Between Form and Function: Early Medieval Strongholds in the Settlement Structures of the Rega River Basin
Strongholds, or delimited settlements. Their form, distinct from typical settlements and surrounded by some kind of rampart or other obstacle, imposes their interpretation as defensive sites. However, many of these ramparts were not of a size that could significantly ensure security. This was especially true in the oldest settlements of this type. Only over time did the enlargement and complication of "fortifications" provide real protection against threats. The construction of strongholds therefore seems to be an action dictated by more complex, often elusive today, factors. The presentation will analyze the development, transformations, and significance of strongholds in the settlement structures of the Rega River basin, starting from the oldest known objects of this type from the turn of antiquity and the early Middle Ages, through the tribal period, the beginnings of the Pomeranian state, up to the 12th century, when they lose their importance and cease to be used.
Early Medieval Sword Scabbard Chapes – Utilitarian or Symbolic Purpose
In arms and armour literature, a chape is the lower fitting of a sword or sabre scabbard, usually made of metal, designed to reinforce and protect it from damage. Written sources indicate that a sword without a scabbard was half the price, making it an important element of military equipment. However, did every scabbard have the appropriate reinforcement? Archaeological finds show a significant preponderance of known swords over the number of chapes. In Central Europe, no sword has been found in a grave with a chape, so either naked swords were placed in graves, or swords in scabbards but without this element. The presentation will be devoted to considering whether chapes served other functions in addition to practical ones. Various symbols visible on their surface can be interpreted in heraldic or apotropaic categories.
