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Expressway work leads to discovery of peculiar 6,000-year-old settlement in Poland
Preparation for the construction of an expressway connecting two towns in southwestern Poland has revealed the remains of an ancient and unusual settlement, officials said.
Work on the S8 expressway between Kobierzyce and Jordanów Śląski led to the discovery of a 6,000-year-old agricultural settlement and a 4,000-year-old cemetery, according to an Aug. 15 news release from Nauka w Polsce.
Experts said the settlement, dating back to the Neolithic period, is peculiar because it was occupied for about 12 years, which is considered a long time in that historical context.
Since those settlers stayed in one place for such a long time, it's no surprise there are artifacts and remains to uncover during a project such as this, archaeologist Ireneusz Klimczak said in the release.
The Early Bronze Age cemetery, unrelated to the settlement, is believed to be linked to the Únetice culture, which developed south of Poland, and migrated north to the fertile lands of Poland's Lower Silesia, experts said.
More than a dozen graves have been discovered, with the deceased buried in a fetal position with their arms crossed on their chests, experts said in the release.
According to the release, the discoveries will not delay the construction of the expressway, which is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2027.
The discovery was made in a region about a 230-mile drive southwest from Warsaw.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release from Nauka w Polsce.
