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Early Medieval Ornamented Axes from the Territory of Poland
Warsaw 68 , has three circular carving lines put on its hammer (Fig. 5:5). A good
analogy to this specimen is the battle-axe from Gotland 69 .
The decoration in form of vertical engraved lines is mainly connected with
Scandinavian culture. The specimens from other territories, like Poland, decorated in
this way are considered as the result of the presence of the Scandinavians among the
Slavs or Scandinavian influences 70 . However, it seems that this opinion is too
simplified. Worth mentioning is the fact that with the exception of specimens
regarded as typical Scandinavian axes (e.g. axes of Type M according to J. Petersen),
this kind of ornament can also be found on 11 th century battle-axes of Type Ia
according to A. Nadolski, or axes with narrow blades from Lithuania 71 . Such axes are
completely unknown in Scandinavia, but they are characteristic for the territories of
Middle-Eastern Europe. A possibility of local production of such artefacts should be
taken into consideration; however, the Scandinavian inspiration is also highly
probable.
Very special kinds of specimens are axes on which the signs of the Greek cross
were engraved with a sharp tool 72 . The first one belongs to Type M according to J.
Petersen’s typology and was discovered at the end of the 19 th cent. in the inhumation
cemetery in Blichowo (Płock distr., Masovia). The axe was excavated in the male
grave No. 6 with a wooden bucket, and can be dated to the mid-11 th cent. 73 The cross
was put on an isolated field in the shape of a rhombus on the back side of the hammer
(Fig. 6:1). The other one (of unknown provenance) is preserved in the collection of
the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw 74 . This specimen can be dated to the 13 th
cent. 75 , and decoration of the Greek cross was put on both sides of the blade (Fig.
6:2). On its right side, a trace of one more sign is notable, which in all probability
resulted from an unsuccessful attempt at ornamenting the specimen.
The accidental find from the surroundings of Piła (Piła distr., Great Poland) is very
exceptional. It was decorated with three carving lines on the small ledge which
crowns the end of its beard 76 (Fig. 6:5). The axe belongs to Type Vb according to A.
Nadolski, and it can be widely dated to the 11 th -13 th cent. The analogically decorated
specimen of this type is known from Vitebsk in Belarus and it is dated to the 13 th
68
Unpublished. Collection of the National Archaeological Museum in Warsaw, No. PMA/VI/8658. It
could be published in this article by courtesy of Dr Wojciech Brzeziński, the Director of the Museum
and Andrzej Piotrowski M.A., Head of the Department of Early Medieval and Modern Period
Archaeology.
69
Paulsen 1956, fig. 29:f.
70
Артемьев 1994, p. 158; Żak 1967, p. 298-300; Kara 1991, p. 109, footnote 59; Kurasiński 2005, p.
208.
71
Malonaitis 1998, fig. 4.
72
For more on this issue see Kotowicz 2011.
73
Rutkowski 1906, p. 41-42, pl. IV; Kordala 1999, p. 106-108, fig. 3:a; Kurasiński 2005, p. 200, 203,
fig. 3:4; Kordala 2006, p. 39, cat. 3, tab. 24:1.
74
Kotowicz 2011, fig. 5.
75 nd th
Close analogies to our artefact are the axes found in the stronghold from the 2 half of the 13 cent. in
Raciąż, Tuchola distr., Poland - Świątkiewicz 2010, fig. 12:3, 13:1.
76
Unpublished. Private collection of Robert Fedyk from Sanok.
111