Post-Neolithic occupation in Tunel Wielki Cave (southern Poland)

Abstract

Post-Neolithic cave occupation in Poland remains insufficiently recognised. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the analysis of pottery and metal objects discovered in Tunel Wielki Cave (Ojców area, SE Poland). The artefacts were collected during three fieldwork campaigns in 1967–68 and 2018. The results show that the cave was occupied at least several times. The most ephemeral settlement traces can be dated to the Early Bronze Age and these may be related to the Trzciniec culture. The site was more intensively used in the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age by communities representing the Lusatian culture. Roman Period artefacts are very scarce. Traces of most intensive use of the cave come from the Middle Ages. One can determine artefacts conditionally dated from the 11th to the 12th century, as well as younger objects, dated to the 13th − early 14th c. Single pieces of pottery can be attributed to the Modern period. The obtained results point to multiple short-term visits. The cave fill does not bear traces of permanent occupation during the Post-Neolithic period.