Princess of Bagicz

The Princess of Bagicz is the name given to the human skeleton of a young female from the Roman Iron Age discovered in 1899 due to cliff erosion in the village of Bagicz, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland (previously called Bodenhagen bei Kolberg). Dating to the mid-2nd century, the skeleton is considered an important find for the study of the Wielbark culture, and though not all of material survived upon discovery, the tomb finds are currently maintained at the National Museum in Szczecin.

Discovery In 1899, the remains of the Princess of Bagicz fell from a seaside cliff near the village of Bagicz, with followed with additional excavations conducted by archaeologist Adolf Stubenrauch. The woman was found deposited in a log coffin, with a brooch, two bronze bracelets, a necklace, and a bone pin. Inside the coffin, additional organic artifacts included a wooden stool, bovine pelt, woolen clothes, which were well preserved due to its humidified surroundings.

Osteological analysis indicated that the Princess had osteoarthritis of the lower spine, possibly from a lot of physical work.

On 31 July 2024, a core from the coffin was drilled as part of the dendrochronological study. The wood used for the coffin is oak, with 112 annual growth rings counted. Based upon similar samples from the Roman Iron Age in Greater Poland, the coffin is consistent with samples from 3 BC to 108 AD, the estimated felling narrowed down to 120 AD, with the assumption that the tree was immediately worked on for the funeral. The study falls in line with the consistency of the 1980s typological study.

It is believed that further erosion from the cliffs of Bagicz will unveil further graves and remains that can provide further insight into the Princess of Bagicz and Wielbark culture.