History of the structure

The hillfort in Smolno Wielkie was established in the early Middle Ages and functioned in phase B, i.e. in the 7th and 8th century (according to J. Lewczuk), although slightly earlier dating was not ruled out (second half of the 6th century/7th century according to E. Dąbrowski). During excavation works three settlement layers with a total thickness of approx. 1.5 m were distinguished. The lowest settlement layer was composed of cobblestones covered with a fire layer containing numerous finds, including fragments of hand-formed pottery rounded at the top.

Site description

Location of the heritage site. The hillfort is located approx. 1 km to the south-east of the Smolno Małe village, on the right side of the road to Smolno Wielkie, between two streams flowing into the Gniła Obra river. The area is overgrown with trees and is owned by the National Forest Holding.

Site description. The hillfort in Smolno Wielkie is a strongly levelled out structure of a lowland type, with a concave and circular shape. Currently, its height measures around 1 m (3-4 m in 1934), while the external dimensions amount to 90 x 100, including 60 x 70 m of the basin. On the north-east and north-west sides the hillfort is surrounded by a moat that is 10-15 m wide and 0.5-1 m deep. Moreover, there is a preserved rampart on the north side, with a width measuring around 10 m and a height around 0.5 m. Remnants of the ancillary settlement are located next to the hillfort on the west side.

Progress and findings of archaeological fieldwork activities. The hillfort was penetrated several times during surface surveys (1929, 1934, 1986). Moreover, in 1961 and between 1965 and 1967 probing surveys were carried out, followed by surface and verification surveys in 1968 and 1972. Excavations started at the internal foot of the rampart (?) on the west side, in the middle of the inner yard and in the ancillary settlement. During the surveys six layers of anthropogenic deposits were distinguished (3 settlement layers). In the abovementioned fire layer, apart from ceramic objects, fragments of a bronze bracelet and a clip and an iron crude sickle as well as an arrowhead, a fishing rod hook, an iron wheel, an amber nugget and animal bones were dug out.

Visitor access. The hillfort is accessible all year round. A field road leads to the hillfort.

Author of the note: compiled by Dr Krzysztof Garbacz, National Institute of Cultural Heritage, Regional Branch in Zielona Góra, 04-12-2017

Bibliography

• Dąbrowski E., Smolno, [in:] “Słownik Starożytności Słowiańskich”, vol. 5, Wrocław 1975, pp. 322-323.
• Hensel W., Hilczer-Kurnatowska Z., Studia i materiały do osadnictwa Wielkopolski wczesnohistorycznej, vol. 6, Wrocław 1987, pp. 174-176 (earlier sources there).
• Kurnatowska Z., Łosińska A., Perspektywy badań nad wczesnym średniowieczem ziemi lubuskiej, [in:] Leciejewicz L., Gringmuth-Dallmer E. (ed.), Człowiek a środowisko w środkowym i dolnym Nadodrzu. Badania nad osadnictwem pra- i wczesnodziejowym, “Spotkania Bytomskie” 2, Wrocław 1996, p. 168, no. 44.
• Lewczuk J., Gród i jego zaplecze w świetle badań powierzchniowych AZP na terenie województwa zielonogórskiego, [in:] S.Moździoch, Centrum i zaplecze we wczesnośredniowiecznej Europie Środkowej, “Spotkania Bytomskie” III, Wrocław 1999, p. 239, no. 41.