logo
Medieval knight's tomb discovered beneath former ice cream parlor in bustling Polish city

Medieval knight's tomb discovered beneath former ice cream parlor in bustling Polish city

New York Post4 days ago
Advertisement
Polish archaeologists recently uncovered an elite knight's burial in remarkable condition – all in the middle of a bustling tourist city.
The tomb was found in Gdańsk, Poland, a historic city revered for its colorful architecture and location on the scenic Motława River.
The discovery was announced this month by Polish archaeology company ArcheoScan.
The knight's grave was found beneath the former site of Lodziarnia Miś, a beloved ice cream parlor that once stood at the intersection of Sukiennicza and Grodzka streets.
Advertisement
Speaking to Fox News Digital, the organization said the area was once a 13th-century cemetery next to the remains of Gdańsk's oldest known church. Both are located in the city's historic center, known as Śródmieście.
'This church was built of oak wood cut down in 1140, based on dendrochronological dating,' the organization said. 'It is currently recognized as the oldest wooden church ever identified in Poland.'
The tombstone, dating to the late 13th or 14th century, was buried in an early medieval stronghold within the city. Archaeologists said the site was a 'key place of power, faith and burial' in medieval Gdańsk.
5 Polish archaeologists recently uncovered an elite knight's burial in remarkable condition – all in the middle of a bustling tourist city.
Sylwia Kurzy¿ska / ArcheoScan
Advertisement
The tomb likely belonged to an elite knight, having been made from limestone imported from the Swedish island of Gotland. The grave's carvings were also skillfully crafted, suggesting a high-quality artisan produced the tombstone.
Pictures of the discovery show the faint image of a male figure standing upright wearing full chainmail armor and leggings.
'He holds a sword and shield [in the image],' ArcheoScans noted.
Advertisement
5 The tomb was found in Gdańsk, Poland, a historic city revered for its colorful architecture and location on the scenic Motława River.
Sylwia Kurzy¿ska / ArcheoScan
'Despite some damage, the head, left foot, and many details of the armor and weapons remain visible.'
Although limestone is very fragile, ArcheoScan said the tombstone weathered the centuries well.
'The tombstone is surprisingly well-preserved, considering it was made from soft limestone and buried for centuries,' the organization added. 'The carved figure, armor, and shield are still visible.'
5 The knight's grave was found beneath the former site of Lodziarnia Miś, a beloved ice cream parlor.
Sylwia Kurzy¿ska / ArcheoScan
It also noted, 'Tombstones like this were very rare in Poland at the time and were typically made for important people. However, there is no evidence linking the figure to the Teutonic Order, and no inscriptions confirm that connection.'
During the excavation, archaeologists carefully lifted the tomb slab and uncovered the knight's complete skeleton. An initial examination showed that the warrior stood between 5'5″ and 5'9″ tall, which was above average for the time.
5 ArcheoScan stressed that the discovery is 'one of the most important archaeological finds in Poland in recent years,' shedding light on burial customs as well as medieval symbolism.
Sylwia Kurzy¿ska / ArcheoScan
Advertisement
'The bones were found in anatomical alignment, confirming the tombstone marked the actual burial site,' ArcheoScan added. 'The skeleton is well-preserved, although no grave goods were found in association with the body.'
Experts hope to conduct additional research, including genetic analyses to determine the knight's age at death, as well as his health history.
Further isotopic analysis may shed light on his lifestyle and diet, along with any other possible links to other burials.
Archaeologists also plan to conduct a facial reconstruction.
Advertisement
5 'Despite some damage, the head, left foot, and many details of the armor and weapons remain visible,' ArcheoScans noted.
Sylwia Kurzy¿ska / ArcheoScan
ArcheoScan stressed that the discovery is 'one of the most important archaeological finds in Poland in recent years,' shedding light on burial customs as well as medieval symbolism.
'Figural tombstones showing full-length armored figures are rare in Poland, especially from the 13th–14th centuries,' the organization concluded.
'Together, the tombstone, the church, and the cemetery help tell a rich and layered story of early medieval Gdańsk.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Are Hybrid Seeds Really Worth It? Debunking Common Myths Related to Your Garden
Are Hybrid Seeds Really Worth It? Debunking Common Myths Related to Your Garden

Epoch Times

timean hour ago

  • Epoch Times

Are Hybrid Seeds Really Worth It? Debunking Common Myths Related to Your Garden

One year, I grew watermelons here at Owl Feather Farm. My wife Nicole loves them. They are the epitome of late summer succulence. What could be better on a hot August afternoon than to slice open a juicy 12-pound melon on the picnic table, grab a glistening crimson piece, chow down, and sluice everything off afterward with the garden hose? The melons I grew were a yellow heirloom Polish cool-climate variety. The ones I harvested were 6 inches at best, and when sliced open yielded about four tablespoons of melon flesh. They ripened in early October, not late August, and tasted … OK. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, as they say in Kansas. But we're not in Kansas any more, Toto. We're on a small island in the Salish Sea.

Metal detectorist's 'feeling' leads to massive Roman settlement discovery in popular tourist hotspot
Metal detectorist's 'feeling' leads to massive Roman settlement discovery in popular tourist hotspot

Fox News

time13 hours ago

  • Fox News

Metal detectorist's 'feeling' leads to massive Roman settlement discovery in popular tourist hotspot

Archaeologists uncovered an "extensive" Ancient Roman settlement in an idyllic tourist destination in England – all thanks to the chance discovery of an amateur metal detectorist. In a press release shared with Fox News Digital, Cotswold Archaeology announced the discovery of the Roman settlement in Gloucestershire, a county within the Cotswold region of England. (See the video at the top of this article.) The settlement dates back 2,000 years; it was inhabited between the first and second centuries A.D. The excavation near Willersey was done as a joint effort with Historic England. Among the recent discoveries were a Roman villa, remains of limestone buildings — and at least three Iron Age ring ditches. Excavators also found the remnants of Roman building materials, including ceramic roofing, painted wall plaster and box flue tiles. "Once Historic England has the final report on the archaeological work, it will be able to consider whether to recommend to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that the site be protected as a scheduled monument," the statement said. The recent excavation was all thanks to an amateur metal detectorist who found two iron Roman cavalry swords in the same location in March 2023. The hobbyist, Glenn Manning, reported his finds to the government, and they were subsequently donated to the local Corinium Museum in Cirencester. "The X-rays show that the swords were constructed differently: one has evidence of decorative pattern welding running down the center, whereas the other sword is plain," Cotswold Archaeology explained in its statement. "The pattern-welded sword would have been more expensive to produce and therefore higher status." "We turned a plowed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years." The long swords likely belonged to cavalrymen in the second century, the organization said. "They are contemporary with the villa," its statement added. "How they came to be there, though, is currently unknown." Near Willersley, archaeologists also uncovered a burial of a skeleton that still retained an iron band around its arm. A horse skull was also found – but whether the remains date back to the Roman settlement is still unknown. In a statement, Cotswold Archaeology onsite project officer Peter Busby said he was "very proud" of the achievement. "We turned a plowed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years – the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords," the archaeologist said. "This was only my second time metal detecting. I'm excited to find out more about them." Glenn Manning, the metal detectorist who found the swords, described his experience as "amazing." He recalled, "The morning before the rally, I had a feeling I would find something special. This was only my second time metal detecting. I'm excited to find out more about them." The Romans occupied the British Isles from 43 A.D. until 410 A.D., and many remnants of the era still emerge today. In May, British archaeologists announced the discovery of an unusual eight-sided Roman ring in a former drainage ditch in Lincolnshire. Before that, a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project in England.

33 Things With Over 10,000 5-Star Ratings That You'll Feel Like A Genius For Buying
33 Things With Over 10,000 5-Star Ratings That You'll Feel Like A Genius For Buying

Buzz Feed

time18 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

33 Things With Over 10,000 5-Star Ratings That You'll Feel Like A Genius For Buying

A pack of headrest hooks to bring organizational bliss to the otherwise chaotic domain that is your car. These little gems can hold everything from your purse to those grocery bags that always seem to topple over, leaving a free-for-all of rolling onions and lemons on the floor. These are also perfect for the kiddos' backpacks and sports bags! A pack of teeth-friendly silicone pouch lids, your sidekick in the battle against messy mealtimes. This little gizmo is equipped with a genius flow-control valve that ensures your eager little self-feeder can dive into their food without turning it into a playful yet messy art project on you, the table, the chair, and themselves. A benzene-free I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo if every time you run your hands through your hair it looks like you dipped your fingers in a jar of Crisco. Just sprinkle a bit onto your roots, massage it in, and voilà! Your hair will look *and* smell fresh, and the added volume will give you a confidence boost to tackle the day ahead. A ultra-durable duck chew toy made to withstand the powerful jaws of your 6-pound (extremely cute but for some reason destructive) toy poodle. Say goodbye to the days of picking up toy shreds five minutes after giving it to your pup. A lightweight, hypoallergenic heat-absorbing cooling blanket — one side is made of 100% Egyptian cotton, while the other has "Arc-Chill" cooling fibers that absorb your body heat and wick away moisture, instantly cooling you by 4–9 degrees. It's perfect for hot sleepers who love to snuggle but hate waking up sweaty! A meat shredder that'll make quick work of the Costco rotisserie chicken you plan on eating for dinner (and the rest of the week). Once your meat is cooked, just place the pieces inside and twist the lid a few times. You'll have perfectly shredded pieces for chicken salad, buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork, or birria tacos — the possibilities are endless! And a reviewer-beloved veggie chopper so you can fly through making dinner because (in my opinion) prepping produce is the most time-consuming part. This handy gadget allows you to chop, slice, and julienne your veggies in record time. This chopper also features a built-in storage container to prevent messy countertops. The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" set taking their legendary cleaning paste to new heights with the help of a versatile cleaning sponge. The stubborn layer of grease on your pans from last night's dinner — gone! The mildew on your shower walls that's been mocking your scrubbing efforts for weeks — history! The Pink Stuff is so good at its job, reviewers have called it everything from "a miracle" to "witchcraft." A pack of shockingly absorbent Swedish dishcloths — the ultimate substitute for those endless rolls of single-use paper towels. They can absorb up to 20 times their weight in liquid; plus they're fast-drying (which helps prevent odors), machine washable, and can be reused over and over! A set of Globbles that'll bring a smile to both kids *and* adults. You can squeeze them, pull them, or even throw them against the wall — don't worry, there's no sticky residue! These fidget toys are perfect for keeping your hands busy during stressful moments or just for some mindless entertainment. A sneaky undetectable mouse jiggler to keep your online status active in Slack or Teams without giving away that you've stepped away for a "extended" bathroom break after that questionable breakfast burrito. A fast-acting, refillable plug-in fly trap that not only catches house flies, fruit flies, moths, and gnats but does it all with a little light magic — luring those pesky bugs from up to 400 feet away so you don't have to waste time and money scattering traps all throughout your home. The sticky side is cleverly hidden on the back, so you won't have to face a gross bug graveyard every time you turn on the lights. Bestselling Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers that, as the name suggests, feel like they've bottled up a cloud and put it right under your feet. One reviewer compares it to "slipping on a padded sock" that hugs your feet just right! These lightweight, cushy shoes will have you saying goodbye to sore feet and hello to enjoyable sightseeing. An oral rinse so you can eat garlic and onions to your heart's content and no one will know. This mouthwash helps control bad breath for 24 hours and doesn't burn like Listerine. And just between you and me, it's so good, it's worth the morning swish dance. A pair of reusable silicone nipple covers to keep you from living out your own version of Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. These little lifesavers are the perfect companion for bra-free days, offering some subtle lift *and* ultra-discreet coverage that's totally waterproof. A 3-step cradle cap system (with over 25,000 5-star ratings) because "easy peasy lemon squeezy" isn't a strong enough phrase to explain how game-changing this is for your child's bathtime routine. All you've gotta do is lather your little nugget's scalp with gentle soap using the sponge, massage with the soft bristle brush to loosen flakes, and carefully lift them away using a comb. An Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil that visibly sucks out sebum from your pores and removes makeup residue and blackheads, leaving your skin looking clearer and feeling smoother. Reviewers of all skin types swear by it, including those with acne-prone skin (who say it doesn't cause breakouts)! A set of brush scrubber drill attachments, which attach to your drill to do all the hard scrubbing for you, saving your elbow grease for something else — like popping open a bottle of wine after a long day's work of cleaning. A NutriBullet baby food system ready to blend fruits, veggies, and even grains into the smoothest purees that your little one will adore. The perfectly sized storage cups are a total lifesaver for meal prepping — whip up a week's worth of yummy goodness, and with the handy date dial, you'll never forget when you made them. There's also a freezer tray so you can prep batches to be conveniently warmed up in the future, saving precious time in your already hectic schedule. A Trtl neck pillow because even though you're packed on a plane like a can of sardines, that doesn't mean you should have to compromise your sleep. This neck pillow helps keep your head upright so you don't arrive at your destination exhausted and with an achy neck. This will also prevent you from nodding off on your neighbor, ensuring everyone can enjoy their flight in peace! A pair of reusable anti-nausea bands if you're someone who suffers from motion sickness and knows how much it can ruin your travel experience. These little bands apply acupressure to a specific point on your wrist, helping to relieve nausea without needing to carry around bottles of medication. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller if your skin creates more oil than a KFC. This roller removes excess shine from your face WITHOUT disturbing your makeup. It's also super portable so you can just toss it in your bag, and you don't have to be seen awkwardly patting your face with blotting papers in the middle of the day. 🙅🏽‍♀️ An attachable aerator that'll allow you to taste all the flavors you may have been missing out on in your glass of wine. It can make a $10 bottle taste like an expensive $100 blend. A collagen-coating hair treatment for transforming brittle, frizzy hair into a cascade of softness. This hair mask is infused with collagen and protein extracts — after applying to wet hair and sitting for only five minutes, your hair will be completely transformed. A small but mighty portable air compressor ready to save you (and your flat tire) when in a pinch. This gadget will get the air pumped back up in about a minute, and it features real-time pressure monitoring so you don't have to guess if you've got enough in your tires. Added bonus: It has its own built-in LED light, so you can see what you're doing if this unfortunate turn of events happens at night. A pair of crossover flared leggings if you don't want to shell out big bucks for the viral Aerie version. They're made of super soft material, lightweight, and contour to your body, which = you'll be comfy all day. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning up the crumbs from yesterday's on-the-go breakfast, dust from who knows when, and bits and pieces of everyday life that somehow found their way into every crevice of your car. It's lightweight and comes with three attachments to help reach all those hard-to-get-at spots making cleaning feel less like a chore. A handheld milk frother that'll make you feel (and look) like a barista in your own kitchen. You can create all sorts of delicious foam-based drinks, from classic lattes to trendy dalgona coffees, and even perfectly blend up a cup of matcha. Reviewers also love that it's super easy to clean! Some internet-famous Mellanni sheets in case you enjoy snuggling all night with your S.O. but do *not* enjoy feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of coals because your partner is a human heater. This soft, moisture-wicking material will prevent sweaty nights so you can still have a good night's sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat in the morning. And these silky satin pillowcases, a luxe addition to your bedroom offering both comfort and elegance. Not only do they feel absolutely amazing, but some reviewers even noted an improvement in their sleep quality! They also help retain moisture in your skin and create less friction on your hair, meaning less frizziness, tangles, and breakage. Levi's pull-on skinny jeans with over 59,000 glowing 5-star ratings — people are *obsessed* with how good these make them feel. If the thought of buying jeans before trying them on gives you anxiety, you can breathe easy, because this beloved pair is made with a soft, stretchy fabric that hugs your body without restricting movement. A high-voltage bug zapper ridding your yard of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies (oh my!) in an impressive half-acre range, making your outdoor gatherings more enjoyable and hassle-free. A long-handled standing weeder to make pulling out intrusive weeds a breeze, giving your beloved plants all the space and nutrients they need to thrive without breaking a sweat (or a knee).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store