--- title: "Berru-type Celtic helmet discovered in Poland" url: https://newscentral.site/berru-type-celtic-helmet-discovered-in-poland/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-31T15:00:06.000Z updated: 2026-10-31T16:49:05.770Z id: 8ea4567c-a584-499c-8f1b-d71b9586ca45 source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-10-rare-iron-age-celtic-helmet.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/berru-type-celtic-helmet-discovered-in-poland/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Berru-type Celtic helmet discovered in Poland Archaeologists in Poland have made an extraordinary discovery at Łysa Góra, a fortified Iron Age settlement located on a sand dune between the Orzyc River and a lake. A group of people around 2,400 years ago took a bronze helmet, crushed it, broke it into pieces, and threw it into a pit with iron adzes and a scythe. The study published in Antiquity reveals that this discarded helmet is a rare Berru-type Celtic helmet, typically found in lavish graves of the warrior elite from regions such as Champagne, France, to Dürrnberg, Austria. Its find spot in northeast Poland makes it the only known example of its kind discovered outside its homeland during the 4th century B.C. The discovery at Łysa Góra is significant due to its mysterious nature and importance as an archaeological site dating back to the Early Iron Age. According to Bartłomiej Kaczyński, an archaeologist at the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw, "Łysa Góra is one of the most exciting and mysterious archaeological sites" of this era. The study suggests that Łysa Góra was inhabited by people belonging to the West Baltic Barrow Culture between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C. This culture likely had long-distance contacts with other regions, as evidenced by the presence of a rare Celtic helmet in their settlement. This extraordinary find offers valuable insights into the lives of people living at Łysa Góra during the Early Iron Age. The discovery of the Berru-type helmet highlights the complex cultural exchanges and interactions that occurred between different groups across Europe over 2,400 years ago. Decades of excavation work had taken place on the site of Łysa Góra in northeastern Poland, but many of the findings from those efforts remained unpublished. This lack of documentation meant that the full potential of the site was never fully understood. The reputation of the site had also discouraged some excavators, who were unsure of what they might find due to its history of disturbance. According to one team member, the site's past excavations had left it with a dubious reputation. However, recent excavations at Łysa Góra have uncovered new and significant finds. A ritual pit filled with charred remains was discovered, which yielded some unexpected artifacts along with more expected items like adzes and a scythe. The excavation team initially thought they had found a bronze vessel, but upon closer inspection of the object's tip, it became clear that what they had actually uncovered was a helmet made from sheet metal. This discovery was particularly significant because similar bronze helmets have been found at sites far to the south, such as in Austria. This find is part of a larger collection of Celtic artifacts discovered at Łysa Góra, including around 31 mostly fragmented brooches and ring ornaments. The presence of these items suggests that the site may not have simply traded with the Celts, but instead had Celtic people living there. The excavation at Łysa Góra has yielded nearly 80 La Tène artifacts so far, indicating a rich cultural presence at the site. These finds have sparked debate about the nature of the settlement, with some suggesting it was merely a trading post for the Celts. However, the diversity and quantity of the artifacts point to something more complex, implying that a group of people lived there for approximately two generations. The strategic location of Łysa Góra near the amber-rich Kurpie region and trade routes leading north toward the Sambian Peninsula suggest that its occupants played a significant role in facilitating the movement of goods. The site's position would have allowed them to control access to valuable resources such as amber, which was highly prized by ancient civilizations. The presence of metal objects, amber beads, an unfinished ring, and a bronze coin possibly minted by Seuthes III, a Thracian king, underscores the importance of trade at Łysa Góra. The discovery of a rare Iron Age Celtic helmet in northeastern Poland has shed new light on trade routes between ancient civilizations. A thorough analysis of the site revealed that Łysa Góra was an important hub for the exchange of goods and ideas along what is now known as the Amber Route. The presence of metal objects, amber beads, and other artifacts indicates a significant level of interaction with neighboring regions. The discovery also highlights the extensive trade networks that existed during this period. The inclusion of a bronze coin possibly minted by Seuthes III, a Thracian king, underscores the complex web of relationships between different cultures and kingdoms in ancient Europe. The significance of this find lies not only in its historical context but also in the insights it provides into the lives and interactions of people living over two millennia ago. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-rare-iron-age-celtic-helmet.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/berru-type-celtic-helmet-discovered-in-poland/