A Unique Clay Rattle from Koziarnia Cave in Southern Poland

Abstract

A Unique Clay Rattle from Koziarnia Cave in Southern Poland

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of multidisciplinary analyses of the clay rattle found in 1919 in Koziarnia Cave in the Sąspów Valley (Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, southern Poland). The artefact is cylindrical and holds a broken handle. On one side the rattle contained a small hole sealed by the dirt, which was accidentally removed while cleaning. This caused some rounded, organic material to fall out of the inside of the item. It was identified as pea seeds (cf. Pisum sativum L.). The CT scan of the rattle allowed a detailed analysis of its production process, as well as providing the identification of an imprint of one of the peas within. The seed was radiocarbon dated, giving the results of 1705 ± 30 uncal BP. This corresponds with the C2-D1 phases in the relative chronology of the Roman and the Early Migration Periods. The results of the investigation paved the way for a discussion on both the puzzling function of the rattle, as well as the complex cultural background in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland at that time.