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Archaeology head down - Ostrów Lednicki 2012

Listen to this article Research at the site has been conducted since 1982. Since then, the site has not only been an archaeological site but also a breeding ground for Polish underwater archaeologists. Ostrów Lednicki, an island located between Gniezno and Poznań, was the seat of Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry. On the island itself,

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: July 17, 2012 - 19:13

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 05:12

Archaeology head down – Ostrów Lednicki 2012

Listen to this article

Research at the site has been conducted since 1982. Since then, the site has not only been an archaeological site but also a breeding ground for Polish underwater archaeologists. Ostrów Lednicki, an island located between Gniezno and Poznań, was the seat of Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry.

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On the island itself, a palace, a church and a castle were found. There were two bridges leading to the island: a shorter one leading to Gniezno and a longer one leading to Poznan. In 1038, Prince Brzetysław of Bohemia, while invading the Piasts’ country, reached as far as Ostrów Lednicki. In that year, a battle took place during which both bridges were destroyed. The mysteries of those bridges and the battle on the lake are now being explored by underwater archaeologists from the Department of Underwater Archaeology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.

Since 1982, the Gniezno bridge on the island side and the Poznan bridge on the land side have been examined. As many as 7 dugout canoes were found. A huge number of militaria were found, hundreds of axes, dozens of spearheads, several swords, a chainmail helmet and countless objects of everyday use.

Currently, an archaeological expedition is focusing on investigating the remains of the Poznan Bridge from the land side. The research involves not only underwater archaeologists from the Department of Underwater Archaeology IA UMK, but also students. They learn how to explore research plots, and then to document the relics of the bridge, which consist of piles and beams.

We dive and work with our heads down so as not to spoil our visibility while working. In the dive site we move mainly with our hands, because every swing of the fin reduces visibility to practically zero,” says Krzysztof Radka, the expedition leader.

The expedition will last until the end of July. We look forward to hearing about discoveries and research results.

More information and photos can be found at:

facebook.com/archeology.underwater and archaeologia.umk.pl

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.