DOI: 10.33547/terra.fertilis09
Interior: prosperous or deserted? Boldykishcha, Privishcha and cemeteries on the Szczeberka River in the territorial system of early medieval Yatvingia
by Tomasz Nowakiewicz 
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. 137-148.
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Abstract: This paper examines the structure and character of settlement in early medieval Yatvingia, focusing on the so-called “interior” zone traditionally interpreted as sparsely populated or marginal. By combining historical written sources with recent archaeological discoveries—particularly the cemeteries on the Szczeberka River—the study re-evaluates the role of this area within the Yatvingian territorial system.
Historical records describe Yatvingia as a region organized into domains centered on fortified sites, yet they also indicate the existence of a central zone lacking hillforts. Previously seen as empty or underdeveloped, this area is reinterpreted in light of new archaeological evidence as a densely used and economically significant hinterland. Excavations in the Augustów Forest have revealed a complex of richly furnished cremation cemeteries dated to the 11th–13th centuries, characterized by abundant grave goods, including weapons, ornaments, and equestrian equipment, reflecting a high level of wealth and social stratification.
The material culture documented at these sites suggests strong interregional connections, a well-developed warrior elite, and intensive economic activity. At the same time, historical accounts of large, fortified villages such as Privishcha and Boldykishcha indicate that important political and military functions were located outside traditional hillfort centers.
The study argues that the Yatvingian settlement system was more complex than previously assumed, with the interior functioning as a prosperous, strategically important zone shared by multiple domains rather than an empty periphery. This reinterpretation challenges conventional models that equate political and economic significance with fortified sites and highlights the importance of non-fortified landscapes in understanding early medieval socio-economic organization.