Archaeologists have uncovered more than a thousand archaeological features along a planned section of the Kojetín–Přerov high-speed railway in the Czech Republic, revealing an extensive record of human activity spanning from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman period.
Among the most notable discoveries are settlement remains from the Věteřov and Urnfield cultures, evidence of specialised bronze production, and a rare Roman-period drawplate used in metalworking.
The findings come from a 1.2-kilometre stretch between Nezamyslice and Kojetín, investigated by experts from the Archaeological Centre Olomouc as part of a large-scale rescue excavation. The work forms part of the modernisation of the Brno–Přerov railway line, specifically the fourth construction phase of the Nezamyslice–Kojetín section, which spans 9.6 kilometres.
Fieldwork, carried out between April and October last year, revealed a dense and complex settlement landscape in the Haná River valley. “More than a thousand archaeological features were identified within the excavation area,” said Nikola Jandová, spokesperson for the centre. “This site ranks among the most significant settlement complexes documented in this region.”
Early Bronze Age settlement
The earliest phase of occupation is associated with the Věteřov culture of the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologists identified the remains of post-built houses constructed using wattle-and-daub techniques. Although the original structures were destroyed by fire, fragments of hardened clay—known as daub—preserved details of their construction, including surface finishes and impressions of woven timber frameworks.
“The houses were built using wooden posts, and when they burned, the heat preserved construction details in the daub,” explained archaeologist Pavel Moš. “In some cases, we can even see traces of how the walls were finished.”
Artefacts from this period include pottery vessels, spindle whorls, beads and a bone pin. A bronze pin with a Cypriot-style head may indicate wider cultural connections. Two settlement burials were also uncovered, including one containing both an adult and a child. These remains are now undergoing anthropological analysis.
Unusual human remains
The site also shows strong evidence of later occupation by communities of the Urnfield culture, particularly the Silesian group of the Late Bronze Age and the Platěnice group of the Early Iron Age. Numerous settlement features from this period contained pottery fragments and building material.
Four features containing human remains have drawn particular attention. In one case, six human skulls were found arranged side by side within a pit. This discovery stands in contrast to typical Urnfield burial practices, which usually involve cremation.
“Urnfield communities are generally associated with cremation burials,” said lead archaeologist Arkadiusz Tajer. “Here, however, we found only partial remains rather than complete burials. This may point to a specific ritual practice.” Further analysis is expected to clarify the context of these findings.
Evidence of bronze production
At the edge of the settlement, archaeologists uncovered clear evidence of metalworking activity. Stone moulds and fragments of crucibles used for casting bronze objects were found alongside a small collection of finished artefacts, including axes, pins, a bracelet and a knife.
These finds date to the transition between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age and suggest the presence of a specialised bronze-working workshop.
“The moulds will be analysed to determine whether traces of metal remain,” Tajer said. “We also want to establish whether the artefacts discovered were produced directly at this site.”
Additional features indicate continued occupation into the later Iron Age, including evidence linked to La Tène cultural traditions.
Rare Roman-period discovery
The most recent phase of activity at the site dates to the Roman period, when Germanic communities inhabited the region. Archaeologists identified a lime kiln used to produce material for construction and pottery finishing.
However, the most significant find from this phase is a well-preserved drawplate—a tool used to pull and shape metal wire. Residues of corrosion remain within its perforations, suggesting that traces of the original wire may still be present.
“The drawplate will undergo spectrometric analysis to determine the composition of the metal,” said Moš. “Such wire could have been used, for example, in the production of chain mail.” According to specialists, this type of find is rare in Central Europe.
Ongoing analysis
Researchers emphasise that large-scale rescue excavations of this kind require substantial time and technical resources. They have also noted concerns that future legislative changes could affect the scope and funding of archaeological work, potentially limiting similar investigations.
All recovered material has now been transferred to laboratories at the Archaeological Centre Olomouc. Specialists are conducting conservation, documentation and detailed analyses, including the study of human remains.
The results will be published progressively, offering new insights into settlement patterns, technological practices and ritual behaviour in the Haná region over several thousand years.
Sources : Archeologické Centrum Olomouc