The Olsztyn Group in the Early Medieval Archaeology of the Baltic Region : The Cemetery at Leleszki

The The Olsztyn Group in the Early Medieval Archaeology of the Baltic Region: The Cemetry at Leleszki deals with a much neglected problem of the archaeology of the early Middle Ages. Between the 5th and the 7th century, the region of the Mazurian Lakes in northeastern Poland witnessed the rise of communities engaged in long-distant contacts with both Western and Eastern Europe. Known as the Olsztyn Group, the archaeological remains of those communities have revealed a remarkable wealth and diversity, which has attracted scholarly attention for more than 130 years. Besides offering a survey of the current state of research on the Olsztyn Group, Miroslaw Rudnicki introduces the monographic study of the Leleszki cemetery (district of Szczytno, Poland) as one of the most representative sites. The prosperity and long-distance contact revealed by the examination of this cemetery shows that the West Baltic tribes had considerable influence in early medieval Europe, much more than scholars had been ready to admit until now. Contents 5 Acknowledgments 7 Figures, Plates and Tables 8 Chapter 1 Selected Aspects of Physical and Nature Geography 13 Chapter 2 The History and Current State of Research on the Olsztyn Group 16 2.1 Cultural Background 16 2.2 History of Research on the Olsztyn Group 19 Chapter 3 Burial Customs 58 Chapter 4 The Olsztyn Group Connections during the Late Migration Period 75 4.1 Connections within the West Balt Cultural Circle 83 4.2 The Merovingian Circle 95 4.3 Scandinavia 117 4.4 The Danube Region 127 4.5 The Avars 131 4.5.1 The Slavs 141 4.6 Conclusions 161 Chapter 5 The Cemetery in Leleszki 163 5.1 Site Location and Research History 163 5.2 The Source Materials 165 5.3 Catalogue 169 5.4 Analysis 177 5.4.1 Brooches 177 5.4.2 Bracelets 202 5.4.3 Pendants 206 5.4.4 Beads 209 5.4.5 Belt Fittings 210 5.4.6 Strap Ends 212 5.4.7 Spurs 216 5.4.8 Spindle Whorls 217 5.4.9 Knives 217 5.4.10 Pottery 217 5.5 Burial Rites 219 5.6 Chronology of the Site. Final Remarks 220 Chapter 6 The Olsztyn Group and the Galindians 223 Plates 230 Appendix 1 List of Archaeological Sites of the Olsztyn Group 239 Bibliography 243 Index 285 "The Olsztyn Group in the Early Medieval Archaeology of the Baltic Region: The Cemetry at Leleszki (district of Szczytno, Poland) deals with a much neglected problem of the archaeology of the early Middle Ages. Between the 5th and the 7th century, the region of the Mazurian Lakes in northeastern Poland witnessed the rise of communities engaged in long-distant contacts with both Western and Eastern Europe. Known as the Olsztyn Group, the archaeological remains of those communities have revealed a remarkable wealth and diversity, which has attracted scholarly attention for more than 130 years. Besides offering a survey of the current state of research on the Olsztyn Group, Miroslaw Rudnicki introduces the monographic study of the Leleszki cemetery as one of the most representative sites. The prosperity and long-distance contact revealed by the examination of this cemetery shows that the West Baltic tribes had considerable influence in early medieval Europe, much more than scholars had been ready to admit until now"-- Provided by publisher The The Olsztyn Group in the Early Medieval Archaeology of the Baltic Region: The Cemetry at Leleszki deals with a much neglected problem of the archaeology of the early Middle Ages. Between the 5th and the 7th century, the region of the Mazurian Lakes in northeastern Poland witnessed the rise of communities engaged in long-distant contacts with both Western and Eastern Europe. Known as the Olsztyn Group, the archaeological remains of those communities have revealed a remarkable wealth and diversity, which has attracted scholarly attention for more than 130 years. Besides offering a survey of the current state of research on the Olsztyn Group, Mirosław Rudnicki introduces the monographic study of the Leleszki cemetery (district of Szczytno, Poland) as one of the most representative sites. The prosperity and long-distance contact revealed by the examination of this cemetery shows that the West Baltic tribes had considerable influence in early medieval Europe, much more than scholars had been ready to admit until now.