Archaeologists at Zelný trh in Brno discovered the foundations of a modern building

Brno - Next to a number of small finds, archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of a modern building at the Zelný trh in Brno, the purpose of which they are only speculating about. However, as the archaeological work is only just beginning, they expect further interesting finds and are particularly looking forward to discovering evidence of the first medieval settlement from the 12th century, when the city was founded, said Antonín Zůbek from the public benefit company Archaia to ČTK today.
The current survey at Zelný trh is among the largest in this area because the square will be completely reconstructed this year. "It is comparable to the survey that was done when the Svobody square was reconstructed. However, it was more interesting there because the ground was preserved up to two meters deep," Zůbek stated.
Archaeologists have been at Zelný trh for a month, but according to Zůbek, the work has only begun as the builders uncovered the pavement. So far, between ten and 18 of them have been working in the square, but they are preparing to increase those numbers.
"So far, we have been most surprised by the areas in the northwestern part near the Malý Špalíček. We have uncovered medieval underground spaces that served as smaller cellars. They must have been related to the marketplace, and there could have been some timber-clay structure above them," Zůbek explained.
The mentioned foundations of the larger building currently measure ten by 15 meters, but after uncovering another part of the square, it may turn out that it was even larger. "It could have been a successor to a medieval building. From Svobody square, we know of a city scales that served market administrators and also some facilities for traders or storage. However, the building does not appear on any historical depictions of the city," Zůbek mentioned the image of the siege of Brno by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War and a reality faithfully captured in the image from the mid-18th century. Thus, the building likely stood in the interim period between these events. "It will be necessary to research written sources. So far, I have not found this topic in any specialist literature," Zůbek added.
In addition to the remains of the first city settlement from the 12th century, archaeologists may also encounter material sources from prehistory dating back 2000 to 1000 years before our era. "We know that there was discontinuous settlement at that time; in the 1990s, three cremation graves were found at the Old Town Hall," Zůbek stated.
The archaeological work is following the construction schedule. "As long as earthworks are being done, we will be here," Zůbek said. The reconstruction of Zelný trh, costing 60 million crowns, is to be completed this year, ideally so that Christmas markets can be held there.