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Archaeologists in Poland have made a remarkable discovery: a 2,300-year-old bronze helmet, along with other artifacts, which is the first evidence of Celtic settlement in northern Poland. The discovery, led by Bartłomiej Kaczyński of the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw, indicates that Celts were present in the region to secure their amber supplies. Celts were previously known to have colonized southern Poland around 400 BCE, but evidence of their presence in the north has been scarce until now.
Details of the helmet
The helmet, made of thin bronze and styled in the Celtic “Berru” style, has a conical top and a prominent neck, reflecting its association with the Celtic elite, the State Archaeological Museum announced in a Facebook post. after. It was found at the archaeological site of Łysa Góra near Chorzele, about 105 kilometers north of Warsaw. The discovery is significant because it is the most northeastern site in Europe where Celts have been documented.
Other excavated artifacts
In addition to the helmet, the excavation revealed more than 300 ancient artifacts, including four iron axes and an iron sword, archaeologist Bartłomiej Kaczyński. These items suggest that the Celts may have introduced iron metallurgy to the area. The team also discovered Celtic ornaments, brooches and several tools previously unknown in Poland, such as iron chisels, scythes and scissors. This challenges the previous belief that Celtic interactions in northern Poland were minimal.
Importance of the site
The findings indicate that the Łysa Góra site was a crucial trading post on the “amber trail” leading from the Baltic Sea coast. Amber, highly prized in the Mediterranean world, was an important trade item for the Celts. The location of the site suggests that it played an important role in the protection and trade of amber between different regions.
These discoveries shed light on the extent of Celtic influence and their strategic importance in ancient trade networks.
