Miniature vessel

The presented item was discovered during archaeological research carried out at the crematory cemetery of the Lusatian culture in Topornica in Zamość poviat in 1957 (for more information on the archaeological site, see: 441/A/ML and 445/A/ML).

This small vessel, less than 4 cm in height, was located among other equally small items (figures of a horse with a rider, three scoops and a rattle). Archaeologists found such a cluster of items between 230 graves.

The vessel has been made meticulously - the surfaces have been smoothed, moreover prints of the braid are visible on the outside. The item has survived to our times in fairly good condition. Small damages in the form of broken fragments were glued together, and small attritions were filled with plaster.

What purpose could such a vessel serve?

Usually, such small vessels found in cemeteries are considered items related in some way to rituals. The vessel could also be a kind of symbolic gift, imitating the larger dishes used every day on the farm. However, we cannot rule out, that it was just a toy, especially since the vessel was found next to a rattle, a figure of a horse with a rider and other items of an equally small size.