In a recent archaeological discovery, researchers uncovered human remains dating back around 1,000 years in the village of Borkowo, Poland. The burial site, located near the ruins of a fortified medieval settlement, is providing new insights into the early Christian period in the region.
These remains, found in what appears to be a cemetery, are believed to represent some of the first Christians in Poland. The discovery is crucial for understanding the significant cultural shift that occurred during the period when paganism was giving way to Christianity in the country.
The First Christians: A New Chapter in Poland’s Religious History
The remains found in Borkowo date to a period when many Poles were converting from paganism to Christianity, around the time of Mieszko I’s reign (960–992). These individuals, buried with various personal belongings, are regarded by researchers as part of the first Christian generation in Poland.
Part of a skeleton the team discovered. Ongoing research aims to find out more about who these people are. (Image credit: Katarzyna Alagierska)Justyna Marchewka-Długońska, a member of the excavation team, explains,
We view these people as representatives of the ‘first Christians’ in these lands.
This transition period was marked by the adoption of Christianity by Poland’s ruling elite, but it was not always an immediate shift in cultural practices.
Despite this religious change, the burial practices discovered suggest that elements of pagan traditions were still observed. Early Christians in Poland sometimes continued to be buried with grave goods—items such as arrowheads, battle axes, knife blades, rings, and carnelian beads (a reddish semi-precious stone). These objects were often associated with pagan funerary rituals, raising questions about the gradual blending of old and new beliefs in the region.
Burial Practices and the Significance of Grave Goods
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Borkowo discovery is the mix of Christian and pagan burial practices. The presence of grave goods such as battle axes, rings, knives, and carnelian beads suggests that, although the first Christians were adopting Christianity, they were not yet fully abandoning their pagan customs, according to Live Science.
This provides a fascinating insight into the slow and complex process of Christianization in medieval Poland. Early Christian burials typically involved fewer personal items, focusing instead on spiritual preparations for the afterlife. In contrast, these burials show that material culture remained significant for some time, even among the first Christian communities in the region.
The mix of Christian and pagan elements in these graves points to a transitional phase where religious practices were in flux. The carnelian beads, for instance, were often seen in pagan burials, used as amulets or ornaments. Their inclusion in the graves of these early Christians suggests a cultural blending, where Christian rituals were integrated with older, more familiar customs.
Analyzing the Skeletons: Trauma, Connections, and Further Research
While the first Christians buried at Borkowo lived during the same period as Mieszko I, the exact relationship between these individuals and the duke remains unclear. Researchers caution against the claim that these people were specifically linked to Mieszko I’s reign.
While some have suggested that these burials might represent warriors who served under Mieszko, Justyna Marchewka-Długońska clarifies,
Historically, we do not yet know whether we can discuss any connections at all.
For now, these individuals are viewed as part of the broader movement of first Christians rather than being directly connected to the royal court.
One of the skeletons found in the cemetery in Poland. (Image credit: Katarzyna Alagierska)One of the most revealing aspects of the burial site is the trauma evident in one of the skeletons. Preliminary observations before cleaning revealed traces of healed rib fractures on the right side of the body, which may indicate a violent or physically demanding life.
Justyna Marchewka-Długońska explains,
Preliminary observations, made before cleaning, revealed traces of healed rib fractures
on one of the bodies. This trauma provides a rare glimpse into the hardships these early Christians faced. Whether this injury was related to military service or another form of labor-intensive activity remains uncertain, but it highlights the challenges experienced by these individuals.
The skeletons are currently being studied in more detail, with anthropological analysis expected to yield further insights into their lives. Justyna Marchewka-Długońska stated,
For now, the skeletons have been collected and are awaiting anthropological analysis.
The research team hopes that this analysis will help identify the individuals more clearly and further elucidate the complex process of Christianization in Poland.