Szczepanki 8: nowe stanowisko torfowe kultury Zedmar na Mazurach

Abstrakt

The article discusses preliminary results from investigation of a newly discovered peat-bog site Szczepanki (8). The site lies in the N E area of the Great Mazurian Lakes Region, hydrographically associated with the middle basin of the Vistula River (Fig. 1). Now a hummock rising from the Staswiny peat-bog, Szczepanki was formerly an island, situated close to the southern margin of the lake, opposite the inlet of a small stream Pamer (Fig. 2); the much published twin site at Dudka is found about a kilometre away (GUMINSKI, FIEDORCZUK 1988; 1990; FIEDORCZUK 1995; NALEPKA 1995; GUMINSKI 1995; 1997a; 1997b; 1998; 1999a; 1999b; 2001a; 2003a; 2003b; GUMINSKI, MICHNIEWICZ 2003; TOMEK, GUMINSKI 2003). At present Szczepanki (8) rise some four metres above the level of the peatbog (Fig. 3, 4). A part of the site is found in the northern part of the island, level and flat, separated from the rest of the island by a narrow inlet. The area harbouring Stone Age material, most of it occupying the N E part of the island, was investigated by two trenches - trench "S" and trench "E" (Fig. 3, 8). Trench "K", found at the highest point of the elevation, mostly furnished finds from the turn of the Bronze and the Iron Age, discussed separately in the present volume (cf. LISIECKI 2004, Appendix).<br>SZCZEPANKI SITE 8. A NEW PEAT-BOG SITE OF ZEDMAR CULTURE IN THE GREAT MAZURIAN LAKES REGION, N E POLAND. Introduction The article discusses preliminary results from investigation of a newly discovered peat-bog site Szczepanki (8). The site lies in the NE area of the Great Mazurian Lakes Region, hydrographically associated with the middle basin of the Vistula River (Fig. 1). Now a hummock rising from the Staswiny peat-bog, Szczepanki was formerly an island, situated close to the southern margin of the lake, opposite the inlet of a small stream Pamer (Fig. 2); the much published twin site at Dudka is found about a kilometre away (GUMINSKI, FIEDORCZUK 1988; 1990; FIEDORCZUK 1995; NALEPKA 1995; GUMINSKI 1995; 1997a; 1997b; 1998; 1999a; 1999b; 2001a; 2003a; 2003b; GUMINSKI, MICHNIEWICZ 2003; TOMEK, GUMINSKI 2003). At present Szczepanki (8) rise some four metres above the level of the peatbog (Fig. 3, 4). A part of the site is found in the northern part of the island, level and flat, separated from the rest of the island by a narrow inlet. The area harbouring Stone Age material, most of it occupying the NE part of the island, was investigated by two trenches - trench "S" and trench "E" (Fig. 3, 8). Trench "K", found at the highest point of the elevation, mostly furnished finds from the turn of the Bronze and the Iron Age, discussed separately in the present volume (cf. LISIECKI 2004, Appendix). Stratigraphy Stratigraphy (Fig. 5, 6), particularly that of the former littoral zone (layers marked "L") and the island margin (layers marked "B"), and many analogies from Dudka (to date, no palaeobotanic or 1 4C studies have been made for Szczepanki), were used in a preliminary reconstruction of sedimentation processes and occupation levels at Szczepanki (8). The earliest finds, e.g. a bone pendant (Fig. 18a, 19a) and a dozen or so animal bones recovered from layer L/B-6, probably date from the early Holocene (Preboreal? or Boreal period), i.e. from the early Mesolithic. A slightly larger number of finds occurred in the higher lying layers L/B-5, L5b, and L5a, of lake origin, accumulated probably during the early and middle Atlantic period, i.e. during the late Mesolithic. Earliest layers containing pottery (L/B-4 and B/L-4) are of terrestrial origin and mark the onset of a period of recession of lake water and overgrowth of its former littoral zone (Fig. 3). The settlement episode associated with this period is designated as early Zedmar. The most intensive traces of occupation originate from layer B/L-3, and this period marks the Zedmar Culture proper (or, classic Zedmar). Its chronologically corresponding layers, L-3 and B-3 (Fig. 5, 6), furnished definitely a smaller number of finds zabytków. In layers L-2 and B-2 traditional pottery co-occurred with similar but technologically more sophisticated and better fired ceramics (containing mostly mineral temper), with a growing frequency of the corded ornament. This phase of occupation was designated as post-Zedmar. The uppermost peat layer (L-1 and B-1) contains mainly late Neolithic material (pottery with cord ornament tempered by adding of sand and crushed rock), as well as evidently older and much younger finds (e.g. Mesolithic microliths and medieval pottery respectively). Inhumation grave and scattered human bones The only Stone Age feature discovered to date (Fig. 3, 7, 8) is an inhumation grave (S-1) of a ca. sixmonths old infant, lying contracted on its left side, head facing SW. At the cranium lay a number of fish vertebra (presumably the remains of grave furnishings) and small fragments of Zedmar pottery (most likely an accidental intrusion). Stratigraphic position of the upper layer of the grave pit links the burial to early Zedmar phase of occupation. The area around the grave, mostly inside trench "E", produced further human remains, in the form of disarticulated bones (long bones, metacarpals and finger bones, teeth and calota fragments) from several adult individuals, dated from early Zedmar to the late Neolithic (Tab. 1). Nearly all the ornaments discovered at Szczepanki (Fig. 8) come from the same area, where they were mostly interspersed with the human remains. This corresponds closely to the situation observed at Dudka. There, the results of a detailed analysis of human bone remains, stratigraphic and planigraphic distribution of bones and ornaments, and of their relationship to the burial ground, with several secondary (i.e. incomplete and disarticulated) burials, led to the conclusion that the dispersed human bones are a trace of temporary graves from which most bones were later redeposited in secondary graves (GUMINSKI 2003b). Thus, it is reasonable to expect that Szczepanki also will produce further graves; the presence of a separate burial ground suggests penetration of the lake area by two separate hunter-gatherer groups (at least, starting from early Zedmar phase; Tab. 1), nevertheless, linked by culture, and by social and kinship ties. Animal remains Animal bones were the largest category of evidence at Szczepanki (Tab. 1). Their frequencies during succeeding settlement episodes indicate that island was occupied most intensively (i.e., over the longest period or the longest season during the year, or the largest group of people) during classic Zedmar and post-Zedmar occupation phases; occupation during the Mesolithic and late Neolithic was much less intensive. Relatively numerous Mesolithic bone artefacts (Tab. 1) suggest that occupation was at that time more intensive than is indicated by bone remains alone (distribution of food consumption remains on the surface of the site, not yet covered by peat). Fishing was of less importance at Szczepanki than at Dudka, its participation in the overall economy relatively stable until classic Zedmar phase, when it started to level off, in particular, during the late Neolithic (Tab. 1 ). During all the chronological periods there was a decided domination of large predatory species: pike, sheatfish (Silurus glanis), perch (Perca fluviatilis) (Tab. 2), which indicates that fishing was limited to the spawning season. The modest percentage of Cyprinidae and of smaller fish species suggests that, unlike at Dudka, nets were seldom used. At Szczepanki the turtle (Emys orbicularis) (Tab. 1) is first recorded during early Zedmar, later than at Dudka, suggesting that during the Mesolithic the two islands were occupied in a different season, ie, Szczepanki was not visited in late spring and early summer. Fowling was sporadically engaged in (Tab. 1 ) but better documented than at Dudka, and limited almost entirely to water fowl (Tab. 3). The hunters took advantage of two favourable and strictly local circumstances - presence of a breeding colony of cormorants, and great numbers water fowl wintering over in the part of the lake close to the mouth of the stream which did not freeze over during winter. The percentage of bones of fur-bearing animals at Szczepanki (Tab. 1, 4, 5) was at least twice as high as at Dudka, suggesting more intensive occupation during the autumn-winter season. There was also an unexpectedly high percentage of hedgehog bones (Tab. 5), especially during the Atlantic period, the time when the forest cover was the most dense. It is possible that still in the late Mesolithic, or, starting from early Zedmar phase, hedgehogs were being kept on the island. Domesticated dog (Tab. 4, 5), most likely used mainly in hunting, is represented at Szczepanki starting from at least the late Mesolithic. Its participation, doubled during post- Zedmar phase and once again, during the late Neolithic, may be explained by a new demand for sheep and watchdogs once cattle and perhaps also sheep/goat were introduced to the island. The role of ungulates in the economy at Szczepanki grew steadily over successive periods of settlement (Tab. 1, 4, 5). The main food source was red deer and wild pig. By early Zedmar phase, the latter species had been partly domesticated and was being kept on the island. Continued during successive periods of settlement, this early form of animal husbandry occasionally suffered from crisis. The first of these is noted during classic Zedmar phase, the next, in the late Neolithic. At Dudka on the other hand, pig keeping apparently foundered just once, during post-Zedmar phase, and on a much lesser scale. Problems probably arose when the pig herd grew too large to be sustained by the natural resources of the island. The herd kept at Szczepanki was larger in relation to the area of the island consequently, the crisis was felt sooner and more acutely. Given these differences in the development of pig husbandry at Szczepanki and Dudka it is plausible that in early Zedmar phase at least, the two islands were being used by two distinct different communities. Aurochs remains at Szczepanki are rather modest (Tab. 4). This suggests that domesticated cattle, recorded for the first time during post Zedmar phase and from the very beginning quite well represented, were introduced to the Great Mazurian Lakes Region, presumably by the people of Globular Amphorae groups, rather than being derived from the local aurochs populations. Seasonality Szczepanki appears to have been occupied mainly in the latter half of the year, especially during the late Mesolithic. This is suggested by the absence of turtle remains (unlike at Dudka during the same phase) and the highest percentage of fur-bearing animals (Tab. 1). On the other hand, values obtained for pike and sheatfish (Tab. 2) indicate fishing activity during early spring. Starting from early Zedmar phase, the camping season at Szczepanki (8) lengthened: the island was visited during early spring (pike and perch), late spring/early summer (sheatfish and turtle), late summer (juvenile birds; Tab. 3) and in autumn as well as perhaps in winter (red deer antler taken from butchered animals, high percentage of fur-bearing animal remains, birds represented almost entirely by aquatic species). Starting from post- Zedmar, settlement may have grown less intensive at the end of the summer (absence of juvenile birds) and autumn (decreased percentages of bones of fur-bearing animals). Bone implements Bone artefacts are relatively well represented at Szczepanki. This is because fieldwork concentrated mostly in the littoral and shore zone which have a quite thick peat deposit. The main material was red deer antler (only sporadically, roe deer antler) and long bones split lengthwise; wild boar tusks were also used quite extensively. The tool kit included assorted chopping tools (such as, adzes, axes and picks), weapons and hunting gear (blades and points, harpoons, hooks, a dagger), finally, domestic implements (awl-perforators, knives, a chisel, spoon, etc). It should be noted that the tool inventory from the Mesolithic and Zedmar Culture (particularly, the first two phases) closely resembles material known from Maglemose Culture and its late stadium - Erteb0lle Culture. Moreover, individual forms registered at Szczepanki over successive periods correspond in chronology to forms recorded across Maglemose territory - in south Scandinavia and across the central European Lowland. In contrast, there was no evidence whatsoever of influence from Kunda Culture tradition or its derivative para-Neolithic cultures (e.g. Narva Culture). During classic Zedmar phase and later, the first bone implements typical for the central European Neolithic (Funnel Beaker and Globular Amphorae cultures) come on record, e.g. chisel, spoon, cigar-shaped arrowheads. Bone implements recovered from the Mesolithic deposit at Szczepanki were the following:adze fashioned from a wild boar canine, its cutting edge formed by making a truncation to the proximal, the butt formed by cutting off the point (Fig. 11a); dagger from a red deer metapodium (Fig. 9b, 10a); fragment of a "stick", fashioned from red deer antler, its carefully polished shaft decorated by simple geometric grooves and incisions (Fig. 9a); two twin fragments of two broad harpoons, discovered next to each other, fashioned from red deer compacta (Fig. 9c, d, 10b, c). Bone implements associated with early Zedmar phase include the following: a remarkable adze, fashioned from an aurochs metapodium, perforated in the proximal, penetrating completely the entire tubular interior of the bone (Fig. 11c, 12c); "seven-sided" adze, fashioned from antler left over from production of T-shaped axes (Fig. 11d, 12a); harpoon fragment with lightly incised barbs (Fig. 13a, 14a); harpoon fragment with a single prominent barb (Fig. 13i); two fishhooks, discovered next to each other, of "U-shaped" form (Fig. 13b, c, 14b, c, 15). During classic Zedmar phase we register implements visibly continuing the earlier bone-working tradition, such as a rough-out of a T-shaped axe without a shaft-hole (Fig. 13d, 17b), but also new forms, typical for the Neolithic, Funnel Beaker Culture in particular: stout cigar-shaped oval-sectioned arrowheads (Fig. 14i, 16o, p), chisel, fashioned from a split long bone (Fig. 14l, 16n), some forms of flat tools, one of them perhaps a spoon handle (Fig. 13h). Ornaments Szczepanki produced a modest collection of ornaments (Fig. 18, 19), a feature typical both for Maglemose tradition and for Funnel Beaker Culture. Probably the oldest of these pieces (early Boreal or earlier) is a flat rectangular pendant, fashioned from a split rib, with a hole for suspension drilled asymmetrically (Fig. 18a, 19a) to have the ornament positioned at right angles to the body of the wearer. From early Zedmar we have a trapeze-shaped amber pendant with a slightly recessed base (Fig. 18b, 19d), closest in appearance to pieces known from Maglemose Culture in Denmark. Classic Zedmar produced three further amber ornaments, one of them a fragment of a finger-ring with two perforations (Fig. 18d), and a pendant (Fig. 18c). A half of an amber stud with a V-perforation (Fig. 18f, 19e) was presumably imported from the Globular Amphorae Culture environment or brought to the area by the people of that culture. Other ornaments include a remarkable pendant, fashioned exceptionally from the upper, rather than the lower, incisor of a young boar (Fig. 18h, 19c). Another pendant (damaged) was fashioned from an incisor of an aurochs (Fig. 18g, 19b). Finally, there was a flat ring made of stone (Fig. 18i, 19f), and a number of beads fashioned from fossils (Fig. 18j, k). All the ornaments from Szczepanki correspond in their raw material and form to the tradition prevailing during this age in the Baltic zone at large. Pottery The inventory of Zedmar pottery recovered at Szczepanki (8) shows very close analogy to material from Dudka and, in general, with ceramics the entire culture unit (GUMINSKI 1999b; 2001a). Technologically, it is characterised by very poor firing, which resulted in light grey or yellow colour. Clay was tempered by adding one or a combination of various organic tempers (animal hair, shells, plants), or organic-mineral temper (including crushed rock, fire-clay, starting from post-Zedmar period, also sand). Some vessels from early and classic Zedmar phase contain no visible temper. From the very beginning all vessel are flat-bottomed (Fig. 21l, 23l-m). The most typical vessel forms are beakers or funnel-necked pots (Fig. 21-25), followed by large cups/deep bowls; flat dishes are sporadic (Fig. 23i). The vessels were all without handles or lugs. The most popular form of ornamentation were various impressed designs, made with fingers, finger-nails or a stick; starting from classic Zedmar, geometric stamps start to be used for the same purpose (Fig. 21-23). From post-Zedmar phase onwards, corded ornament becomes relatively frequent (Fig. 25a-c, f-g, p-q, 26a-c, e, h-i, l). The most typical ornamentation motif is that of horizontal bands of impressions, in one or more rows, set on the rim of the vessel goffering (Fig. 21a, c-d, h-i, 22a-c, e-f, h-i, 23b-e), neck (Fig. 21a, d-f, h-i, 22a-b, f-h, 23b-c), alternately, at the neck/upper body junction (Fig. 21h, 23h, j), maximum circumference (Fig. 23g, k), or around the base (Fig. 21l, 25s). Other decorative elements include widely-spaced alternating rows of oblique impressions on upper vessel body (Fig. 21j-k, 23f). Occasionally, similar designs were used to ornament the neck on the inside (Fig. 23d-e) or the bottom of the vessel (Fig. 23n). In comparison to the inventory from Dudka pottery from Szczepanki appears to be more rarely decorated with linear designs - whether engraved or guttered, or with so called "groove stitch". If confirmed by future studies, differences shown by pottery inventories from Dudka and Szczepanki could be an additional argument in favour of the presence in the study area of two distinct groups of Zedmar culture people. Similarly as at Dudka, the inventory from Szczepanki includes items imported from Funnel Beaker Culture (Fig. 23a, 26k) and Globular Amphorae Culture (Fig. 25j-k, n, 26l, o), perhaps also from Corded Ware Culture (GUMINSKI 1997a; 1997b). We see a much larger number of imitations, especially of Globular Amphorae models, such as designs made with geometric stamps (Fig. 24h, m-n, 25o, s), and cord impressions. Starting from post-Zedmar phase, we register a small number of imports or evidence of influence from the para-Neolithic environment of the Neman culture (Fig. 1 ), possibly indicated by the use of deep indentations or apertures made under the vessel rim (Fig. 24c, k, 25f, 26a, b). Flint artefacts The flint inventory from Szczepanki largely consists of pieces fashioned from local lowland erratic flint (of moraine and Pomeranian variety). Rare flakes of Swieciechow and Krzemionki flint, mined in southcentral Poland, derive from flint axes imported from, respectively, Funnel Beaker and Globular Amphorae cultures (Fig. 20c, d, Tab. 6). Over successive chronological periods the flake:blade ratio decreased to the detriment of the latter, at ca. 2:1 during the Atlantic period, 2.5:1 during classic Zedmar, 3.4:1 post-Zedmar; the tendency was reversed to some extent during the late Neolithic - at 2.8:1 (Tab. 6). Retouched implements comprise ca. 12% of all flints. Large core tools are represented by small fragments of damaged axes (Tab. 6, Fig. 20c-d). As time went by there was a general increase in participation of scrapers (Fig. 28v-z, A), scrapers (Fig. 28f-g) with a reverse trend shown by end-scrapers (Fig. 28s-u), and other blade tools with a retouched apex (Tab. 6, Fig. 28h-r). A similar tendency is shown also by flakes and retouched blades (Fig. 28c-e). Burins ultimately disappear from Zedmar inventories during the same chronological period as in Neolithic cultures proper (Tab. 6, Fig. 28a-b). Microliths, particularly their "purely Mesolithic" forms, eg, backed blades, triangles, lozenges, a low trapeze and a diagonal trapeze (Fig. 27a-j), are the only group of implements not "consistent" with the general dynamics of their evolution across the European Lowland and south Scandinavia. Most of them occurred in post- Zedmar or late Neolithic layers (Tab. 6) of the island margin, at the foot of the elevation, on what must be a secondary deposit. Co-occurrence of Mesolithic microliths with middle and late Neolithic pottery is less likely the outcome of a lingering tradition than the effect of processes of soilfluction (Fig. 3). This is additionally supported by the presence within the post-Zedmar layer of a double low trapeze with traces of an adhesive substance, and lighter patina along its shorter edge (Fig. 20b, 27j), all of which suggests that originally it was inserted in a bone point with two slots. Microliths of the described form and, bone points with flint inserts disappear from the archaeological record across the European Lowland no later than around the middle of the Atlantic period, eg two thousand years earlier than the find from Szczepanki. It would be absurd to expect that similar points would survive on lake Staswiny in the period of the coming of Globular Amphorae Culture. Backed pieces and less so, trapezes (Fig. 27k-u), typical microliths in Zedmar Culture, evidently continued into post-Zedmar phase; this is confirmed by their presence in the littoral deposit which has the most reliable stratigraphy. The earliest arrowheads (Fig. 27v-z, A-F), documented for the entire early Zedmar phase, are most frequent during the two final periods of occupation of the island (Tab. 6). Typically, they include triangular forms with a slightly recessed base (a form intermediate to heart-shaped arrowheads), and almond-shaped pieces with a convex base. Retouch is usually restricted to the perimeter and only occasionally unbroken; only late Neolithic arrowheads tend to have full bifacial surface retouch. Discussion and conclusion The site Szczepanki (8) is the second - after Dudka - camp-site of Holocene hunter-gatherers situated on a different island of the same lake. It was occupied during a period starting at least from the Boreal until the close of the early Subboreal period. The island of Szczepanki was settled later than Dudka, but from the middle Mesolithic until the end of the Neolithic the two islands were occupied on a parallel basis. Throughout the entire study period the people who used the sites at Dudka and Szczepanki were of the same culture. It is still unclear however whether the two islands were visited by a single population, i.e. the same group of humans penetrating the lakeside during different seasons, or by two distinct groups of the same culture, social system and kinship. For the Mesolithic probably the first model is true. This is suggested by seasonal differences in the way Dudka and Szczepanki were occupied; Szczepanki was occupied mainly from mid-summer until wintertime as well as in early spring; Dudka was visited during spring and also in late summer/ early autumn). With the emergence of Zedmar Culture each island appears to be used by two distinct groups of hunters. This is suggested most strongly by the presence of a burial ground in each island and differences in the development of their respective pig herding economy (different periods of crisis). During the late Mesolithic on the other hand, a period of much less evident occupation of the Lake Staswiny area, both islands were being penetrated by a single group, on the move within a restricted catchment, probably consisting of one single lake and the surrounding land (GUMINSKI 1995; 1999a: 48-51, 73, tab. 4; GUMINSKI, MICHNIEWICZ 2003: 125-126). Introduction of pottery at the close of the Atlantic period was followed by rapid demographic increase of the local hunter-gatherer population, manifested by an abrupt increase of food consumption remains and the number of burials (GUMINSKI 1998: fig. 2; 2003b: tab. 1). By this time the band imaginably grew too large for optimal hunting-gathering economy, even when it was supplemented by introduction of pig-herding. Apparently during early Zedmar phase a part of the group split off to set up a different camp at Szczepanki. This state of affairs continued until the decline of Zedmar Culture. During the Neolithic a reverse process may have occurred. Occupation in the two islands appears to have been less intensive with burials - on an unprecedented scale - now deposited almost exclusively at Dudka (Tab. 1; GUMINSKI 1997a: 98, fig. 6; 1999a: 57, 74, tab. 4; 2003b: tab. 1). The people who came to camp at Szczepanki, at the latest, during the Mesolithic, evidently belonging to the Maglemose cycle. Even though settled on its NE periphery they apparently kept fully in touch with the developments of that culture environment still tangible to us today (i.e. the settlement system and economy, tool kit, weapons, ornaments, other manifestations of ideology); we see no evidence of hybridisation, impoverishment or time delay as compared to the rest of the Maglemose sphere or its late Erteb0lle phase. Until the end of the Mesolithic the island of Szczepanki apparently was used as a stop-over, visited year after year by a hunter group who penetrated the lakeside, attracted by plentiful game (fur-bearing animals and water fowl) wintering over by the side of a like kept icefree at the inlet of a rivulet feeding into the lake. During the middle of the late Atlantic period this community began adopting new elements which filtered in from the "Neolithic environment", among them pottery- making, technologically inferior but evidently inspired by forms known in the Brześć Kujawski group (late Danubian) and Sarnowo phase of Funnel Beaker Culture. Local hunter-gatherer culture with Maglemosian roots enriched by pottery inventories is referred to as Zedmar Culture. Other Neolithic features during its earliest phases at Szczepanki (and Dudka) include contracted burial on the side, pig husbandry based on the local wild pig population, production of "T-shaped" antler axes and of flint projectile points. All these innovations probably developed as a result of transformation of indigenous culture rather than of introduction by a new people. The course of this transformation at Szczepanki was analogous - and what is especially worth noting - synchronous, with a culture shift experienced by the Maglemose community across the central European Lowland and south Scandinavia. Starting from the beginning of classic Zedmar phase the material from Szczepanki (and Dudka) begins to include the first rare ceramic and flint imports from the Funnel Beaker Culture cycle, slightly earlier perhaps, from its Małopolska group (in the south) than from groups of the same culture settled in Kujawy and Chełmno region (to the west). Whether imported or brought in by a new population these new introductions did not in general cause any major change in local culture. The next wave of imports came during the early Subboreal period, this time, associated with Globular Amphorae Culture. Although not really more numerous than introductions from Funnel Beaker culture, this group of innovations stimulated important change in local culture, though perhaps still of a secondary nature. These novelties included introduction of cattle breeding (the herds presumably introduced to the Mazurian Great Lakes Region from the outside rather than domesticated locally), an improved pottery-making technology, and the spread of corded ornament. Other attributes distinctive for Globular Amphorae Culture environment (and earlier, for Funnel Beaker Culture), such as vessel handles or flint axes, did not become widespread. This stage in the development of local culture, by this time fuelled probably by arrivals from the Globular Amphorae environment, may be designated as post-Zedmar (GUMIŃSKI 1999b: 65). In the same period there is evidence of some sort of exchange also with the para- Neolithic Neman Culture (Fig. 1) expressed by imported pottery or imitation of such models (deep indentations or opening under the vessel rim). The final phase of occupation at Szczepanki, at least of a four thousand years' duration dates to the late Neolithic. It did not bring any more drastic change in the still predominantly hunter-gatherer local economy to suggest a substantial or even complete replacement of the local population. However, as yet this period is only very modestly provided for with environmental data (cf. NALEPKA 1995; GUMINSKI 1995; 1997a; 1998; 1999a; 2003a; 2003b; in print a; GUMINSKI, MICHNIEWICZ 2003; TOMEK, GUMINSKI 2003). In addition, the integrity of layers which correspond to this period is highly suspect. Similarity of each object from within this uppermost level may be the result of continuity of the same tradition or - as likely - the effect of contamination by material dating from other periods - even as far as the medieval and the modern period. The same reservation applies to older layers although there it is less pronounced. A careful analysis of the vertical and horizontal distribution of individual forms of microliths from Szczepanki leads to the conclusion that (contrary to appearances) this group of artefacts actually does not include forms languishing from the preceding age, i.e. pieces which continued in an unchanged form over several millennia. The conservative, i.e. hunting- gathering model of economy was not such as to halt the evolution of microliths or, better, to revert to long discarded forms abandoned long before the onset of the Neolithic. Meticulous investigation of multi-level peat-bog sites harbouring individual uncontaminated phases of occupation, separated one from the other by natural layers, is needed to secure reliable and convincing arguments for the continued discussion on the actual nature of many Mesolithic and para-Neolithic sites in the Lowland. The issue being contested is whether coexistence in inventories of backed blades, short and long triangles, trapezes, with para-Neolithic and corded pottery, is the effect of backwardness and lingering of archaic forms of microliths until the close of the Neolithic, or the association is totally misleading, resulting form contamination by artefacts dating from different periods in sandy sites lacking stratigraphy. If such sites, owing to their location, were attractive to hunter-gatherer formations, they would have been exploited during different periods of the Holocene (intermittent occupation) or for most of its duration (unbroken occupation). In both cases, such sites may produce misleading co-occurrence of archaic "lingering" microlithic forms with (para) Neolithic pottery. The case of Szczepanki shows that even in regions outwardly isolated from the main "culture-forming centres" evolution of tool kits and especially weapons, was analogical (both before and after pottery was introduced), despite continuation of invariably the same traditional form of economy.