Wyniki ratowniczych badań przeprowadzonych na wielokulturowym stanowisku w Łowcach, stan. 17, gm. Chłopice, pow. jarosławski

The article presents the results of rescue excavations carried out in August 2018, at the archaeological site Łowce 17. The site is located on the extreme promontory of the loess lobe, extending at an altitude of 210m above sea level, near the riverbed of the Łęg Rokietnicki River. The value of this place has been confirmed several times by surface surveys, which provided the evidence of artefacts from the Neolithic period, Bronze Age, Roman influence and Early Middle Ages. In the course of excavations, an area of one are was examined. After removing the surface layer, an accumulation layer was recorded at the level of 40 cm, with numerous Neolithic and Bronze Age materials, together with an iron artefact. Below, at a level of about 50 cm, a layer of yellow loess was uncovered, in which features of the Mierzanowice culture, the Tarnobrzeg Łużycka culture and features of unknown chronology were recorded. In total, 20 features of an economic nature were registered, containing ceramic, flint and stone artefacts in their fills, as well as burnt daub and animal bones were noted. Moreover, secondary deposited material was observed in some features. In the next stage of research, the obtained materials were analyzed, which were mainly represented by pottery vessels. The research included the analysis in terms of technology, morphology and ornamentation, based on macroscopic characteristics. As a result of these observations, an attempt was made to determine the relative chronology, distinguishing the ceramics of the Funnel Beaker culture, the Globular Amphora culture, the Mierzanowice culture, the Trzciniec culture and the Tarnobrzeg Lusatian culture. The assessment of the cultural affiliation of flint materials was difficult due to the uncharacteristic forms or lack of context. With reference to artefacts coming from the accumulation layer, a miniature axe/chisel made of Volyn flint was found, which can be attributed to the activities of the TRB and an iron axe/adze with undetermined chronology. As a result of the research, it was possible to confirm the high importance of site No. 17 in Łowce, which was a settlement enclave from the Middle Neolithic period to the Early Middle Ages. The studied area was part of the settlement of the Mierzanowice culture and Tarnobrzeg Lusatian culture. Certainly the following years of research will provide a lot of valuable information about the settlement of these communities and the importance of the region.