Buried Secrets: Medieval Knight’s Skeleton Unearthed Below Historic Polish Ice Cream Parlour

In the heart of Gdansk, Poland, a city celebrated for its vibrant architecture and rich history, archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable discovery: the complete skeleton of a medieval knight buried beneath the site of a beloved local ice cream shop.

The excavation, led by ArcheoScan, took place at the former location of Lodziarnia Mis, a popular ice cream parlor that operated for over 60 years at the corner of Sukiennicza and Grodzka streets. The dig was conducted ahead of new construction work, as part of routine archaeological investigations in the historically dense area.
Initial findings in 2024 included a 46-by-46-foot oak church dating back to 1140, the oldest church ever discovered in Gdansk, and over 200 medieval graves surrounding it. The site had once been part of a stronghold that existed from the late 11th century through the early 14th century.

But the most extraordinary find came in July 2025: a well-preserved carved tombstone likely from the late 1200s or early 1300s. Just five inches beneath it, archaeologists uncovered the complete skeleton of an elite medieval knight.

Knight Buried With Honour

Anthropologist Dr. Aleksandra Pudło noted that the man was likely between 5’6” and 5’10” tall and around 40 years old at the time of his death. His bones, especially the skull, were impressively preserved, offering archaeologists a rare opportunity to reconstruct his appearance.

The tombstone, made of soft limestone, featured a standing knight holding an uplifted sword, a pose symbolizing honor and status. Though no grave goods were recovered, archaeologist Aleksandra Kurzynska emphasized that “all available evidence suggests that the deceased was a person of high social standing, most likely a knight or commander.”

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It remains uncertain whom the knight served. Gdańsk was seized in the early 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, a German Catholic military order. Alternatively, the knight may have served the earlier Sobiesław dynasty, which ruled during the 11th and 12th centuries.

The grave is part of a cemetery estimated to hold nearly 300 burials, all connected to the ancient church. ArcheoScan described the knight’s discovery as “one of the most important archaeological finds in Poland in recent years,” offering vital insights into medieval burial customs, religious symbolism, and social hierarchy.