The limestone slab—depicting an upright knight with shield and sword—was found in early July at the block of Czopowa, Sukiennicza and Grodzka streets.
About 30 cm beneath stones supporting the slab, researchers uncovered a complete male skeleton believed to have lived 700 years ago.
“This was not just anybody,” said Marcin Tymiński, spokesman for the regional heritage conservation officer.
The man was relatively tall for the Middle Ages, at about 180 cm, had full dentition, and likely died around age 40.
“He lived well and ate well, but who he was we will probably never know,” Tymiński added.
Sylwia Kurzyńska, who co‑leads the excavation for the ArcheoScan laboratory, called the slab exceptional: “We have no analogies for such a Gotland limestone slab with a raised relief.”
The carving shows detailed armor, including visible mail rings, a helmet and chain mail shoes and leggings.
The site also contains traces of the area’s first wooden church, a later stone church, stronghold buildings and a cemetery.
Archaeologist Monika Kasprzak said the team can reconstruct a 12th‑century street grid and surrounding housing, describing it as the largest continuous excavation area of the former Gdańsk stronghold with intact streets and houses.
The grave slab has been transferred to the Gdańsk Archaeological Museum for study by museum staff and anthropologists.
A facial reconstruction may be possible. Whether the knight’s remains will be displayed is up to the museum.
City officials noted the discovery “waited 700 years for great fame,” as international outlets—including CNN, CBS News, Fox News and the New York Post—have reported on the find.
(jh/gs)
Source: TVN24, Gdansk.pl