Rattle

In Bielsko (the Opole poviat), there is a cemetery of Lusatian culture, where a team of archaeologists from the National Museum in Lublin conducted excavations. Nearly a hundred graves were discovered, and between them, at a depth of 70 cm, the researchers managed to find a clay rattle.

Why is this find so interesting?

The form itself is nothing special, also its dimensions are standard, it was hand-made of clay with a small admixture. What is intriguing is its function. It could have been an ordinary children's toy, but according to many researchers, it could also have had a much more interesting role. Until recently, it was believed that the sound of a rattle could ward off evil spirits, so it is likely that people may have believed the same much earlier. This may be supported by the fact that the rattle was found in a cemetery, between numerous graves. It was probably used in some rituals taking place in the cemetery. These could have been rituals performed during a funeral or later, during subsequent visits to the grave.

The frequent finding of rattles in other cemeteries of this culture, either in graves or between them, seems to confirm the hypothesis of the magical functions of rattles nearly 3 thousand years ago, or rather the belief of the people of those times in their special properties.