Archaeologists have discovered a lost medieval town in a remote forest, shedding new light on its history before its mysterious disappearance.
The town, named Stolzenberg, is believed to have collapsed in the 14th or 15th century. It was situated in a forest near the present-day Polish village of Sławoborze, on the border of Pomerania and Neumark, a historically disputed region between Germany and Poland.
Despite initial searches in Sławoborze yielding no evidence of the medieval town, researchers found significant features in the forest. These included large earthen ramparts and an 18-foot-deep moat, according to archaeologist Marcin Krzepkowski from the Relicta Foundation.
Following a geophysical survey, the site of the lost city was confirmed, revealing magnetic anomalies indicative of buildings surrounding a rectangular market square, typical of medieval towns established under German law. Additionally, artifacts dating back to various periods, including the Bronze Age and World War II, were unearthed by metal detectorists.
Among the discoveries were silver coins, medieval belt elements, coat clasps, knives, iron padlocks, cannon grenades, and lead rifle bullets. These findings suggest a rich and diverse history, including a battle between Russian and Prussian forces in 1761 during the Seven Years’ War.
The exact cause of Stolzenberg's abandonment remains uncertain, with factors such as relocation for strategic reasons, changes in trade routes, or competition from neighboring towns possibly playing a role. The decline of the town likely occurred in the 14th or 15th century, as indicated by the limited artifacts dating to later periods.
The Relicta Foundation, specializing in lost medieval cities, aims to further explore Stolzenberg, focusing on locating the town hall and church, understanding the city's layout, and conducting bioarchaeological analyses to learn about the health and diets of its former inhabitants.
Krzepkowski emphasized the site's importance as a historical treasure trove, expressing excitement about unraveling its mysteries to gain insights into settlement patterns in Europe during that era.
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