Lednica Landscape Park—A Geoarchaeological Landscape in Central Wielkopolska

This chapter presents the Lednica Landscape Park as an example of distinct transformations of natural lowland relief that resulted from long-term, intense human activity. The study area represents a characteristic young-glacial landscape formed around 18,000 BP that is typical of central Wielkopolska and features moraine hills, plateausPlateau and tunnel valleysTunnel valley. Human activity in this area was present from the recession of the ice sheetIce sheet. However, its unique position is connected with the medieval period when it became a centre of the duchy built by the Piast dynasty that is considered the cradle of the Polish statehood. In particular, the establishment of a residential stronghold at the island of Ostrów Lednicki led to intensive transformations of the landscape around the Lednica Lake. Using results of interdisciplinary research that have been conducted in this area for decades, we present cases of direct landscape transformation related to medieval construction works and also indirect human impactHuman impact on the topography and geomorphic processes. Moreover, several issues related to the protection of natural and cultural heritage of the Lednica Landscape Park are addressed.