeast. Its width reached approximately 30-35 meters, and it can be assumed that these values corresponded to the width of the burial field. The northern boundary, however, was marked by two sets of clay vessels, discovered in 2023 and 2024, devoid of burnt human bones.
In addition to the graves and the aforementioned hearth, several pits were also discovered, the purpose of which is unknown. Their connection to the cemetery's operation can only be assumed.
The significant extent of the necropolis' destruction is evidenced by numerous fragments of vessels, often connected to discovered burial vessels. Furthermore, numerous burnt human bones and fragments of metal objects (e.g., fragments of necklaces with traces of fire, likely placed on the cremation pyre with the deceased) were also found in the excavated sand layers.
The research, led by dr hab. Radosław Janiak, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, involved students and graduates of archaeology in Lodz, as well as a student of the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw.
