Late Hillfort Period settlement on the southern outskirts of the village of Pňov-Předhradí, Kolín District
Abstract
The article describes a small-scale rescue excavation in the cadastral area of Pňov (part of the village of Pňov-Předhradí, Kolín District). The discovered features of settlement nature can be dated to the 11th/early 13th century on the basis of ceramic fragments.
Several isolated potsherds also allow us to presume the proximity of a settlement area occupied during the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The limited extent of excavation unfortunately does not allow to better recognize the structure of the medieval built-up area, but it is still of some importance for knowledge of the development of the local settlement pattern during the late phase of existence of the Přemyslid hillfort of Oldříš, where a church or chapel of St.
John the Baptist is documented in the local part of Předhradí. Fragments of statues were found there, originating perhaps from the decoration of a tympanum.
Pottery, discovered mainly in feature 7, is well comparable with finds from excavations at the hillfort of Kouřim-sv. Jiří.
The excavation at Pňov-Předhradí is an important addition to the knowledge of the hinterland of the hillfort of Oldříš during its final phase and after it lost its importance. Finds from the immediate vicinity prove that population density was not significantly affected by this.