Spatial Use and Structure of Fortifications of the Early Medieval Stronghold at Pasym in the Masurian Lakeland

Wadyl, Sławomir

doi:0860-0007

- ris
- BibTeX
- EndNote
- Csv

Spatial Use and Structure of Fortifications of the Early Medieval Stronghold at Pasym in the Masurian Lakeland Wadyl, Sławomir

Struktura obiektu

Spatial Use and Structure of Fortifications of the Early Medieval Stronghold at Pasym in the Masurian Lakeland

Fasciculi Archaeologiae Historicae. Fasc. 35 (2022)

Wadyl, Sławomir

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Polish Academy of Sciences ; Polish Academy of Sciences. Łódź Branch

Early Middle Ages ; stronghold ; fortifications ; West Balt Circle ; dwellings

The stronghold at Pasym is located on an extensive peninsula surrounded by the waters of Lake Kalwa in the southern part of the Olsztyn Lakeland. During the recent investigations in the stronghold, archaeologists discovered relics of residential buildings and evidence of a complex system of stronghold fortifications, which is the main issue discussed in this article. The stronghold’s defences covered a 36-metre-long stretch and included rampart, a cobbled platform and four dry ditches encircling the entire hill. Such fortifications have no close parallels in the areas inhabited by the West Balts during that era of the Middle Ages. The plateau of the stronghold measures 46×35 m. Archaeologists discovered remains of dwellings on the eastern edge of the plateau, while there was no evidence of such structures in the central part of the stronghold, only more or less regular sets of post holes and small refuse pits. In the north-eastern part of the plateau, in the vicinity of the cobbled platform, a small building containing a grain store was discovered. The beginnings of the Pasym stronghold can be traced to the late 7th century and all available evidence indicates that it is the only site of this type in the Masurian Lakeland with such an early provenance. It is worth noting that the origins of the stronghold can be synchronised with the appearance of the first early Slavic strongholds, in particular the earliest phases of features discovered in Szeligi (Płock District, Poland), Haćki (Bielsk District, Poland), and Zymne (Volodomyr Region, Ukraine).

Bitner-Wróblewska A. 2020. The Balt Neighbours – the Olsztyn Group. In: A. Bursche, J. Hines, A. Zapolska (eds.), The Migration Period between the Oder and the Vistula. Leiden, 689-730.
Bujack G. 1888. Der Kuglacker Schlossberg und andere Wallberge. “Sitzungsberichte der Altertumsgesellschaft Prussia” 13, 89-93.
Dulinicz M. 2000. Miejsca, które rodzą władzę (najstarsze grody słowiańskie na wschód od Wisły). In: S. Moździoch (ed.), Człowiek, sacrum, środowisko. Miejsca kultu we wczesnym średniowieczu. Spotkania Bytomskie 4. Wrocław, 85-98.
Hollack E. 1908. Erläuterungen zur vorgeschichtlichen Übersichtskarte von Ostpreussen. Glogau.
Nowakowski W. 2004. Schyłek grupy olsztyńskiej – próba nowego spojrzenia. „Nowe” materiały z cmentarzyska w Wólce Prusinowskiej w powiecie mrągowskim. “Komunikaty Mazursko-Warmińskie” 4(246), 407-417.
Nowakowski W. 2006. Korzenie Prusów. Stan i możliwości badań nad dziejami plemion bałtyjskich w starożytności i początkach średniowiecza. “Pruthenia” 1, 11-40.
Nowakowski W. 2010. The Mysterious Barbarians of Mazuria: The Riddle of Olsztyn Group. In: F. Curta (ed.), Neglected Barbarians. Studies in the Early Middle Ages 32. Turnhout, 31-52.
Nowakowski W. 2020. Początki „najmłodszego okresu pogańskiego” na Mazurach. In: A. Dobrosielska, S. Pluskowski, S. Szczepański (eds.), Homini, qui in honore fuit. Księga pamiątkowa poświęcona śp. Profesorowi Grzegorzowi Białuńskiemu. Olsztyn, 91-104.
Odoj R. 1968. Wyniki badań grodziska z VI–VIII w. n. e. w Pasymiu, pow. Szczytno, a problemy kultury mazurskiej. “Rocznik Olsztyński” 7, 113-147.
Rudnicki M. 2018. The Olsztyn Group in the Early Medieval Archaeology of the Baltic Region. The Cemetery at Leleszki, Szczytno District (Poland). East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450-1450, 52. Leiden.
Szymański P. 2013. Z badań nad chronologią i zróżnicowaniem kulturowym społeczności Mazur w późnej starożytności i u progu wczesnego średniowiecza. Barbaricum 9. Warszawa.