Settlement Complex in Bruszczewo
in the Early Middle Ages
Summary
In November 1954 the Archaeological Museum in Poznań, alarmed
by the information about the devastation of archaeological objects
on the site of the newly established gravel-pit in Bruszczewo,
commenced salvage excavations, which lasted many years and the
results of which aroused interest of archaeologists dealing
with the early Middle Ages. The outcome of the said works, the
extent of which was gradually enlarged, was the discovery of
traces of a settlement complex, which had been in use between
the 6th and mid-13th century. Already
the first reports from the excavation works, as well as subsequent
articles, which presented the historical profile and the culture
of the settlement complex in Bruszczewo on the basis of a preliminary
analysis of the results, emphasised the importance of findings
from that site and their practical application to solving a
number of issues concerning the early mediaeval era in Poland.
These findings were referred to in professional literature,
but the lack of critical analysis of the sources caused difficulty
in the application and criticism of the material from Bruszczewo.
In fact, the absence of such a publication constituted a frustrating
blank space in the early mediaeval archaeology, and was perceived
increasingly so when juxtaposed with the later advances in research,
manifested in new discoveries and in the revaluation of some
previously dominating views regarding various matters from the
period. This book meets such demands and at the same time offers
a chance to evaluate the importance of sources from Bruszczewo
for further research on the culture of the ancient Slavdom.
The settlement complex in Bruszczewo (fig. 1) comprises several
sites where the remains of settlements (Bruszczewo, site 12
and Przysieka Stara, site 4) have been unearthed, and the stronghold,
which was in use for a relatively short time (Bruszczewo, site
13). Here, in Przysieka Polska (site 21), the alleged hoard
of coins was revealed before the Second World War. Unfortunately,
the information about it is very scant. More objects have been
disclosed through surface scatter or found by accident. The
mentioned sites and numerous artefacts, which attest to the
activity of the early mediaeval residents, have been unearthed
outside the southern and southeastern edge of the village of
Przysieka Polska upon an extensive elevation of fluvo-glacial
origin and upon a plateau abutting upon it in the east and the
north. The elevation cuts into the proglacial stream valley
of the Samica River and its former river arm, which - as a result
of land reclamation works - was turned into a canal "Przysieka
Stara". The situation of Przysieka Polska confirms that this
settlement rather than - rooted in the conscience of archaeologists
- Bruszczewo, continued historical tradition of the discussed
agglomeration. Nevertheless, it is called Bruszczewo as it became
widely known under this name in professional literature.
The book spans the period from the 6th century until
the middle of the 13th century. In establishing the
dates of origin of the analysed complexes, the author drew upon
the periodization of the early Middle Ages in Great Poland,
proposed by W. Hensel (1950), modified later by Z. Hilczerówna
(1967) and W. Dzieduszycki (1982, 1990). The periodization plan
divides the era into 5 stages, namely: stage A (6th
c.), stage B (7th-8th centuries), stage
C (9th c. until the first half of the 13th
c.), stage D (mid-10th c. - first half of the 11th
c.) and stage E (mid-11th c. until the first half
of the 13th c.). The sources on which the monograph
draws are the materials obtained through archaeological studies
of Mieczysława Piaszykowa (1954), Stanisław Jasnosz (in years
1956-63 and 1969-70) and Andrzej Prinke (1970 and 1976) conducted
in the remains of the stronghold and the early mediaeval settlements.
The outcome of excavations from 1911, completed by the Germans,
Erich Blume and Meyer (the surveyor), is a valuable supplement.
The materials from years 1886-1980 procured by surface explorations
and by accidental discoveries have also been incorporated in
this analysis.
The sources that could have been utilized in compiling the monograph
of the settlement complex in Bruszczewo did not represent equal
value. The analysis of the reports from excavation works was
sufficient to realize that the unearthed objects were not always
in good condition. Some of them were destroyed due to the exploitation
of the gravel-pit (Bruszczewo, site 12), construction works
(Przysieka Stara, site 4) and as a result of two attempts to
transport the remains of the stronghold (Bruszczewo, site 13).
The manner in which some of the drawings were made and movable
relics catalogued in the field books of finds (especially during
works in the remains of the stronghold) arouse serious objection.
The above mentioned reasons had negative impact up on a part
of the material, which nevertheless contributed to the resolution
of several issues, which greatly helped to complete the planned
monograph.
The book consists of the introduction, six chapters and the
afterword. Chapter 1 deals with the archaeological analysis
of movable artefacts and focuses readers' attention on the function
of particular relics, their classification and dating. It has
been supplemented by the chronology of agglomerations found
on excavated sites. The investigation of natural environment,
presented in Chapter 2, has served as the point of departure
for further considerations. Chapter 3, devoted to rural settlements,
touches upon such issues as building construction, functions
served by the unearthed objects, the layout of settlements and
changes occurring in the organization of settlement landscape.
Chapter 4 treats of the tribal stronghold. The description of
its natural defensive location precedes reflection on this topic.
Additionally, the questions regarding the fortifications, the
buildings within the stronghold, the function of the stronghold
in Bruszczewo and the circumstances, which prompted its downfall,
have been dealt with.
Chapter 5 of the book, devoted to the subsistence system, has
been divided into three parts. The first one focuses on the
activities associated with procurement of food, the second on
handicraft, whereas the third on questions concerning trade
and cultural contacts. Finally, in Chapter 6, the main trends
in the development of the settlement complex in Bruszczewo have
been delineated. In the concluding section there is a summary
of the most important archaeological discoveries, which, very
briefly, are recapitulated below.
As it was already mentioned, Chapter l undertakes an analysis
of archaeological artefacts. Among the discussed objects there
are the elements of weapons (axes, fragments of spearheads,
arrowheads, spurs and straps), jewellery and clothing accessories
(headbands, clasps, glass beads and reused "Roman" buckles)
as well as tools and household goods (artefacts of wood, iron,
stone, clay, bone and horn). Among the listed objects, a rich
collection of ceramic wares must be given special attention
as it helped greatly to establish the date of origin of these
complexes. This kind of ceramics is characterised by large variations
in form, classified in the book into 12 taxonomic units, referred
to as the Families of Types ("Rodzina Typów" - RT). The presence
of vessels (fig. 10) similar in style to Feldberg-Kędrzyno (RT-II)
type, is definitely of considerable interest. Their occurrence,
however, is rare and consequently it is supposed that they did
not play a significant role in the development of local pottery.
Typical, however, is frequent occurrence of artefacts recognized
as Tornow type (fig. 12 and 13), variety A and B (RT-III, category
1 and 2) as well as C 340 (RT-III, category 3, recently more
and more often identified with the ceramics of Menkendorf-Szczecin
type - fig. 14). It is the first piece of evidence indicating
strong ties with the cultural zone known under the name of Tornow-Klenica.
Southern influences found their expression, among others, in
the presence of vessels with a clearly shaped neck (RT - V,
fig. 16) and some elements of weapons (a spur in the so-called
Carolingian style, a strap for a spur, arrowheads with a tang)
and everyday use objects (iron bowls of the so-called Silesian
type). But the finds held as most interesting, as far as ceramic
is concerned, are pot and vase-like utensils with a cylindrical
neck, decorated with one or two ribs, partly elaborately ornamented,
which were classified as category 6, RT - V (fig. 17 and 18).
The original quality of this ware, rarely encountered at other
early mediaeval sites, inclined the author to designate it as
Bruszczewo type. Although the origin of this style remains rather
vague, the author is almost convinced that it was inspired by
influences transmitted from the south. A multitude of forms
encountered at stage C of the early Middle Ages is indicative
of the appearance of a lively local centre of pottery production.
Attachment to tradition remained strong at stage D, at which
the number of utensils typical for this period, classified as
RT-IX (fig. 20), was smaller than of vessels resembling in style
the ceramic ware known from the 9th century and the first half
of the 10th century. This new trend in pottery, represented
by forms from RT - X, XI and XII (fig. 21-23) had not become
common until stage D/E-E of the early Middle Ages.
The study of the natural environment of Bruszczewo, Przysieka
Stara, Przysieka Polska and their environs submitted in Chapter
2, helped to delineate the main elements of geographical, historical
scene of the examined settlement complex. Owing to this study
it turned out that the early mediaeval settlement was founded
upon a vast, elevated place of fluvo-glacial origin, formed
at the foot of a plateau constituting a western border of the
Kościan Plain (Równina Kościańska). The high place, surrounded
from three sides by water, meadows or wetlands, separated the
flood waters of the Samica River (a tributary of the Oder) from
its old river arm, which after land reclamation works was converted
into a canal Przysieka Stara. Natural resources of this area
such as water, wetlands, meadows, forests and fertile soils
offered the inhabitants of the complex in Bruszczewo safety
and good conditions for the advancement of colonization and
economic activity.
The archaeological material from excavations in Bruszczewo and
Przysieka Stara contains precious information about early mediaeval
rural settlements. Chapter 3 discusses this issue in more detail.
Several hundred structures examined on the site included the
remains of aboveground buildings, subterranean or semi-subterranean
domiciles, baths and household conveniences (hearths, production
and storage pits, belowground repositories for grain). Further
research showed that the structures formed an agglomeration
of two small settlements used from the 6th until the 13th century.
Five periods can be distinguished in their development: I (early
mediaeval stage A-A/B), connected with the beginning of colonization
and establishment of two agglomerations (settlements?) at a
fluvo-glacial elevated place (fig. 62); II (stage B-B/C), distinguished
by the development of the two settlements and an attempt at
colonization of the elevation's western slope (fig. 63); III
(stage C), at which the settlements sprang up anew along the
north-south axis whereas the northern slope of the height was
penetrated more intensively (fig. 64); IV (stage C/D-D), at
which there was an observable decrease in the number of buildings
in the southern settlement; also the advance of the northern
settlement towards that part of the elevation, which is currently
occupied by the buildings of Przysieka Polska (fig. 65) and
V (stage D/E-E), when the southern settlement was deserted and
the settlers spread along the east-west axis (fig. 66).
The archaeological studies discussed in Chapter 1 brought about
the revaluation of opinions concerning the chronology of the
stronghold in Bruszczewo. In professional literature, it was
commonly believed that the stronghold had been used from the
7th century until the middle of the 10th
century. Meanwhile, the record of stratigraphy of the site,
of the cultural content of the examined complexes and dendrochronological
dating changed this conviction. Eventually, it has been established
that the tribal stronghold existed between the 9th/10th
century (or beginning of the 10th c.) and the first
half of the 10th century. The stronghold has been
the subject of a separate examination presented in Chapter 4,
owing to which we learn about the elaborate defensive system
composed of a rampart, a stone footing, a ditch and a stone
and earthen embankment (fig. 70). The entire structure occupied
about 80% of the total surface area, which shows that the object
was strongly fortified. Inside, there were clustered buildings
(about 5). The fundamental function of the stronghold in Bruszczewo
is determined by its name, preserved - in an altered version
- in the designations of the contemporary villages of Przysieka
Polska and Przysieka Stara. The role of the so-called cutting
("przesieka") was to defend the tribal territory against possible
attacks from the south. Moreover, the stronghold controlled
local watercourses and overland routes. Its downfall was related
to political events of the first half of the 10th
century, and was a consequence of the disintegration of the
Great Moravian Reich. Bohemians and Germans rivalled to fill
the resulting vacuum and later were joined by the dynamically
developing state of the Polyane. The conquest of the territories
along the Obra River may have been related to the expansion
of this group towards the west, which predated the events of
963 reported by Widukind and Thietmar.
Subsistence activities, discussed in Chapter 5, took up the
greatest part of daily life of the inhabitants of the Bruszczewo
complex. The pursuits related to the procurement of food i.e.
ploughing land, livestock raising, hunting, fishing and gathering
were most common. A detailed analysis of archaeo-botanic material
acquired from the early mediaeval agglomerations from stage
C, enabled researchers to reconstruct the structure of crops
(confirmed prevalence of millet), their distribution (the edge
and slopes of the elevation rising behind the eastern extremities
of settlements in Bruszczewo) and the system of sowing. Among
livestock, cattle and pigs (fig. 76) were very common, but from
stage A of the early Middle Ages the number of sheep/goats had
been systematically growing, and at stage E the number of horses
increased as well. The plateau situated outside the northern
periphery of the discussed settlement was a convenient place
for grazing them (fig. 79). On the basis of the results of archaeo-zoological
studies, the contemporary means of regulating the number of
head of livestock have been discussed. The ensuing part touches
upon the role of hunting in the subsistence system of the residents
of Bruszczewo complex. It is stressed that hunting activities
were driven by definite needs, generally associated with the
use of forest resources (procurement of food, obtainment of
raw materials for handicrafts, search for natural medications),
protection of people, animals and grounds surrounding buildings
against beasts of prey. Elites pursued hunting for pleasure
and in order to practice martial skills. Little information
has been colleted on fishing and gathering, although such activities
are evidenced thanks to the remains of fish, hooks for rods,
net weights and seeds of plants growing in the wild.
Craftsmen made use of local resources of raw materials (wood,
bog iron stone, field stone and clay) and materials of organic
origin (straw, reed, stems of fibrous plants, natural dyes,
wool, leather, fur, bone and horn) obtained through cultivation
of land, livestock raising, hunting and gathering. These raw
materials made possible the development of new professions such
as building construction, manufacture of tools, transportation
means, household utensils and implements. Presumably, most of
these jobs were performed within the household. In the search
for the traces of specialization, metallurgy and pottery have
been indicated as the fields, which required considerable knowledge
and experience. Pottery had come a long way from household manufacture,
through semi-specialized phase to a relatively advanced production
of various utensils (early mediaeval stage C-E). Definitely,
favourable conditions for the growth of a number of handicrafts
existed in the period, in which the stronghold was in use. Apart
from the mentioned branches of handicrafts, it can be presumed
that carpentry, turnery and cooperage prospered too. Unclear,
however, is the question of specialization in stone and leather
working. Because of a poor condition of archaeological sources
from the initial stages of the early Middle Ages it is difficult
to describe the development of workshops, which operated here
before the mid-10th century. The only information
that we possess concerns the continued engagement in metallurgy
and pottery.
An inseparable element of economic activity was exchange of
goods. It appears that internal trade was of primary significance
for the residents of the settlement complex in Bruszczewo, whereas
trade on a larger scale was basically possible through contacts
with the neighbouring communities, diplomatic relations, military
expeditions (booty) along with the operation of travelling craftsmen,
and - possibly - merchants. The study of the distribution of
finds of vessels similar in style to the Bruszezewo type helped
to establish the scope of contacts of the local community with
the outer world. As it was indicated in Chapter 5, such vessels
occurred only in the area between the middle Warta (its section
from the estuary of the Prosna to its confluence with the Mosinka),
the middle Obra and the Oder River from its confluence with
the Barycz to the confluence with the Obrzyca. Thus, it becomes
evident that the knowledge about the world possessed by the
residents of the discussed complex at the early mediaeval stage
C was restricted solely to the local, tribal area and the neighbouring
lands. Consequently, it was, as for our modern standards unimpressive,
yet quite representative of the then realities.
In Chapter 6, the author, considering the main trends of development
of the Bruszczewo settlement complex, has pointed out several
important aspects of research in to the early mediaeval Slavic
lands. The first one is associated with the establishment of
the complex. This problem, closely tied with the discussion
about the inhabitancy or the influx of the Slavs to Polish lands
in the period from the close of antiquity until the beginning
of the Middle Ages will be difficult to resolve with the aid
of sole archaeological sources. It appears, however, that the
earliest settlers may have been indigenous people from the Obra
area. They might have introduced local elements into oral tradition,
which justified their rights to the occupied land.
The contacts with the areas in the river basin of the middle
and upper Obra - for centuries remaining in the sphere of strong
southern influences radiating there from the territory of Silesia
- were crucial in the development of the Bruszczewo settlement
complex. This explains the presence of Great Moravian or Bohemian
cultural elements. Yet, coming into the sphere of influence
of Tornow-Klenica had proved to be of paramount importance.
Presumably, this might have led to tightening of territorial
boundaries and the formation of an organization capable of building
strongholds and establishing the structures of tribal authority,
which represented and safeguarded the interest of the whole
community. Therefore it was advisable to investigate mutual
relationships between the residents of the stronghold and the
inhabitants of the nearby settlements. The results of this inquiry
show that the latter were not dependent on the residents of
the stronghold. It seems that the duties of the tribal community
were restricted to the direct participation in activities related
to the defence of their country (repair of fortifications, guarding
duties, active participation in combat) and participation in
the local, social and political life.
The decline of the stronghold led to a slowed growth of the
studied complex, but already in the period of the second Piast
state (from circa mid-11th c.) the symptoms of a
considerable economic upturn and increased settlement became
visible. Such phenomena, considered in the context of the contemporary
historical situation of Great Poland, should be looked upon
as efforts to integrate into the rest of the region the territories,
which had been conquered in the 10th century. It must be added
that in the case of the Obra region whose traditional bonds
with the south had been severed, the process of integration
proved to be a complete success. It was aided by the erection
of new strongholds, colonization activity and the establishment
of abbeys. For example, the first mention of Przysieka appeared
in the document of 1278 making a grant to a newly established
Cistercian monastery in Wieleń (moved subsequently to Przemęt).
It could be concluded that despite various condition of the
preserved objects and the quality of excavation documentation
- not always satisfactory - the materials from Bruszczewo are
indeed valuable for research. Among extensive data that has
been obtained the most significant was information concerning
the layout of settlements and the alterations in their landscape
planning as well as the issues such as cultivation of land,
stock raising and pottery. Of interest are also the results
of excavations in the remains of the stronghold in Bruszczewo,
adding to our knowledge of fortifications and the functions
performed by this stronghold in the defensive system of the
Obra region. It is worth noticing that the verification of the
original date of the discussed site, which has been generally
accepted until recently, is, in a sense, in keeping with the
latest tendencies to date the emergence of similar forts much
earlier.
An undisputed value of the discussed sources is that they give
scholars an opportunity to leatn about the changing fortunes
of this early-mediaeval settlement complex, which was inhabited
for several hundred years. Although Bruszczewo (in fact Przysieka
Polska), classified by archaeologists as a typical site (type
site) of the period, seems relatively modest, it gives an opportunity
to study thoroughly one of the numerous Slavic sites from that
period, which often stayed away from great historical events.
It lived through times of prosperity and decline, typical of
the history of a host of small settlements. Today, various aspects
of the settlement's everyday life are discovered. Even if the
materials from Bruszczewo should not be regarded as very useful
for research into various questions concerning the early Middle
Ages, they will remain a valuable source of information about
the era. This fact alone, is a sufficient reason to appreciate
the results of excavations in Bruszczewo.
