Archaeological site 3 in Ulów is in an area previously thought not to have been settled before historical times. Systematic excavation work that began there in 2002 revealed long-term occupation from the Late Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The majority of archaeological features represent a cemetery belonging to the Late Roman and Early Migration periods (III–V c. AD, Wielbark culture). The site’s relative chronology was determined from analyses of archaeological artifacts. To complete the chronological framework required for a proper interpretation of cultural processes, a group of charcoal fragments was selected for radiocarbon (14C) dating. These charcoals were first taxonomically identified and weighed, and then designated for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and conventional 14C analyses. The datings (n=43) indicated three main chronological horizons. Some of the graves from the Wielbark culture contained charcoals of younger or older age, posing problems in interpreting taphonomic processes at this multicultural site. In the light of the 14C dating results, the chronology of several features previously attributed to the Wielbark culture was re-interpreted.

many years of archaeological research near Ulów in the middle Roztocze contributed to the discovery of a multicultural settlement complex, functioning from the Palaeolithic to the 17 th /18 th century, refuting the existing myth of Roztocze as a white spot on the map of prehistoric settlement. The results of an archaeological research became the basis for the implementation of the project "Roztocze-the ancient terra incognita? (Settlement micro-region in the area of Ulów in middle Roztocze in the prehistory and its background. Interdisciplinary studies)". Comprehensive and interdisciplinary research has enabled the reconstruction of settling processes in the micro-region of Ulów in prehistory and in the modern Age. The main reason for the rise of a multicultural enclave, encompassed by areas devoid of traces of the prehistoric settlement, should be seen in the favourable environmental conditions. many aspects of the ritual and everyday life of particular archaeological cultures populations recorded in Ulów, do not find analogies in other areas of Poland. A series of several dozen radiocarbon dates confirmed all the stages of the Ulów micro-region settlement recorded in the archaeological sources. It also highlighted a whole range of the problems related to the interpretation of some cultural phenomena, especially with regard to the intensive settlement of the Corded Ware culture and the Wielbark culture, as well as the early phase of the migration Period and initial phases of the early middle Ages.

The paper presents determinants of location of the multicultural complex of archaeological sites in the vicinity of Ulów, in the Central Roztocze upland region in south-eastern Poland. Archaeological research revealed that in the area assumed to be devoid of settlements, the settlements of prehistoric and historical communities functioned from the Palaeolithic to modern times. The region was also subjected to environmental examination. Location of sites was analysed, taking into account a convenience of communication in a regional scale and local environmental conditions. Analysis of hydrogeological, geomorphological and soil conditions was carried out, taking into account water supply, communication and the farming development. In-depth analysis included micromorphological DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and geological and soil probing. The area was found to be located on the crossing of prehistoric communication routes the course of which depended on the variability of the physiographic parameters of regions. The functioning of new cultures in the same place resulted from specific local conditions such as: easily arable soils, favourable microclimate, and particularly access to water. The presence of a source of water in a plateau area is determined tectonically (strike-slip fault), lithologically (impermeable marl horizon), and geomorphologically (dissection of the aquifer by an erosion-denudation valley).

the geological reserve of piekiełko (tomaszów lubelski district, lublin voivodeship, poland) was established in 1962 to protect the sandstone boulders untypical of this region. there are anthropogenic earthen ramparts in their immediate vicinity. the presence of the ramparts and boulders contributed to the recognition of this place as an archaeological site -an immovable archaeological monument. owing to local legends and its peculiar folk name (piekiełko means "little hell"), scientific monographs and heritage tourism have regarded piekiełko as a prehistoric or medieval place of worship. however, despite the distinctive land relief and a prominent place in local tradition, piekiełko has never been subject to in-depth archaeological research. as a result, we could only have speculated on the original function of the ramparts, their chronology, cultural affiliation, and potential relation to the boulders. this paper addresses the need to determine the history of piekiełko and systematize the history of research concerning this place. it presents the results of interdisciplinary research using geological and archaeological methods, complemented by analysis of archival sources: written, cartographic, and iconographic.

Clay circular weights are most often interpreted as sinkers for fishing nets or weaving weights – an elements of the vertical warp-weighted looms. The starting point for writing this article was the presence of such specimens at four settlements of the Przeworsk culture located on the right side of the Vistula River (Dobre, Nieszawa Kolonia, Oronne, Puławy-Włostowice). The oldest circular weights are dated back to the Neolithic period. With varying intensity, they are also recorded within the sites of all subsequent periods and in various parts of Europe. The youngest are related to the Middle Ages and Modern Age. The article focuses mainly on circular weights from the Roman Period and the early phase of the Migration Period (Przeworsk culture, Wielbark culture, Masłomęcz group, Luboszyce culture / Elbe circle), also using chronologically and culturally different analogies, as well as the results of experimental archaeology, iconographic and ethnographic sources. Circular weights were analysed for the possibility of relating them with weaving and / or fishing. In the first case, I focus on the analysis of factors such as: the context of the discovery, the number and condition of the weights, as well as their shape, weight and the presence of use-wear traces. In the second, issues such as raw material, accuracy and method of production, as well as weight, place and context of discovery, accompanying artefacts were considered.