Curiosities

Lunula (Perespa hoard 2014)

Here are some details about the lunula featuring on the calendar page for February 2019 😲
The lunula is part of a hoard discovered in Perespa (near Czermno) in 2014. It is made completely of silver, and is adorned with filigree and granulation.
Lunulas are crescent-shaped pendants. They are known primarily from Rus’ (Ukraine, Russia), and also from Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Romania, and Slavic and Baltic countries. Lunulas have been found in Poland as well, in Zawada Lanckorońska (Małopolskie Province) among other places. The artefact from Perespa is of the Gnezdovo type and can be tentatively dated to the second half of the 10th century, up to the early 11th century (or more precisely to the third quarter of the 10th century) 🧐
This information, as well as photographs and drawings, have been published in:
M. Wołoszyn, I. Florkiewicz, T. Dzieńkowski, S. Sadowski, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, Cherven before Cherven Towns. Some remarks on the history of the Cherven Towns area (eastern Poland) till the end of 10th century, [w:] Á. Bollók, G. Csiky, T. Vida (red.), Zwischen Byzanz und der Steppe. Archäologische und historische Studien: Festschrift für Csanád Bálint / Between Byzantium and the Steppe: Archaeological and Historical Studies in Honour of Csanád Bálint on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Budapest 2016, 691-718. See

Lunula decoration

Have you ever wondered how they could adorn early medieval lunulas in such a precise manner? 🤔
Using a stereoscopic microscope 🔬 we have managed to reconstruct the techniques used by medieval “jewellers”! 🧐
Observing the lunula from the Perespa hoard (near Czermno) under a microscope, delicately engraved lines became clearly visible on the artefact’s surface, within which a pattern composed of silver granules was arranged. The lines probably marked the outlines of the planned decoration, and the decoration itself was made in the following manner: the lines marked in a metal plaque were covered with powdered charcoal mixed with gum Arabic (or another similar binder) and a mixed copper compound. Granules were placed on the mixture, and the plaque along with the decoration was heated to around 650 degrees Celsius. 🔥 The heat melted the mixture and caused the granules to adhere to each other and to the lunula’s surface, thus creating the decoration. Voila 🤗
The information, along with a photograph, has been published in:
M. Wołoszyn, I. Florkiewicz, T. Dzieńkowski, S. Sadowski, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, Cherven before Cherven Towns. Some remarks on the history of the Cherven Towns area (eastern Poland) till the end of 10th century, [w:] Á. Bollók, G. Csiky, T. Vida (red.), Zwischen Byzanz und der Steppe. Archäologische und historische Studien: Festschrift für Csanád Bálint / Between Byzantium and the Steppe: Archaeological and Historical Studies in Honour of Csanád Bálint on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Budapest 2016, 691-718. See

The Awars in Czermno?

The Avars in Czermno? 🤔 During the exploration of the rampart in Czermno in 2014, we discovered an openwork belt finial, an artefact of undoubtedly Avar origin. The artefact was made of tin bronze, and had traces of organic matter (hide or fabric) preserved on its surface. There also were two copper rivets attached to the strap-end. Similar artefacts date to 750-780, and are primarily known from Avar cemeteries in Hungary. Does this mean that the rampart in Czermno was built in the 8th century? 🤭 This is rather unlikely. The presence of the belt finial within the rampart more likely stems from the fact that the earth used for its construction originated from nearby ruined settlements, perhaps because no proper building material could be found in the immediate vicinity of the stronghold. Nevertheless, the artefact is indicative of 8th-century occupation, probably somewhere near the Czermno stronghold. Interestingly, Avar artefacts are also known from Gródek and Swaryczew (Lubelskie Province), among other places 🧐
The information, along with a photograph, has been published in:
M. Wołoszyn, I. Florkiewicz, T. Dzieńkowski, S. Sadowski, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, Cherven before Cherven Towns. Some remarks on the history of the Cherven Towns area (eastern Poland) till the end of 10th century, [w:] Á. Bollók, G. Csiky, T. Vida (red.), Zwischen Byzanz und der Steppe. Archäologische und historische Studien: Festschrift für Csanád Bálint / Between Byzantium and the Steppe: Archaeological and Historical Studies in Honour of Csanád Bálint on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Budapest 2016, 691-718. See

“Before and after” – the hoard from 2015

In our “before and after” series (before and after conservation), we present the hoard of silver ornaments (already known from the January card in our calendar 2019 🤩) discovered in 2015 in a trench opened within the rampart of the Czermno stronghold. The excavations conducted in the following year revealed that the hoard was deposited within the pit of a double burial ⚰️😲, with more information available in our paper:
M. Wołoszyn, T. Dzieńkowski, K. Kuźniarska, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, I. Florkiewicz, P. Włodarczak, Dying and Dating. A burial in the rampart of the stronghold in Czermno-Cherven’ and its significance for the chronology of the Cherven’ Towns, [w:] J. Drauschke, E. Kislinger, K. Kühtreiber, T. Kühtreiber, G. Scharrer-Liška, T. Vida (red.), Lebenswelten zwischen Archäologie und Geschichte. Festschrift für Falko Daim zu seinem 65. Geburtstag, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz. Monographien 150, Mainz 2018, 459-480. See 

Double burial from Czermno

Among the many fascinating discoveries made in Czermno was a double burial uncovered within the stronghold’s rampart. First identified in 2015, in was only uncovered in full in the following season. It was precisely there where the hoard of silver ornaments was found, which has already been presented on our page. The burial held the remains of an adult and a child. The adult was buried in a partly contracted position, but… the skull was missing! 😲 The child’s skeleton was found lying in anatomical position, with one leg bent at the knee, and with an iron axe in place of the foot! 😲 These two people were certainly buried at the same time. The adult skeleton proved to have belonged to a male who died aged 40-45 years old. He was around 170 cm tall, and pathological changes observed on the bones are indicative of prolonged physical exertion. It has also become clear by now that the missing skull was due to the man having been beheaded. The child died at the age of 5-6 years, and may have suffered from mild anaemia in its lifetime. We are still waiting for the results of many specialist analyses 🔬, including taphonomic, which can be expected to bring more interesting information on the burial. During the excavations carried out in the 1970s in the area within the rampart, a concentration of human skulls was found in one of the trenches. Could it possibly be a trace of some sort of mass execution? 😲🧐
The information, along with photographs and drawings, has been published in:
M. Wołoszyn, T. Dzieńkowski, K. Kuźniarska, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, I. Florkiewicz, P. Włodarczak, Dying and Dating. A burial in the rampart of the stronghold in Czermno-Cherven’ and its significance for the chronology of the Cherven’ Towns, [w:] J. Drauschke, E. Kislinger, K. Kühtreiber, T. Kühtreiber, G. Scharrer-Liška, T. Vida (red.), Lebenswelten zwischen Archäologie und Geschichte. Festschrift für Falko Daim zu seinem 65. Geburtstag, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz. Monographien 150, Mainz 2018, 459-480. See
and
M. Florek, The history of the archaeological research on the hillfort complex at Czermno in the years 1972-1997 = Historia badań archeologicznych zespołu grodowego w Czermnie w latach 1972-1997, [w:] M. Florek, M. Wołoszyn (red.), The early medieval settlement complex at Czermno in the light of results from past research (up to 2010). Material evidence = Wczesnośredniowieczny zespół osadniczy w Czermnie w świetle wyników badań dawnych (do 2010). Podstawy źródłowe t. I, U Źródeł Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej = Frühzeit Ostmitteleuropas, t. 2, cz. 1, Kraków-Leipzig-Rzeszów-Warszawa 2016, 241-273.

Encolpions from Czermno

Apart from the hoards, the excavations in Czermno also revealed a significant number of devotional items, objects associated with religious cults. Among them, the most spectacular and characteristic are folding crosses, which researchers today often call pectoral crosses or encolpions. They were manufactured so that they contained relics of the cross (crosses-reliquaries). In the 10th century, devotional items were widely worn in the areas belonging to the Byzantine (for simplicity’s sake: Orthodox) civilisation. Thousands of devotional items dated between the 10th-15th centuries have been found in Slavic countries christianised by Constantinople (Bulgaria, Rus’). It is worth emphasising that crosses were worn in the Latin circle as well, although the custom was much less popular there.
Photographs and drawings, as well as a detailed description, have been published in:
I. Florkiewicz, Zabytki z Czerma, pozyskane w trakcie badań 1975-1979, przechowywane w Muzeum Zamojskim w Zamościu. Katalog (załącznik elektroniczny), [w:] M. Florek, M. Wołoszyn (red.), The early medieval settlement complex at Czermno in the light of results from past research (up to 2010). Material evidence = Wczesnośredniowieczny zespół osadniczy w Czermnie w świetle wyników badań dawnych (do 2010). Podstawy źródłowe t. I, U Źródeł Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej = Frühzeit Ostmitteleuropas, t. 2, cz. 1, Kraków–Leipzig–Rzeszów–Warszawa 2016.
Information on encolpions can be found in:
J. Bagińska, M. Piotrowski, M. Wołoszyn, Dewocjonalia – enkolpiony, ikonki i korsunčiki, [w:] J. Bagińska, M. Piotrowski, M. Wołoszyn (red.), Czerwień – gród między Wschodem a Zachodem. Katalog wystawy, Tomaszów Lubelski-Leipzig-Lublin-Rzeszów 2012, 382.

Encolpion 1 – description:
Bronze encolpion (reliquary cross), bipartite (folded), in the form of a Greek cross; the side arms and the top arm terminate in slightly rounded medallions, each separated from the arm by protuberances; the bottom arm has protuberances as well; the encolpion’s outline is emphasised by a raised border, and by notches (in places); the arches of the medallions are partly notched as well; the two parts of the encolpion are linked by hinges; a cotter pin made from wire has survived.
Obverse: the central part features a crucified Christ wearing a broad perizonium decorated with notches; the head is turned to the right; there is a nimbus around the head, and a titulus above it; the feet rest on a suppedaneum adorned with notches; the side and top medallions feature representations of saints, half-length, decorated with notches; the top medallion: Pantocrator or archangel, right: St. Mary; left: St. John.
Reverse: the central part features a representation of St. Mary with a juvenile Christ (Hodogetria); Mary is wearing a dalmatica and her head is turned left, towards Jesus; Mary is wearing on her head a maphorion decorated with notches, which also covers Christ’s back; Mary’s right hand rests on her breast, while the right hand of Christ is raised in a gesture of blessing; the side and top medallions show representations of saints in half-length; top: St. Nicholas (or Christ the Saviour), right: St. Paul (or St. Gregory or St. Demetrios), left: St. Peter (or St. Nicholas).
Inscriptions are evident on both obverse and reverse, but they could not be interpreted.

Encolpion 2 – description:
Bronze encolpion (reliquary cross), bipartite (folded), in the form of a Greek cross; the arms terminate in slightly rounded medallions, each of them separated from the arm by protuberances; the encolpion’s outline is emphasised by a raised border, and by notches (in places); the arches of the medallions are partly notched as well; the two parts of the encolpion are linked by hinges; a cotter pin made from wire and a cuboctahedral pendant have survived.
Obverse: the central part features a crucified Christ in a perizonium extending down to his knees; the head is turned to the right; there is a cruciform nimbus around the head, with a poorly legible titulus above it; beneath Christ’s arms the horizontal beam of the cross is evident; the feet rest on a schematically rendered suppedaneum; the medallions feature representations of saints, half-length; top: St. Nicholas, bottom: St. Gregory, right: St. Mary, left: St. John; the figures of Christ and the saints are accompanied by inverted, illegible or poorly legible, inscriptions; the inscription accompanying Christ reads ХР(ЕС)ТЬ НАМЬ ПОХВАЛА КР(ЕС)ТЬ НАМЬ У(ТЕШЕНИЕ); St. Nicholas is surrounded by the poorly legible inscription НИКОЛ; St. Gregory is probably surrounded by the illegible inscription: АГИ(ОС)ГРИГОР; the figure of Mary has the letter Б; the letters accompanying St. John are illegible, but they most likely form an inscription of И (ИОАН).
Reverse: in the central part, Mother of God is represented en pied; she is wearing a dalmatica and her hands are raised to the height of her chest; a nimbus can be seen around the head; the medallions feature representations of saints, half-length; top: St. Peter, bottom: St. Basil, right: St. Damian, left: St. Cosmas; the figures are accompanied by inverted, illegible or poorly legible, inscriptions; Mother of God is accompanied by an inscription reading С(ВЯ)ТАЯ БОГО(РОДИ)ЏЕ ПОМАГАЙ; St. Peter is surrounded with the inscription: ПЕТРЬ and St. Basil with: ВАСИЛ; the letters by St. Damian are illegible, but they probably form the inscription: ДАМЯН; the letters accompanying St. Cosmas are also illegible, and they probably should be read as: КОЗМА.

Encolpion 3 – description:
Bronze encolpion (reliquary cross), bipartite (folded), in the form of a Greek cross (the surface is badly damaged); the side arms and the top arm terminate in slightly rounded medallions, each of them separated from the arm by protuberances; the bottom arm has protuberances as well; the encolpion’s outline is emphasised by a raised border, and by notches (in places); the arches of the medallions are partly notched as well; the two parts of the encolpion were originally linked by hinges (now damaged).
Obverse: the central part features crucified Christ in a long and broad perizonium, with the head turned to the right; the nimbus and titulus are illegible; a characteristic feature of the representation are large palms which extend into the side medallions; the feet rest on a suppedaneum; the top and side medallions feature representations (badly damaged) of saints, shown in half-length.
Reverse: the central part features a representation of Mother of God, standing with juvenile Christ in her arm (Hodogetria); Mother of God is probably wearing a dalmatica, with her head turned to the left; towards Jesus the top and side medallions feature representations (badly damaged) of saints, shown in half-length.

 

Stone icon from Czermno

Another unique example of a devotional item discovered in Czermno is a small stone icon. It was found during the research carried out in the 1970s in the eastern part of the area enclosed by the stronghold’s ramparts. The icon features a representation of Christ in a nimbus, holding a book of gospel in his left hand and with the right hand raised in a gesture of blessing. There are the letters IC XC on the sides of Christ’s head.
This inconspicuous object is actually a pendant in the form of a flat cuboid, with its thickened outer edge forming a massive frame. Engraved lines are evident at the icon’s side surfaces, probably indicating that the object was once set in a metal frame, which allowed it to be suspended (the stone cuboid has no aperture in it).
There are only a few such artefacts known from Poland (from Gródek and Bełżec), but they are quite commonplace within the borders of the Byzantine Empire. Some general attributes of the Czermno icon, including its rather clumsy execution, allow it to be dated to the 13th century and included into the West Ruthenian group of provincial art.
The analysis 🔬 of materials originating from past research in Czermno included the examination of the icon, among others for the mineral composition of the stone from which it was manufactured. The range of methods applied was limited to those which did not damage the surface and did not require its cleaning.
Photographs, drawings, and a detailed description have been published in:
I. Florkiewicz, Zabytki z Czermna, pozyskane w trakcie badań 1975-1979, przechowywane w Muzeum Zamojskim w Zamościu. Katalog (załącznik elektroniczny), [w:] M. Florek, M. Wołoszyn (red.), The early medieval settlement complex at Czermno in the light of results from past research (up to 2010). Material evidence = Wczesnośredniowieczny zespół osadniczy w Czermnie w świetle wyników badań dawnych (do 2010). Podstawy źródłowe t. I, U Źródeł Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej = Frühzeit Ostmitteleuropas, t. 2, cz. 1, Kraków-Leipzig-Rzeszów-Warszawa 2016.
Information on the icon has been published in:
M. Wołoszyn, I. Florkiewicz, T. Dzieńkowski, S. Sadowski, E. M. Nosek, J. Stępiński, Cherven before Cherven Towns. Some remarks on the history of the Cherven Towns area (eastern Poland) till the end of 10th century, [w:] Á. Bollók, G. Csiky, T. Vida (red.), Zwischen Byzanz und der Steppe. Archäologische und historische Studien: Festschrift für Csanád Bálint / Between Byzantium and the Steppe: Archaeological and Historical Studies in Honour of Csanád Bálint on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Budapest 2016, 691-718. See

Stone icon – description:
The artefact is rectangular in plan, with a raised border with lines engraved on the side surfaces, probably indicative of a metal frame; the icon features a representation of Christ in a nimbus, holding the book of gospel in the left hand and with the right hand raised in a gesture of blessing; the letters IC XC are inscribed on both sides of the head. Jesus is wearing a mantle fastened with a clasp.