Plac Nowy Targ we Wrocławiu w świetle badań wykopaliskowych w latach 2010–2012

Abstract

Podstawą źródłową artykułu są materiały z badań placu Nowy Targ we wschodniej części Starego Miasta we Wrocławiu. Na powierzchni 40 arów odsłonięto świadectwa przemian zachodzących tam od fazy protomiejskiej, przez lokację miasta, wytyczenie placu i jego funkcjonowanie przez pięć stuleci.

Nowy Targ square is located in the eastern part of the Old Town in Wrocław, in an area of long and varied history, bursting with rich relics of the past deposited in the form of cultural layers. A necessity of undertaking there excavations in 2010 resulted from the commencement of investment activities related to the construction of an underground car park. The location and size of the trench were determined by the construction project. The excavations covered an area of nearly 40 ares in the southern part of the square, obtaining previously unreachable scientific possibilities. The excavations were carried out in accordance with the principles of stratigraphic methods. It was assumed that the order of formation of excavated features was diachronic, and by their registration a modified and adapted to the nature of the site Edward Harris’s system was applied. To this method was subject the documentation scheme. The results illustrated several events or time breakthrough trends for the area in question, fixed by relevant material sources. We identify them as phases of land use, being aware of the arbitrariness of the term. A simplification introduced in this way will help to organize the description of the history of use of the area in question. The area is located on the left bank terrace of the Odra River, formed in this place by riverine sands covered with a layer of light brown alluvial soil with a thickness of 30 cm. The soil survived only in small portions and its top parts were mixed in the initial stage of land use. The level of its top was between 115.35–115.60 m above sea level, showing a slight inclination from the west to the east. Eight successive phases of use of this place (I–VIII) were determined. Phase I represents the beginnings of settlement on the left bank of the Odra River. Features related to it are mostly pits of indeterminate function – perhaps parts of semi-sunken buildings and postsholes – some with remains of wattle or log constructions. This phase is dated to the 11th–12th century. Phase II is a continuation of the development of the left bank settlement. In a related layer features and artefacts were recorded, which can be dated to the second half of the 12th and early 13th century. Phase III (proto-urban) is a stage in the development of settlement characterized by a considerable intensification of exploitation of land, reflected by the richness of a complex stratigraphic sequence. In the layer corresponding to this phase numerous pottery fragments and various metal items were found. The source material as well as the dendrochronological dates allow to date the phase to the 13th century – from its first decades to about the 1260s–1270s. Phase IV – associated with the liquidation of the built-up area and demarcation of Nowy Targ square, probably along with a regular grid of streets surrounding it – is dated to the second half of the 13th century. Phase V reflects an early stage of Nowy Targ square functioning, in layers associated with it wooden troughs and pipes for transport of water were found connected with wells built of laths. This phase is dated to the second half of the 13th and early 14th century. Phase VI represents the continuation of use of the market square in the 14th century. The corresponding layers contained remains of wooden structures (post, wattle constructions). Phase VII determines the period of the square use at the end of the 14th century. Remains of this stage are fragments of pottery, leather, animal bones, metal artefacts as well as relics of brick and wooden structures. Phase VIII corresponds to the period of the square use in Post-medieval period, between the 16th and 18th centuries. In layers associated with it relics of a Baroque fountain were recorded. This paper is a preliminary presentation of the results of excavations at Nowy Targ square in Wrocław. Further analysis will allow to create clear conclusions concerning the beginnings of settlement and spatial changes in the area in question.