In the Czech Republic, archaeologists made a significant discovery during the construction of a new railway corridor between the towns of Nezamyslice and Kojetín. During the excavations, over 1000 underground objects were documented, reflecting continuous human activity in the region for more than two millennia.
This is reported by Finway
From the Bronze Age to the Roman Period: Unique Finds
The oldest artifacts belong to the Vetřev culture of the early Bronze Age. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of dwellings constructed from wooden frames and woven with branches, which were then coated with clay. After a fire, the clay hardened, forming fragments of “daub” that preserved traces of smoothing and impressions of wooden structures.
Among the finds were ceramics, beads, spindles, bone tools, and a bronze pin with a Cypriot-style head, indicating cultural connections over significant distances. Two burials were also discovered, one of which contained an adult and a child buried together.
Subsequent layers are associated with the culture of urnfield burial, known for its cremation rituals. Researchers were particularly intrigued by a pit containing six human skulls placed nearby — such a practice sharply differs from typical burial customs of that time.
“The absence of complete skeletons suggests that we are dealing with a specific ritual practice.”
The final interpretation of this find still requires further analysis.
Evidence of Craft Traditions and Roman Contacts
Archaeologists also found signs of advanced craftsmanship. Among the artifacts were stone casting molds, fragments of crucibles, and finished products: axes, needles, a bracelet, and a knife, confirming the existence of local bronze production.
The youngest layers date back to the Roman period when Germanic tribes inhabited these areas. A particularly valuable find was a rare calibrating plate — a metal tool designed for drawing wire to the desired thickness. The plate has a series of holes of varying diameters, and signs of rust indicate its active use. Such tools were extremely necessary for wire production, likely intended for weaving chainmail — an important element of Roman military equipment. Researchers plan to study the composition of the metals that passed through this plate.
The significance of this archaeological site lies in the continuous sequence of settlement in one location, which is rarely encountered in Central Europe. The excavations demonstrate how rescue archaeology allows for the preservation and study of unique evidence of the past during the development of modern infrastructure.
This discovery enables the tracing of not only the daily life and economy of ancient communities but also their ritual practices and the development of crafts over the centuries in the territory of modern-day Czech Republic.