Ten newly discovered forts have been revealed by archaeologists applying aerial photography and magnetic measurements in south-eastern Wielkopolska, Poland.
Several sites had been mentioned in historical literature, but their location had remained unknown, as many monuments in the region had been leveled in recent decades due to high levels of agricultural activity.
PAP project manager, archaeologist Maksym Mackiewicz said: “In the region, we have over one hundred forts of various forms from different periods. The discovery is a surprise because this area was quite well recognised in terms of archaeology. This is due to the availability of increasingly new methods we use.”
Most of the recently documented forts have been examined by archaeologists carrying out field observations. The research team found pottery sherds from various periods that date from the early Iron Age to the late Middle Ages.
One of the forts located in the Grudzielec region has indications that it was destroyed by fire. On the ploughed surface were traces of burnt wood and scorched clay in the remnants of the fort’s embankments.
Scientists not only tracked down unknown strongholds, but they also documented known monuments and determined their state of preservation.
Mackiewicz added “The preliminary analysis of the collected data shows that this is not the end of the discoveries. Further places have been selected that may hide relics of former fortifications.”
The work was carried out as part of a project co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund. The project’s partner was the Monument Protection Foundation in Poznań.
Header Image – Chlewo Stonghold – Image Credit : Maksym Mackiewicz
