Location and description

The hillfort is located approx. 1 km to the south from the Popęszyce village, on a hill overgrown with a forest. Currently, the hillfort and its surroundings are overgrown with a forest belonging to the State Forests.

The hillfort in Popęszyce is an oval-shaped feature, with a well-preserved defensive wall circumscribing the sunk inner yard. Its dimensions amount to 25 x 40 m. The site, situated in a wooded area, is partially overgrown with trees, but the tall rampart is well visible. On the north side, the site has been recently more exposed due to the grubbing up of a part of the forest nearby.

History

The hillfort in Popęszyce was founded on one of the elevations belonging to the range of Dalkowskie hills in the early Middle Ages and functioned from the 7th century to the early 9th century. Two phases of use of the site were established during archaeological surveys. The older phase was represented by an open settlement, albeit with defensive location and buildings stretching around the edge of the hill. There were no buildings inside the hillfort at that time. The second phase was represented by a hillfort erected upon ruins of the open settlement. It was surrounded by a frame-type rampart with a width of 3 metres, erected on a low earthen structure. An embankment reinforced with stones measuring 7 metres in height and a moat were located on the external side. On the inside, a bridge with a width of 3 metres was built. Cobblestones were found within the inner yard and according to a German archaeologist Martin Jahn they were related to a gatehouse and entrance to the hillfort. There were no build-ups that could be related to the second phase of site use.

Progress and findings of archaeological fieldwork activities 

The hillfort in Popęszyce was known to German archaeologists already in the 19th century. It was first surveyed in an amateur manner in 1875. Scientific surveys were carried out in 1926. At that time, two phases of use of the site were analysed: as an open settlement with structures around the edge of the hill (phase I) and a fortified settlement with a rampart and moat (phase II). A wooden grain tank, discovered in 1875, dates back to phase I. It could accommodate 270 litres of rye, millet, wheat and oat. Moreover, two axes of the Great Moravian type were found, known from the period between the 8th century and the early 10th century, as well as several clay pots and numerous fractions of hand-modelled dishes with ornaments and mainly with a rounded upper part. These materials are associated with the settlement, but there are practically no moveable objects of historical value from the hillfort period, apart from the abovementioned cobblestones. Most probably the hillfort was not used long and - similarly as the open settlement - was destroyed by fire. No archaeological surveys have been carried out in the hillfort hinterland, therefore its function has not been clearly recognised. Perhaps it functioned partly as a centre providing shelter to the local residents in case of emergency and at the same time engaging in defensive combat operations. 

The hillfort is accessible all year round. A field road allows access to its immediate vicinity. Some section of the route has to be travelled on foot.

Author of the note Dr Krzysztof Garbacz, National Institute of Cultural Heritage, Regional Branch in Zielona Góra, 07-12-2017

Bibliography

• Jahn M., Der Burgwall von Poppschütz Kr. Freystadt, “Altschlesien, vol. 7, 1938, pp. 93-112.
• Hensel W., Wstęp do studiów nad osadnictwem Wielkopolski wczesnohistorycznej, Poznan 1948, pp. 182-185.
• Hilczerówna Z., Popęszyce, “Słownik Starożytności Słowiańskich”, vol. 4: P-R 1970, pp. 227-228.
• Lodowski J., Dolny Śląsk na początku średniowiecza (VI-X w.). Podstawy osadnicze i gospodarcze, Wrocław-Warszawa-Kraków-Gdańsk 1980, p. 247, no. 76.
• Lewczuk J., Gród i jego zaplecze w świetle badań powierzchniowych AZP na terenie województwa zielonogórskiego, [in:] Moździoch S., Centrum i zaplecze we wczesnośredniowiecznej Europie Środkowej, “Spotkania Bytomskie” III, Wrocław 1999, p. 239, no. 32.