Published: 2025-09-30

The spear and the banner — a pair known, as yet unseen. Spearhead with fabric remains from Nowy Chorów (Słupsk County)

Joanna Słomska-Bolonek , Sławomir Wadyl
Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej
Section: Communiques
DOI https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM73.2025.2.005

Abstract

During the excavation of the barrow cemetery in Nowy Chorów, Pomerania province, in a grave dating back to the 11th century, a spearhead with remnants of fabrics was
found. Their technological and raw material analysis made it possible to distinguish the two fabrics. Both were made in plain weave, probably from sheep’s wool. Both were woven in an unconventional way. The first (delicate) fabric is perhaps a remnant of the scarf used to cover the head of the deceased. The second of the products — definitely thicker, with decorations, is probably a remnant of a combat sign — a banner or pennant. The widespread use of banners in the Middle Ages is confirmed by iconographic representations, but their archaeological discoveries are unknown. The authors suggest that a representative of the local elite was buried in the grave.

Keywords:

Early Middle Ages, Pomerania, Orzeszkowo-type kurgans, spearhead, textile, shaft

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Citation rules

Słomska-Bolonek, J., & Wadyl, S. (2025). The spear and the banner — a pair known, as yet unseen. Spearhead with fabric remains from Nowy Chorów (Słupsk County). Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej, 73(2), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM73.2025.2.005

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