Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship/ Archaeologists discovered burials of children from the Early Iron Age in Kałdus

Archaeologists from the Nicolaus Copernicus University Institute in Toruń have discovered skeletal burials of children from the Early Iron Age, associated with the Lusatian culture, in Kałdus near Chełmno. It's possible that these were sacrifices, as the bodies were originally bound, but only anthropological research will shed light on the matter.

Excavations of the largest multicultural stronghold in the Chełmno Land are currently underway at St. Lawrence Mountain.

"We discovered skeletal burials of children in the deepest depression inside the Maidan stronghold, most likely near a well. These are burials from the Lusatian culture period. This is an unusual burial custom, as cremation was prevalent at the time. They may be sacrifices, especially since the bodies were originally bound and tied," Dr. Ryszard Kaźmierczak from the Institute of Archaeology at the Nicolaus Copernicus University told PAP.

Archaeologists have been conducting research in Kałdus for years, and currently their work is focused on identifying a three-part early medieval stronghold. "The discovery of skeletons from the early Iron Age here is quite surprising. The human remains will be subjected to anthropological analysis. Perhaps only then will we be able to say more about this find. The form of burial itself was quite unusual, as one child was initially curled up in a fetal position, while the other was tied up. The question arises as to whether these children were buried immediately after death. We currently do not know," Dr. Kaźmierczak emphasized in an interview with PAP.

Director of the Institute of Archaeology at the Nicolaus Copernicus University, Prof. Wojciech Chudziak, told PAP that there is no longer any doubt that the early medieval settlement complex in Kałdus, associated with St. Lawrence Mountain, which constitutes a special point in the local landscape, is nothing other than the place where the historic pre-foundation Chełmno functioned for several hundred years.

"Even in the tribal, pre-state period, it was likely the main socio-cultural and religious center in the western part of the Vistula, Drwęca, and Osa river basin. From the time of the first Piast dynasty, it was the political and economic center of the Chełmno Land, already subordinated to princely rule, and from 1025 to royal rule. From the time of Bolesław the Brave, the Piasts showed great interest in this land, which served as a "bridge" to Eastern Pomerania and Prussia, and Kałdus, or Chełmno, played a leading role here," assessed Professor Chudziak.

The first research at Kałdus took place in the 19th century, almost 150 years ago. Archaeologists have since returned to the site numerous times. The earliest excavations were conducted by German researchers from the museum in Gdańsk. Much of the work over the years was amateurish, even predatory. In the last two decades, numerous illegal treasure hunters have passed through the area. The Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) first explored the area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1996, Professor Wojciech Chudziak's team arrived at the site.

"Kałdus is a remnant of early medieval, historic Chełmno. It is incredibly large, comprising a multi-segment settlement covering a total area of ​​over 15 hectares. Its central element is St. Lawrence Mountain, the highest point in the terrain, and the three-segment hillfort adjoining it to the north, covering over 3 hectares and being the largest in the Chełmno Land. To the south, there is a vast settlement beneath the hillfort and a large cemetery, the largest in the region, with over 1,400 graves discovered there," noted the director of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Institute of Archaeology.

Until 2023, archaeological exploration focused on the settlement surrounding the stronghold. Over the years, cemeteries have also been examined. The current excavations were carried out within the stronghold.

"The cultural stratigraphy that records the history of this site is somewhat reminiscent of a multi-layered name-day cake, the lowest layers of which reach 5-6 meters below the modern ground level. The oldest layer dates back to the Neolithic, the younger Stone Age. Later layers that formed here are associated with the early Iron Age, the Lusatian culture, the Pomeranian culture, and human activity in the early and even late Middle Ages. Our research focuses primarily on the early Middle Ages. The artefacts found here demonstrate the high level of civilizational development of the local society. Christians inhabited the area from the 11th century. We surmise that the first Christian community emerged here. The oldest graves in the Chełmno Land, typical of Christian eschatology, come from beneath St. Lawrence Mountain," explained Professor Chudziak.

St. Lawrence Mountain is a mound, a hill that served as a landmark. The Chełmno location document mentions the area above and below the mountain. It was here that an 11th-century stone church was discovered, formerly a site of pagan worship. Over the years, archaeologists have discovered many unique artifacts here, originating from various parts of Europe: Scandinavian, Baltic, and Russian imports.

"I think any of the Piast rulers could have stayed at Mount St. Lawrence, which was not yet named by that name. It was a place located on the route leading towards the Baltic Sea. We are deeply satisfied with analyzing the coins discovered at Kałdus. Currently, the collection numbers over 400 coins. From Arab dirhams minted in the 9th and 10th centuries, to Western European, German, Czech, Hungarian, English, and Danish coins, through to Polish coins: the denarius of Bolesław the Brave discovered in a grave, and coins of Władysław Herman, Bolesław Krzywousty, Władysław II, Bolesław the Curly, and Konrad Mazowiecki. We have a complete overview of Piast rulers and issuers of silver coins," Professor Chudziak listed.

An experienced archaeologist indicated that, in his opinion, Bishop Wojciech of Prague, the patron saint of the Polish church, could have visited St. Lawrence Hill, as it was the largest center on the borders of the Piast state, situated on the road towards Prussia.

"There are indications that this center was located on the route of his final journey. Professor Leszek Słupecki recently formulated this hypothesis, and I think it's quite plausible," said the archaeologist. "St. Lawrence Mountain captures the imagination; many people admit that a genius loci (spirit of the place) is felt here." The hillfort has been the least explored so far, which is why we have dug two excavations there this year. Geomagnetic studies have revealed that an additional element can be distinguished within the hillfort's functional space. Each element served completely different social functions," he added.

Dr. Kaźmierczak pointed out that the stronghold itself will always surprise. "This site has everything—human traces dating back thousands of years, as well as more recent remains from historical times. As they say in archaeology, it's in many ways a 'terra incognita,' or unknown land. We have hundreds of thousands of ceramic vessels here, dating back to the early Middle Ages alone, and how large a population must have lived here," he explained.

"This was one of the northernmost relics of the Piast state. The relics of a stone basilica found here testify to this, as such churches were not built in 'unimportant' places," concluded Dr. Kaźmierczak.

Tomasz Więcławski (PAP)

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