LEGINY, ST. IX, WOJ. WARMIŃSKO-MAZURSKIE. WYNIKI BADAŃ SONDAŻOWYCH W ROKU 2011

Site IX is located on an island on Lake Legińskie, about 1 km north of the village of Łężany and about 2 km south of the village of Leginy. The island is uplifted to a height of about 5 m a.s.l. and its surface measures about 6000 m2. The archaeological site was discovered during the field survey in April 2011. About 200 pieces of pottery were found on the ground and between the roots of fallen trees. In July and August of the same year the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw conducted the excavations. Undertaken study on the island aimed to clarify the chronology and function of the site. During excava¬tion work eight soundings of a total of about 150 m2 were established and seven archeological features and remains of cultural layers were found. All features in the study area are the remains of trash and storage pits or hearths, not associated with any residues that may indicate the presence of production features or traces of residence. From layers and features fragments of pottery, fragments of animal bone and isolated finds were obtained, which include: metal, flint, stone, clay and the most interesting finding of one complete earring and fragments of a necklace made of bronze. Preliminary analysis of pottery and other artefacts allows to distinguish two chronological groups. The most of them are characteristic to the West Balt Barrow Culture and can be dated to Phase III ofthis culture. The other, small group of ceramics is typical of the Early Middle Ages and the Late Middle Ages.