Eerie 1,000-year-old face — possibly to fend off spirits — found in Poland lake

Miami Herald

15-07-2025

At the bottom of a lake in Poland, archaeologists discovered an eerie relic of the distant past: a wooden face steeped in mystery.
The sculpture was found in 2024 in Lake Lednica, a historical site located about 200 miles west of Warsaw, according to a news release July 8 from a local museum.
It once adorned the ramparts of Ostrów Lednicki, an early medieval stronghold situated on an island within the body of water. The fortress was occupied by the Piasts, the first ruling dynasty of Poland, who came to power around the ninth century.
Measuring about 5 inches tall by 4 inches wide, the face is perfectly preserved and highly detailed. Its oval shape is distinguished by a pair of eyes, a nose, mouth and chin.
Laboratory analysis indicates the tree from which it was carved was felled sometime between 960 and 975 A.D., making it more than 1,000 years old. It is believed to have been thrown into the lake by a landslide.
Its exact purpose remains unknown, though several theories have been put forward.
Archaeologists said it was possible the sculpture represented a deity or legendary hero, which would have been used to ward off evil spirits and protect the fortress' inhabitants.
This idea is given credence by the fact that, during the early medieval period, people often imbued everyday objects with spiritual meaning.
However, it can't be ruled out that the face has a more mundane explanation. It may have simply served as a decorative architectural element devoid of symbolic significance.
Additionally, the sculpture, while unique, is not unprecedented. Similar carvings of faces have previously been found in other Polish sites, such as Wolin and Veliky Novgorod, archaeologist said.
More about Ostrów Lednicki
The centuries-old stronghold was discovered between 1949 and 1953, spurring intense interest from archaeologists, according to the museum.
In addition to the fortress, the site contains a well-preserved chapel and palace. And beneath the water of the lake, the remains of 10th-century bridges that connected the island to the mainland have been found.
The site also reveals the extent to which various religions mixed, with native pagans intermingling with Christians, resulting in hybrid rituals.
Today, the island serves as a popular tourist attraction and can be reached by visitors via a ferry.
Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Museum of the First Piast Dynasty in Lednica.