Ancient Longhouse and Thracian Coin Unearthed in Mazovia, Poland

Significant Archaeological Discoveries at Lysa Gora

According to НВ — Техно: In Mazovia, Poland, archaeologists have uncovered a 2,500-year-old longhouse along with an ancient coin at the Lysa Gora excavation site. These relics reveal the cultural and trade connections between early communities in what is now Poland and peoples from southeastern Europe, including Celtic influences and a rare Thracian coin minted under King Seuthes III. This discovery enriches our understanding of Iron Age settlements in the region.

Details of the Finds

The remains of a longhouse dating back to the 5th century BCE were found, measuring approximately 17.5 meters in length and 4 meters in width. The structure is divided into living quarters, each roughly 4 by 5 meters in size. Excavations have been ongoing for three seasons, led by the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw. The settlement is linked to the Western Baltic Burial Mound culture of the Iron Age. While similar buildings are known from southwestern Poland, such examples are rare in Mazovia and northeastern Poland.

Among the artifacts is a bronze coin issued during the reign of Seuthes III, ruler of the Odrysian Kingdom of Thrace, between 323 and 316 BCE. One side features a horseman with a mint mark, and the other depicts Zeus crowned with a laurel wreath. The coin was pierced, suggesting it was worn as a pendant on a cord or strap. Notably, Seuthopolis, the ancient Thracian capital, lies around 1,500 kilometers from Lysa Gora. The coin likely reached Mazovia through Celtic groups that raided Seuthopolis in the early 3rd century BCE.

Two additional objects resembling Greek obols were also discovered, though their identification remains unconfirmed. These finds highlight Lysa Gora’s role as a hub for cultural and commercial exchange with distant regions. The most significant artifacts are currently undergoing restoration at the State Archaeological Museum.

Dr. Bartlomiej Kaczynski emphasized the importance of these discoveries for expanding knowledge about ancient cultures in Poland.

Separately, in August 2026, a collection of archaeological items was found near the village of Mejsce, Poland. This assemblage includes:

• a Roman silver coin
• a bronze bracelet
• a spearhead
• fragments of jewelry

The discoveries were made by the research group "Bats," reflecting ongoing archaeological activity in the region.

These finds from Lysa Gora underscore the area’s historical significance as a center of cultural and trade networks in antiquity. They open up new avenues for studying the interactions that shaped societies within modern-day Poland and its neighboring cultures. Continued archaeological work here promises further insights into the history and development of early civilizations.

These recent findings at Lysa Gora echo similar discoveries across Poland, such as the Roman silver denarius and bracelet found at another site. Such artifacts not only enrich our understanding of trade routes and cultural exchanges in ancient times but also highlight the interconnectedness of various communities throughout the region.