A Glazed Easter Egg Rattle from a Grave in the Cemetery in Kołoząb. Technological Features and Lead Provenance

Abstrakt

The article presents the results of interdisciplinary research on a glazed Easter egg rattle discovered at an early medieval cemetery in Kołoząb, northern Mazovia. Although not the first find of its kind in the region, the artifact significantly contributes to the existing knowledge of such objects in Polish territories. Technological and chemical analyses (CT, XRF, SEM-EDS, and lead isotope analysis) allowed for a detailed characterization of its manufacturing technique and the identification of the raw material used for the glaze. The results indicate the use of lead sourced from the Upper Silesia and Kraków Upland regions, suggesting local production. At the same time, the ornamentation and form of the rattle show strong analogies with finds from the Rus’ area, pointing to the transmission of cultural models and technologies across early medieval Slavic lands. The artifact fits into the broader context of egg-shaped rattle finds from Central and Eastern Europe, including those from child and barrow burials, emphasizing their diverse symbolic roles.