Archaeologists uncovered part of a wooden pavement of a road, dating back to the 17th century, as well as jewellery, pottery fragments, coins, horseshoes, and bones, during excavations in the city centre of Rzeszów, South-East Poland.

The excavations were conducted at the Kościuszko Street as part of the planned renovation. Within all of the trenches archaeologists were able to identify remains linked to past human activities in Rzeszów. The largest find consists of remains of a wooden pavement constructed with up to five layers of logs placed across the street. The biggest fragment measures nearly 18 metres in length and up to 2 metres in width. The logs used measure 2-3 metres and are placed on a layer of stones and bricks. In the vicinity, at the depth of 1.5 metre remains of an old, wooden gutter made of hollowed logs was found. It was held in place by wooden stakes.

Among other finds are pieces of pottery, including painted plates and bowls, numerous metal objects, pieces of leather, coins, nails, horseshoes, pieces of garments and belts, applications, buttons, parts of horses harnesses – all dated to the 17th century. The researchers also uncovered an axehead that might be even older, dating back to the 16th century. A large number of mostly animal bones were also uncovered, but some human bones were identified as well, which might indicate the existence of a cemetery at the site.

(after Nauka w Polsce & Dariusz Delmanowicz)