EN
In 2008-2010, within the framework of “The Węgorapa Valley” project the joint expedition of the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw and the Folk Culture Museum in Węgorzewo carried out excavation research at three open settlements located upon the upper River Węgorapa. The aim of the project is to recognise early medieval settlement in the territory of the microregion which encompasses the junction of the Land of Great Masurian Lakes and the Land of the River Węgorapa. Kal, Site XX (Figs. 1,3,4) The multicultural settlement is situated on the northern bank of Lake Święcajty, in the territory of the village of Kal. In the course of research in 2008 a surface of 39.6 m2 was examined within four trenches. Mainly finds from the Migration Period (the Sudovian Culture?), the early Middle Ages (second half of the 10th - first half of the 11th c.) and the Modern Period (17th-19th c.) were gathered. Excavation results, including i.a. archaeoichthyological and archaeozoological analyses of finds from the Migration Period, were published in “Studia Węgorapskie” (Vol. 1). Wysiecza, Site I (Figs. 2, 5) The multicultural settlement is located on the western bank of a small water body (now filled with peat) to the south of the Węgorapa Valley. A surface of 54 m2 was examined within two trenches in 2009. Bottom part of the early medieval cultural layer was discovered. Based on the analysis of pottery, it can be dated to the second half of the 10th - the first half of the 12th c., with the earlier date being more probable. Numerous metallic sinters with high iron content suggest that ironworking was one of the main occupations (if not the principal one) of contemporary inhabitants of the settlement. A feature - possibly remains of a semi-dugout from the Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age - was partially exposed. Radiocarbon dates were gathered from the interior of the feature: 2590 +/- 50 BP and 2550 +/- 50 BP. Stulichy, Site II (Figs. 6-10) The multicultural settlement is located on the southern bank of the River Węgorapa. In 2010 a surface of 54 m2 was examined within seven trenches. Bottom parts of the early medieval cultural layer and one - also early medieval - Feature 1 were exposed. It was a pit which may be interpreted as a “kiln” which was used for making wood tar. Based on the analysis of pottery, it can be said that the settlement functioned in the second half of the 11th -the first half of the 12th c. Hitherto research within the framework of “The Węgorapa Valley” project yielded first of all new finds from early medieval Prussian open settlements. These finds significantly augment the existing source basis. Detailed results of research will be published in subsequent volumes of “Studia Węgorapskie.” Further excavations at other sites are planned.