When modifying the Celtic settlement of Závist, stone is to be used instead of concrete

Dolní Břežany - Craftsmen should use stone and not concrete for the modifications of the Celtic fort Závist in the cadastral area of Dolní Břežany near Prague, as was originally planned. This method will, according to experts, better respect the environment of the monument, Zuzana Žídková from the regional office informed ČTK today.

The project for the modifications of the Celtic fort sparked negative reactions from the public, with opponents mainly objecting to the use of concrete. The author of the proposal, Josef Pleskot, argued that concrete slabs would create a roof over the archaeological finds and protect them from further water infiltration.

Two public discussions were held regarding the project. The Archaeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences, along with the Institute of Archaeological Heritage Care of Central Bohemia, organized a meeting of experts at the end of May. Participants agreed that the presentation of archaeological finds at Závist is appropriate, but its form must respect the environment of the entire monument.

Architect Pleskot then presented a possible change to the project that would replace the concrete colored slabs above the archaeological objects with hewn, dry-laid stones. This variant was discussed by a smaller team at the beginning of June, which included not only archaeologists but also experts from the National Heritage Institute.

"The modified variant, namely split stone as the base for above-ground structures and adjustments to other surfaces that allow for a non-contrasting transition from the surrounding vegetation to the area affected by the project of 'presenting' much better respects the environment of the monument and its landscape context," said Martin Tomášek from the National Heritage Institute.

The fort and the Celtic oppidum Závist is a national cultural monument. It is a site that is mainly covered by forest today. Archaeological research, focused mainly on the so-called acropolis, has revealed the ground plans of several different structures identified as sanctuaries, the analogies of which are sought in Etruscan or Greek contexts. According to experts, it is one of the most important locations of the La Tène period in Bohemia and Central Europe. However, the probes after the archaeological work were not immediately covered after the completion of the research. Experts prevented the immediate destruction of the uncovered structures by filling the entire area with rubble in 2004.