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hillfort - Zabytek.pl

Address
Smuszewo

Location
woj. wielkopolskie, pow. wągrowiecki, gm. Damasławek

The site belongs to the complex of Biskupin type hillforts in the Pałuki region.

History of the structure/dating of construction phases

The first researcher, Józef Łepkowski, recognized it as a stilt settlement, a Swiss lake dwelling.

At present, it forms an irregularly oval island, slightly elevated above the level of the meadows, with the dimensions of 145x185 m and the area of 2.7 ha.

Description of the structure

Location of the historic structure

Located on a marshy meadow, on the eastern shore of Lake Czeszewskie, at the mouth of a canal that flows out of the nearby Lake Smuszewskie, about 3 km northwest of Smuszewo.

Description of the site

The hillfort was surrounded by a wooden rampart, about 4 meters wide. Its construction survived in the lower part. The foundation was made of crossed beams, reinforced with vertically driven piles. On the foundation there were wooden boxes filled with earth, clay and stones. The section of the rampart exposed in the northern part consisted of two rows of boxes, in the eastern part of three and possibly four rows. The front of the hillfort from the side of the lake was fortified with a breakwater, 3.5 meters wide. Behind the breakwater there was a bridge, 2.5 m wide. Inside, the hillfort was built up with houses, arranged in rows along the streets. A 5 m wide street ran through the centre from north to south. It was built with two levels of beams, arranged transversely to its direction. Between the beams there was a fascine. A 2.5 m wide circular street ran along the rampart. Smaller streets, parallel to the main street, were laid out between the houses. The houses were two-part, 8-9 m long, with hearths made of stones or clay circles. They were built in a post-and-plank structure and the vestibules in frame construction, sealed with clay. One of the exposed houses was 9.5x10 m in size. Numerous fragments of vessels, cereal grains and bones of domestic and wild animals and fish were discovered. There were numerous tools and weapons: made of antler, bronze and iron. Elements of harnesses, melting pots for casting bronze objects, ornaments including glass beads were discovered.

History of the site

Known since 1864. The wooden structures discovered at that time are known in the history of Polish archaeology as stilt settlements. Entered in the register of historic monuments in 1971.

Progress and findings of archaeological research

The research was instigated by Karol Libelt, the owner of nearby Czeszewo. The research was carried out by Józef Łepkowski, a professor of archaeology from Krakow, who, having been inspired by similar structures discovered on the Alpine lakes in the years 1854-1861, interpreted it as stilt settlement (lake dwelling). In 1956 the survey was conducted by Zdzisław Rajewski and in 1959 by Tadeusz Malinowski. In 1987 surface surveys were conducted as part of the AZP (Archaeological Picture of Poland) project.

Visitor access. The hillfort is not easily accessible in the spring and autumn season; it is surrounded by wet meadows and rushes.

Author of the note: Marek Wróbel, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Poznań, Field Office in Trzebiny, 20-12-2018

Bibliography

  • Malinowski T., 1961, Badania archeologiczne grodziska kultury łużyckiej w Smuszewie, pow. Wągrowiec, w 1959 r., [in:] Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, Vol. 13, pp. 57-71;
  • Śmigielski W., 1998, Gród ludności kultury łużyckiej w Smuszewie koło Wągrowca, [in:] Żnińskie Zesazyty Historyczne, no. 22, pp. 15-32

Category: hillfort

Protection: Register of monuments, Monuments records

Inspire id: PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_A_30_AR.37056, PL.1.9.ZIPOZ.NID_E_30_AR.2554105