Archaeological findings in Lake Łodygowo

A team of underwater archaeologists from the Department of Underwater Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, headed by Andrzej Pydyn, PhD, is once again conducting research in the Iława Lake District. This year, a joint project is being carried out with the Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, supported by the Polish Archaeologists Scientific Association.

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The research is conducted thanks to financial support granted by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage within the programme – Cultural Heritage and priority – Protection of Archaeological Monuments. The grant headed by Prof. Dr. Przemysław Urbańczyk and entitled “Non-destructive comprehensive identification of archaeological resources of the lake bottom and coastal zone in selected basins of the Iławskie Lake District within the framework of underwater AZP” is the largest project of this kind implemented in Polish inland waters.

Although the research has only been going on for several days, it has already yielded spectacular results. On Łodygowo Lake we managed to locate two bridge crossings leading to one of the islands. These objects were mentioned in 19th century archival sources, and the remains of the piles were also visible at the very low tides of this body of water.

However, only the present research makes it possible to link the bridge crossings in question to a large body of archaeological material dating mainly from the early Middle Ages. During the research many fragments of ceramic vessels and numerous animal bones were found. The lack of metal artefacts, which should be present in the area of bridge crossings of this type, is alarming.

This may suggest that the site was robbed by people using metal detectors. This confirms the need for research and protection of sites of this type. Fortunately, valuable metal artefacts have been encountered in other areas of the coastal zone.

The islands, the coastal zone and the found bridges will be investigated over the coming months. Further prospecting will be carried out and it is planned to use non-invasive technologies to understand the bottom structure and possible further structures in the bottom sediments.