By the end of the 10th century, the area of Opatów and Sandomierz was probably inhabited by a small tribe whose name has not been recorded in written sources. The establishment of a gord in Zawichost Podgórze before the end of the 9th century coupled with the emergence of a local cluster of pyre kurgan grave fields may be evidence of the arrival of new settlers from an area east of the Vistula. Inclusion of the Sandomierz area into the domain of the Wielkopolska Polans in the late 10th century resulted in disappearance of the existing tribal settlement structures which were replaced by new ones. This was related to the arrival to this area of individuals and groups representing the new Piast dynasty rule who came from other parts of the country or even from abroad. They included warriors from the ducal team, craftsmen, merchants as well as settlers relocated voluntarily or by force, possibly captives. As they represented different cultural traditions, their appearance has been well documented in archaeological sources. It also seems to be confirmed in toponymy. On top of the biggest number of Wielkopolska newcomers from the heart of the Piast dynasty domain, in the vicinity of Sandomierz and Opatów there could have also operated merchants related to the broadly defined Scandinavian and Russian culture as well as nomadic tribes, most probably Hungarians. The latter could have arrived as warriors, members of the ducal team, merchants or captives.
Amateur searches for archaeological artefacts, most frequently with the use of metal detectors, are generally aimed at building up private collections. They have also become a source of income in the illegal trade in artefacts. Collecting ancient artefacts as recyclable metal is a new phenomenon. At the scrapyard in Milczany, Sandomierz district, several kilograms of such scrap were found, among which two fibulae from the Roman period, Almgren 67 and 43, were recognised. They are valuable in the research into the history of the Przeworsk Culture. The authors also note the widespread practice of collecting striped flint, used by modern jewellers, which has resulted in the devastation of several sites which were relics of ancient mines of this material. The authors consider the scientific value of the recovered artefacts, which often cannot be localised precisely. They call for the unceasing promotion of the value of archaeological artefacts and indicate its effectiveness in the Hrubieszów Basin
JavaScript jest wyłączony w Twojej przeglądarce internetowej. Włącz go, a następnie odśwież stronę, aby móc w pełni z niej korzystać.