Kamienie zrodzone z pioruna. O nietypowej formie recyklingu w średniowieczu i czasach nowożytnych

Abstract

The article is an attempt to determine to what extent the folkloric and ethnographic data concerning the cultural significance and functions performed by re-used stone products hailing from prehistoric times (mainly various types of axes, hammers, adzes, and hammers axes, usually from the Neolithic, less often from other periods), are reflected in medieval and modern historical materials. Finds from almost all over Europe were taken into account. In the Middle Ages and later, thunderstones gained a great deal of importance, because there were few items that, after their original function had disappeared,remained in such wide use, far beyond traditionally understood recycling, which is usually limited to the re-use of raw materials and remedial actions. As objects of great sacred importance, they found a permanent place in the rituals and imaginations of ancient communities.