The southeasternmost area of the long barrow cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker culture in the 4th millennium BC. The case of two newly investigated structures in Pawłosiów forest (Subcarpathian loess region, Poland) in the context of the settlement network

Abstract

Abstract The eastern part of the Subcarpathian loess region (the Rzeszów Foothills and the Lower San Valley) may now be referred to as the southeasternmost zone of the occurrence of the long barrow cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker culture. In recent times, new intriguing mounds have been discovered in Pawłosiów forest through the utilisation of LiDAR data sources. In order to investigate whether these structures are long barrows built by “beakers” communities, we have carried out preliminary geophysic research, geological drillings, and lithological analysis. As a result, we confirmed the anthropogenic origin of both structures. The main feature registered during the fieldwork was the lithological and stratigraphical difference between the mounds and their direct geological context. Moreover, a presence of an archaeological feature was identified within the frontal part of one of the mounds. These facts, together with key information regarding the location of both earthen structures in the field and their spatial relationship to the nearby FBC settlement at site 52 in Pawłosiów, suggest that they may be relics of the FBC long barrows. In this study, we also discussed these mounds in the context of their spatial-chronological position in the settlement network(s). It is plausible that the inhabitants of Pawłosiów 52 settlement were responsible for the construction of both long barrows in the period ca. 3650–3400 BC. Additionally, we do not exclude the possible alternative (non-funeral) functions and meanings of the cemetery.