A mediaeval pot. (source: E. Fottová/SAV Nitra)
The location near Rimavská Sobota, southern Slovakia, where the construction of a new industrial park has begun, is being occupied by archaeologists again.
The initial results of their first research suggested that an archaeological site and trenches may be located in the northern part of the future park. Experts assumed that it is the mediaeval settlement known as Kľačany.
Regional Monuments Board Banská Bystrica wrote that the only written mention of Kľačany is a document from 1557. The settlement is described as declined, its demise said to have been connected with Turkish raids.
But the preliminary results of the more thorough archaeological research, which is still being carried out, have also brought other, more surprising findings.
"A unique discovery is furnaces for processing mud ore from the Roman era, metallurgical debris and various semi-finished products," archaeologists said.
In addition, they uncovered a mediaeval settlement from the 11th to 13th centuries, but also an older settlement dating back to the Roman era. In total, experts examined more than 150 objects, including storage pits and wells.
"It is the first systematically investigated settlement from Roman times in the region of the southern part of central Slovakia," said the regional monuments board.
The archaeological research should continue at least until the end of March 2024.
