A team of underwater archaeologists from Nicolaus Copernicus University has unearthed a 1,000-year-old carved wooden beam in Lake Lednica, western Poland. The object was excavated during an underwater archaeological excavation and offers valuable insights into early medieval Slavic spiritual practices and craftsmanship.

1,000-year-old carved wooden face found in Lake Lednica reveals early Slavic spirituality. Credit: Mateusz Popek / Nicolaus Copernicus University

The wooden object, which belonged to a fortification structure, has a carved human face with remarkably realistic features. Approximately 12 cm in height and 9 cm in width, the face has sculpted eyes, nose, lips, cheeks, and an evident oval head shape. This was not a decorative figurine, but an architectural element inserted into the defensive rampart of an ancient settlement on the island of Ostrów Lednicki—one of the lake’s islands. The beam itself, which was made of oak or elm, is approximately 1.34 meters in length.

Analysis of tree-ring dating has confirmed that the tree from which this beam was crafted was felled in about 967 CE, dating the artifact to a period of cultural transformation in the region. It was a period during which Christianity was advancing its roots across the Polish lands, but older, pagan spiritual beliefs still lingered deeply among the local population.

The naturalistic face, carved into the area where a natural branch had left the main trunk, suggests something more than skilled woodcarving. Its form and position suggest a symbolic or protective purpose—presumably serving as a guardian figure placed within the ramparts to deter evil forces. Similar protective carvings have been discovered at other Slavic archaeological sites and are believed to have been used for apotropaic purposes—that is, to ward off evil spirits or protect the safety of individuals nearby.

The face features strikingly realistic details, including clearly defined eyes, nose, mouth, a distinctive chin, and an oval-shaped head. Credit: Mateusz Popek / Nicolaus Copernicus University

The Lake Lednica face is stylistically similar to well-known Slavic sculptures from sites such as Wolin, Novgorod, and Staraya Ladoga. Its closest match is a ninth-century four-faced figurine from Wolin, notable for sharing the same simplified triangular chin, straight nose, and schematic eyes and eyebrows. The consistency of these features suggests that there must have been a shared regional artistic and spiritual tradition independent of neighboring Scandinavian or Rus cultures.

Wood tends to rot over time, but underwater conditions such as those in Lake Lednica can preserve organic material. Thanks to the unique conditions of the lake, archaeologists were able not only to remove this carved face, but also to recover a wealth of other artifacts, including remains of bridges, dugout boats, and early medieval weapons.

The discovery supports the hypothesis that spiritual imagery in early Slavic communities was not confined to statues or icons within temples. Instead, spiritual meaning could be conveyed through objects and architectural elements such as palisades, gates, and walls. These symbols would have been part of the religious and cultural heritage of the people, particularly during times when new religious ideas were interacting with traditional faiths.

This find adds another layer to the understanding of early Slavic society, demonstrating how symbolic and protective themes were physically incorporated into the built environment.

More information: Nicolaus Copernicus University