Ancient drainage system found during Tartu cultural center construction
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Archaeologists working in Tartu, Estonia, uncovered centuries-old drainage channels while preparing the site for a new cultural center called Siuru.
The team has excavated over 20 meters of the system, which includes wells and wooden channels used to manage wastewater and rainwater. Experts believe the channels date to the 18th or 19th century and were part of a former suburb with a courtyard.
The unique soil conditions at the site helped preserve the wooden structures, allowing archaeologists to potentially pinpoint the year the trees were felled for construction. Tartu City Museum will determine the ultimate fate of the channels, likely photographing and measuring them before deciding whether to add them to their collection. Archaeologists plan to expand the excavation area toward the Emajõgi River, hoping to trace the drainage system further and potentially discover even older artifacts like an ancient boat.
Work at the Siuru site will continue until the end of next year.
