Założenia programowe badań archeologicznych Starego Miasta w Lublinie

The Archaeological and Conservation Workshop of the Lublin division of the State Ateliers for the Conservation of Cultural Property has existed since 1970. In the beginning it conducted studies only of individual buildings with the purpose of making use of them in design projects. However, the problems of importance for the city were not overlooked either. An example of this is the discovery at Złota Street of the depression of the ground level in the direction of the street middle, which made it possible to presume that an early-medieval moat surrounded the settlement on the southern side. In 1972-1974 two documents were prepared: a detailed plan and a long-term plan, both of which became the basis for the activity of the workshop. In these plans the necessity was recognized for the undertaking of research studies as the first step in the realization of individual objects. These included historical, architectonic, archaeological and fresco studies. The area of the Old Town was divided into 16 blocks of structures. It was agreed that restoration was to be carried out on each block in turn. In the second half of the 1970's archaeological studies were conducted on blocks VIII, XI and XVI. During this time the range of the work was broadened considerably. The studies also brought certain findings concerning the city's history, such as the discovery of the partly preserved cemetery of the 13th cent. They also made it possible for Andrzej Hunicz to make .out a chronogical account of Lublin ceramics from the middle of the 12th to the end of the 15th cent. The 1980's brought an intensification of restoration undertakings, together with archaeological studies. Not only individual buildings were studied now, but investigations were carried out in quest of settlements existing prior to the construction of the buildings. This, however, turned out to be a difficult task, because complex archaeological studies require much time. Moreover, the studied buildings were inhabited. It was therefore necessary to limit the scope of the studies. Nevertheless, in the first half of the 1 9 8 0 's two important discoveries were made. These were the building of the old city hall and the Crown Tribunal, and 5 coins. In the years 1986 and 1987 the range of the studies was reduced due to the shortage of investment resources. Archaeological studies conducted on the Old Town in Lublin were only a part of the general research. However, interdisciplinary teams were not formed. Studies were carried out by several specialized workshops that cooperated with each other closely. On completion of all work, a synthesis is expected to be made out by the Scientific and Historical Documentation Workshop.