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3 The Biskupin Archive

The excavation at Biskupin were carried out in 1934-1939 (and continued after World War II) by Józef Kostrzewski - professor of Poznań University and director of Poznań Archaeological Museum. The whole of the field work was particularily well documented; not only by the set of plans and drawings, but also by a collection of approximately 1,500 high quality photos, taken on big format glass panes. It is this set of documents that the Poznań team decided to present on line, with all the necessary background. The photos illustrate not only the in situ discoveries but also several other aspects of this important excavation: its public, patriotic and even political meaning at that time. In many respects, the Biskupin excavation was a pioneering archaeological endeavour of regional scale significance to Central and Eastern European archaeology. This included the application of several new research methods including palynology, underwater reconnaissance and air photos as well as some marketing strategies to raise funds for further excavation: mass tourism and a long-distance publicity balloon flight. All this has been registered on the photos, apart regrettibly, for the excavated archaeological relics.

The Figures below are a sample of the many images digitised, preserved and made accessible to the world. (Click on an image to see the full size version).

Huts, circuit street and fragments of the stronghold defences (inv. no. 42)
Figure 1: Huts, circuit street and fragments
of the stronghold defences (inv. no. 42)

Eastern part of the peninsula - balloon photo (inv. no. 773)
Figure 2: Eastern part of the peninsula
balloon photo (inv. no. 773)

NE fragment of the stronghold - view from the watch tower (inv. no. 1045)
Figure 3: NE fragment of the stronghold
view from the watch tower (inv. no. 1045)

Biskupin Archaeological Reserve. View of the reconstruction from W
Figure 4: Biskupin Archaeological Reserve.
View of the reconstruction from W

Biskupin Archaeological Reserve. View of the reconstruction from E
Figure 5: Biskupin Archaeological Reserve.
View of the reconstruction from E


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