Przeworsk culture

The Przeworsk culture was an Iron Age archaeological culture (c. 3rd century BC – 5th century AD) that developed across the territory of present-day Poland and western Ukraine. It evolved from the Pomeranian culture and the so‑called Wenedian (pit grave) culture, replacing them over a large area between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathians. During the Roman period, the Przeworsk culture was strongly influenced by material and technological imports from the Roman Empire, reflected in imported pottery, bronze vessels and metalwork.

Its communities lived mainly in post‑built and wattle‑and‑daub houses, practising agriculture and animal husbandry. Iron products dominated their craft industry, including tools, ornaments and toilet implements. Cremation graves equipped with weapons and tools point to strong links with Germanic tribes (such as the Vandals and the Lugii), although earlier research also emphasised possible Slavic or mixed origins.

By the 4th–5th centuries AD, the Przeworsk culture gradually disappeared under the impact of the Migration Period. However, some of its traditions continued within the Sukow–Dziedzice culture into the early 7th century AD.