Ledniczka in the early Middle Ages – results of archaeological research in seasons 2022-2023

Abstract

In 2021-2022, the Museum of the First Piasts at Lednica conducted archaeological excavation on Ledniczka, an island located on Lednickie Lake (Rybitwy, site 4, AZP 50- 32/25). In the trenches along the western shoreline wooden elements were found in a chaotic arrangement which originated from bridge or shoreline fortifications dated to the 2^nd half of the 13^th–13^th/14^th century. In the layers of detritus fragments of early 10^th century vessels were also discovered. A trench located on the northern  slope  of  the  ‘rampart’  surrounding the stronghold at the north provided important information. The natural elevation used for its construction had been raised by about 1 m, and the original humus contained abundant artefacts dated, as in the previous case, to the time of the construction of this fortified settlement and the early 10^th century.