Metalworking bricoleurs: Pragmatism or alienation? A case of the Lusatian hoard from Lipienek (Poland, 600-450 BC)

Archeologické rozhledy LXX-2018

Socioekonomické determinanty výroby železa na polských územích v době římské Fenomén hutnických center převorské kultury Szymon Orzechowski Metallurgical activity of the peoples living in the area known as Germania Magna is characterized by an extensive and ad hoc nature which clearly is different from the centralized Roman production model. In the so-called Barbarian parts of Europe however, there were regions where there was a specialized and identifiably large mass production of iron. On Polish lands three such centres were active-in the Holy Cross Mountains, in West Masovia and in some regions of Silesia. The presence within a single cultural unit of several large metallurgical centres functioning on the basis of different organizational patterns is a unique phenomenon and warrants reflection upon the causes of their creation and the meaning of production for their neighbouring areas. These enormous logistical projects indicate the existence of yet unknown to us interdependent social structures of large work teams in the population, evident over a period of several generations. Their reconstruction can help us understand at least some aspects of the social and economic life on Polish lands towards the end of antiquity. ancient metallurgy-Przeworsk culture-metallurgical centres-social structures Hutnická činnost lidí žijících v oblasti známé jako Germania Magna se vyznačuje rozsahem a ad hoc cha­ rakterem, který se jasně odlišuje od centralizovaného římského modelu výroby. V tzv. barbarských částech Evropy však existovaly regiony, kde probíhala specializovaná masová výroba železa. Na polských územích působila tři taková centra-ve Svatokřížských horách, v západním Mazovsku a v některých oblastech Slezska. Přítomnost několika velkých metalurgických center v rámci jedné kulturní jednotky, fungujících na základě různých organizačních vzorů, je jevem výjimečným a opravňuje k úvahám o příčinách jejich vzniku a o vý­ znamu výroby pro sousední oblasti. Tyto obrovské logistické projekty naznačují existenci dosud neznámé vzájemně závislé sociální struktury velkých pracovních týmů po dobu několika generací. Jejich rekonstruk­ ce nám může pomoci pochopit alespoň některé aspekty společenského a ekonomického života na polských územích v době římské. starověké hutnictví-převorská kultura-metalurgická centra-sociální struktury Enormous progress that has taken place in archeo-metallurgical research in recent years, has also led to a very worrying phenomenon which is associated with the gradual dehuma-nization of the discipline. Fascinated with the opportunities offered by natural sciences, we gradually lose sight of man and the complex socioeconomic and political processes which created the reality surrounding him, and decided about the development of the field of economy that interests us-metallurgy. The archaeological community has ceased to

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2023

Metal artefacts from Bronze Age hoards have routinely been used to study interregional contacts. Their stylistic and typological features helped distinguish local products and imports by appearance. In the last 40 years, combined lead isotope and chemical analyses of metals have been widely applied to verify hypotheses based on style and typology. This paper is a comprehensive typological and analytical study of a metal item hoard discovered in Paszowice, SW Poland. In the Bronze Age, the area was inhabited by the Lusatian Urnfield culture (ca. 1350/1300-800/750 BC) communities. We expected that at least some of the artefacts would be local products fashioned according to foreign stylistic patterns. The research aimed to determine whether a 'classical' stylistic analysis combined with provenance studies of metals would allow more decisive conclusions. This combination of methods could also show how the metal reached the Lusatian Urnfield culture settlement zone. We conducted a detailed typological and chronological analysis to map the distribution of similar artefact types. It demonstrated that stylistic matches for the artefacts from Paszowice occur mainly in NE Hungary, S Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania. Selected metal artefacts (both tin bronze items and raw copper objects) from Paszowice were also analysed for their chemical (EPMA) and lead isotope (MC ICP MS) compositions. The study revealed many copper sources used for their production, ranging from the nearest copper mines in the Slovak Ore Mountains, through Eastern Alps and mines in Sardinia, to possibly the Iberian Peninsula. In this way, we identified the potential trade routes by which metal could get to SW Poland: the southwestern and southeastern routes and the Mediterranean-Danube route. The Iberian metal might have also reached the study area from the norththrough its redistribution by Scandinavian traders. Our results show that metal from many sources circulated in central Europe during the Late Bronze Age. The Lusatian Urnfield communities were part of a pan-European exchange network and maintained extensive long-distance contacts, allowing metal acquisition from various sources.

Revista Română de Studii Eurasiatice, vol.1, 2005

S. W. E. Blum, T. Efe, T. L. Kienlin, E. Pernicka (eds.), From Past to Present: Studies in Memory of Manfred O. Korfmann. Studia Troica Monographien, 2020

The aim of this paper is to unveil the organization of melting and casting activities within Bronze Age tell settlements in the Carpathian Basin using the available archaeological evidence. The suggested reconstruction rests on both past and current theoretical models detailing on the organization of craft production. For this purpose, both older and more recent trends in craft production studies in archaeology will be briefly presented in the first part of the article. Following this overview, opinions regarding the organization and nature of metalworking within Bronze Age Europe as well as the role of the smith will also be briefly outlined, as these have also been taken into consideration when interpreting the obtained results. Beginning with the study of the archaeologically visible steps of its chaîne opératoire, the craft of metalworking within tell sites will then be analysed. Examining the story as told by the archaeological record, an attempt will be made to reconstruct the way metal production was organized within Bronze Age tell settlements in the Carpathian Basin.

Documenta Praehistorica, 2023