Peeking Behind the Veil: Unique and Decorative Burial Urns with Faces in the Pomeranian Culture

The Pomeranian culture is one of the most mysterious Pre-Christian cultures which lived near the Baltic Sea. Although many of their sites have been lost, the story behind their decorative urns provides some insight into their lives. For a time, these individuals buried their deceased in impressive urns with faces. The special vessels were often decorated with jewelry as well.

Even though there is a debate amongst researchers, many people say that the Pomeranian culture has its roots in the current territory of Pomerania – in the north of Poland and part of Germany. Urns with faces are some of the most interesting prehistoric artifacts discovered in this area. Their unique decoration tells a fascinating story of the people who didn’t leave any written texts about their lives or culture.

Urns with facial decoration dated 500-150 BC (Pomeranian culture) in Father Dr. Władysław Łęga Museum in Grudziądz, Poland. (Ciacho5/CC BY SA 4.0)

Urns with Forgotten Faces

Many Pomeranian cultural sites have been discovered in the area between the Odra and Vistula Rivers. Along with their typical fibula designs, jewelry, and pottery decorations, there is one particular type of artifact which makes this culture unique – urns with faces. These urns were important parts of burial ceremonies since about the 5th century BC.