Results of archaeological rescue excavations at Mucharz (Beskidy Mts.)

During rescue excavations at the site Mucharz 12 carried out due to building of the water reservoir at Świnna Poręba on the border of the Middle and Small Beskidy Mts. unexpectedly traces of the Late Paleolithic settlement of Świdry culture were discovered, among them remains of two dwelling features. Besides them the site provided numerous Mesolithic artifacts, traces of Neolithic settlement, assemblages representing two different variants of Bronze Age Mierzanowice culture and finally remains connected with medieval occupation. Studies on stone artifacts demonstrated that mainly during the Mesolithic period local deposits of Mikuszowice hornstone were exploited. Presence of the artifacts made of raw materials coming from some distance sources (e.g. Jurassic flint) was confirmed as well. Presented results put new light on the problem of detectability of archaeological sites within mountain zones of southern Poland, as well as on the character of prehistorical settlement traces on the territory.