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De instrumentis – on Metalworking Tools From the Early Medieval Yatvingia

2025, 63, No. 1

Karol Żołędziowski

0000-0003-4580-5622

State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw

State Archaeological Museum, Warsaw

DOI

-

Publication date

31.12.2025

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Humanities

Discipline

archeology

Language of publication

English

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Abstract

The paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of early medieval tools used in Yatvingian craftsmanship, with particular emphasis on non-ferrous metalworking. The study is based on new data obtained from excavations at sites in Krukówek, Judziki, Jegliniec, and the settlement complex in Szurpiły. Among the discussed artefacts is a small, asymmetrical hammer from Krukówek, the size of which suggests its use in a jewellery workshop rather than a blacksmith’s workshop. Also identified was an anvil in the shape of a truncated pyramid from Szurpiły, used for the manufacture of small items, and sheet metal shears from Judziki, adapted for cutting soft materials. A significant part of the analysis is devoted to decorative tools, such as iron and copper punches and dot punches, used for applying ornaments in the form of lines, knobs, or circles. A unique find is a massive copper alloy bar from Jegliniec, interpreted as a die for embossing convex decorations on sheet metal. Conducted analyses indicate that the Yatvingian tool kit is similar to workshop equipment known from other regions of Europe, although it shows some local differences in terms of ornamentation tools. Despite numerous proofs of local bronze production, the author highlights the still insufficient quantity of foundry ceramic finds, such as crucibles or moulds, which remains a research gap.

Keywords:

Yatvingia,early Middle Ages,metalworking,tools,jewellery,punches

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