The site, once home to the royal castle and residence of Przemysł II, the Duke of Poznań and briefly King of Poland in the late 13th century, is revealing secrets of its past, including details of a lavish wedding hosted by King Casimir III the Great.
The discoveries enrich the story of Przemysł Hill itself, and contribute to the broader understanding of medieval Polish history.
Prof. Artur Różański, from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań - the leader of the excavation team - said that while much is known about Przemysł II's residence at this location, the exact site of his dwelling remains a mystery.
This spot is also historically significant as the birthplace of Poland's national emblem.
The current phase of research, resumed in August 2023 after nearly two decades, focuses on the castle courtyard and the cellars of the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the reconstructed Royal Castle.
One of the remarkable findings includes fragments of a hypocaust tile, indicating the presence of heating systems in the castle, which houses one of the oldest royal kitchens discovered in Poland.
Over 6,000 artifacts have been collected so far, including pieces of pottery, building ceramics, and animal bones, shedding light on the diet and lifestyle at the court.
The ongoing digs have also turned up items typical of courtly and chivalric culture, such as nearly complete 14th-century spurs and six coins minted after 1430 during the reign of Władysław Jagiełło, known as "Jagiellonian half-grosz."
The archaeological team has been excited by these finds, as they document the castle's existence and function through various historical periods, including its survival of the Swedish Deluge and the Russo-Prussian War in the early 18th century.
A particular highlight is a stove tile depicting the death of Saint Stanislaus, featuring a crucified Christ and the praying bishop with an angel above him, dated preliminarily to the 15th century.
This artifact may be unique in Poland, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic representations of the time.
Różański emphasized the importance of these findings for understanding the historical narrative of the castle and the broader region, promising further insights as analyses continue.
(rt/gs)
Source: naukawpolsce.pl
