DOI: 10.33547/terra.fertilis05
From advantageous outlands to historical borderland: The Kraków-Częstochowa Upland in the Late Prehistoric and Early Medieval Times
by Michał Wojenka 
in Terra fertilis, terra deserta. Exploitation of marginal zones, edited by M. J. Przybyła, J. Rodzińska-Nowak and M. Wojenka, Neue Studien zur Sachsenforschung 15, Braunschweig – Kraków: Braunschweigische Landesmuseum, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Profil-Archeo, pp. 65-91.
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Abstract: This paper examines the Kraków–Częstochowa Upland in southern Poland as a case study of a marginal zone whose role and significance changed over time from prehistory to the Early Middle Ages. The study explores whether this karstic region functioned as a terra deserta—a sparsely inhabited area—or as a terra fertilis supporting sustained human activity, by analysing settlement patterns, environmental conditions, and economic practices across multiple chronological periods.
The upland’s distinctive natural environment, including its limestone geology, limited surface water, varied soils, and fragmented terrain, significantly influenced human settlement and land use. While fertile loess areas in the southern part provided favourable conditions for agriculture, large portions of the region remained less suitable for permanent habitation, especially in earlier periods.
Archaeological evidence shows that during the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods, human activity was concentrated mainly in the southern upland and often associated with flint exploitation and cave use, rather than dense permanent settlement. In later periods, particularly during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, the region experienced a notable increase in stable settlement, especially with the expansion of Lusatian culture communities. However, this development was not continuous, and phases of depopulation or limited use alternated with periods of more intensive occupation.
During the Roman and Migration periods, settlement again concentrated along the margins of the upland, while the interior remained sparsely inhabited and often used for specialized or temporary activities, including ritual practices and refuge. The evidence suggests that the upland functioned as a dynamic borderland rather than a permanently settled core region.
In conclusion, the Kraków–Częstochowa Upland cannot be defined solely as either a marginal or fertile zone. Instead, its role fluctuated over time, shaped by environmental constraints, cultural developments, and broader socio-economic processes. The study highlights the importance of marginal landscapes in understanding long-term settlement dynamics in Central Europe.