Place and Importance of Wells in Settlements of Central European Communities in Late Antiquity

An Example of the Przeworsk Culture from Kwiatków (woj. wielkopolskie / PL)

Abstract

The article’s objective is to outline the meaning and place of wells in settlement space of Central European communities in Late Antiquity. A particular emphasis will be placed on the finds obtained from the territories of Poland. The reason for our interest in the presented issue was the discovery of more than 100 wells at the settlement of the Przeworsk culture in Kwiatków 11/20. The other investigated site, presented in more detail, is the settlement of the Przeworsk culture in Mąkolice. Both sites were excavated entirely or almost entirely and – even more interestingly – represent two different types of spatial development. The spatial planning of the settlement was undoubtedly motivated by pragmatism, but could also reflect a certain perception of the structure of the world maintained by its ancient inhabitants. Many differences in use of space were noticed which were probably determined by various factors.