Miniature axe from Ostrów Tumski in Poznań

Abstract

Early medieval miniature axes, particularly numerous in the territory of Kievan Rus, the Baltic regions, the lands of the Piast dynasty, and southern Scandinavia, have been a subject of interest for weapon researchers for over a century. They are most recorded in the vicinity of strongholds, related with them settlements or cemeteries — thus being regarded as items linked to elite spheres. These miniatures date from the 10^th to the 13^th centuries, with a notable increase in their occurrence during the 11^th and 12^th centuries. This article aims to present a miniature axe discovered on Ostrów Tumski in Poznań, an area where one of the lar- gest Piast fortifications was established in the 10^th century. In 2010, during archaeological excavations on Ostrów Tumski, a metal miniature axe was recorded. It was retrieved from modern layers to the southwest of the princely part of the settlement. The artifact underwent specialized examinations, including metric and material analysis, as well as an assessment of the manufacturing techniques utilizing digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). A comparative analysis was also conducted with early medieval miniature axes from Central and Northern Europe. Based on this analysis, an attempt was made to determine the function of the discussed object.