Researchers from the Maria Curie Sklodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin have summarised the latest archaeological discoveries in Lublin’s Botanic Garden, which may be a breakthrough in reconstructing the history of Sławinek and thus of significant importance for the origins of urban Lublin.  

Researchers from the Institute of Archaeology of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, together with staff from the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, have been conducting research as part of the project ‘Redoubt of T. Kościuszko in defence of the 3rd of May Constitution’ since 2022. 

“The task set before the archaeologists was simple – to prove that this object was made by human hand. In the course of the research, we discovered several finds that can be linked to Tadeusz Kościuszko,” said Dr Rafał Niedźwiadek, head of archaeological work in the Botanical Garden of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and added that with the help of lidar and GPR, it was checked what was beneath the surface of the ground. As it turned out, this part of the garden concealed a walled structure.

The walls are fragments of a defensive court that existed before the Redoubt was built. It can be dated between the 16th and 17th centuries. “While building his Redoubt, Kościuszko either dismantled it completely or did not find it anymore,” admits Dr Niedźwiadek.