Few words about excavations

Archaeological research at the Main Market Square in Krakow which began in August 2005 was aimed at replacing the top surface layer of the Market and the construction of underground facilities for the Historical Museum of Krakow, and the Cloth Hall. Excavation works at the southern wall of the Cloth Hall, between Kramy Bogate (Rich Stands) and the north-eastern part of the Market, covered the total area of 2,200 sq.m. which is equivalent to approximately  5% of the total Market surface area. Research works were also conducted in the area of Wielka Waga (Great Weighing Scale), the wall copings of Waga Mała (Small Weighing Scale), and Kramy Bogate were uncovered. At the same time rubble was cleared all the way along the western side of the walls and in several chambers in the eastern section.

Apart from numerous and quite often unique monuments depicting the everyday life of mediaeval Krakow townsfolk, the research work discovered many new extremely significant facts concerning the development of the Market surface and space as well as the history of the buildings that were erected in the Market. It was concluded, for instance, that:

• a large cemetery existed in the 11^th century market were the early -medieval  town inhabitants were once buried
• an open settlement was founded on the cemetery in the 12^th century, characteristic for its regular layout
• the oldest brick buildings, Kramy Bogate, were constructed between 1250 – 1275 and they consisted of six- and eight-chamber buildings located on both sides of the cobblestone tract which began at the end of Jana street
• the brick facilities in the market centre  functioned as such till the 19^th century were constructed only  after  1350
• the market square had an earthen surface till contemporary times
• stone pavements existed only  in the direct vicinity of brick buildings or as passages to main tracts.

Cezary Buśko, Ph. D.