English: The first “long house” from the early Neolithic period was discovered by archaeologists in Sandomierz-Mokoszyn (Świętokrzyskie) in the Sandomierz Upland. The find, dated to the years 5300-4900 BC, was discovered during rescue archaeological research conducted in connection with the construction of a complex of single-family houses.

The research, carried out by the Three Epochs studio from Klimontów, was initially supposed to confirm the existence of the population of the funnel cup culture (3700-3200 BC), traces of which were already known. As explained in an interview with PAP, dr hab. Marek Florek from the Sandomierz delegation of the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments, research indeed confirmed the presence of the settlement, discovering large cavities - cellars intended for food storage. Fragments of clay vessels, flint tools, stone mills and animal bones were found in them.

The most surprising discovery, however, was the remains of an older, Neolithic settlement of the carved ribbon ceramics culture, attributed to the first farmers who came to these areas from the Transcarpathian areas. Fragments of a “long house” were discovered, based on a column structure, oriented along the north-south axis. It was determined that the building was about 6 meters wide and over 20 meters long.

“The discovery of a long house is the first find of this type on the Sandomierz Upland” - emphasized dr hab. Florek Houses of this type were previously known from Kujawy, Podkarpacie and Małopolska.

“This is an interesting discovery that indicates that in the early Neolithic period there was a permanent settlement in this place, not a makeshift camp. What’s more, it also confirms the continuation of settlement in this area over several thousand years,” he said.

Traces of farm pits were also found around the building, including the so-called clay, from which the material for building walls was selected.

In addition to ceramics decorated with engraved lines and flint tools, two cavities were found in volcanic glaze (obsidian) products that were imported from the areas of present-day Slovakia or Hungary. A fragment of a Neolithic vessel of the Lublin-Volhynia culture was also found, which indicates further traces of settlement.

All discovered monuments will be transferred to the Castle Museum in Sandomierz after scientific study.

The engraved ribbon culture is one of the early Neolithic cultures that developed in Central and Eastern Europe from about 5500 to 4500 BC. Its name comes from the characteristic decorations of ceramic vessels - ornaments in the form of engraved ribbons, often filled with white paste or other materials. The population of this culture was engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Traces of the culture of engraved ribbon ceramics can be found in the areas of today’s Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Ukraine.( PAP)

Science in Poland

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