Experts from the Olomouc Archaeological Center recently uncovered a large Celtic cremation burial site dating to the 3rd–2nd centuries BC. Besides this, skeletal graves belonging to the 9th–10th centuries AD were also discovered. The site also included an Early Stone Age settlement of the first farmers, dated around 5,000 BC.
The discovery was made in Dluhonice near Přerov (a city in the Czech Republic) from mid-September to the end of November. The area measured approximately 250 x 15 meters.
The research area is designated for the future construction of a road leading to family houses. The contractor for the project is the city of Přerov, as per a press statement.
Celtic cremation graves and warrior burials uncovered in Dluhonice
The press statement added that a key discovery in Dluhonice is a large necropolis from the Latène cultural period.
According to lead archaeologist Marek Kalábek, “This is an exceptional find, as Celtic graves from other sites are usually skeletal and occur in lower numbers. Here we managed to uncover several dozen cremation graves, which is truly unique.”
Archaeologists also discovered a total of 33 cremation graves, which makes this burial ground one of the most numerous in Central Moravia. However, some parts of the burial site got damaged due to deep plowing in the last century, making it difficult for archaeological intervention.
Additionally, the excavations revealed the grave of a Celtic warrior buried with his iron sword, spear, and belt, indicating his eliteness. “An iron sword with a double-edged edge, used for fighting or defense. On the blade of the sword, we found traces of dents and battering” said trailologist Michael Kamarád.
The other graves, however, were modest, noted the statement. Most of these were small sunken pits “with a circular or rectangular plan with poor equipment in the form of fragments of metal artefacts and ceramics.” It added that the equipment used by the deceased was made of ceramics, bronze, and iron, including a bronze buckle.
It also noted that the Celts would carry out the cremation rituals so effectively that only small fragments of skeletal remains were preserved, a common issue in the analysis of cremation burials. Their bodies were burned at temperatures around 600°C, as per experts.
Slavic graves from the Great Moravian Empire with unique artifacts found
Besides this, archaeologists also discovered Slavic skeletal graves and a double grave from the 9th and 10th centuries. These belong to the period of the Great Moravian Empire. This culture represented deep chamber graves, which the researchers also discovered in Dluhonice. “According to the Christian burial method, the body was placed in the grave with the head facing west, with the lower limbs stretched out and mostly without rich equipment,” noted experts.
One of the most interesting ones among these included the grave of a woman carrying a ceramic vessel, a chisel set, and an iron sickle with a wooden handle. Some of the other graves consisted of little jewelry, iron knives, ceramic vessels, and flint sets.
A grave from the Great Moravian Empire. Courtesy: Olomouc Archaeological Centre
First farmer settlement and over 300 artefacts discovered from the Late Stone Age
The oldest settlement, which numbered over 300 found objects, is associated with the culture of the first farmers living in the younger Stone Age, who are the bearers of the so-called cultures with linear ceramics.
Here, experts discovered floor plans of long houses, storage pits, furnaces, and sunken pits. They used clay from pits as insulation for wooden walls and to build furnace vaults. It also served as raw material for ceramics. Once the pits were no longer needed, they were usually filled with waste. “We discovered numerous ceramics, chipped flint tools, fragments of ground axes, and stone mills for grinding grain,” said Kalábek. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the daily lives of prehistoric people.
Experts added that they examined a total of 51 graves and 300 residential buildings. As of now, they will hand over the discovered objects to the Comenius Museum in Přerov. They also note that the artifacts will help contribute to further research about Moravia.