Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Polish city of Gdańsk, unearthing the remains of a medieval knight buried beneath a shuttered ice cream parlour. The excavation, conducted by Polish archaeology firm ArcheoScan, revealed a remarkably well-preserved tombstone featuring a carved image of a knight in chainmail armor and mail leggings, wielding a sword and shield.
According to Sylwia KurzyÅ„ska, archaeologist and director of ArcheoScan, the find is of “exceptional significance” and “one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Poland in recent years.” The tombstone, crafted from Gotland limestone, measures approximately 150 centimeters in length and showcases intricate details of the knight’s attire and weaponry, despite being partially damaged.
“The tombstone is remarkably well preserved, considering it was carved from soft limestone and lay underground for centuries,” KurzyÅ„ska said. “The knight is shown standing upright with an uplifted sword — a posture likely symbolizing authority and elevated social status.” This unique depiction sets the tombstone apart from most late medieval sepulchral art, which typically featured inscribed epitaphs, heraldic panels, or Christian crosses.
Upon lifting the tombstone, archaeologists discovered the complete skeleton of an adult male, estimated to have lived around the 13th or 14th century. The remains indicated that the knight stood between 170-180 centimeters tall, significantly above the medieval average. The bones were naturally arranged, confirming that the tombstone marked the original burial site.
“Although no grave goods were found, all available evidence suggests that the deceased was a person of high social standing — most likely a knight or commander held in particularly high esteem and respect,” KurzyÅ„ska said. The grave was part of a cemetery housing nearly 300 burials, attached to the oldest known church in GdaÅ„sk, built from oak felled in 1140.
The discovery offers invaluable insights into the lives and deaths of GdaÅ„sk’s military elite in the 13th and 14th centuries, medieval funerary traditions, and cross-Baltic cultural connections. Experts are now working on further analysis, including genetic and isotopic studies, to determine the knight’s age, health history, lifestyle, and diet. A facial reconstruction will also be created based on the skull.
“This was a place of power, faith, and burial — a space of symbolic and strategic significance in the history of GdaÅ„sk,” KurzyÅ„ska added. The latest find provides a unique window into the past, shedding light on the lives of medieval knights and the cultural context in which they lived.