The grave of the second lieutenant of the Polish Kingdom horse artillery Bonawentura Kuźniczow in... more The grave of the second lieutenant of the Polish Kingdom horse artillery Bonawentura Kuźniczow in Łowicz's collegiate church-a contribution to the genealogy of the Kuźniczow family Abstract The grave of Bonawentura Kuźniczow, a Polish soldier who died in 1829, was found in one of the crypts in the cathedral in Łowicz. The preserved grave equipment can contribute to studies on the uniforms of the Indeterminate Polish Army during the Congress Kingdom of Poland. The reason why the soldier was buried in the collegiate church remains unknown. However, the conducted query contributed to the reconstruction of the Kuźniczów family tree. (tłum. Mariusz Górniak).
Bitwa pod Kunowicami (Kunersdorf) została stoczona 12 sierpnia 1759 r. Na polach na pograniczu dz... more Bitwa pod Kunowicami (Kunersdorf) została stoczona 12 sierpnia 1759 r. Na polach na pograniczu dzisiejszych Kunowic, miasta Słubice oraz wsi Drzecin w województwie lubuskim starły się ze sobą armie koalicji rosyjsko-austriackiej (łącznie ok. 80 tysięcy żołnierzy) z armią pruską (ok. 50 tysięcy żołnierzy). Walki zakończyły się zwycięstwem wojsk sprzymierzonych, którym pomogła przewaga liczebna, doskonała i silna artyleria (zwłaszcza rosyjska), ukształtowanie terenu, a także wykonane przez Rosjan silne fortyfikacje obozu warownego. Badania archeologiczne tego pola bitwy prowadzone są nieprzerwanie od roku 2009. W ich wyniku, w 2010 r., w południowo-zachodniej części obszaru objętego pracami zlokalizowano szczątki ludzkie. Chociaż kości zachowały się w nienajlepszym stanie, to udało się przeprowadzić ich analizę antropologiczną i rozpoznać sposób ułożenia ciała. Niestety kręgi kręgosłupa, miednica oraz łopatki uległy prawie całkowitemu rozkładowi i ich eksploracja okazała się niemożliw...
The problem of the course of the Grunwald Battle has aroused lively interest among Polish and Eur... more The problem of the course of the Grunwald Battle has aroused lively interest among Polish and European medievalists, military historians, archaeologists, and history enthusiasts for decades. They are fascinated with the still not fully deciphered course of the campaign of 1410 and with the course of this battle in particular, one of the greatest in medieval history.1 Therefore, it is not surprising that a new publication by a well-known researcher of the Battle of Grunwald, Professor Sven Ekdahl, has been met with great interest by the scientific community. The book was published in four languages (Lithuanian, English, German, and Polish), has a total of 279 pages and consists of introductory chapters, historical background, structure of the depiction of events, and presenting the results of individual research campaigns from 2014-2019. As a result of these archaeological campaigns, Sven Ekdahl has found that they support his hypothesis that the Polish-Lithuanian and Teutonic armies...
Wrocławski arsenał, którego budowę rozpoczęto w 1459 r. przy Bramie Mikołajskiej, aż do pocz. XVI... more Wrocławski arsenał, którego budowę rozpoczęto w 1459 r. przy Bramie Mikołajskiej, aż do pocz. XVI w. stanowił główne miejsce służące do przechowywania miejskiego uzbrojenia. Jednym z ważnych źródeł dotyczących jego historii jest inwentarz pochodzący z 1547 r. Istotne miejsce w wykazie tym zajmuje artyleria wraz z amunicją, bowiem w systemie obrony Wrocławia działa starszego typu, dostosowane jeszcze do amunicji kamiennej, nadal zajmowały ważne miejsce, ale przechowywano też działa nowszych typów, jak również ręczną strzelbę miejską – hakownicę. W interesującej nas w tym miejscu kwestii dział kamiennych, w arsenale były wówczas łącznie 42 lufy. W spisie znajduje się ich zwięzły opis, rodzaj oraz liczba kul przeznaczonych do poszczególnych rodzajów broni. Łącznie zapas amunicji kamiennej wynosił 4286 kul wszystkich wagomiarów. Prace archeologiczne przeprowadzone w południowo-wschodniej części dziedzińca arsenału w latach siedemdziesiątych ubiegłego wieku doprowadziły do odkrycia bardz...
Since the second half of the 1990s, when large-scale archaeological research related to the const... more Since the second half of the 1990s, when large-scale archaeological research related to the construction of national roads and motorways began in Poland, archaeologists have faced a completely new category of finds. These were the remains of human activity from the contemporary period (19th-20th century), to a large extent, relics of military activity. Initially, they threw both researchers and heritage preservation services into a certain confusion related to the basic issues of both methodological and preservation nature. It was discussed whether such relics are monuments at all, and if so, whether they are the archaeological ones. Should they be documented in the same way as prehistoric and medieval objects? Should all artefacts be recorded or just the selection? These considerations were in a way influenced by the attitude of the investor, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, who demanded and, most importantly, financed the “removal”, in the form of archaeological research, of all traces of human activity from the route of the future road. And although discussions, albeit behind the scenes, on the heritage value of such objects are still ongoing, such relics, in the vast majority of cases, are consistently subject to regular research, and their results are more and more often published. This is also because such works fit into an ever more dynamically developing subdiscipline of archaeology, which is the archaeology of conflict. More and more archaeologists, also in Poland, take interest in these issues or focus their research exclusively on them. One of the most common types of immovable remains of the 20th century armed conflicts are relics of field fortifications. The authors draw attention to this category of finds, which should always be the subject of archaeological research, the methodology of which should not differ from the research of older monuments.
H. Mik, W. Węglińska (eds.), Materialne pozostałości konfliktów i zbrodni XX wieku w świetle najnowszych badań archeologicznych, 2019
The paper presents the orgins and early development of battlefield archaeology and its incorporat... more The paper presents the orgins and early development of battlefield archaeology and its incorporation into the field of archaeology of conflicts. The orgins of the discussed discipline date back to the 19th century, when historians and archaeologists – both professionals and amateurs – not only began to take some interest in the sites where armies fought but also examined the battles as historical events, turning their attention to sources other than just written or cartographic records. In the course of time, the circle of researchers was gradually being restricted to professional archaeologists. The new scientific discipline was labelled and defined in the mid-1980’s. Then, early in the 21st century, battlefield archaeology became a branch of the archaeology of military conflicts.
Anna I. Zalewska (red.), Archeologiczne przywracanie pamięci o Wielkiej Wojnie w rejonie Rawki i Bzury (1914-1915). Warszawa: Instytut Archeologii i Etnologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk, 2019
Firearms ammunition from archaeological research of front on Rawka and Bzura river (1914-1915). A... more Firearms ammunition from archaeological research of front on Rawka and Bzura river (1914-1915). An attempt to analyze.
In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marke... more In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marketplace, it was decided to move the cross-monument erected there to commemorate the January Uprising (1863-1864). According to historical records, the fallen insurgents were supposed to rest under the cross. The works were preceded by archaeological research, which revealed the existence of 9 graves. In total, the remains of 35 people have been found. Objects found in the graves indicate that they were French, Polish and Russian soldiers who perished during the skirmish in January 1813.
In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marke... more In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marketplace, it was decided to move the cross-monument erected there to commemorate the January Uprising (1863-1864). According to historical records, the fallen insurgents were supposed to rest under the cross. The works were preceded by archaeological research, which revealed the existence of 9 graves. In total, the remains of 35 people have been found. Objects found in the graves indicate that they were French, Polish and Russian soldiers who perished during the skirmish in January 1813.
Archaeologica Hereditas. Konserwacja zapobiegawcza środowiska. Dziedzictwo militarne. W. Borkowski, W. Brzeziński, J. Wysocki (eds.), 2017
Battlefields in Poland – unwanted element of archaeological heritage (?)
Binding laws on heritag... more Battlefields in Poland – unwanted element of archaeological heritage (?) Binding laws on heritage protection in Poland allow legal protection of battlefields. In spite of this only 6 of hundreds of the ones located on our territory are covered with such a protection. It means that, there is huge disproportion in relation to other categories of monuments, e.g. archaeological sites or architectural objects. Sites of armed conflicts are not associated with archaeological heritage, so they do not exist in Polish Archaeological Record (an official register of all sites known through research or filedwalking). Battlefields are an element of archaeological heritage and they should appear as such in the system of the protection of monuments. In order to understand that, it is enough to realise that a battle leaves tangible remains that can be researched with archaeological methods. Experiences of research carried out worldwide within archaeology of conflicts have demonstrated that battlefields are archaeological sites. They do not differ in any way from “classic” ones like a settlements or burial grounds. Topsoil contains movable objects and below there are immovable features, related or not to the objects above. This is why, it should be the archaeologists who deal with recording that type of sites with the use of methodology and methods elaborated during the project of Polish Archaeological Record. Over 95% of Polish territory has been covered by the project so far. It has been carried out since 1979 and has resulted in recording over 450 000 archaeological sites. Battlefields should be included in that archive. In 2013-2014 National Heritage board of Poland in co-operation with the Lubuskie Voivodeship Monuments Protection Officer recorded battlefields of the Lubuskie Voivodeship. The project was of a pilot character and should be carried out in the rest of the country.
Archaeologica Hereditas. Konserwacja zapobiegawcza środowiska 4. Dziedzictwo kulturowe w lasach. J. Wysocki (ed.), 2017
Archaeologists and sappers. Summary of the results of archaeological monitoring of sappers’ work ... more Archaeologists and sappers. Summary of the results of archaeological monitoring of sappers’ work within the project “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”
Forests have always been considered by archaeologists as areas inaccessible for fieldwalking or at least the places where observation was very difficult. Furthermore, their location on military grounds, sometimes functioning constantly from 1945 until 1990s, made realisation of various scientific research project complicated. Because of the above, the project of Polish Archaeological Record, initiated in 1970s, did not encompass many such areas of hundreds km² in size.
Some hope to improve this situation was given by archaeological monitoring carried out in 2012-2015 within the project entitled “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”.
The basic aim of the project was to restore natural values of forested areas that had been degraded during military activities. It was to be achieved through the implementation of many tasks, of which the demining was the key one. At this point archaeological heritage, whose resources were completely unknown, could have been threatened.
In order to avoid that in 2011, before the monitoring started, the State Forests National Forests Holding and the National Heritage Board of Poland signed an agreement on cooperation. Following the agreement the NHBP conducted trainings for the employees of the State Forests, prepared training materials for sappers as well as guidelines for methodology of archaeological monitoring during the demining and templates for the required documentation for archaeologists.
Archaeological monitoring covered 233,44 km². 42 archaeological sites and 464 portable objects were found. Majority of them was contemporary (83,2 %).
The grave of the second lieutenant of the Polish Kingdom horse artillery Bonawentura Kuźniczow in... more The grave of the second lieutenant of the Polish Kingdom horse artillery Bonawentura Kuźniczow in Łowicz's collegiate church-a contribution to the genealogy of the Kuźniczow family Abstract The grave of Bonawentura Kuźniczow, a Polish soldier who died in 1829, was found in one of the crypts in the cathedral in Łowicz. The preserved grave equipment can contribute to studies on the uniforms of the Indeterminate Polish Army during the Congress Kingdom of Poland. The reason why the soldier was buried in the collegiate church remains unknown. However, the conducted query contributed to the reconstruction of the Kuźniczów family tree. (tłum. Mariusz Górniak).
Bitwa pod Kunowicami (Kunersdorf) została stoczona 12 sierpnia 1759 r. Na polach na pograniczu dz... more Bitwa pod Kunowicami (Kunersdorf) została stoczona 12 sierpnia 1759 r. Na polach na pograniczu dzisiejszych Kunowic, miasta Słubice oraz wsi Drzecin w województwie lubuskim starły się ze sobą armie koalicji rosyjsko-austriackiej (łącznie ok. 80 tysięcy żołnierzy) z armią pruską (ok. 50 tysięcy żołnierzy). Walki zakończyły się zwycięstwem wojsk sprzymierzonych, którym pomogła przewaga liczebna, doskonała i silna artyleria (zwłaszcza rosyjska), ukształtowanie terenu, a także wykonane przez Rosjan silne fortyfikacje obozu warownego. Badania archeologiczne tego pola bitwy prowadzone są nieprzerwanie od roku 2009. W ich wyniku, w 2010 r., w południowo-zachodniej części obszaru objętego pracami zlokalizowano szczątki ludzkie. Chociaż kości zachowały się w nienajlepszym stanie, to udało się przeprowadzić ich analizę antropologiczną i rozpoznać sposób ułożenia ciała. Niestety kręgi kręgosłupa, miednica oraz łopatki uległy prawie całkowitemu rozkładowi i ich eksploracja okazała się niemożliw...
The problem of the course of the Grunwald Battle has aroused lively interest among Polish and Eur... more The problem of the course of the Grunwald Battle has aroused lively interest among Polish and European medievalists, military historians, archaeologists, and history enthusiasts for decades. They are fascinated with the still not fully deciphered course of the campaign of 1410 and with the course of this battle in particular, one of the greatest in medieval history.1 Therefore, it is not surprising that a new publication by a well-known researcher of the Battle of Grunwald, Professor Sven Ekdahl, has been met with great interest by the scientific community. The book was published in four languages (Lithuanian, English, German, and Polish), has a total of 279 pages and consists of introductory chapters, historical background, structure of the depiction of events, and presenting the results of individual research campaigns from 2014-2019. As a result of these archaeological campaigns, Sven Ekdahl has found that they support his hypothesis that the Polish-Lithuanian and Teutonic armies...
Wrocławski arsenał, którego budowę rozpoczęto w 1459 r. przy Bramie Mikołajskiej, aż do pocz. XVI... more Wrocławski arsenał, którego budowę rozpoczęto w 1459 r. przy Bramie Mikołajskiej, aż do pocz. XVI w. stanowił główne miejsce służące do przechowywania miejskiego uzbrojenia. Jednym z ważnych źródeł dotyczących jego historii jest inwentarz pochodzący z 1547 r. Istotne miejsce w wykazie tym zajmuje artyleria wraz z amunicją, bowiem w systemie obrony Wrocławia działa starszego typu, dostosowane jeszcze do amunicji kamiennej, nadal zajmowały ważne miejsce, ale przechowywano też działa nowszych typów, jak również ręczną strzelbę miejską – hakownicę. W interesującej nas w tym miejscu kwestii dział kamiennych, w arsenale były wówczas łącznie 42 lufy. W spisie znajduje się ich zwięzły opis, rodzaj oraz liczba kul przeznaczonych do poszczególnych rodzajów broni. Łącznie zapas amunicji kamiennej wynosił 4286 kul wszystkich wagomiarów. Prace archeologiczne przeprowadzone w południowo-wschodniej części dziedzińca arsenału w latach siedemdziesiątych ubiegłego wieku doprowadziły do odkrycia bardz...
Since the second half of the 1990s, when large-scale archaeological research related to the const... more Since the second half of the 1990s, when large-scale archaeological research related to the construction of national roads and motorways began in Poland, archaeologists have faced a completely new category of finds. These were the remains of human activity from the contemporary period (19th-20th century), to a large extent, relics of military activity. Initially, they threw both researchers and heritage preservation services into a certain confusion related to the basic issues of both methodological and preservation nature. It was discussed whether such relics are monuments at all, and if so, whether they are the archaeological ones. Should they be documented in the same way as prehistoric and medieval objects? Should all artefacts be recorded or just the selection? These considerations were in a way influenced by the attitude of the investor, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, who demanded and, most importantly, financed the “removal”, in the form of archaeological research, of all traces of human activity from the route of the future road. And although discussions, albeit behind the scenes, on the heritage value of such objects are still ongoing, such relics, in the vast majority of cases, are consistently subject to regular research, and their results are more and more often published. This is also because such works fit into an ever more dynamically developing subdiscipline of archaeology, which is the archaeology of conflict. More and more archaeologists, also in Poland, take interest in these issues or focus their research exclusively on them. One of the most common types of immovable remains of the 20th century armed conflicts are relics of field fortifications. The authors draw attention to this category of finds, which should always be the subject of archaeological research, the methodology of which should not differ from the research of older monuments.
H. Mik, W. Węglińska (eds.), Materialne pozostałości konfliktów i zbrodni XX wieku w świetle najnowszych badań archeologicznych, 2019
The paper presents the orgins and early development of battlefield archaeology and its incorporat... more The paper presents the orgins and early development of battlefield archaeology and its incorporation into the field of archaeology of conflicts. The orgins of the discussed discipline date back to the 19th century, when historians and archaeologists – both professionals and amateurs – not only began to take some interest in the sites where armies fought but also examined the battles as historical events, turning their attention to sources other than just written or cartographic records. In the course of time, the circle of researchers was gradually being restricted to professional archaeologists. The new scientific discipline was labelled and defined in the mid-1980’s. Then, early in the 21st century, battlefield archaeology became a branch of the archaeology of military conflicts.
Anna I. Zalewska (red.), Archeologiczne przywracanie pamięci o Wielkiej Wojnie w rejonie Rawki i Bzury (1914-1915). Warszawa: Instytut Archeologii i Etnologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk, 2019
Firearms ammunition from archaeological research of front on Rawka and Bzura river (1914-1915). A... more Firearms ammunition from archaeological research of front on Rawka and Bzura river (1914-1915). An attempt to analyze.
In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marke... more In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marketplace, it was decided to move the cross-monument erected there to commemorate the January Uprising (1863-1864). According to historical records, the fallen insurgents were supposed to rest under the cross. The works were preceded by archaeological research, which revealed the existence of 9 graves. In total, the remains of 35 people have been found. Objects found in the graves indicate that they were French, Polish and Russian soldiers who perished during the skirmish in January 1813.
In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marke... more In 2014 in Kałuszyn, Masovian Voivodeship, in connection with the modernization of the city marketplace, it was decided to move the cross-monument erected there to commemorate the January Uprising (1863-1864). According to historical records, the fallen insurgents were supposed to rest under the cross. The works were preceded by archaeological research, which revealed the existence of 9 graves. In total, the remains of 35 people have been found. Objects found in the graves indicate that they were French, Polish and Russian soldiers who perished during the skirmish in January 1813.
Archaeologica Hereditas. Konserwacja zapobiegawcza środowiska. Dziedzictwo militarne. W. Borkowski, W. Brzeziński, J. Wysocki (eds.), 2017
Battlefields in Poland – unwanted element of archaeological heritage (?)
Binding laws on heritag... more Battlefields in Poland – unwanted element of archaeological heritage (?) Binding laws on heritage protection in Poland allow legal protection of battlefields. In spite of this only 6 of hundreds of the ones located on our territory are covered with such a protection. It means that, there is huge disproportion in relation to other categories of monuments, e.g. archaeological sites or architectural objects. Sites of armed conflicts are not associated with archaeological heritage, so they do not exist in Polish Archaeological Record (an official register of all sites known through research or filedwalking). Battlefields are an element of archaeological heritage and they should appear as such in the system of the protection of monuments. In order to understand that, it is enough to realise that a battle leaves tangible remains that can be researched with archaeological methods. Experiences of research carried out worldwide within archaeology of conflicts have demonstrated that battlefields are archaeological sites. They do not differ in any way from “classic” ones like a settlements or burial grounds. Topsoil contains movable objects and below there are immovable features, related or not to the objects above. This is why, it should be the archaeologists who deal with recording that type of sites with the use of methodology and methods elaborated during the project of Polish Archaeological Record. Over 95% of Polish territory has been covered by the project so far. It has been carried out since 1979 and has resulted in recording over 450 000 archaeological sites. Battlefields should be included in that archive. In 2013-2014 National Heritage board of Poland in co-operation with the Lubuskie Voivodeship Monuments Protection Officer recorded battlefields of the Lubuskie Voivodeship. The project was of a pilot character and should be carried out in the rest of the country.
Archaeologica Hereditas. Konserwacja zapobiegawcza środowiska 4. Dziedzictwo kulturowe w lasach. J. Wysocki (ed.), 2017
Archaeologists and sappers. Summary of the results of archaeological monitoring of sappers’ work ... more Archaeologists and sappers. Summary of the results of archaeological monitoring of sappers’ work within the project “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”
Forests have always been considered by archaeologists as areas inaccessible for fieldwalking or at least the places where observation was very difficult. Furthermore, their location on military grounds, sometimes functioning constantly from 1945 until 1990s, made realisation of various scientific research project complicated. Because of the above, the project of Polish Archaeological Record, initiated in 1970s, did not encompass many such areas of hundreds km² in size.
Some hope to improve this situation was given by archaeological monitoring carried out in 2012-2015 within the project entitled “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”.
The basic aim of the project was to restore natural values of forested areas that had been degraded during military activities. It was to be achieved through the implementation of many tasks, of which the demining was the key one. At this point archaeological heritage, whose resources were completely unknown, could have been threatened.
In order to avoid that in 2011, before the monitoring started, the State Forests National Forests Holding and the National Heritage Board of Poland signed an agreement on cooperation. Following the agreement the NHBP conducted trainings for the employees of the State Forests, prepared training materials for sappers as well as guidelines for methodology of archaeological monitoring during the demining and templates for the required documentation for archaeologists.
Archaeological monitoring covered 233,44 km². 42 archaeological sites and 464 portable objects were found. Majority of them was contemporary (83,2 %).
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This is also because such works fit into an ever more dynamically developing subdiscipline of archaeology, which is the archaeology of conflict. More and more archaeologists, also in Poland, take interest in these issues or focus their research exclusively on them.
One of the most common types of immovable remains of the 20th century armed conflicts are relics of field fortifications. The authors draw attention to this category of finds, which should always be the subject of archaeological research, the methodology of which should not differ from the research of older monuments.
Binding laws on heritage protection in Poland allow legal protection of battlefields. In spite of this only 6 of hundreds of the ones located on our territory are covered with such a protection. It means that, there is huge disproportion in relation to other categories of monuments, e.g. archaeological sites or architectural objects. Sites of armed conflicts are not associated with archaeological heritage, so they do not exist in Polish Archaeological Record (an official register of all sites known through research or filedwalking).
Battlefields are an element of archaeological heritage and they should appear as such in the system of the protection of monuments.
In order to understand that, it is enough to realise that a battle leaves tangible remains that can be researched with archaeological methods.
Experiences of research carried out worldwide within archaeology of conflicts have demonstrated that battlefields are archaeological sites. They do not differ in any way from “classic” ones like a settlements or burial grounds. Topsoil contains movable objects and below there are immovable features, related or not to the objects above. This is why, it should be the archaeologists who deal with recording that type of sites with the use of methodology and methods elaborated during the project of Polish Archaeological Record. Over 95% of Polish territory has been covered by the project so far. It has been carried out since 1979 and has resulted in recording over 450 000 archaeological sites. Battlefields should be included in that archive.
In 2013-2014 National Heritage board of Poland in co-operation with the Lubuskie Voivodeship Monuments Protection Officer recorded battlefields of the Lubuskie Voivodeship. The project was of a pilot character and should be carried out in the rest of the country.
Forests have always been considered by archaeologists as areas inaccessible for fieldwalking or at least the places where observation was very difficult. Furthermore, their location on military grounds, sometimes functioning constantly from 1945 until 1990s, made realisation of various scientific research project complicated. Because of the above, the project of Polish Archaeological Record, initiated in 1970s, did not encompass many such areas of hundreds km² in size.
Some hope to improve this situation was given by archaeological monitoring carried out in 2012-2015 within the project entitled “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”.
The basic aim of the project was to restore natural values of forested areas that had been degraded during military activities. It was to be achieved through the implementation of many tasks, of which the demining was the key one. At this point archaeological heritage, whose resources were completely unknown, could have been threatened.
In order to avoid that in 2011, before the monitoring started, the State Forests National Forests Holding and the National Heritage Board of Poland signed an agreement on cooperation. Following the agreement the NHBP conducted trainings for the employees of the State Forests, prepared training materials for sappers as well as guidelines for methodology of archaeological monitoring during the demining and templates for the required documentation for archaeologists.
Archaeological monitoring covered 233,44 km². 42 archaeological sites and 464 portable objects were found. Majority of them was contemporary (83,2 %).
This is also because such works fit into an ever more dynamically developing subdiscipline of archaeology, which is the archaeology of conflict. More and more archaeologists, also in Poland, take interest in these issues or focus their research exclusively on them.
One of the most common types of immovable remains of the 20th century armed conflicts are relics of field fortifications. The authors draw attention to this category of finds, which should always be the subject of archaeological research, the methodology of which should not differ from the research of older monuments.
Binding laws on heritage protection in Poland allow legal protection of battlefields. In spite of this only 6 of hundreds of the ones located on our territory are covered with such a protection. It means that, there is huge disproportion in relation to other categories of monuments, e.g. archaeological sites or architectural objects. Sites of armed conflicts are not associated with archaeological heritage, so they do not exist in Polish Archaeological Record (an official register of all sites known through research or filedwalking).
Battlefields are an element of archaeological heritage and they should appear as such in the system of the protection of monuments.
In order to understand that, it is enough to realise that a battle leaves tangible remains that can be researched with archaeological methods.
Experiences of research carried out worldwide within archaeology of conflicts have demonstrated that battlefields are archaeological sites. They do not differ in any way from “classic” ones like a settlements or burial grounds. Topsoil contains movable objects and below there are immovable features, related or not to the objects above. This is why, it should be the archaeologists who deal with recording that type of sites with the use of methodology and methods elaborated during the project of Polish Archaeological Record. Over 95% of Polish territory has been covered by the project so far. It has been carried out since 1979 and has resulted in recording over 450 000 archaeological sites. Battlefields should be included in that archive.
In 2013-2014 National Heritage board of Poland in co-operation with the Lubuskie Voivodeship Monuments Protection Officer recorded battlefields of the Lubuskie Voivodeship. The project was of a pilot character and should be carried out in the rest of the country.
Forests have always been considered by archaeologists as areas inaccessible for fieldwalking or at least the places where observation was very difficult. Furthermore, their location on military grounds, sometimes functioning constantly from 1945 until 1990s, made realisation of various scientific research project complicated. Because of the above, the project of Polish Archaeological Record, initiated in 1970s, did not encompass many such areas of hundreds km² in size.
Some hope to improve this situation was given by archaeological monitoring carried out in 2012-2015 within the project entitled “Reclamation for natural purposes of degraded military training grounds and military areas managed by the State Forests National Forests Holding”.
The basic aim of the project was to restore natural values of forested areas that had been degraded during military activities. It was to be achieved through the implementation of many tasks, of which the demining was the key one. At this point archaeological heritage, whose resources were completely unknown, could have been threatened.
In order to avoid that in 2011, before the monitoring started, the State Forests National Forests Holding and the National Heritage Board of Poland signed an agreement on cooperation. Following the agreement the NHBP conducted trainings for the employees of the State Forests, prepared training materials for sappers as well as guidelines for methodology of archaeological monitoring during the demining and templates for the required documentation for archaeologists.
Archaeological monitoring covered 233,44 km². 42 archaeological sites and 464 portable objects were found. Majority of them was contemporary (83,2 %).