Rare 1,000-year-old carved face found in Polish lake

Underwater archaeologists have uncovered a carved wooden face dating to approximately 967 AD in Lake Lednica, Poland, offering rare insight into the spiritual practices of medieval Slavic settlements during the country's earliest Christian period. The discovery, made by researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University's Center for Underwater Archaeology, represents one of the few preserved examples of early Slavic wooden craftsmanship to survive over a millennium.dailygalaxy+2

Rare Medieval Artifact Emerges from Lake Floor

The face, measuring 12 centimeters tall and 9 centimeters wide, was carved into a structural oak beam that likely formed part of defensive ramparts for the settlement on Ostrów Lednicki island. According to Popular Mechanics, the carving features "intricate details including realistic eyes, nose, mouth, and oval-shaped head".dailygalaxy+2

Dendrochronological analysis conducted by Professor Marek Krąpiec's laboratory determined the oak tree was felled around 967 AD, placing the artifact squarely within the reign of Mieszko I, Poland's first Christian ruler. The timing coincides with Poland's transition from paganism to Christianity, suggesting the face may represent lingering pre-Christian beliefs.ancient-origins+1

"When we cleaned it thoroughly, it turned out that a face was looking at us," team member Mateusz Popek told Notes from Poland. "We never expected to discover something like this, even in our wildest dreams."artdependence

Evidence Points to Spiritual Function

The carved face was positioned to look outward toward the lake rather than the settlement, which researchers believe may reflect early Slavic beliefs that spirits inhabited bodies of water. Dr. Andrzej Pydyn, director of the Center for Underwater Archaeology, suggested the face likely represented "a deity, a protective spirit, or even a heroic figure watching over the inhabitants".heritagedaily+2

Supporting evidence for ritual practices emerged from the discovery of horse jaws and bones near the ramparts, which Popular Mechanics reported may have come from "ritual offerings or protective sacrifices". Similar bones were found beneath houses at the site.popularmechanics+1

Part of Broader Slavic Tradition

The Lednica face is not unique among Slavic archaeological sites. According to Art Dependence, similar anthropomorphic carvings have been discovered in Wolin, Novgorod the Great, and Staraya Ladoga. The consistency in features—including triangular chins and straight noses—suggests a shared artistic and spiritual tradition rather than external Scandinavian or Rus influence.ancient-origins

The artifact will undergo preservation work before being displayed at the Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica by late 2026.heritagedaily