During routine roadworks in northern Poland, a remarkable archaeological discovery took everyone by surprise: 2,500-year-old prehistoric tombs unearthed just outside the city of Gdynia. What was meant to be the construction of a bypass road turned into a significant dig site, revealing three burial mounds containing seven tombs linked to the Lusatian and Pomeranian cultures.
An Accidental Find Turns into a Historic Breakthrough
The discovery was made near the Witomino district, where construction workers called in archaeologists after encountering unusual earth formations. Upon excavation, experts uncovered three burial mounds (known as kurhany), shedding light on human activity in the region during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age.
This marks the first systematic study of such burial structures within Gdynia's urban boundaries, offering rare insights into the city’s prehistoric past. The find came as part of a rescue excavation effort prompted by construction intersecting with known archaeological zones. The team uncovered a variety of burial types, including stone cist graves, cremation pits, and stone-lined tombs.
Inside the Mounds
One of the burial mounds contained a stone-built tomb with a unique urn burial believed to be linked to the Lusatian culture, which flourished from around 1300 to 500 BCE. This culture is known for its urnfield cemeteries and fortified settlements. Fascinatingly, a second cremation burial was found above the primary tomb, suggesting that the site was reused centuries later by another community.
The second mound revealed additional burials attributed to the Pomeranian culture, which succeeded the Lusatians and was active during the 7th to 5th centuries BCE. Among the grave goods, archaeologists discovered a face urn — a ceramic vessel with human facial features, a hallmark of Pomeranian funerary traditions.
The third mound yielded more ceramic fragments and cremated human remains, and excavation efforts are ongoing.
In the surrounding area, archaeologists also found a bronze axe, likely part of a ritual offering, further enriching the site’s significance.
Cultural Context and Spiritual Continuity
Experts believe these burial mounds reflect the spiritual continuity of sacred practices across different cultural periods. The reuse of the same sacred space by successive groups suggests a long-standing reverence for the site.
Dr. Maciej Stromski, the lead archaeologist overseeing the excavations, stated:
“The overlapping burials from different time periods reveal the deep respect these communities had for the site. These were not just graves — they were sacred spaces tied to collective memory and ancestral connection.”
The Lusatian culture, which spanned much of modern-day Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, is renowned for its advanced metalworking and well-structured societies. Its successor, the Pomeranian culture, preserved many burial traditions but introduced new symbolic forms, such as anthropomorphic urns.
Balancing Infrastructure and Heritage
Construction on the portion of the bypass road crossing the burial site has been temporarily halted to allow archaeologists time to fully document and analyze the findings. Work is expected to continue for another two to three weeks, and the area is currently under protection to prevent any disturbance.
City officials have expressed full support for the excavation efforts. A Gdynia municipal spokesperson confirmed that key artifacts may be put on display in local museums or incorporated into educational programs to highlight the region’s ancient heritage.
Construction on other parts of the bypass — which is intended to ease traffic congestion — will proceed as planned.
A Glimpse into Poland’s Prehistoric Past
This discovery adds to a growing list of prehistoric sites uncovered in northern Poland — a region known for its rich archaeology. However, ongoing urban development often limits access to untouched land, making finds like this increasingly rare and valuable.
The burial mounds of Gdynia offer a unique window into the funerary customs of early Northern European cultures. The artifacts unearthed, from urns to ritual tools, not only reflect spiritual continuity but also establish tangible links to a distant past.
With further analysis and conservation efforts underway, researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs, traditions, and social practices of the people who once lived in this land — and how their legacy shapes the cultural landscape we see today.
