The Kapkazka Formation, also commonly known as the „Kapkazy formation”, is clearly a lithostratigraphic unit of the Lower and Middle Devonian period in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. Of course, it was distinguished in a special way due to specific sedimentary rocks from the “Eifelian” and “Emsian” boundary, i.e., a period of approximately 390-400 million years ago. Its stratotype, or so-called type locality, is located in the vicinity of the hamlet of Kapkazy in the Bodzentyn commune.
Jugs not only from Kapkazy
As we know, the jug is one of the oldest vessels in human history. For millennia, one could say, it served to draw water, store, and serve various liquids, such as wine and milk. It has come a long way from being an essential clay vessel needed in people’s lives to a symbol in culture.
The jug in history
In ancient times, in Mesopotamia and Egypt, jugs were a key vessel as they stored liquids necessary for survival in a dry climate. They also served to transport water drawn from streams and rivers.
In ancient Greece, as a special characteristic of that culture, clay jugs were painted as so-called “oinochoe” used for pouring wine or “hydria” for pouring water. As one might easily guess, over time they became works of art. To this day, they constitute an invaluable source of knowledge about life and mythology of that era.
In the Middle Ages
The introduction of so-called glazed ceramics and the development of pottery craftsmanship allowed for the production of more sealed and more decorative clay vessels. In modern times, the jug found its way onto the tables of all social strata, eventually evolving into pewter, copper, and later glass and porcelain forms.
The jug in culture
As we know, this vessel is deeply rooted in our culture and language. In Polish literature, the “jug full of raspberries” originating, of course, (from Juliusz Słowacki’s drama “Balladyna”) is a timeless, yet transparent symbol of innocence and purity. The famous Eastern parable of the “two jugs” (one whole, the other cracked) even teaches contemporary man to accept his own flaws and that each of us brings incredible and unique value to the world.
As a religious symbol
In Buddhism and Hinduism (the Kumbh Mela festival), it is simply a clay jug (kumbha), which is a symbol of fullness, fertility, and life. It was in this that the extremely precious elixir of immortality was stored.
