The Beginning of the Use of Quartz-sericite Schist Whetstones in Silesia in the Light of New Discoveries from La Tène Culture Settlements

Abstract

During excavations at two sites of the La Tène culture in Samborowice, Upper Silesia, stone artefacts made from quartz-sericite schist were found. Deposits of this mineral are located in one place only, a hill massif situated in the vicinity of Jegłowa in Lower Silesia. The discussed finds were discovered within a context of precisely dated artefacts of the La Tène culture, which confirm the beginning of use of quartz-sericite schists as early as the onset of the Middle La Tène period. The finds from Samborowice are evidence for the existence of contacts and an organised exchange network between two local communities of the La Tène culture. This has been difficult to prove until recently on the basis of known archaeological finds.