German WWII Soldier Grave Found with Mesolithic Tools, Roman and Byzantine Coins
Archaeologists in Poland discovered a WWII German soldier's grave and ancient artifacts, including Mesolithic tools and Neolithic pottery, revealing the region's rich history and significance in European migrations.
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Archaeologists in the Tuchola Forest of northern Poland have made a significant discovery while excavating near Grzybek in Wdecki Landscape Park. Initially uncovering the grave of a German soldier believed to have died in February 1945 during World War II, the team led by Olaf Popkiewicz found additional artifacts that date back thousands of years. Among these were Mesolithic tools, the oldest artifacts found in the area, indicating human presence around 9,000 years ago. They also discovered Neolithic pottery from the Globular Amphora culture, which thrived between 3100 and 2600 BCE. Further exploration revealed Roman and Byzantine coins, including a rare follis from the reign of Emperor Basil II, suggesting the soldier may have been a numismatics enthusiast. The findings span from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, highlighting the rich history of the region and its significance in European migrations and settlements. The archaeological team is now tasked with analyzing these artifacts to better understand the historical narratives they represent.
- A German WWII soldier's grave was found in Poland, dating to February 1945.
- Mesolithic tools and Neolithic pottery were discovered, indicating ancient human activity in the area.
- Roman and Byzantine coins were also found, suggesting the soldier may have collected them.
- The site provides insights into the region's history and its significance in European migrations.
- The archaeological team will analyze the artifacts to uncover their historical context.
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- Some commenters express skepticism about the authenticity of the artifacts, questioning their age and origin.
- There are humorous remarks about time travel and the soldier's potential connection to ancient cultures.
- Several users clarify the distinction between a grave and the site where the soldier fell, emphasizing the historical context.
- Comments highlight the significance of the site as a location with a long history of human activity.
- Links to related articles and theories about the finds are shared, indicating a broader interest in the topic.
15 commentsA soldier had to carry everything with him, and as we know from the documents of the time the gold and watches were naturally among the most frequent loot items carried by them (sidenote: widespread motorized infantry armor has changed the game since then - the Russian BTRs and BMPs in the Chechen war for example were full of rags and electronics that the Russian soldiers looted from the Chechen homes, and in the Ukrainian war it has been computers/laptops/TVs, auto parts, etc.). The soldier in the article seems to have correctly decided that the ancient coins 1. may be more valuable than gold, 2. there is less competition looting local historic museum, and 3. if you're taken prisoner carrying those ancient artifacts you're less likely to be shot as a marauder than with say a pocket full of golden teeth - even today in this article they call him a "numismatics enthusiast".
Contrary to almost all comments so far, the dead soldier and the artifacts are not related. And this is not a grave. This is where a soldier fell. A grave is where someone is buried, not the place where they were killed and lost to history. The soldier may have been wounded and hiding in the pit, or literally fell atop, but would not have been burried there by anyone. The older artifacts were there long before ww2.
It is amazing what a bomb does to the surounding landscape. /s
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