mgr Jakub Tamulski

mgr Agata Drejer - Kowalska

Section 12.: Return to Poland of Mieszko and Bolesław the Brave - Polish historical sciences towards the areas of western and northern Poland annexed in 1945

After World War II, archaeology in the so-called Recovered Territories faced a dramatic situation. Many artefacts were destroyed or lost, some museums were demolished, and the lack of qualified professionals hindered the protection of cultural heritage. The academic centre in Poznań, led by Professor Józef Kostrzewski, played a key role in rebuilding archaeology in these territories, particularly in the region temporarily incorporated into the Poznań Voivodeship. The paper focuses on three main areas of the center’s activity: rescuing and securing artefacts, conducting scientific research, and promoting archaeology among local communities. The analysis, based primarily on the archives of the Archaeological Museum in Poznań, considers organizational, financial, and political-ideological aspects that influenced the scope and implementation of activities during the early post-war period.