History

Based on the results of archaeological research, it can be assumed that the hillfort dates back to the early Middle Ages and was in use from the 11th century to the 12th century. 

Description

The hillfort in Ortel Książęce, known in older literature as the hillfort in Dokudów, is situated approximately 1.5 km to the north-east of the continuously built-up area of the village of Dokudów and approximately 500 m to the east of the Dokudów-Ortel Książęce road, on wet meadows, in a vast valley between the rivers Żarnica and Zielawa. Its local name is “Manastyr”. 

The hillfort forms a conical earthen structure in the terrain. It has a flat surface and its height measured from the surface of the ground is approximately 5 metres. The hillfort has an oval plan with a diameter of 30 m. In the northern part of the hillfort there is a vast depression (1.5-2.5 m deep). In the remaining part of the earthen structure, there are numerous pits probably dug out by looters. At its western base, there are traces suggesting that sand was extracted from the site. In the western part of the earthen structure, there is a metal cross. Next to it, there is a stone with the inscription: “Your Servant, Lord”. At present, the area of the hillfort is a wasteland thickly overgrown by trees and shrubs. To the north-east of the hillfort, there is a settlement (site no. 15) with an area of 6-7 ha, possibly the remnants of the so-called hillfort foot settlement.

Dokudów was established under the name of Lewkowo by Lew Bohiwynowicz (Bohowolyn?), after a foundation charter had been obtained in 1504 under the Magdeburg law. It is known that under King Alexander’s foundation charter the village was granted the right to hold a market and to build a castle on the site of the former hillfort at the fork of the Zielawa and Żarnica rivers. In historical records from 1529, Dokudów is already mentioned as a town. In the 16th century, the town was owned by the Bohowityn Family and was a part of the Ortel (Wortel) estate. According to historical records, a monastery was founded here in 1580. The Municipal Register of Brześć mentions “Horodyszcze” in the Dokudów region.

In the 20th century, in the post-war period, the hillfort was partially destroyed in its lower parts on the western side due to rapacious sand quarrying.

Progress and findings of archaeological fieldwork 

Archaeological research on the site was carried out in 1960 by Zygmunt Ślusarski from the District Museum in Lublin.

Surface surveys of the site as part of the 'Archaeological Picture of Poland' project were performed in 1985 by Sławomir Żółkowski. 

Archaeological excavations have been scarce and only some fragments of clay vessels have been found. Based on those finds, the hillfort can be tentatively dated to the 11th-12th century.

During the surface surveys under the 'Archaeological Picture of Poland' project, 7 fragments of clay vessels from the 12th century were retrieved from the surface (molehills). It is presumed that in 1580 the area of the former hillfort was occupied by a monastery founded by the Bohowityn Family.

Excavations to date have not confirmed its existence, but the local people still remember stories about the monastery, especially the legend about the “Monastyrska Góra” and it is an indirect proof that it had really existed. The large settlement adjoining the hillfort on its north-eastern side is dated to the 11th-13th centuries on the basis of the artefacts found in the surface layer.

The heritage site is accessible to the general public.

compiled by Ewa Prusicka, National Institute of Cultural Heritage, Branch Office in Lublin, 4 April 2016

Bibliography 

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• Gurba J., Dokudów, pow. Biała Podlaska (Nowe odkrycia archeologiczne), “Z Otchłani Wieków”, R. XXI, 1952, p. 3, p. 112.
• Kołek S., Dokudów. (Odkrycia i wykopaliska), “Archeologia”, T.V, 1952-1953 (1955), p. 317.
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• Żółkowski S., Materiały do badań nad osadnictwem pradziejowym i wczesnośredniowiecznym na obszarze dzisiejszego województwa bialskopodlaskiego. Biała Podlaska 1988, pp. 38-39.
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• Wetoszka B., W średniowieczu i nowożytności [in:] Północna Lubelszczyzna. Od pradziejów po okres nowożytny, multi-author compilation edited by E. Banasiewicz-Szykuły, Lublin 2003, p. 102.