Revealing the first location of abandoned medieval town Toruń, Poland, with the use of integrated noninvasive research

Researchers have identified the likely first location of the abandoned medieval town of Toruń, Poland, using integrated noninvasive techniques. The study, conducted between 2017 and 2018, employed aerial surveys, surface and geophysical prospection, geological soil coring, and analysis of historical sources to pinpoint an area west of modern Toruń, north of the Wood Port on the Vistula River. Magnetic gradiometry revealed anomalies indicative of human activity, such as moats and buildings, while geological tests confirmed the anthropogenic nature of these structures. The findings suggest the existence of an embankment surrounding the town, supported by traces of an alluvial fan formed within its fortifications. This discovery highlights the limitations of traditional field-walking methods in identifying such sites and provides a strong basis for future interdisciplinary archaeological research.

Wroniecki, P., Molewski, P., & Uziembło, R. (2021). Revealing the first location of abandoned medieval town Toruń, Poland, with the use of integrated noninvasive research. Archaeological Prospection, 29(2), 275–292. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1851