Celts in Nowa Cerkiew near Opole
(Silesia) in Poland
In the first half of the 3rd
century BC groups of Celts began to arrive in southern Poland. Evidence of
Celtic settlement has been found in a few places, among others in the Glubczyce Highlands near Opole (Silesia).
This place was on the Amber
Road, an ancient trade route for
the transfer of amber from
coastal areas of the North Sea and
the Baltic Sea to
the Mediterranean
Sea.
The Celtic hoards
were found in a village called Nowa Cerkiew. The Celtic coin discoveries in this area represent the
largest concentration of Celtic coins in Poland. 69 coins including 17 golden
were found here. This discovery is unique because we found totally 150 Celtic
coins in Poland. Small pieces of gold ready to put into a mould were found too.
It is said that Celtic staters were also minted in this area and
this enclave was a mercantile center till the end of 2nd century BC
when the Celts left it. It is said that the gold and silver coins were not gathered
in one place; they were dropped and lost
by quite rich people. The coins were small; their diameter was about 5 mm. The Boii moulded
coins with Athina on them who wore a corint helmet while the Celts at Nowa
Cerkiew modified them and put only a helmet on their coins.
Bronze figures, cobalt glass
and saprolite bracelets, beads, large number of graphitic ware type of pottery were
found here together with a pit house and 22
leavings of Celtic houses. One of the figures was unusual. Originally it was yellow and golden
with black eyes. It hung on the end of a
belt – a bronze chain popular among Celtic women. There was also a grave dated
back to 4th century BC surrounded by a ditch where tiny gifts such as
pieces of jewelry were gathered. Archeologists say it was a grave of a local
hero, maybe the founder of the enclave.
