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Time of India
6 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Archaeologists find a sweet surprise below an ice cream shop: A medieval knight
Image credits: X The coolest treat this summer was received by the archaeologists in Poland, who found a sweet surprise under the site of a former ice cream shop. Researchers with the company ArcheoScan unearthed a skeleton of a medieval knight under a street corner in Gdańsk, Poland, in early July. They were digging at a site which was a former ice cream parlor named Miś, when they discovered a 700-year-old Gotland limestone tombstone engraved with the image of a knight in armor holding a shield. As per a translated news release from Poland's national heritage agency, early estimates dated the stone back to the 13th and 14th centuries. But that wasn't all. Just two days later, the researchers uncovered the knight's entire skeleton about five inches below the tombstone. The knight was about 40 years old at the time of death and measured about 5 feet and 7 inches tall, said anthropologist Aleksandra Pudlo from the Archaeological Museum in a post on the official Gdańsk website. The knight's bones were found in what the researchers believe is a medieval cemetery with nearly 300 other graves. "I can initially say that he was a man of strong build, over 40 years old. His height was approximately 170 centimeters, maybe more. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sulaymaniyah: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo In the Middle Ages, this was the average height for men in Gdańsk; women were on average 10 centimeters shorter. We will know more about the skeleton from this grave after conducting a thorough examination," explained Pudlo. According to the evidence, only eight of the 300 graves were covered with tombstones, which means that those were of the individuals who held important roles in the society of that time. Image credits: X The archaeological site was previously an ice cream shop that opened in 1962 and has since moved to another location. Not only a knight's skeleton, but also other discoveries such as remains of small cottages from the 12th and 13th centuries and a wooden church from 1140, believed to be the oldest in Gdańsk, have also been found at the site. According to the evidence, only eight of the 300 graves were covered with tombstones, which means that those were of the individuals who held important roles in the society of that time. Researchers will make use of 3D software to examine the tombstone, and archaeologists may try to reconstruct the object. While further research is required to determine the origins of the knight and the site, Pudlo shared that if all goes well, they could have the information by next year. Gdańsk was captured by the Teutonic Knights in the autumn of 1308, and the origin of the knight will determine if he served the Pomeranian dukes of the Sobieslaw dynasty or the Order of the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the German House in Jerusalem.
Euronews
2 days ago
- General
- Euronews
Skeleton of medieval knight found at former Polish ice cream shop
Earlier this month, in the centre of Gdańsk, archaeologists from ArcheoScan discovered a tombstone with the image of a knight, dating back to the 13th century. Two days later, about 30 cm under the stones, the perfectly preserved skeleton of a knight was unearthed. The find was made at a cult site for the people of Gdańsk. It used to be a pub until 1962, after which it was relocated and the intersection of Sukiennicza and Grodzka Streets in Gdańsk became an area for large-scale archaeological work. According to the official profile of the Pomeranian Regional Monument Conservator, this was not a "knight, but a real knight, as he was about 180 cm tall, according to a preliminary estimate. However, according to archaeologists, the knight, who was around 40 years old at the time of his death, measured between 168 and 178 cm in height. The Gdańsk Lancelot The skeleton was quickly christened the 'Danzig Lancelot' by the public. Although Danzig was ruled by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, there is now some speculation that the knight may have been related to the Sobieslaws, a dynasty that ruled the city in the 11th and 12th centuries. According to archaeologists, the depiction of the knight on the tombstone (a figure in a chainmail with a sword on his right arm and a shield), suggests that he was a person of some repute. Being laid to rest under an expensive stone - Gotland limestone - suggest that he was not an "ordinary citizen". "Considering the value of the chainmail armour, the value of the sword and the very representation of the knight, who is upright, with his sword raised, makes it possible to guess that this was probably a commander or a person enjoying special recognition and respect," - archaeologist Sylwia Kurzyńska told the Polish Press Agency. Thorough examination of the remains will continue in order to better understand the history and origins of the knight. Archaeological work in the centre of Gdańsk itself has been carried out since 2023. Recent discoveries include a Teutonic castle which existed in the area between 1335 and 1341, and was demolished by the inhabitants of Gdańsk in 1454. A wooden church dating back to 1140 has also been found in the excavation area, as well as fragments of a compact building or city street.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Archaeologists unearth 13th-century knight under ice cream parlour in Poland
Archaeologists in Poland found a medieval knight's skeleton under an ice cream shop in Gdansk. The knight, believed to be from the 13th or 14th century, was buried with a decorated tombstone. The tombstone depicts a knight in chainmail. The skeleton is remarkably well-preserved. Scientists will conduct tests and attempt facial reconstruction. This discovery is considered significant for Polish archaeology. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Archaeologists in Poland have uncovered the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a medieval knight beneath the site of an ice cream parlour in the historic city of Gdań discovery was made during ongoing excavations in the Śródmieście (city centre) district, where a team from the archaeology firm ArcheoScan has been working since 2023. The site lies within the bounds of an early medieval stronghold, once home to Gdańsk's oldest known breakthrough came earlier this month when archaeologists lifted a decorated tombstone, revealing the complete remains of an adult male beneath it. The man is believed to have lived in the 13th or 14th century.'The tombstone is made from Gotland limestone, which was highly valued in the Middle Ages,' said Sylwia Kurzyńska, archaeologist and director of ArcheoScan. 'It depicts a knight in chainmail, standing upright with an uplifted sword, a posture likely symbolising authority and high social standing.'Kurzyńska described the find as 'one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Poland in recent years,' noting that such detailed knightly depictions are rare in medieval sepulchral art , where simpler engravings or crosses were more centuries underground, the slab remains in 'remarkably good condition,' Kurzyńska said. Measuring roughly 150cm (4ft 11in) in length, the artwork still displays key features, though it is partially skeleton, lying directly beneath the stone, was naturally arranged, indicating it was the knight's original burial site. Preliminary analysis suggests the man was between 170 and 180cm (5ft 7in to 5ft 11in) tall, significantly taller than the medieval average.'Although no grave goods were recovered, all available evidence points to a person of high status, most likely a knight or commander held in great esteem,' Kurzyńska tomb was found in a cemetery that once surrounded the city's oldest wooden church, constructed from oak felled around 1140. Nearly 300 burials have been documented in the area so tombstone is now being cleaned and digitally scanned for reconstruction, while the skeleton will undergo further anthropological and genetic tests. A facial reconstruction will also be attempted to bring the face of the long-buried knight back to life.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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. 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. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
6 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
