The last part of the unique tomb of the prince of Poprad – Domestic – News – has returned to Slovakia
The unique ancient tomb of the prince of Poprad is completely back in Slovakia.
photo: The truth, Žaneta Mikulíková
Matej Ruttkay, director of the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, shows beams from the outer chamber of the unique tomb of the prince from the Tatras, on May 9 in Nitra.
The last and largest last – wooden beams from its outer chamber – came to the depository of the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra. They were brought on two trucks from Schleswig, Germany, where their research took place and where they were preserved for years using the new method.
Video: Matej Ruttkay, director of the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, shows beams from the outer chamber of the unique tomb of the prince from the Tatras.
The princely tomb from the end of the 4th century was discovered at the end of 2005 during the construction of an industrial park in Poprad-Matejovce. This is a unique finding, there is no finding from this period that would be preserved to such a large extent. The tomb was placed at a depth of five meters and consisted of two chambers – the outer (underground log cabin) and the inner (sarcophagus). Together with the equipment, it survived because it was submerged in water.
“These days, two trucks of about a four-ton load of the last, but part of the tomb – the underground log cabin in which the deceased was buried, have returned to us,” explained Matej Ruttkay, director of the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra. The Nitra Institute collaborated with the German Foundation of State Museums of Schleswig-Holstein on research into the tomb. On Monday, they signed the protocol on taking over the preserved beams.
The outer part of the tomb was transferred in 2006 to German experts in Schleswig, who, according to Ruttkay, are among the best specialists in the world in the conservation and restoration of archaeological finds made of wood and organic materials. Due to their size, but also due to their high costs, the beams could not use the standard method, which consists in impregnating the conservation solution.
“They were preserved by a new method, ie gradual drying under controlled sand. Years before the woods reached a state where their internal treatment lasted 13, 14 percent, “explained the director of the Nitra Institute. At that time, they were ready for transport in Slovakia.
However, part of the beams were attacked by mold. These are seven pieces that have appeared at a shallower depth over time than the rest of the tomb. Ruttkay explained well that was why they were not so preserved and did not cause frost, for example. You must now clean, treat and dry them in the laboratory.
The princely tomb is currently complete and the Nitra Institute has it stored in its depositories, which are located in its premises below Zobor. They had to build a special tank with controlled temperature and water for the wooden beams.
Part of the remains of the Germanic prince nicknamed the Slovak Tutankhamun were also found in the tomb. His age appointed experts to 18 to 20 years. In his bones, Danish pathologists proved the presence of the jaundice virus, which survived there for more than 1,600 years. This discovery caused a great sensation. Even though the ruler’s tomb was looted, its inventory was preserved as a bed on which the deceased lay, wooden mares or a wooden table.
“The table was turned from two pieces of wood. Even then, they knew how to turn such a huge piece of wood with the lathes of that time. When we were looking for someone who would faithfully make a copy for us, we had a problem with that. Even then, the people of that time did it, “Ruttkay described. The tomb also contained tools left by robbers.
Archeology also found a food inside like hazelnuts, which they also baptized the book of the Prince of Poprad and his tomb on Monday. Its authors are archaeologists Karol Pieta and Tereza Štolcová from the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra.
The ancient board game with glass stones, which the prince imported from the Roman Empire, is also unique in Europe. The research also dealt with found textiles.
Almost all the finds, including part of the wooden beams, will be part of the planned permanent exhibition in the Podtatranský Museum in Poprad. “Work on the exhibition is underway. We would like to open it at the end of this year, “explained the director of the museum, Magdalena Bekessová. The exhibition will cover an area of 460 square meters