Konary i Kobylniki. Rola i użytkowanie koni we władztwie Piastów

The article first discusses the economic organisation of the Piast state; such toponyms as Konary and Kobylniki are given particular attention. The historical region of Kujawy has provided the starting point for further analysis. Historical sources were explored in search of the first mentions of the villages in question. At the same time, attempts were made to correlate the location of the villages with the location of meadows and pastures suitable for grazing horses. Then, archaeological record from Kujawy confirming the use of horses was analysed, notably fi nds of spurs and horseshoes. The paper discusses centres of princely rule (Brześć Kujawski and Kruszwica) that yielded evidence confirming the use of horses. Equestrian elements have been also recorded at early medieval cemeteries; the article investigates selected excavated sites throughout the Piast domain, including Lutomiersk, Końskie, Pokrzywnica Wielka, Łączyn Stary, Korzybie Duże, Czersk, Daniłow Mały, Sowinki and Dziekanowice.