The remains of a medieval , informally referred to by researchers as the “Gdańsk Lancelot,” were found beneath a limestone tombstone, likely featuring a carving of the deceased. Experts have dated the discovery to the 13th to early 14th century.
“We uncovered a large limestone tombstone with a carving of a knight in armor, holding a sword and shield,” said Sylwia Kuzińska, the excavation leader and director of the research company ArcheoScan, in an interview with Live Science. According to her, this carved stone is a rarity in medieval Poland, as only a few similar tombstones have been found by scholars in the past.
What Did the Researchers Report?
Ms. Kuzińska and her team discovered a significant in the historical center of Gdańsk, beneath a closed ice cream shop, while conducting excavations of an 11th to 14th-century fortress. The site contains the ruins of a castle, a church, and a cemetery.
According to the project leader, the stone slab, measuring about 150 centimeters in length, is made from limestone imported from the island of Gotland (Sweden). Given the relatively soft material and the fact that the tombstone has been buried for a considerable time, its condition is impressive. “The carvings, armor, and shield are still quite visible,” noted Ms. Kuzińska.
Shortly after the slab was uncovered, the ArcheoScan researchers began deeper excavations. They found the remains of a man who stood approximately 170-180 centimeters tall during his lifetime. The skeleton is well-preserved, and there were no burial artifacts found alongside it.
All evidence suggests that this individual once held a high social status. Most likely, he was a knight or held a commanding military position, Ms. Kuzińska stated. Although the date and location of the burial coincide with the peak of the Teutonic Order, researchers found no inscriptions or symbols linking the discovery to it.
According to Polish scientists, this discovery is of great significance for Gdańsk. It is directly connected to the city’s formative years and offers a rare glimpse into the lives and burial practices of its medieval elite, the researchers believe.
Currently, they are conducting additional studies on the tombstone and the skeleton. The team is documenting the slab using high-resolution 3D scanning to later restore and preserve the unique carvings. Additionally, chemical and genetic analyses of the bones will help experts better understand who this man was and what his life was like. Furthermore, scientists plan to reconstruct his face to ultimately gain insight into what the “Gdańsk Lancelot” looked like.
