SH·1 Pansdorf

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Object
Classification: cist

Material: bronze
Size: height 24.5 cm, mouth diam. 28.5 cm, foot diam. 27.5 cm
Condition: damaged

Archaeological culture: Hallstatt D
Date: 6th century
Date derived from: typology

Site: Pansdorf (fraction of: Ratekau, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Field name: Pansdorf grave mound
Archaeological context: grave
Coordinates (approx.): 53° 59' 33.91" N, 10° 42' 36.10" E
Find date: 1845
Find circumstances: excavation
Finder: Carl Hermann Haug
Current location: Hansestadt Lübeck Bereich für Archäologie und Denkmalpflege (Lübeck)
Inventory no.: 9065/916

Inscription: SH·1 (?χuiiie)

Alternative sigla: none

Sources: Stjernquist 1967: 32 f.

Commentary

Images in Stjernquist 1965: Taf. XIV (photo and drawings), Stjernquist 1967 II: Taf. XIV,1 (drawings).

The finding of the cist by the local forest warden and prehistorian Carl Hermann Haug in the Pansdorf grave mound near Lübeck in 1845 was first reported by Lisch 1870: 121. The vessel contained cremated bone, ash and sand, as well as a scythe-shaped iron knife blade (photo in Stjernquist 1965: Taf. XV,5). Originally in Haug's private collection, the object went to the Lübeck Museums in 1975. It was exhibited in the Lübeck Cathedral museum when the latter burned down during the bombing of the city in March 1942, but was found – heavily damaged – among the rubble (Stjernquist 1965: 117 with n. 3). The original condition of the find appears to have been very good, judging by Lisch's description, who gives a weight of about 2.5 kg (now 2.1 kg, Stjernquist 1965: 119 n. 5).

The cylindrical cist is a ribbed pail with two movable handles which end in bird's heads (detailed description in Stjernquist 1967 II: 32 f.). Stjernquist 1965: 123 f. (also Stjernquist 1967 I: 90 f.) classifies the Pansdorf cist as belonging to the "Tessiner Gruppe" of 7–8 objects characterised by certain measurements and proportions, 11 ribs, a base decorated with multiple rings, and moulded handle attachments, whose production centre appears to have been in the Ticino. Stjernquist 1967 I: 92 f. dates the Ticino cists tentatively to Hallstatt D (late 7th to mid-5th c.) based on the burials, but tends towards a production time in the 5th c. An earlier date is preferred by Nortmann 1983: 40 (for ribbed pails in Northern Europe in general), who points to the probable long time of circulation (cf. Tuitjer 1986, Tuitjer 1987: 50).

Corinna Salomon

Bibliography