In addition, traces of the Neolithic era were recorded at the site. Prehistoric defensive settlements and medieval relics of hillforts are sites of very high historical and scientific value. The site has a clear terrain form preserved in the landscape and preserved cultural layers. It is an invaluable archaeological monument, one of the few of its kind in Silesia.

History of the structure

An archaeological site with undefined chronology, probably with three chronological phases. In older literature considered both as a defensive settlement of the Lusatian culture, from the early Iron Age (ca. 750 - 400 B.C.), and as a late medieval - early modern hillfort from the 14th - 16th centuries. It should be noted, however, that no excavations were conducted at the site to verify this information. In addition to material from the early Iron Age and late Middle Ages, Neolithic flint artifacts were found at the site, indicating that the site had been penetrated as early as the end of the Stone Age.

Description of the structure

The upland hillfort in Pomorzowice (site 2) is located northeast of the village, about 1.5 km northeast of the church and about 200 m west of the railroad line. The monument is located on a small, natural hill (the highest in the immediate vicinity), which has quite a steep slope and from which there is a good view of the wide valley of the Osobłoga River. The hillfort is wooded, with a nameless stream flowing at its foot, and the forest complex in which the monument is located is surrounded by arable fields and a much larger forest area.

The small hillfort has an oval plan, dimensions of about 65 by 50 m and area of about 30 acres (with ramparts and a moat). The usable space, the so-called inner yard, measures about 40 by 25 meters and has an area of about 8 acres.

Certainly, site 2 in Pomorzowice is not a typical motte-and-bailey castle, but on the other hand, it seems to be too small for a prehistoric defensive settlement of the Lusatian culture.

Visitor access. The site is accessible all year round.

Author of the note: Michał Bugaj, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Katowice, 21.02.2018

Bibliography

• Gedl M., Kultura Łużycka na Górnym Śląsku, Wrocław-Warsaw-Cracow 1962.
• Kaźmierczyk J., Macewicz K., Wuszkan S., Studia i materiały do osadnictwa Opolszczyzny wczesnośredniowiecznej, Opole 1977.
• Niesiołowska-Wędzka A., Początki i rozwój grodów kultury łużyckiej, Warsaw-Wrocław-Cracow-Gdańsk 1974.