Contact between the Eastern Baltics and Bohemia in the Bronze Age? Nortycken type battle-axe from the hoard in Olešná, South Bohemia
Volume 49 (2023): Lietuvos archeologija, pp. 41–57
Pub. online: 30 December 2023
Type: Article
Open Access
Published
30 December 2023
30 December 2023
Abstract
This paper focuses on a unique Nortycken-type bronze battle-axe recently discovered as part of the Late Bronze Age hoard (Br D – Ha A1) at the site Olešná in Southern Bohemia. The battle-axe probably originates from the Eastern Baltic or Northern Poland, where similar artifacts are primarily dated to Period I-III of the Bronze Age. The possible role of this artifact in Southern Bohemia remains in question. The Nortycken-type battle-axe was likely imported over a considerable distance, but there is no evidence of a connection to local Bronze Age elites. The archaeological record does not indicate the presence of such elites in the region of Southern Bohemia (Czech Republic).