Fossil Brachiopod from a Roman Period Grave at Weklice, Site 7 (Woj. Warmińsko-Mazurskie / PL)

On Past Uses of Fossils

Abstract

Fossil Brachiopod from a Roman Period Grave at Weklice, Site 7 (Woj. Warmińsko-Mazurskie / PL). On Past Uses of Fossils

The cemetery of the Wielbark Culture at Weklice is located in northern Poland in the Vistula delta on the Elbląg Heights. It was used during the Roman period (1^st-4^th century) by a multi-ethnic community, identified on the basis of written sources as Goths and Gepids. Analysis of archaeological finds indicates that the local community had numerous supraregional contacts with many regions of Europe, including the Roman Empire, the Black Sea and Scandinavia. This article presents a find comprising an object discovered in an inhumation grave, originally taken to be a mineralised peach stone (Prunus persica L. Batsch). When re-examined, the find has been unequivocally demonstrated to be a fossil brachiopod. Based on external morphology, the specimen most likely belongs to the short-looped Terebratulida. Given the new identification, we discuss how fossils were used and perceived in the past. The brachiopod from Weklice was used as a pendant or was placed in the grave pit inside a wooden box. The item may have been used as an amulet, a medicinal object or a gaming token. The interpretation of this unique find from Weklice is discussed in the context of other discoveries of fossil plant and animal remains in Roman period graves from areas around the Baltic Sea.