Lesser Poland/ Archaeological discoveries during the construction of the Wężerów – Przewóz gas pipeline

Archaeologists discovered the remains of settlements and cultures inhabiting the Małopolska region from the early Neolithic period to the modern era during construction work on the Wężerów – Przewóz gas pipeline, Iwona Dominiak, spokesperson for Gaz-System, the company implementing the investment, announced on Tuesday.

As the company representative emphasized, the locations of potential archaeological finds were selected already at the stage of preparing the design documentation.

"The route of the new gas pipeline was designed to minimize interference with areas of historical significance. Before construction begins, archaeological services inspect the areas for valuable finds. If any are discovered, the conservator secures them and then oversees their transfer to the appropriate research facility," the spokeswoman explained in a statement.

She added that along the gas pipeline route, running from Wężerów on the border of the Małopolska and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships to Przewóz in Kraków, archaeological research was carried out at 17 sites in locations indicated in the project documentation, revealing settlement remains of our ancestors.

During excavation work, archaeologists discovered another 31 sites, covering a total area of over 1,000 ares. They uncovered a variety of artefacts characteristic of this region, including resource pits, hearths, residential huts, skeletal graves, and military fortifications. The discovered artifacts date from the early Neolithic period, through the Bronze and Iron Ages, to the early Middle Ages, the modern period, and the period of both World Wars.

A Gaz-System representative assured that all archaeological work in the field is being conducted under the supervision of the provincial and municipal conservators. According to her, after the research is completed, the artifacts will be transferred to the Archaeological Museum in Krakow, where they will be preserved, cataloged, and inventoried in accordance with applicable standards.

Archaeological discoveries made during this investment, Dominiak explained, can be the basis for scientific studies, publications and exhibitions that will contribute to the dissemination of knowledge about the history of the region and the development of Polish science.

The Wężerów-Przewóz high-pressure gas transmission pipeline will significantly increase the security of gas fuel supply to customers in the Kraków metropolitan area. The pipeline will be connected to the North-South Gas Corridor, ensuring continuous natural gas supplies and enabling the connection of new industrial customers, particularly those in the power sector. (PAP)

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