Publication details
Raně středověká kovodělná výroba na Pohansku u Břeclavi
| Title in English | Early Medieval Metal Working in Pohansko near Břeclav, Moravia |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Památky archeologické |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology |
| Keywords | Ggreat Moravia; Pohansko near Břeclav; early Middle Ages; smithery; craft; archaeology; metallography; micropetrography |
| Description | Pohansko near Břeclav is one of the most important early medieval centres on the territory of Great Moravia. The study focuses on the problems of craft production and, in particular, metal working. The work is mostly based on sets of archaeological sources obtained by research at the Lesní školka location, where we expect production activities were concentrated (the crafts area). Finds of production tools, products, and workshop waste are assessed using natural history and technical methods (metallography, micropetrography, electron microscopy). The results of the analyses make it clear that there was intensive working of iron and other metals in Pohansko near Břeclav in the 9th century. These production activities, tied to specialised settlement objects, form spatial concentrations - production districts here. According to micropetrographic analyses of slag, the workshops were not used for smelting iron to a greater extent, so the iron had to be supplied to the location from outside through redistribution mechanisms, either in raw form, in the form of semi-finished products, or items for reutilisation. Finds from the workshops show they were used for producing military equipment and arms, supplemented to a lesser degree by other products. An analysis of the surface of a crucible from the "Magnate's Court" shows that silver alloyed with copper was smelted here. This is an important indicator of jewellery production. However, in Pohansko such production probably occurred outside the workshops in the central part of the conurbation, which we interpret as an early Medieval palatium. |
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