Early mediaeval multi-faced figures from the area of the Baltic Sea basin – evidence of intercultural contacts or universalphenomenon?

Abstract

Miniature multi-faced figures are instances of unique objects which functions in the context of early mediaeval culture has still been unclear. These finds are dated from the period from the half of 9^th century up to the beginning of 13^th century and as far as places of their occurrence are concerned, they appear in various parts of the Baltic Sea basin – from Stockholm area in the North, to Wolin in the South, Riga in the East and Danish Svendborg in the West. Such a state of facts led the researchers to put forward many interpretations concerning both, their functions and cultural belonging of their authors and users. The article author from his point of view, would like to perceive them as traces of Slavic communities’ influences, which as the only peoples inhabiting the basin of the Baltic Sea have in their mythology figures equipped with four faces and they do not appear in mythological systems of Germans and Balts, on territories of whom these objects were also excavated. As if it is to their functions, they seem to have served as religious fetishes, referring to powers which they represent. The artifacts subjected to analyses are also excellent examples of material realization of mythical contents, invoking to both – the idea of the deity itself and the vision of all the reality.