Pochówki końskie w kulturze zachodnich Bałtów – próba wyjaśnienia genezy oraz związków z wierzeniami w okresie od II do XII w. n.e.

Abstrakt

Horse burials occurring in the culture of western Balts are undoubtedly a phenomenon; both separate burials of horses not connected directly with human remains as well as independent deposits of horse tack elements in human graves are known. Burial pits with horse burials were considerably richer in terms of accessories than human graves. Animal remains were found not only in the graves of males but also in graves of females and children. A tendency to bury horses in whole was visible, often in positions evidently suggesting a sudden death. In relation to scarce weaponry found within the objects, the stereotype of mounted warrior becomes rather questionable. The territorial range of studies covered the area of podlaskie and mazursko-warmińskie voivodeships; the oldest stations were dated to the turn of the 2nd and 3rd century AD and the latest to the 12th century AD.