During recent operations on the Westerplatte peninsula in Gdańsk, sappers discovered 49 hazardous items and over 180 historical artifacts. These findings were made between March 19 and 29, under the supervision of the Museum of the Second World War. The ongoing project, started in 2016, aims to ensure the safety of museum staff and visitors by clearing the area of dangerous objects.
Since the commencement of this project, more than 4,700 hazardous items have been found, including three aerial bombs. The clearance has covered over 13.5 hectares, uncovering numerous artillery shells, mortar and hand grenades, fuses, and small arms ammunition.
Archaeologists have also discovered nearly 3,800 items connected to Westerplatte’s history from the 18th century to the post-war period. These artifacts include cannonballs, musket shots, coins, pottery, decorative stove tiles, and military equipment.
In recent years, excavations have revealed relics such as the foundations of historical buildings and burial sites of Polish soldiers. In 2019, the remains of nine soldiers were identified, with seven being genetically confirmed. In 2022, a new cemetery was established on Westerplatte to honor these defenders.