DOI: 10.33547/PraceArch.69.12
The Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age metal hoards from the Chełmno land: A new insight into the metalworking capacity of the local bronzesmiths
by Jacek Gackowski 
1, Łukasz Kowalski 1
1 – Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Archaeology, Toruń, Poland
In: M. S. Przybyła, K. Dzięgielewski (eds.), Chasing Bronze Age rainbows. Studies on hoards and related phenomena in prehistoric Europe in honour of Wojciech Blajer, Prace Archeologiczne 69, Kraków: Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University / Profil-Archeo, 2019, pp. 223-242.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the metalworking capacity of the Chełmno group bronzesmiths by having a close look at metal hoards deposited in the area of the Vistula–Drwęca–Osa interfluve in the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (1100–450 BC). Here, it appears plausible that the Chełmno group craftsmen did establish the local metalworking. However, they did not develop their own local style but were rather focused on imitating a foreign metalwork. Notwithstanding that, the Chełmno group bronzesmiths made themselves capable of multiplying metal weapon and tools in shell-moulds and were thoroughly familiar with the lost-wax technique. This opens the possibility that at least part of the metalwork hoarded in the Chełmno land was made on the spot.
Key words: hoards, bronze metalworking, Lusatian culture, Chełmno land