- Author:
Marcin Danielewski
- E-mail:
md24947@amu.edu.pl
- Institution:
UAM
- ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3897-2617
- Author:
Jacek Wrzesiński
- E-mail:
jaled@wp.pl
- Institution:
emerytowany pracownik Muzeum Pierwszych Piastów na Lednicy
- ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1255-6295
- Year of publication:
2024
- Source:
Show
- Pages:
13-42
- DOI Address:
https://doi.org/10.15804/hso240401
- PDF:
hso/43/hso4301.pdf
- License:
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the CreativeCommons Attribution license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
The use of the horse at the early medieval stronghold of Grzybowo in the light of archaeological sources
The stronghold in Grzybowo is one of the most important early Piast settlements with its origins dating back to 919–923. The construction of a powerful castle by the Piasts remains an object of consideration, given that they already used large strongholds in Giecz, Poznań, and Ostrów Lednicki in the centre of their domain. Grzybowo complemented these four sites, and soon (10th century) Gniezno followed suit. Perhaps the intention was to emphasise their dominion over the area, at the same time allocating specific strongholds to the family members to give them a sense of power. Among the numerous cultural materials recovered during the archaeological excavations are objects connected with the use of horses. Their skeletal remains have been separated in the archaeological material. In the early Middle Ages, the horse played an important military as well as cultural role. Historical sources suggest a significant role played by horses when travelling, in combat, and as the owner’s status symbol. The withers height of the Grzybowo horses suggests that they could have been high thus suitable for riding. The use of horses by the residents of the stronghold and the nearby settlements is supported by pieces of equestrian equipment, including fragments of horseshoes, and elements of bridles made of iron or antlers.
koń
horse
gród
Grzybowo
Early Middle Ages
wczesne średniowiecze
stronghold
gospodarka
economy
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