Location and description

The barrow is located approximately 200 meters to the left off the road Święcica-Komorna. It sits on a hill, on the edge of the valley of the Zdanówka River, among the fields; it is well-visible from a distance. The mound is 8-10m wide and approximately 2m high. Fragments of a large vessel were recovered from the mound dated to the 2nd half of the 10th century; apparently, it was the a relic of a cremation grave on the top of the barrow. Under the barrow, a centrally located crematory grave was discovered in a rectangular hole measuring approximately 190x70cm; several hundred of isolated chain links were found along with fragments of rounded vessels, a bone dice and unspecified burned iron and bronze items. Under the earthen structure of the mound, a settlement cave of the Mierzanowice culture was uncovered.

History

The oldest structure in the type-site is a cave of the Mierzanowice culture (ca. 2300-1700 BC), located at the base of the older mound. In the late Roman period (mid-2nd century - end of the 4th century AD), a grave was placed here, later covered by the barrow. Probably in the 2nd half of the 10th century, the mound was enlarged and an urn was placed on top with the ashes of another deceased. In the years 1973-1975, the mound was examined by excavations and reconstructed.

Condition and results of archaeological research

Mound II in Święcica was discovered in 1959 by Zygmunt Krzak; it was examined in the years 1973-1975 by Andrzej Kempisty from the Institute of Archaeology, Warsaw University.

The site is accessible to visitors.

Compiled by Nina Glińska, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Kielce, 29.07.2015.

Bibliography

• Informator Archeologiczny - badania 1974, Warszawa 1975, pp. 206-207.
• Florek M., Cmentarzyska kurhanowe i kopce na lessach sandomiersko-opatowskich. Stan badań. Charakterystyka. Próba określenia funkcji i chronologii, „Materiały i Sprawozdania Rzeszowskiego Ośrodka Archeologicznego za rok 1993”, 1994, pp. 251-280.
• Florek M., Szeliga M., Badania tzw. I kopca w Święcicy, gm. Obrazów w 2005 roku, „Zeszyty Sandomierskie“, no 23, 2006, pp. 50-52.