Archaeologists in Poland discovered two megalithic burial monuments dating back over 5,500 years, referred to as the "Pyramids of Poland." Unearthed in the General Dezydery Chłapowski Landscape Park in the village of Wyskoc, Wielkopolska region, these structures are among the largest prehistoric constructions in the country and offer insights into Neolithic societies in Europe.
During a routine survey, researchers from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań detected mysterious mounds of earth. Upon further investigation, they confirmed these were ancient long earth tombs, marking findings at two sites. "By conducting more excavations, we hope to gather more information about the Funnelbeaker cultures in this area," said Artur Golis, chief specialist for nature and landscape protection from the Wielkopolska Region's Landscape Parks Complex, according to Enikos.
The tombs date back to the 4th millennium BCE and are attributed to the Funnelbeaker culture, known for its burial architecture and characteristic funnel-shaped pottery. These communities constructed monumental trapezoidal structures stretching up to 200 meters in length and four meters in height, forming an imposing pyramidal silhouette. Though the structures are not as intact as they once were due to erosion and repurposing of stones by locals over centuries, they remain archaeological sites.
"Each generation built its own megalithic monument, honoring the deceased who played a vital role in their community," Golis added. The Funnelbeaker society, while relatively egalitarian, sometimes used these tombs to house important figures such as tribal chiefs, priests, or shamans, providing insights into their social structures and spiritual beliefs.
Remote sensing technology played a role in the discovery. The research team utilized aerial laser scanning, which revealed the distinctive trapezoidal shape of the mounds. Excavations are still ongoing, and researchers are optimistic about uncovering artifacts such as stone axes, ceramics, and other grave goods that may still be buried nearby. "Potentially, these may include stone axes, adzes, ceramics, or characteristic clay vessels," Golis noted.
The tombs were carefully aligned with the cardinal points of the horizon, indicating knowledge of astronomy by their builders. This alignment suggests that the location of these monuments may have had symbolic significance related to the belief systems of the Neolithic peoples. The construction of these massive structures, using stones weighing up to 10 tons, would have required collective labor and engineering techniques, demonstrating the intelligence and capabilities of early agricultural societies in Europe.
Despite their moniker, the findings are more accurately described as megalithic tombs, also known as giants' graves, due to their monumental triangular shape. They offer a rare glimpse into the social, religious, and architectural evolution of Neolithic Europe. The Funnelbeaker culture, which flourished approximately between 4000 and 2800 BCE, occupied extensive regions of Northern and Central Europe, including present-day Denmark, northern Germany, Poland, and parts of Scandinavia.
Previous discoveries of similar structures have been rare in this region. This latest pair of megalithic tombs is particularly significant because they are only the third and fourth discoveries of their kind in Poland since the first such structures were identified in Wielkopolska in 2019. The majority of similar constructions had previously been located in northwestern Poland.
While human remains have not yet been found at the recently discovered sites, archaeologists are hopeful. "In the case of this megalith, the skeleton probably did not survive, but the grave goods may have survived," Golis said. The body was usually placed in a supine position with the feet pointing east, towards the rising sun, and was surrounded by funeral offerings. These may have included items such as pottery, stone axes, and other artifacts reflecting the material culture of the Funnelbeaker society.
The discovery of these structures sheds light on the religious, social, and architectural sophistication of Neolithic societies in Europe and challenges existing narratives about early European civilizations. The findings provide evidence about one of the oldest agricultural civilizations in Europe, revealing the cultural development of early farming communities that flourished in the forested areas of Central Europe.
Excavations are still ongoing, and the site is currently closed to the public. Researchers are optimistic that further exploration will enrich the understanding of these rare constructions and illuminate new aspects of human prehistory. "These findings could provide further information about the spiritual and daily life of the people of the Funnelbeaker culture," Golis stated.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.