Klaipėdos universitetas

This article discusses the development of the Gołdap Group, which is part of Sudovian culture, during the Migration Period. The graves from necropolises of that region (especially from the cemetery at Czerwony Dwór) have quite rich grave goods, which allows for a detailed chronological analysis. It is complemented by an analysis of the stratigraphy of features dug into the barrows. On this basis, five chronological phases in the development of the Gołdap Group, which existed from the early Phase D of the Early Migration Period until Phase E2 of the Late Migration Period, can be distinguished.

The author recalls the famous princely Sudovian culture grave at Szwajcaria (today within the administrative limits of Suwałki). Apart from presenting the grave furnishings according to up-to-date typological standards, he tries to reinterpret particular finds, identifying the metal fittings of a saddle and the metal mountings of a possible leather bucket aimed at hiding a horse harness. Additionally, an engraved ornament spotted on the head of a shafted weapon Type Vennolum/Ilkjær 15 is presented.

The author shows traces of the influence on the Baltic shafted weapon from the territory of Poland (Bogaczewo Culture, Sudovian Culture). These cultures present completely different views of the shafted weapon. In the former, the “Przeworsk” cultural impact prevailed, in the latter the Lithuanian influence is noticeable.