Construction of a tram line leading to Popowice neighbourhood in Wrocław is underway. On the site, workers have found a cannonball from the 18th or 19th century. Similar projectiles were used on navy ships.
The cannonball was discovered during excavation works at Dmowskiego street. Artillery barracks once stood in the vicinity and similar historical items were found in the area.
"Usually, however, they were much smaller. Our cannonball has a diameter of 280 milimetres, it's made of cast iron, weighs nearly 40 kilos and is in very good condition. Similar ones were used in cannons, among others, on ships" - Wrocławskie Inwestycje company said in a Facebook post.
According to initial examination, the finding dates back to 18th or 19th century. A lot seems to suggest that it may come from the Napoleonic wars era.
"Two archeologists who supervise the investment estimated that the finding very likely dates back to 1807. Breslau (German name for Wrocław) was under siege led by Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, and the bombardment was meant to intimidate the city. We will be sure once we've removed the dirt layer and cleaned the cannonball. It may also turn out it was repaired which would mean it's even older" - said Krzysztof Świerszcz from Wrocławskie Inwestycje.
In line with the procedure, the cannonball was handed over to archeologists. After it's been examined and preserved, it will find its way to a museum.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Wrocławskie Inwestycje
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Wrocławskie Inwestycje