Bronze hoards

In 2006–2007, a new hoard of bronze objects was discovered with the help of a metal detector. This
collection, consisting of 6 pieces of bronze industry, can be dated to the Velim-Chrast/Kosmonosy
horizons. Although the discovery was made in the cadastral area of Chrudim, it is geographically
closer to Rabštejnská Lhota.

A metalwork hoard dated to the Wilburton phase of the later Bronze Age, found at Barway close to the Isle of Ely in the Cambridgeshire Fens, is reported. Consideration of the hoard, in the context of later prehistoric hoarding in the local landscape, reveals that particular sorts of artefacts were associated with particular places in the landscape. In particular a strong association between later Bronze Age hoards and causeways connecting the Isle of Ely to the outside world is identified, and an interpretation suggested. This study demonstrates the potential of a detailed contextual approach for providing a more nuanced understanding of later Bronze Age metalwork deposition that moves away from a simplistic wet-dry dichotomy.

Abstract

This thesis examines metalwork deposition, distribution and association in the British Early Iron Age (800-600BC) through the medium of the socketed axe. Out of 1412 known Early Iron Age axes, 954 specimens were analysed in detail for this thesis: 680 associated finds and 274 single finds. The methodology was governed by two main objectives: firstly, to propose a reworked and more comprehensive typology of Early Iron Age cast copper-alloy and wrought iron socketed axes in conjunction with their metallurgy, distribution and deposition, and secondly, to discuss their place within Early Iron Age society and what part they may have played in the people’s life, work, trade and exchange, ritual and death. As a result, this thesis introduces, defines and discusses 12 new types of transitional and Early Iron Age socketed axes. While the transitional type can be dated to the Late Bronze Age-Early Iron Age transition (c. 850-750BC), the remaining 11 types can be dated to the fully developed Early Iron Age (800-600BC). The 11 types of bronze Early Iron Age socketed axes display a great variety of decoration, shape, size, weight and colour. While Late Bronze Age axes are plain or simply ribbed, almost all Early Iron Age socketed axes are decorated with ribs-and-pellets, ribs-and-circlets or a more elaborate version thereof. Some axe have a shiny silver surface colour (Portland, Blandford, East Rudham and Hindon types). More than three quarters of Early Iron Age socketed axes were found in association with other metalwork. These hoards can be divided into two main groups: axe hoards and mixed hoards.

The eight geographical regions outlined in this thesis are defined by different contexts, associations and the predominance of different Early Iron Age axe types, and in terms of depositional contexts this research suggests that the depositional contexts of Early Iron Age hoards containing socketed axes was different from the deposition of single finds: while hoards were often found in retrievable places, single finds were not. The survival of a large number of complete and almost undamaged bronze axes suggests that in the British Early Iron Age socketed axes were not just commonplace tools that were in use until they reached the end of their life. The changes in looks and shape, and consequently the adaption of a new and improved typology of socketed axes in the British Early Iron Age were accompanied by a change in conceptualisation and the overall meaning of socketed axes.

Even when used in a different context their basic, very recognisable socketed-axe-shape was always maintained, that is a wedge of different dimensions with a socket and a small side loop for suspension or possible attachment of other items of metalwork. Throughout British prehistory axes were one of the most familiar objects in daily use: as a tool, socketed axes were omnipresent and thus an established part of British Late Bronze Age life – a life that appeared to be foremost practical rather than ritual, with the majority of Late Bronze Age socketed axes showing clear signs of use and resharpening. In the Early Iron Age socketed axes adopted a previously unseen duality in function and meaning (that is materialistic and symbolic). Thus, while Late Bronze Age axe may have been regarded as common woodworking tool, types of Early Iron Age axes were understood as ingots, weapons, or objects needed for certain displays or performances, with their unique ornaments communicating their role in both display and society as well as perhaps their users regional identity and status.

A Kárpát­medence területén a rómaiak megjelenése előtt a Krisztus előtti 14. és 10. század között élt késő bronzkori emberek hagyták hátra a legtöbb és legváltozatosabb emlékanyagot. Ők voltak azok is, akik halom­ sírjaikkal és monumentális földváraikkal addig soha nem látott mértékben formálták át a táj arculatát, fel­ töretlen földeket hódítottak meg és új települések tucatjait alapították az erdővel borított hegységek mélyén. Leglátványosabb tárgyi emlékeik azok a különleges bronz­ és aranytárgyakat tartalmazó kincsek, melyek földbe kerülésének és elrejtésének titokzatos okairól több mint egy évszázada folyik a tudományos vita. Mára bizonyossá vált, hogy az értékes fegyvereket, ékszereket és munka eszközöket tartalmazó együtteseket meghatározott szabályok szerint válogatták össze. A kincsek sokféle emléket őriznek: vannak köztük olyan tárgyak, amelyek távoli földekre tett utazásokról, látványos szertartásokról, pazar lakomákról tudósítanak, mások a mindennapok munkáit vagy éppen véres harcokat idéznek. Elrejtésük szokása kizárólag a Krisztus előtti második évezred bronzkori Európá jában előforduló jelenség, hasonlóra nem ismerünk példát a törté­ nelem folyamán sem kontinensünkön, sem azon kívül. A kötet szerzője egy egyetemi kutatási program ke­ retében fémkereső műszeres csapatával másfél évtizede járja Magyarország bronzkori lelőhelyeit azzal a céllal, hogy minél többet felderítsen és megmentsen a még föld alatt rejtőző bronzkori kincsekből. Ebben a könyv­ ben az így felfedezett leletek segítségével mesél a korról, a tárgyak elrejtőiről és a kincsek földbe kerülésének lehetséges történetéről.

This paper analyzes the use of small ingots and scrap metal as understood in light of their archaeological context and viewed in the framework of exchange systems in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550-1200 BCE). It presents an overview of the development of forms of payment which emerged in the Levant during the Late Bronze Age and surveys the patterns of exchange used by important centers (such as Egypt, Mitanni, Babylon, Assyria, and Hatti), enclaves (such as Ugarit and Alashiya), and the dependent peripheral societies (such as Syria and Palestine). As is demonstrated, the developmental logic of these systems changed over time as new techniques of exchange emerged, but there are also broad continuities over millennia. During the 15th century BCE in Egypt, ingots are generally listed as "tribute" from foreign countries (peripheries, enclaves, and centers), although they may instead have been commodities used in "trade" or "gift-exchange" networks involving great kings and elites. At the end of 14th century BCE, the evidence provided by submarine archaeology suggests the coexistence of royal deliveries of metals and prestige goods from palaces (such as Uluburun) and small enterprises by independent merchants (such as Cape Gelidonya). Shipwreck sites are important for studying trade in the Late Bronze Age Mediterranean, because these ships (such as Uluburun) carried items from at least eight ancient cultures: Nubian, Egyptian, Canaanite, Kassite, Assyrian, Cypriot, Mycenaean, and Eastern European. Royal traders could have mixed both state and private transactions as well as executing these on both ceremonial and profit-motivated bases. Merchants (such as those from Cape Gelidonya ship) were prepared to trade in almost any Eastern Mediterranean port. The textual and archaeological evidence indicates that the changes underwent by the systems and means of exchange extended to all of the Eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Late Bronze Age. The royal merchants, who exchanged metals in talent-sized bulk, were slowly displaced by independent merchants, who exchanged small scraps of metal for other goods and increased their profits through the accumulation of metals. Although recycling was not a new practice, it became much more widespread. The written evidence reflects a clash between a price-based system and an older, state-run and tribute-based one. Written sources and archaeological finds indicate the modes of carrying and storage by merchants or wealthy individuals of "scrap metals" in vessels and sacks, indicating a new price-based system. The archaeological finds reveal that small copper, silver, gold, and bronze ingots and metal objects were frequently broken up into small pieces and packed into sealed bags or stored in jars for exchange in the Levant. The ingot fragments were used as "small change" during metal-weighing transactions. Small amounts of scrap were carried with merchants to pay traveling expenses and supplies. Scrap metal became a reasonable commodity for independent merchants from at least ca. 1350–1300 BCE.

The book takes up the question of the relationship between hoards of metal goods (deposits, collective finds) and a settlement network. Applying a novel research approach, the study covers cultural phenomena along the south Baltic coast and lakelands (Pomerania and north part of Greater Poland). This area was selected because of the state of research, cultural situation and special landscape characteristics. The phenomena are associated with the communities that shared similar economic and social systems and represented the Lusatian and Pomeranian Cultures (Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age).

This monograph is made up of an introduction, three chapters and conclusion. The catalogues and illustrations (maps used for research of settlements and figures presenting bronze and iron artefacts) that constitute an integral part of this work can be found in other files.

The first discusses theoretical questions that underpin further interpretations. The second analyzes the relationships between the composition of metal goods deposits and the topography of deposit sites, as well as the special nature of their relationships to the settlement network. The analyses make use of settlement geography methods and statistical tools. The third presents a model explaining the functions of collective finds, reasons for their deposition and the principles of selecting deposition sites. It shows that they were intentionally located along the borders of the known (settled) area and emphasizes their significance for the cultural landscape. The relationship between the symbolism of metal and a border is stressed.

A Bronze Age hoard was discovered in the West of Norfolk on the Fen Edge in 1992, and was excavated in subsequent years.  The hoard consists of 13 complete or fragmentary bronze objects, one stone, one complete bun ingot and 41 ingot fragments, and dates from the Late Bronze Age.  It is unusual in that it contains a complete ingot, the first from Norfolk.

Hoards of metal objects from the Bronze and Early Iron Ages (over a 1 000 known in Poland) are distinguished as one of the most enigmatic categories of archaeological finds. Systematic investigations conducted on these assemblages in recent decades present a good reference point for broadening the field of their analysis.
This affords the opportunity to apply a new methodology and consequently focus on a broader range of research issues such as the relationship between hoard deposit loci and local settlement networks, invasive and non-invasive investigations in their deposit locus, archaeometallurgical analysis, microscopic analysis of use-wear of goods constituting these assemblages.
Research therefore of this nature can broaden our knowledge on the specificity of hoard deposit loci in the cultural landscape of various regions, microhistory of such finds, specific means of utilising metal objects, their biography, nature of the phenomenon of metal object fragmentation and many other related issues. All of the aforesaid ought to lead to a better understanding of this phenomenon and consequently the culture of communities in prehistory when the deposition of metal objects in the ground and water was commonplace.
The research potential of such a methodology is illustrated by archaeological investigations conducted in recent years, among others, in Kozow/Witaszkowo, Nętno, Gdynia-Karwiny or Rosko as well as projects realised in other parts of Europe. Coming to such an understanding would appear to be very important on account of the dramatic rise in the numbers of finds, which as a rule do not bring a greater range of information than that known from the turn of the 20th century.

Katalog depozytów przedmiotów metalowych -zawiera wszystkie pewne i domniemane gromadne znaleziska metali znane z Pobrzeża i Pojezierzy Południowobałtyckich, datowane na okres analizowany w prezentowanej pracy -późną epokę brązu i wczesną epokę żelaza (por. Wstęp, Zakres pracy; ryc. 1-2; mapa 1). Decyzję dotyczącą uwzględnienia w niniejszej rozprawie konkretnych depozytów z okresu krystalizowania się nowego, "łużyckiego" systemu kulturowego podjęto na podstawie analizy pracy W. Blajera (1999). Pominąłem znaleziska gromadne, których nie można przypisać do konkretnej miejscowości (lokalizowane w ramach powiatu, województwa lub regionu). Tabelarycznie przedstawiony katalog zawiera następujące informacje i skróty:

-THE BRONZE AGE VILLAGE AT ERBE BIANCHE (CAMPOBELLO DI MAZARA, TRAPANI). - The Erbe Bianche village is located on a limestone platform near Campobello di Mazara (West Sicily). Excavated in the 90’s the site includes a cult open area, an oven and four elliptical huts derived from natural caves and located around a circular dwelling, this one borded by postholes. From this site comes one of the most ancient Sicilian bronze objects hoards and a pair of Ae gean vases fragments (at least one of these is a LH III B2 three handled jar). The local  vases  date  the  village from  the  end  of  the middle Bronze  age  to  the  late Bronze age. They linked to a partially original Thapsos-Milazzese western facies.

Ely, Cambridgeshire, is known to tourists as an incredible city steeped in myth and legend and dominated by the Norman Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. There have been many popular books written about the Isle, but in 'Ely: A Hidden History' the approach is to look at the longue duree of life on the isle focusing on continuity and change in cultural practices.  The work combines the latest archaeological discoveries to tell the story of the settlement of the Isle from its earliest beginnings through to the seventeenth century. With vivid illustrations, the authors trace the origins of life in Ely, and bring the most recent archaeological excavations alive.

Topics covered include: the geological origins of the Isle of Ely, the first prehistoric settlement, including important archaeological sites at Haddenham, Wilburton and Barway. The foundation of the monastic centre by St Etheldreda, and the archaeological evidence for the Anglo Saxon foundations of the city, together with current thoughts on the site of St Etheldreda's first settlement. The story of Hereward the Wake, and his resistance against the Norman invaders. The Norman foundation of the cathedral and castle.

Key features of the book are discussion and synthesis of the latest research on the nationally important later Bronze Age hoard from Wilburton, and the Iron Age bog body from Soham, which highlight the importance of the Isle of Ely to British archaeology. The findings from Channel 4’s Time Team excavation of the medieval Broad Street are included, with illustrations, as are the stories of Hereward the Wake. Richly illustrated and extensively researched, this is a fascinating look at the early history of an amazing city.

Bywa, że miejsca zyskują znaczenie dzięki przypadkowym wydarzeniom, jednak częściej ich postrzeganie wynika z celowego
działania. Ta refleksja wysnuta z obserwacji społeczności z różnych części globu jest także ważna w badaniach nad pradziejami.
Analizy mające na celu poznanie zachowań przestrzennych człowieka koncentrują się na różnych kategoriach znalezisk, w ostatnich
latach również na skarbach przedmiotów metalowych. Ich enigmatyczność prowokuje do wykorzystania do interpretacji możliwie
szerokiej gamy przesłanek, choć specyficzne okoliczności okrycia większości z nich uniemożliwiają wyjście poza formalny opis artefaktów.
Odkryty na początku XX wieku i datowany na HaB1 skarb z Kowalewka pozwala lepiej zrozumieć charakter miejsc wybieranych,
aby złożyć przedmioty metalowe, a intensywne osadnictwo w rejonie zlewni dolnego biegu Samicy Kierskiej umożliwia
przedstawienie aktu jego depozycji na tle dynamicznie zarysowanych procesów osadniczych.

It happens that places gains importance due to contingent events. However, the way they are perceived is predominantly a consequence
of an intentional activity. This conclusion, which has been drawn from the observations of communities coming from different
parts of the globe, is also essential as far as the studies of prehistory are concerned. The analyses aimed at comprehending of
the human behaviour in his surrounding are focused on various categories of findings, and within the last few years they have been
concentrated on hoards. They are so enigmatic that one can implement many premises to interpret their usage. Nevertheless, the
specific circumstances of finding of the majority of them preclude more than only a standard description of the artefacts. Kowalewko
hoard which was found at the beginning of the 20th century and dated back to HaB1 allows to comprehend better the character
of places which were chosen in order to deposit metal objects. The intense settlement in the catchment area of lower reaches of the
Samica Kierska river enables to introduce this deposit against the background of dynamic settlement processes.

"Der vorliegende Beitrag behandelt die archäologische Erforschung, die vom Institut für Archäologie (Universität Pilsen) in der Umgebung einer markanten Formation in der Lokalität „Na Špičáku“, Katastralgebiet Hroznětín, Bezirk Karlsbad betrieben wurden. Anlass zu dieser archäologischen Erforschung (Erkundung) war der Fund von 3 prähistorischen bronzenen Artefakten (2 Sicheln und 1 Axt), die im Rahmen einer illegalen Prospektion mittels Metallsonden entdeckt und freigelegt wurden. Das Projekt dieser Revisions- bzw. Rettungsforschung respektiert die Bemühungen von KAR um die gründliche Erarbeitung von Forschungsmethoden mithilfe von Metallsonden (Metalldetektoren) in Kombination mit weiteren Methoden der Terrainforschung (in diesem Falle pedologische und archäologische Sondierung).
Die Terrainerhebung, an deren Rand sich eine ungewöhnliche, einem Menhir nicht unähnliche Felsformation erhebt, wurde detailliert geodätisch vermessen und als 3D-Modell digitalisiert. Der Charakter der überlagernden Schichten und Erosionsprozesse dieser Terrainerhebung wurde anhand einer systematischen pedologischen Sondierung geprüft. Die nähere und weitere Umgebung dieser Felsformation wurde einer näheren Untersuchung mittels eines Metalldetektors unterzogen, um den Charakter und die Verteilung von Metallartefakten auf der in der Vergangenheit durch illegale Ausgrabungen beschädigten Fläche festzustellen. Außer 40 neuzeitlichen und rezenten Artefakten oder deren Fragmenten wurde auf der geprüften Fläche keine weiteren Artefakte urzeitlichen Alters festgestellt. Im Fundareal der 3 urzeitlichen Bronzeartefakten (die in die jüngeren Bronzezeit datiert wurden), wurde in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft des Felsens in südwestlicher Richtung eine kleinere archäologische Sondierung durchgeführt. Der Sinn und Zweck dieser Sondierung bestand in der Überprüfung und entsprechenden Dokumentierung der Fundumstände dieser Artefakte, deren gegenseitige räumliche Nähe Anlass zur Hypothese gaben, dass es sich um eine gemeinsame Ablagerung im Rahmen eines Depots handelt. Außer Kohlefragmenten (Quercus) und Bergkristallartefakten (mit Spuren des Feuerschlagens) enthielt diese Sonde keine weitere archäologischen Funde. Sehr interessant war jedoch die aufgedeckte Ansammlung größerer Steine in der nordöstlichen Ecke der Sonde (Fundort des Bergkristalls), die bei der Ablagerung der Bronzeartefakte eine Rolle gespielt haben mag. Obwohl der Prüfung stratigrafischer und erosiver Prozesse am Fundort der Bronzeartefakte größtmögliche Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet wurde, lassen sie sich nicht zuverlässig als Teil eines vorsätzlich angelegten Depots interpretieren.
Aufgrund der präsentierten Forschung in der Frage der Denkmalpflege und des Schutzes archäologischen Erbes nehmen wir an, dass allein eine durcharbeitete Methodik und rechtzeitig eingeleitete präventive und systematische Erforschung zum aktiven Schutz bedrohter Denkmale vor illegalen, mit Metalldetektoren ausgerüsteten Schatzsuchern führt."

Tomando como referência espacial a região da Alta Estremadura, mas não se circunscrevendo a ela no seu limite setentrional, i.e. com incursões no sul da Beira Litoral, analisa-se neste texto o fenómeno das deposições metálicas (cobre/bronze e ouro) da Idade do Bronze na óptica da sua articulação com o espaço e, simultaneamente, de criação de lugares com significado. São diversos os testemunhos conhecidos, resultantes maioritariamente de achados antigos, mas parcos os estudos de síntese. Aquele potencial informativo é, pelas condições em que nos chegou (efectuados de forma casuística, com desconhecimento dos respectivos contextos e sem controlo de registo de índole científica), bastante redutor, desde logo na própria identificação. Ainda assim, é possível explorá-lo, seja na caracterização intrínseca das diversas materialidades conhecidas, seja na percepção do potencial metafórico que evocam (pela forma, pela função, pela condição física, pela cor, etc.), seja ainda na sua conecção, física e simbólica, com os sítios, os lugares e os territórios envolventes, numa abordagem que se pretende globalizante, mas que se sabe não poder ser totalitária.

Hoards make one of the most mysterious categories of archaeological finds known from the Bronze Age and the Early
Iron Age. Doubts concerning their function should encourage researchers to use as wide information range as possible
for understanding this phenomenon. However, there are still few scientific works considering their relationships with the
settlement network or the cultural landscape. The presented text focuses on grasping regularities in location of spots of
collecting articles made of bronze and iron, based on the results of studies over metal deposits from the Late (Urnfield
culture) Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age from the South Baltic Coastland and Lake Districts.

In this article we publish a newly discovered hoard of bronze items from the territory of Moldova, accidentally found in the outskirts of the Brănești village (Orhei County). This hoard is of special interest, because it contains some types of items which until now were not known on the territories west from Nistru River. Also, a remarkable feature is the structure of the hoard which could point towards the votive character of its deposition.

In 2016, a deposit consisting of a leaf-shaped bow fibula of the Křenůvky-Domaniža type and five spiral shaped jewellery items were found on the land of Moravská Třebová (Svitavy district, Pardubice region, Czech republic) using a metal detector. The fibula dates the deposit to HB1. The location of the deposit in morphologically striking site is relatively characteristic feature of the deposit act in the northern part of the Boskovice furrow.

A hoard of bronze artifacts dated at the end of Bronze Age (period V of the Bronze Age - ca. 950-800/750 BC fig. 7) was found in Stołężyn, Wapno commune, at the beginning of the 20th century. According to archival records it took place in a forest in Stołężyn village in “a large stone heap”. The witnesses' account written down in 1915 provides that the abovementioned heap was levelled, whereas the stones were used while building a road. However, there is no precise information concerning location of this place (fig. 4). The report, which indicates that the metal artefacts were deposited in a monumental construction, is very interesting, particularly as far as findings from Rosko, Wieleń commune and Kaliszanki, Wągrowiec commune are concerned. These hoards were also deposited in constructions with stone elements (fig. 2-3). This mode of deposit of metal objects call a question into an interpretation repeated in archaeological literature indicating the fact of randomness of deposit of metal objects sets in the Bronze Age.

The construction connected with the hoard from Rosko, Wieleń commune remained unimpaired until the 1930s, mainly due to the fact that just then the forest growing on this area was cleared. It was excavated at the beginning of the 21st century (fig. 2). The construction related to the Kaliszanki hoard, Wągrowiec commune is still an integral component of the landscape, whose character (Rosko type or mound type construction) still needs verification (fig. 3). This situation is similar to a deposit place of Stołężyn hoard, therefore the determining of its location is of great significance. 

The location of the relicts of the mentioned construction seems to be more complex. In this case, the very record, that it was located in a forest, together with all available cartographical sources allow to determine a probable area of the hoard deposit. At the beginning of the 20th century there is only one forestal complex in the proximity of Stołężyn village (fig. 6). Bearing in mind that location is known only in cases of about 20 % of deposits of metal objects, such general information is already of scientific value. Nevertheless, in order to determine character of the described construction, it is necessary to show its exact location. The abovementioned information about levelling the stone construction may imply that it might be impossible to determine that place. On the other hand, the awareness of the diverse character of forest management in relation to agricultural one allows to hope that certain remains of the stone construction will still be possible to find. Taking it into consideration, the numeric terrain models basic analysis created on the basis of laser scanning does not seem to be the right method to provide unambiguous indications.

Considering the specific nature of the Stołężyn hoard (the history of its discovery, scientific potential as well as the character of its deposit zone) field work was undertaken in autumn 2017, in order to show its location. It was assumed that the most effective method would be forest penetration (with a group of archeology students) in search of any larger stone clusters (eg. fig. 9-10) along with verification of these places by means of a metal detector (eg. fig. 11-13), hoping to indicate minor bronze objects which were omitted by stray finders at the beginning of 20th century. From the very beginning it was assumed that these sorts of „field survey” would be associated with a number of difficulties such as navigating in forest and documenting the studied areas; vegetation state and attempts to set the most proper period to conduct these research; accessibility of some forest areas e.g. coppices, forestal community with rich undergrowth.

What have we found and what has it learned us?

Navigating in a forest was our major problem. Students who were at the end of a line were carring a GPS navigation device, so that we could identify a research area (fig. 8 - yellow marked). It is so clear only after research. The research focused on finding single spot, so they should include all area. We have located several stone clusters, the most of them on field and forest balks and a few very modern rubbish (eg. soda or beer cans). In one place we have found early modern period artifacts (iron part of wheel hub – fig. 11; iron hoof pad – fig. 12 and copper alloy ring – fig. 13). Survey covered only a part of The Stołężyński Forest. All in all we have  not found Bronze Age hoard deposition place, and we learned that field (forest rather) walking is not so easy. Although having this experience in mind I can surelly say that it was worth of the  effort and I am going to continue the search of a deposit place of the Stołężyn Hoard.

Izvleček Regionalni muzej v Doboju hrani z ledine Krčevina iz Paležnice Donje depo 64 bronastih predmetov v skupni teži 7115 g. Sestavljajo ga napadalno orožje (sulična ost, bodalo, sekira), orodje (srpi) in odlomki ingotov, med katerimi izstopa robni del ingota oxhide. S svojo sestavo se depo navezuje na panonsko-karpatski žarnogrobiščnodobni delavniški krog, časovno pa se uvršča v stopnjo Ha A1 oz. v drugo stopnjo žarnogrobiščnodobnih depojev Bosne in Hercegovine po kronologiji Petra Königa. Ključne besede: Bosna in Hercegovina, bronasta doba, kultura žarnih grobišč, Ha A1, depo, okrašene sulične osti, bodala, tulaste sekire, gumbasti srpi, jezičastoročajni srpi, ingoti oxhide, planokonveksni ingoti Abstract The Regional Museum in Doboj contains a hoard from Krčevina meadow at Paležnica Donja consisting of 64 bronze objects with a total weight of 7115 g. It consists of offensive weapons (spearhead, dagger, axe), tools (sickles), and fragments of ingots, including the edge section of an oxhide ingot. In terms of its composition, the hoard is related to the Pannonian-Carpathian Urnfield Culture workshop circle, and is placed chronologically in the Ha A1 phase or the second phase of the Urnfield period hoards of Bosnia and Herzegovina according to the chronology of Peter König.

In different cultures the world is described by a variety of signs and  symbols. Equally important as reading their meaning is an attempt to describe the relationships between them. Often seemingly unrelated elements of culture are linked by relations on a symbolic level. Research on the relationship between hoards (late Bronze Age and early Iron Age) and local settlement networks indicate such a symbolic connection between border and metal. Understanding these relationships is possible mainly thanks to empirical research yet it would not be possible without analysing the perception of borders and metal, as well as phenomena such as territoriality and
the valorization of ‘foreign’ objects, places and people.