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CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Medieval knight's complete skeleton discovered beneath Polish ice cream parlour
The knight's skeleton was found under an ornate tombstone. (S. Kurzyńska/ArcheoScan via CNN Newsource) Archeologists have discovered the remains of a medieval knight, buried under a shuttered ice cream parlour in the Polish city of Gdańsk. Experts have been working at the site in the historic Śródmieście (city centre) district since 2023, and initially uncovered a medieval tombstone decorated with the carved image of a knight, according to a statement from Polish archaeology firm ArcheoScan, sent to CNN on Tuesday. The tombstone was then lifted earlier in July, revealing the complete skeleton of an adult male, thought to have lived around the 13th or 14th century. The find is of 'exceptional significance' and 'one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Poland in recent years,' Sylwia Kurzyńska, archeologist and director of ArcheoScan, said in the statement. Polish knight The knight was far taller than the average person at the time. (S. Kurzyńska/ArcheoScan via CNN Newsource) The tombstone is made from Gotland limestone, which was highly prized in the Middle Ages, and the relief depicts a knight sporting chainmail armor and mail leggings, with a sword and a shield. The slab measures around 150 centimetres (4' 11') in length, and important details of the artwork can still be seen, despite the fact that it is partially damaged. 'The tombstone is remarkably well preserved, considering it was carved from soft limestone and lay underground for centuries,' said Kurzyńska. 'The knight is shown standing upright with an uplifted sword — a posture likely symbolizing authority and elevated social status,' she added. This marks the tombstone out from the vast majority of late medieval sepulchral art, which tended to be limited to inscribed epitaphs, heraldic panels or Christian crosses, according to Kurzyńska. 'Only a small fraction included depictions of the deceased — and among these, most were simplified engravings on flat slabs designed for church floor use,' she added. It is also unusual in that both the artwork and its archeological context remain intact. Polish knight The tombstone, pictured in situ (S. Kurzyńska/ArcheoScan via CNN Newsource) After lifting the stone, archeologists found the remains of a man who stood 170-180 centimetres (5' 7' - 5' 11') tall, far larger than the medieval average, according to Kurzyńska. The bones were arranged naturally, confirming that the tombstone marked the original burial site, and preliminary analysis indicates 'excellent preservation,' she said. 'Although no grave goods were found, all available evidence suggests that the deceased was a person of high social standing — most likely a knight or commander held in particularly high esteem and respect,' said Kurzyńska. The grave was part of a cemetery housing almost 300 burials, which was attached to the oldest known church in Gdańsk. The church was built from oak found to have been felled in 1140, and was located in an early medieval stronghold occupied from the late 11th century to the early 14th century, according to the statement. 'This was a place of power, faith, and burial — a space of symbolic and strategic significance in the history of Gdańsk,' said Kurzyńska. Polish Knight The site was part of an early medieval stronghold. (S. Kurzyńska/ArcheoScan via CNN Newsource) The latest find 'offers an invaluable source of knowledge about the lives and deaths of Gdańsk's military elite in the 13th and 14th centuries, about medieval funerary traditions, and about cross-Baltic cultural connections,' she added. Experts are now working on further analysis of both the tombstone and the skeleton. The stone slab is being cleaned and stabilized so that it can be documented and 3D scanned to allow for the digital reconstruction of missing fragments, while the skeleton will undergo anthropological and genetic analysis to reveal more about the knight's life, and a facial reconstruction will be made based on the skull. By Jack Guy, CNN
CNN
23-07-2025
- General
- CNN
Medieval knight's complete skeleton discovered beneath Polish ice cream parlor
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a medieval knight, buried under a shuttered ice cream parlor in the Polish city of Gdańsk. Experts have been working at the site in the historic Śródmieście (city center) district since 2023, and initially uncovered a medieval tombstone decorated with the carved image of a knight, according to a statement from Polish archaeology firm ArcheoScan, sent to CNN on Tuesday. The tombstone was then lifted earlier in July, revealing the complete skeleton of an adult male, thought to have lived around the 13th or 14th century. The find is of 'exceptional significance' and 'one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Poland in recent years,' Sylwia Kurzyńska, archaeologist and director of ArcheoScan, said in the statement. The tombstone is made from Gotland limestone, which was highly prized in the Middle Ages, and the relief depicts a knight sporting chainmail armor and mail leggings, with a sword and a shield. The slab measures around 150 centimeters (4' 11') in length, and important details of the artwork can still be seen, despite the fact that it is partially damaged. 'The tombstone is remarkably well preserved, considering it was carved from soft limestone and lay underground for centuries,' said Kurzyńska. 'The knight is shown standing upright with an uplifted sword — a posture likely symbolizing authority and elevated social status,' she added. This marks the tombstone out from the vast majority of late medieval sepulchral art, which tended to be limited to inscribed epitaphs, heraldic panels or Christian crosses, according to Kurzyńska. 'Only a small fraction included depictions of the deceased — and among these, most were simplified engravings on flat slabs designed for church floor use,' she added. It is also unusual in that both the artwork and its archaeological context remain intact. After lifting the stone, archaeologists found the remains of a man who stood 170-180 centimeters (5' 7' - 5' 11') tall, far larger than the medieval average, according to Kurzyńska. The bones were arranged naturally, confirming that the tombstone marked the original burial site, and preliminary analysis indicates 'excellent preservation,' she said. 'Although no grave goods were found, all available evidence suggests that the deceased was a person of high social standing — most likely a knight or commander held in particularly high esteem and respect,' said Kurzyńska. The grave was part of a cemetery housing almost 300 burials, which was attached to the oldest known church in Gdańsk. The church was built from oak found to have been felled in 1140, and was located in an early medieval stronghold occupied from the late 11th century to the early 14th century, according to the statement. 'This was a place of power, faith, and burial — a space of symbolic and strategic significance in the history of Gdańsk,' said Kurzyńska. Discover your world Go beyond the headlines and explore the latest scientific achievements and fascinating discoveries. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. The latest find 'offers an invaluable source of knowledge about the lives and deaths of Gdańsk's military elite in the 13th and 14th centuries, about medieval funerary traditions, and about cross-Baltic cultural connections,' she added. Experts are now working on further analysis of both the tombstone and the skeleton. The stone slab is being cleaned and stabilized so that it can be documented and 3D scanned to allow for the digital reconstruction of missing fragments, while the skeleton will undergo anthropological and genetic analysis to reveal more about the knight's life, and a facial reconstruction will be made based on the skull.
CNN
23-07-2025
- General
- CNN
Medieval knight's complete skeleton discovered beneath Polish ice cream parlor
History uncovered Food & drinkFacebookTweetLink Follow Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a medieval knight, buried under a shuttered ice cream parlor in the Polish city of Gdańsk. Experts have been working at the site in the historic Śródmieście (city center) district since 2023, and initially uncovered a medieval tombstone decorated with the carved image of a knight, according to a statement from Polish archaeology firm ArcheoScan, sent to CNN on Tuesday. The tombstone was then lifted earlier in July, revealing the complete skeleton of an adult male, thought to have lived around the 13th or 14th century. The find is of 'exceptional significance' and 'one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Poland in recent years,' Sylwia Kurzyńska, archaeologist and director of ArcheoScan, said in the statement. The tombstone is made from Gotland limestone, which was highly prized in the Middle Ages, and the relief depicts a knight sporting chainmail armor and mail leggings, with a sword and a shield. The slab measures around 150 centimeters (4' 11') in length, and important details of the artwork can still be seen, despite the fact that it is partially damaged. 'The tombstone is remarkably well preserved, considering it was carved from soft limestone and lay underground for centuries,' said Kurzyńska. 'The knight is shown standing upright with an uplifted sword — a posture likely symbolizing authority and elevated social status,' she added. This marks the tombstone out from the vast majority of late medieval sepulchral art, which tended to be limited to inscribed epitaphs, heraldic panels or Christian crosses, according to Kurzyńska. 'Only a small fraction included depictions of the deceased — and among these, most were simplified engravings on flat slabs designed for church floor use,' she added. It is also unusual in that both the artwork and its archaeological context remain intact. After lifting the stone, archaeologists found the remains of a man who stood 170-180 centimeters (5' 7' - 5' 11') tall, far larger than the medieval average, according to Kurzyńska. The bones were arranged naturally, confirming that the tombstone marked the original burial site, and preliminary analysis indicates 'excellent preservation,' she said. 'Although no grave goods were found, all available evidence suggests that the deceased was a person of high social standing — most likely a knight or commander held in particularly high esteem and respect,' said Kurzyńska. The grave was part of a cemetery housing almost 300 burials, which was attached to the oldest known church in Gdańsk. The church was built from oak found to have been felled in 1140, and was located in an early medieval stronghold occupied from the late 11th century to the early 14th century, according to the statement. 'This was a place of power, faith, and burial — a space of symbolic and strategic significance in the history of Gdańsk,' said Kurzyńska. Discover your world Go beyond the headlines and explore the latest scientific achievements and fascinating discoveries. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. The latest find 'offers an invaluable source of knowledge about the lives and deaths of Gdańsk's military elite in the 13th and 14th centuries, about medieval funerary traditions, and about cross-Baltic cultural connections,' she added. Experts are now working on further analysis of both the tombstone and the skeleton. The stone slab is being cleaned and stabilized so that it can be documented and 3D scanned to allow for the digital reconstruction of missing fragments, while the skeleton will undergo anthropological and genetic analysis to reveal more about the knight's life, and a facial reconstruction will be made based on the skull.
Fox News
21-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Medieval knight's tomb discovered beneath former ice cream parlor in Poland: 'Very rare'
Polish archaeologists recently uncovered an elite knight's burial in remarkable condition – all in the middle of a bustling tourist city. The tomb was found in Gdańsk, Poland, a historic city revered for its colorful architecture and location on the scenic Motława River. The discovery was announced this month by Polish archaeology company ArcheoScan. The knight's grave was found beneath the former site of Lodziarnia Miś, a beloved ice cream parlor that once stood at the intersection of Sukiennicza and Grodzka streets. Speaking to Fox News Digital, the organization said the area was once a 13th-century cemetery next to the remains of Gdańsk's oldest known church. Both are located in the city's historic center, known as Śródmieście. "This church was built of oak wood cut down in 1140, based on dendrochronological dating," the organization said. "It is currently recognized as the oldest wooden church ever identified in Poland." The tombstone, dating to the late 13th or 14th century, was buried in an early medieval stronghold within the city. Archaeologists said the site was a "key place of power, faith and burial" in medieval Gdańsk. The tomb likely belonged to an elite knight, having been made from limestone imported from the Swedish island of Gotland. The grave's carvings were also skillfully crafted, suggesting a high-quality artisan produced the tombstone. "Figural tombstones showing full-length armored figures are rare in Poland, especially from the 13th–14th centuries." Pictures of the discovery show the faint image of a male figure standing upright wearing full chainmail armor and leggings. "He holds a sword and shield [in the image]," ArcheoScans noted. "Despite some damage, the head, left foot and many details of the armor and weapons remain visible." Although limestone is very fragile, ArcheoScan said the tombstone weathered the centuries well. "The tombstone is surprisingly well-preserved, considering it was made from soft limestone and buried for centuries," the organization added. "The carved figure, armor and shield are still visible." It also noted, "Tombstones like this were very rare in Poland at the time and were typically made for important people. However, there is no evidence linking the figure to the Teutonic Order, and no inscriptions confirm that connection." During the excavation, archaeologists carefully lifted the tomb slab and uncovered the knight's complete skeleton. An initial examination showed that the warrior stood between 5'5" and 5'9" tall, which was above average for the time. "The bones were found in anatomical alignment, confirming the tombstone marked the actual burial site," ArcheoScan added. "The skeleton is well-preserved, although no grave goods were found in association with the body." Experts hope to conduct additional research, including genetic analyses to determine the knight's age at death, as well as his health history. Further isotopic analysis may shed light on his lifestyle and diet, along with any other possible links to other burials. "Together, the tombstone, the church, and the cemetery help tell a rich and layered story of early medieval Gdańsk." Archaeologists also plan to conduct a facial reconstruction. ArcheoScan stressed that the discovery is "one of the most important archaeological finds in Poland in recent years," shedding light on burial customs as well as medieval symbolism. "Figural tombstones showing full-length armored figures are rare in Poland, especially from the 13th–14th centuries," the organization concluded. "Together, the tombstone, the church, and the cemetery help tell a rich and layered story of early medieval Gdańsk."
