- Prague, Hlavni mesto Praha, Czech Republic
This study is based on archaeological sources: a group of cesspits from houses along the north and west sides of the 3rd courtyard of the Prague Castle. A combination of written, historical plan and archaeological sources makes it... more
This study is based on archaeological sources: a group of cesspits from houses along the north and west sides of the 3rd courtyard of the Prague Castle. A combination of written, historical plan and archaeological sources makes it possible to date all of the studied cesspits with a high degree of accuracy. The find assemblages are to be dated to different decades of the second half of the 15th and the first half of the 18th century. Analyses of the cesspits indicate a differentiated social milieu. Church dignitaries created lavish assemblages. Individual luxury items appeared in the milieu which we associate with the imperial court and several of its officials. Also represented is a cesspit from a common
environment (owned by a blacksmith). Whether the higher proportional representation of pans, bowls, and bottles indicates the operation of an inn in Vikářská Street, we do not know.
environment (owned by a blacksmith). Whether the higher proportional representation of pans, bowls, and bottles indicates the operation of an inn in Vikářská Street, we do not know.
According to recent research the historic and the archaeological evidence of the Golden Lane at Prague Castle complement each other rather than overlap. Archaeology documented in the Lane mainly concerns its earlier building development... more
According to recent research the historic and the archaeological evidence of the Golden Lane at Prague Castle complement each other rather than overlap. Archaeology documented in the Lane mainly concerns its earlier building development including the period prior Rudolf II. The social aspect of the inhabitants could not be inferred from the archaeological artefacts since the waste material was deposited outside the Lane, most probably in the Jelení (Deer) Ditch. The multi-layered street, as indicated by the pottery evaluation, was formed from other parts of the Prague Castle. The documentary evidence and the plans mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries allow following the development of still standing buildings as well as the demolished structures; they provide considerable detail concerning property relations and building modifications, and illustrate the social status of the inhabitants of the Lane.
In the course of rescue archaeological excavation conducted at the Prague Castle in 1925, six pottery fragments that originally came from four majolica plates were found. The plates belonged to the Istoriato style, of the Italian... more
In the course of rescue archaeological excavation conducted at the Prague Castle in 1925, six pottery fragments that originally came from four majolica plates were found. The plates belonged to the Istoriato style, of the Italian provenance from the second half of the 16th century. These pottery sherds have not been so far subjected to any detailed analyses.
This study presents the analysis of glass artefacts found in two waste pits at the inner courtyard of the Salm Palace in Prague Hradčany. The pits, however, were used by the residents of the neighbouring schwarzenberg Palace. Both glass... more
This study presents the analysis of glass artefacts found in two waste pits at the inner courtyard of the Salm Palace in Prague Hradčany.
The pits, however, were used by the residents of the neighbouring schwarzenberg Palace. Both glass assemblages were analysed from an archaeological and archaeometric point of view. This study confirms great significance and importance of such interdisciplinary cooperation. Chemical analysis of 35 samples showed a clear predominance of potassium glass. Sodium-ash glass is represented only by a goblet fragment with a mascaron-shaped knop and by a glass button. Although both studied assemblages are of a similar, more or less identical date – from the second half of the 17th century to the 18th century, morphologically they perform certain diversity. Both table, window and especially container glass was identified. The unique finds include fragments of a mirror and a richly decorated glass button.
The pits, however, were used by the residents of the neighbouring schwarzenberg Palace. Both glass assemblages were analysed from an archaeological and archaeometric point of view. This study confirms great significance and importance of such interdisciplinary cooperation. Chemical analysis of 35 samples showed a clear predominance of potassium glass. Sodium-ash glass is represented only by a goblet fragment with a mascaron-shaped knop and by a glass button. Although both studied assemblages are of a similar, more or less identical date – from the second half of the 17th century to the 18th century, morphologically they perform certain diversity. Both table, window and especially container glass was identified. The unique finds include fragments of a mirror and a richly decorated glass button.
This article discusses finds of early modern (1550–1650) and modern (1650–1800) glass from two cesspits in Prague. These finds were obtained during archaeological excavations at the Salm Palace. The ceramic and glass finds can be dated... more
This article discusses finds of early modern (1550–1650) and modern (1650–1800) glass from two cesspits in Prague. These finds were obtained during archaeological excavations at the Salm Palace. The ceramic and glass finds can be dated between the late 16th and late 18th centuries. The selected glass finds were restored. During this process, a sample of each object was taken for analysis. The typology and stratigraphic context were recorded for the 27 chosen glass fragments. To identify morphological features, potential corrosion, inhomogeneities, and/or impurities, all of the samples were investigated in reflected light, using an Olympus SZX 16 stereomicroscope, and documented with an Olympus SP 350 camera attached to the microscope.
This study is an overview of the professional interest in archaeology of the modern age in the Czech Republic. Increased interest in the archaeology of the Modern period came after the year 2000. The number of published Early Modern... more
This study is an overview of the professional interest in archaeology of the modern age in the Czech Republic. Increased interest in the archaeology of the Modern period came after the year 2000. The number of published Early Modern pottery assemblages has increased significantly over the past decade. Recent years have seen a change in the publication strategy of Modern period assemblages. As such, the large Modern period find inventory is forcing archaeology to make a critical selection of assemblages which will subsequently be the subject of detailed processing and evaluation. The most important selection criteria include the complexity of the find situation, the possibility of placing it into the social context or the actual expansion of knowledge of period material culture.
Vor kurzem sind die zahlreichen Keramik- und Glasfunde aus neun zumeist in den 1920er und 30er Jahren auf der Prager Burg ausgegrabenen frühneuzeitlichen Abfallgruben bearbeitet worden. Über 700 Gefäße konnten vollständig oder zumindest... more
Vor kurzem sind die zahlreichen Keramik- und Glasfunde aus neun zumeist in den 1920er und 30er Jahren auf der Prager Burg ausgegrabenen frühneuzeitlichen Abfallgruben bearbeitet worden. Über 700 Gefäße konnten vollständig oder zumindest teilweise rekonstruiert werden. Die Befunde liefern einen guten Überblick über das damalige Warenangebot und die Entwicklungstendenzen der böhmischen frühneuzeitlichen Keramik. Unter den Funden findet sich auch bemalte Keramik, die sog. Beroun Ware.
Archaeological excavations conducted at Prague Castle produced finds of several ceramic vessels used in chemical processes on distillation apparatuses. All of these finds were made at the beginning of archaeological excavations at Prague... more
Archaeological excavations conducted at Prague Castle produced finds of several ceramic vessels used in chemical processes on distillation apparatuses. All of these finds were made at the beginning of archaeological excavations at Prague Castle in the 1920s. This specifically concerns a portable kiln and a cucumber. The collection of the distillation vessels includes a distilling cap (alembic), two bowls, and two domes which, given their dimensions, could have belonged to a single apparatus. These specific ceramic forms from several points of view are presented. The first is their functional use, including their depiction in iconographic sources. We will also raise the question of the social standing of the possible owners of these finds. A vital part of the study is a brief presentation of the results of chemical analyzes of some of these finds.
Slipware, which reached its peak in the post-medieval period, was produced in France, the Netherlands, central Europe, the Balkans and in Scandinavia. Several regions saw the rise of their own production centres, often with a specific... more
Slipware, which reached its peak in the post-medieval period, was produced in France, the Netherlands, central Europe, the Balkans and in Scandinavia. Several regions saw the rise of their own production centres, often with a specific style. A comparison between archaeological and written sources helps map not only the assortment of the pottery workshops but also the rivalry between individual centres. An individual painted pottery style also developed – in accordance with European trends – in Bohemia. Bohemian slipware has traditionally been related to the town of Beroun, which is situated west of Prague. The aim of this article is to present the morphology, decorative elements and the correlation between vessel shape and decorative motif of Bohemian painted pottery. We will further focus on a comparison of Bohemian and European production and their mutual influences.
The article addresses the issue of Early Modern glass pilgrim flasks. Although the most important finds from Germany are presented, the main focus is on finds from Bohemian and Moravian sites. A chemical analysis performed on a flask from... more
The article addresses the issue of Early Modern glass pilgrim flasks. Although the most important finds from Germany are presented, the main focus is on finds from Bohemian and Moravian sites. A chemical analysis performed on a flask from Prague Castle identified the use of high-lime low-alkali glass – HLLA. The conclusion points out the discrepancy between the name “pilgrim flask” and their possible function.
Einige ausgewählte archäologische Funde der Destillations- bzw. technischen Keramik wurden vorgestellt, die aus den frühesten Anfängen der Grabungen auf der Prager Burg stammen und von denen einige bisher noch unveröffentlicht sind.
Obwohl die Zahl der Steinzeugfunde von der Prager Burg und ihrer näheren Umgebung nicht allzu umfangreich ist, sind sie von Bedeutung, da diese Funde von funktionierenden Handelsbeziehungen zeugen. Steinzeug mit Reliefdekor wurde seit der... more
Obwohl die Zahl der Steinzeugfunde von der Prager Burg und ihrer näheren Umgebung nicht allzu umfangreich ist, sind sie von Bedeutung, da diese Funde von funktionierenden Handelsbeziehungen zeugen. Steinzeug mit Reliefdekor wurde seit der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts in mehreren Orten Sachsens und Schlesiens hergestellt. Sehr geschätzt waren Erzeugnisse aus Waldenburg und anderen westsächsischen Produktionszentren, die auch auf der Prager Burg vertreten sind. Ab der Mitte des 17. Jahrhunderts entwickelte sich reger Handel mit Töpfern der Ober- und Niederlausitz (Muskau, Region Triebel), die ihre Ware wahrscheinlich regelmäßig auf den Prager Markt brachten. Dies waren vor allem Tüllenkannen und Krüge, die mit Kerbschnittverzierung des Oberteiles, Zirkelschlag, Einzelstempeln sowie mit weißen Quarzstücken in unterschiedlichster Kombination dekoriert waren. Die Stempel zeigen geometrische Motive, Blumen, Blätter etc. Besonders die Vielfalt der Einzelstempel sowie die fast unüberschaubaren Kombinationsmöglichkeiten mit anderen Verzierungselementen machen u. a. den Wert dieses Fundkomplexes aus.
In the course of a rescue excavation in the basement of house No. 37/IV in Vikářská Street at Prague Castle, we have discovered the remains of historical walled structures. Based on a building-historical survey, historical and... more
In the course of a rescue excavation in the basement of house No. 37/IV in Vikářská Street at Prague Castle, we have discovered the remains of historical walled structures. Based on a building-historical survey, historical and archaeological records, the wall was identified as the foundation of the Romanesque fortification wall. The results of the archaeological research have contributed to the study of the northern fortification of Prague Castle in the 12th century.
Při odborném studiu konkrétních nálezů ošetřených v minulosti lze s jejich pomocí názorně dokumentovat rozvoj keramické restaurátorské a konzervátorské profese a porovnat rozdílné přístupy k ochraně sbírkotvorných uměleckořemeslných... more
Při odborném studiu konkrétních nálezů ošetřených v minulosti lze s jejich pomocí názorně dokumentovat rozvoj keramické restaurátorské a konzervátorské profese a porovnat rozdílné přístupy k ochraně sbírkotvorných uměleckořemeslných předmětů. Početné keramické soubory dovolují srovnat konzervačně-restaurátorské zákroky prováděné v minulosti a v současnosti. S úspěšně provedenými restaurátorskými zákroky je v současnosti neodmyslitelně spojena mezioborová spolupráce. Nezbytnou součástí kvalitně provedené restaurátorské práce je respektování etických kodexů restaurátora, které jednoznačně definují způsoby a rozsah restaurátorských zásahů.
The study presents the current state of the recognition of Prague's early modern ceramic production of the second half of the 15th to the first half of the 17th century. The introductory part presents the results of the analysis of... more
The study presents the current state of the recognition of Prague's early modern ceramic production of the second half of the 15th to the first half of the 17th century. The introductory part presents the results of the analysis of written sources. It contains references to the ceramics production in Prague and the commercial relations of the Prague potters guilds with non-Prague or foreign potters. The second part presents basic morphological ceramic shapes. The third main theme of the study is the overview of the development of late medieval to early modern stove tile production.
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Six fragments of plates of Italian istoriato-style maiolica with figurative painting all over the vessel surface are a unique find. They stem from the town Urbino. The stylistic features may point to the workshop of Francesco Patanazzi at... more
Six fragments of plates of Italian istoriato-style maiolica with figurative painting all over the vessel surface are a unique find. They stem from the town Urbino. The stylistic features may point to the workshop of Francesco Patanazzi at the end of the 16th or the beginning of the 17th century. They are the only archaeological find of this type of pottery published from Bohemia.
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This article concerns discovery of fortification remains – a ditch and a fragment of a front stone wall at Hradčanské square in Prague 1-Hradčany. This is the first clear evidence of the fortification existence to the west from today’s... more
This article concerns discovery of fortification remains – a ditch and a fragment of a front stone wall at Hradčanské square in Prague 1-Hradčany. This is the first clear evidence of the fortification existence to the west from today’s Prague castle. Archaeological excavations are described in detail with interpretations concerning the infilling and deterioration of the ditch. Pollen and macroremains analysis of the ditch fill are included with their results summarized together. The second part of the article is an overview of current knowledge of
the pre-Romanesque fortification of the Prague left bank with highlighting unpublished data from Hradčany. The final discussion points at problems of interrelation between the Prague castle, Malá Strana and Hradčany.
the pre-Romanesque fortification of the Prague left bank with highlighting unpublished data from Hradčany. The final discussion points at problems of interrelation between the Prague castle, Malá Strana and Hradčany.
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The paper presents the results of archaeological excavations of modern-period cemeteries in the territory of the Czech Republic, especially Prague. The main question are: What can be regarded as standard grave furnishings in Bohemia in... more
The paper presents the results of archaeological excavations of modern-period cemeteries in the territory of the Czech Republic, especially Prague. The main question are: What can be regarded as standard grave furnishings in Bohemia in the 17th and 18th centuries? How do the discovered grave furnishings correspond to the social status and demographic struckture of the deceased? What parallels, dissimilarities and traits do Czech find assemblages and contexts reveal in comparison to the results of similar excavations in Europe?
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The aim of the paper is to try to indicate just how significantly written and iconographic sources influence the results of archaeological research. Three assemblages of findings are presented.
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Výzkum Pražského hradu v červnu roku 2015 oslaví 90 let své existence. Za tu dobu se vypracoval na pracoviště se samostatnou koncepcí, vlastními výzkumnými projekty a širokým personálním obsazením. Od roku 2007 je zařazeno do struktury... more
Výzkum Pražského hradu v červnu roku 2015 oslaví 90 let své existence. Za tu dobu se vypracoval na pracoviště se samostatnou koncepcí, vlastními výzkumnými projekty a širokým personálním obsazením. Od roku 2007 je zařazeno do struktury Archeologického ústav AVČR, Praha, v. v. i. jako
pracoviště Oddělení záchranných výzkumů vedeného Janem Frolíkem. V roce 2005, při 80. výročí, byly představeny hlavní výsledky práce hradního týmu od roku 1925. Letošní kolokvium se soustředí především na práci posledních deseti let a její odborný a společenský
impakt. Do první poloviny budou zařazeny příspěvky, které představují nebo hodnotí aktivity mezi lety 2005–2015, do druhé poloviny pak vyžádané příspěvky od mezioborových kolegů nebo příjemců výsledků naší práce, které by měly být inspirovány několika předem položenými otázkami.
pracoviště Oddělení záchranných výzkumů vedeného Janem Frolíkem. V roce 2005, při 80. výročí, byly představeny hlavní výsledky práce hradního týmu od roku 1925. Letošní kolokvium se soustředí především na práci posledních deseti let a její odborný a společenský
impakt. Do první poloviny budou zařazeny příspěvky, které představují nebo hodnotí aktivity mezi lety 2005–2015, do druhé poloviny pak vyžádané příspěvky od mezioborových kolegů nebo příjemců výsledků naší práce, které by měly být inspirovány několika předem položenými otázkami.
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This anthology is a collection of works from the EUROPA POSTMEDIAEVALIS conference held in Prague in the spring of 2018. As the name of the conference suggests, the subject of interest is the Early Modern period (15th to 18th century) and... more
This anthology is a collection of works from the EUROPA POSTMEDIAEVALIS conference held in Prague in the spring of 2018. As the name of the conference suggests, the subject of interest is the Early Modern period (15th to 18th century) and the manner in which this relatively young discipline in the field of archaeology is approached in Europe. The first year of the conference set the goal of searching for topics in post-medieval archaeology that reflect their current situation while simultaneously addressing a broader group of scholars. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the central theme pursued by generations across Europe proved to be Early Modern ceramics, the large assemblages of which are for many of us the bread and butter of our daily lives – a delight and often a headache resulting from their further processing. Since this issue is the one perceived most acutely here in the Czech Republic, we decided to share our current quandaries in this field with both our domestic and foreign colleagues. The long-term objective of the conference is to create a professional platform with a uniform communication language (English) and a biennial periodicity allowing us to meet regularly to exchange experience gained in our study and work in post-medieval archaeology. The articles published in this anthology reflect the current state of research of Early Modern pottery in individual European countries (the Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland), including both successes and possible shortcomings. The individual studies should serve as impulses for further study, ideas for thought and discussion and, last but not least, as study material for those who come into contact with Early Modern material culture as part of their work.
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Il volume raccoglie gli Atti del Secondo Convegno Tematico organizzato dall’AIECM3 (Association pour l’étude des céramiques Médiévales et Moderne en Mediterranée), tenutosi dal 17 al 19 aprile del 2015, in collaborazione con il Museo... more
Il volume raccoglie gli Atti del Secondo Convegno Tematico organizzato dall’AIECM3 (Association pour l’étude des céramiques Médiévales et Moderne en Mediterranée), tenutosi dal 17 al 19 aprile del 2015, in collaborazione con il Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza e con il Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici dell’Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia. L’incontro si proponeva di indagare il ruolo dei manufatti ceramici all’interno delle comunità e delle sue dinamiche. I contributi qui proposti non si concentrano dunque sugli oggetti in sé, ma li seguono come un filo conduttore, per interpretare le società che li hanno prodotti ed utilizzati. I contenuti riflettono l’ampia e poliedrica partecipazione al Convegno in termini di specializzazione disciplinare, cronologica e geografica. Nel complesso gli Atti raccolgono trentasei contributi originali che coprono il periodo compreso tra la tarda antichità e il XX secolo. La prima parte è dedicata al tema della ceramica, intesa come agente nelle dinamiche sociali e diretto portatore di significato. La seconda sezione è interamente dedicata al passato recente, un argomento poco praticato in campo archeologico, ma che si è rivelato molto fecondo. Le comunità e le loro diverse scale di grandezza sono le protagoniste della terza ed ultima parte del libro.