Archaeologists uncover historic drainage system at Tartu’s Siuru site

Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved wooden drainage system from the 18th and 19th centuries at the Siuru cultural centre construction site in Tartu’s central park, ERR reported.

The system includes water channels and drainage wells designed to carry away wastewater and rainwater. More than 20 metres of one section has already been cleared.

The excavations are taking place across a 10,500-square-metre archaeological study area in central Tartu. Archaeologists say the finds are gradually providing a clearer picture of life in the area centuries ago.

“You do not find such a well-preserved system every day,” said Keiti Randoja, head of the archaeological excavations. She said the opportunity to investigate such a large area had made it possible to uncover the system on an unusual scale.

The channels were built from wood and appear to mark a former suburb, where there was probably a courtyard. The low-oxygen soil helped preserve the timber.

If the logs are sufficiently well preserved, archaeologists can take samples from them and determine the year in which the trees were felled. This could also help establish when the channels were built.

The channels will not remain at their current location permanently. Tartu City Museum will decide whether the finds are moved to the museum. The remains will be photographed and measured in any case.

The archaeological study area will soon be expanded towards the Emajõgi River. Archaeologists believe the drainage system may continue in that direction and say finding an ancient boat would be an especially significant discovery.

Excavations at the Siuru site are scheduled to continue until the end of next year.