According to experts, only a handful of such artifacts exist worldwide, making this an extraordinary find.
“This is the first helmet of its kind found in Poland, and the oldest ancient helmet ever uncovered in the country,” private broadcaster RMF24 quoted Wojciech Borkowski, deputy director of the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw, as saying.
The helmet was found during five weeks of research at the Łysa Góra site, where archaeologists also uncovered traces of a defensive settlement covering roughly three hectares. The presence of burn marks suggests possible conflicts between the Celts and the Vandals. Other artifacts at the site include axes, spearheads, a sword, and decorative horse harness elements.
Borkowski highlighted the global significance of the discovery, noting that only a few such helmets exist worldwide. This find also challenges previous assumptions that the Celts were confined to the south of Poland, revealing their presence in the north of Mazovia.
The array of artifacts, including iron tools and bronze ornaments, has led archaeologists to rethink the early Iron Age amber trade routes and broader European trade networks. The discovery, experts say, is not just significant for Poland but for the whole of Central Europe.
(jh)
Source: RMF24, TVP Info