Cmentarzysko Jaćwingów Natural Reserve, Archaeological nature reserve near Suwałki, Poland
Cmentarzysko Jaćwingów is a nature reserve near Suwałki that protects ancient burial mounds from the early medieval period. The forest area contains roughly 30 grave mounds surrounded by stones, with diameters ranging from 6 to 21 meters.
The burial grounds date from the 2nd to 5th centuries AD and belonged to the Sudov culture, who inhabited northeastern Poland. This population practiced different funeral rites and left lasting marks of their settlement in this region.
Archaeological excavations at the burial mounds revealed both cremation and skeletal graves, indicating different funeral practices of early medieval communities.
The reserve is easily accessible to visitors and features marked trails through spruce forest interspersed with pine and oak trees. The best time to visit is from spring through autumn when the terrain is dry and passable.
Excavations revealed that cremation and skeletal burials existed side by side, indicating flexible funeral practices among these communities. Finds such as ornaments and weapons suggest social distinctions that ranged from ordinary members to elite individuals.
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