Dating the Remains of a Church in Lubin (Wolin Island, NW Poland) in Light of Archaeological and Radiocarbon Studies

E-ISSN： 0033-8222|59|5|1369-1379

ISSN： 0033-8222

Source： Radiocarbon, Vol.59, Iss.5, 2017-06, pp. : 1369-1379

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Archaeological excavations carried out from 2008 to 2011 at the Lubin stronghold (NW Poland) brought about the discovery of relics in one of the oldest Christian churches in Pomerania (NW Poland). Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis of 24 samples of charred wood from the deposits within the stronghold pointed to a chronology spanning from the 10th to 13th centuries, which is consistent with the archaeological evidence. However, the ¹⁴C analysis of 12 samples collected from the destruction of the church (erected in 1124 AD according to written accounts) produced a chronology notably older than expected, with a recorded difference of no less than 100 yr. The most probable explanation for this discrepancy seems to be the secondary use of older timber during the construction of the church.