Lost Medieval Town Found in Polish Forest

Archaeologists working in a forest in northwestern Poland say they have located the remains of a medieval settlement that disappeared centuries ago. Researchers from the Relicta Foundation combined historical documents, old maps, on-site exploration, and modern geophysical surveys to pinpoint the site, which they believe is the long-lost town of Stolzenberg. The location sits near the present-day village of Slawoborze in an area that has historically been disputed between Poland and Germany. Investigators discovered extensive earthworks and a moat roughly 18 feet deep, key features that helped confirm the town’s identity.

Magnetic imaging of the ground revealed the outlines of former buildings organized around a rectangular market square. The scans also show structures lining a main road that once led toward a city gate. This type of arrangement was common in towns established under medieval German municipal law.

Excavations have produced more than 400 artifacts from different time periods. Some items date as far back as the Bronze Age, while others come from the World War II era, including containers that still held preserved meat and butter. The most important clues about Stolzenberg’s most active period come from medieval objects such as silver coins, clothing fittings, and tools. Researchers also uncovered fragments of cannon grenades and lead bullets linked to a battle fought nearby in 1761 between Russian and Prussian forces during the Seven Years’ War. However, most of the artifacts found at the site were left behind long before that conflict.

Archaeologist Marcin Krzepkowski said the settlement likely began declining in the 14th or 15th century. He described the location as a “time capsule” that still holds many unanswered questions.

The exact reason the town was abandoned is still unknown. Krzepkowski explained that the downfall of a settlement is often caused by several factors working together. Natural events such as flooding or shifts in transportation routes can weaken trade and local crafts, eventually leading to economic decline. Military conflicts, wars, or invasions may also play a role. Researchers noted that some building plots within the town appear never to have been developed, suggesting the settlement may have collapsed relatively early before its planned layout was fully built.

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