Pavel Kouřil | Institute of Archaeology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno (original) (raw)
Papers by Pavel Kouřil
Slovenská archeológia - supplementum 3, 2023
The article is devoted to new finds of cast early medieval lead rhombic cross pendants decorated ... more The article is devoted to new finds of cast early medieval lead rhombic cross pendants decorated with crosshatched ornament from Moravia, which are regarded as Taufgeschenke-christening gifts. It is likely that these artefacts were meant to evoke the schematised body of the Saviour. In the vast majority of cases, they are part of necklaces belonging to sexually intact little girls and young ladies buried in rural cemeteries. Most probably, they were based on older simple rhombus-shaped pendants-amulets, which were eventually incorporated into the newly emerging religion and thus acquired a new quality. Their conspicuous concentration in the vicinity of the Mikulčice central site suggests that this area could have been one of the key Christianisation centres in Great Moravia. After the demise of this power-political unit, they completely disappeared from the group of devotional objects. Chronologically, they are synchronised with the final decades of the 9 th c. and the beginning of the 10 th c.
Slovenská archeológia, 2022
The article offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of Moravian axe-shaped bars.
The article discusses the state of knowledge and the significance of a special group of early med... more The article discusses the state of knowledge and the significance of a special group of early medieval material culture artefacts-namely, spindle whorls made of Ovruch pyrophyllite slate originating from the territory of present-day Ukraine. Thousands of these artefacts, interesting not only for their specific, usually reddish color, but also for their professional standardized design, were made between the 10th and 13th c. Their occurrence in the Czech lands is very limited, however: only 13 specimens are presently known. In Bohemia, they have been discovered only in Prague, which was their target destination. In Moravia and Czech Silesia, they are known from five sites: with a single exception (a cemetery), they are important supra-regional and local fortified centers. Non-destructive analyses carried out have shown that all detected spindle whorls can be considered originals. An analysis of the archaeological contexts showed that the earliest occurrence of these imports can be dated as far back as the second half of the 10th century. However, most of them probably belong to the 11th century, and some, exceptionally, even to the 12th century. Given their low number, we assume that this most probably was not a regular item in long-distance trade.
Slovenská archeológia - Supplementum 2 , 2021
The paper offers relevant information concerning Klášťov, the dominant summit of the vizovice Hil... more The paper offers relevant information concerning Klášťov, the dominant summit of the vizovice Hills in eastern Moravia, where Moravia's highest-positioned stronghold was built in the period of the lusatian urnfield culture. later, in the 9 th and 10 th c., it was used by the domestic population above all for cult purposes; traces of a more permanent occupation have not been detected there yet. Text also presents an exceptional local find of a brass inlaid trefoil iron sword set fitting, probably a local imitation of Carolingian models (?). it represents a high-quality, professionally made art and craft product whose popularity culminated in the second and third quarters of the 9 th c. in the West; it might have occurred also later in the moravian milieu.
The Fall of Great Moravia, 2019
P. Kouřil, R. Procházka (ed.), Moravian and Silesian Strongholds of the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries in the Context of Central Europe, 2018
Pád Velké Moravy aneb Kdo byl pohřben v hrobu 153 na Pohansku u Břeclavi, 2016
The Cyril and Methodius Mission and Europe – 1150 Years Since the Arrival of the Thessaloniki Brothers in Great Moravia
The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of minor material culture related to t... more The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of minor material culture related to the beginnings of Christianity in Moravia, and probably the most typical aspects of the evangelisation process – crosses, the sign of Christ’s suffering and, at the same time, of his triumph. Other artefacts of Christian character, especially handicraft products, cannot be taken into consideration due to the limited scope of the study. Geographically, the study focuses
on the core of Mojmir dynasty Moravia, i.e. the southern section of the present-day territory and adjoining south-eastern Slovakia, as well as the Danube region in Austria, during the Great Moravian period.
The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of small material culture related to t... more The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of small material culture related to the beginnings of Christianity in Moravia, and probably the most typical aspects of the evangelisation process – crosses, the sign of Christ’s suffering and, at the same time,
his triumph. Other artefacts of the Christian character, especially handicraft products, cannot be taken into consideration due to the limited scope of the study. Geographically, the study focuses on the core of the Mojmir dynasty Moravia, i.e. the southern section of the present -day territory and adjoining south-eastern Slovakia, as well as the Danube region in Austria, during the Great Moravian period.
Vlastivědný věstník moravský LXVI - Supplementum 2, 2014
The paper deals with a finding of an unusually well-preserved hunting knife dated from Middle Age... more The paper deals with a finding of an unusually well-preserved hunting knife dated from Middle Ages originating from a fortified position Hradisko u Radkova in the region of Moravská Třebová in northwestern Moravia. The location is tackled as a failed attempt of Boreš from Osek, who came from Hrabišic clan, to establish an urban settlement by the middle of the 13th century. It is assumed that the settlement may have forcibly perished sometime in the 80s of the 13th century. Nevertheless, occasional residential activities through the whole Middle Ages and partly also in modern times are documented. The actual hunting knife with a side auspices thorn and rarely preserved wood panelling of the handle belongs to a relatively abundantly widespread type of this weapon not only in Moravia but also in neighbouring countries, especially in Bohemia and Poland. For its wide versatility the hunting knife was popular across the then social spectrum and it was used for a relatively long period of time since the end of the 14th century to the early 16th century. Manufacturing of the specimen from Radov can be also dated in this interim period; a more precise dating is not possible. It is probably related with accidental use of the fortified area even after its original function had ceased, perhaps by one of the robber groups or other armed groups.
![Research paper thumbnail of Kouřil P., Gryc J. 2014: Hradiska 10. – 12. století na severní Moravě a v českém Slezsku, [in:] K. Chrzan, K. Czapla, S. Moździoch (eds.), Funkcje grodów w państwach wczesnośredniowiecznej Europy Środkowej. Społeczeństwo, gospodarka, ideologia, Wrocław – Głogów, 99-171.](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/36004390/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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Slovenská archeológia - supplementum 3, 2023
The article is devoted to new finds of cast early medieval lead rhombic cross pendants decorated ... more The article is devoted to new finds of cast early medieval lead rhombic cross pendants decorated with crosshatched ornament from Moravia, which are regarded as Taufgeschenke-christening gifts. It is likely that these artefacts were meant to evoke the schematised body of the Saviour. In the vast majority of cases, they are part of necklaces belonging to sexually intact little girls and young ladies buried in rural cemeteries. Most probably, they were based on older simple rhombus-shaped pendants-amulets, which were eventually incorporated into the newly emerging religion and thus acquired a new quality. Their conspicuous concentration in the vicinity of the Mikulčice central site suggests that this area could have been one of the key Christianisation centres in Great Moravia. After the demise of this power-political unit, they completely disappeared from the group of devotional objects. Chronologically, they are synchronised with the final decades of the 9 th c. and the beginning of the 10 th c.
Slovenská archeológia, 2022
The article offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of Moravian axe-shaped bars.
The article discusses the state of knowledge and the significance of a special group of early med... more The article discusses the state of knowledge and the significance of a special group of early medieval material culture artefacts-namely, spindle whorls made of Ovruch pyrophyllite slate originating from the territory of present-day Ukraine. Thousands of these artefacts, interesting not only for their specific, usually reddish color, but also for their professional standardized design, were made between the 10th and 13th c. Their occurrence in the Czech lands is very limited, however: only 13 specimens are presently known. In Bohemia, they have been discovered only in Prague, which was their target destination. In Moravia and Czech Silesia, they are known from five sites: with a single exception (a cemetery), they are important supra-regional and local fortified centers. Non-destructive analyses carried out have shown that all detected spindle whorls can be considered originals. An analysis of the archaeological contexts showed that the earliest occurrence of these imports can be dated as far back as the second half of the 10th century. However, most of them probably belong to the 11th century, and some, exceptionally, even to the 12th century. Given their low number, we assume that this most probably was not a regular item in long-distance trade.
Slovenská archeológia - Supplementum 2 , 2021
The paper offers relevant information concerning Klášťov, the dominant summit of the vizovice Hil... more The paper offers relevant information concerning Klášťov, the dominant summit of the vizovice Hills in eastern Moravia, where Moravia's highest-positioned stronghold was built in the period of the lusatian urnfield culture. later, in the 9 th and 10 th c., it was used by the domestic population above all for cult purposes; traces of a more permanent occupation have not been detected there yet. Text also presents an exceptional local find of a brass inlaid trefoil iron sword set fitting, probably a local imitation of Carolingian models (?). it represents a high-quality, professionally made art and craft product whose popularity culminated in the second and third quarters of the 9 th c. in the West; it might have occurred also later in the moravian milieu.
The Fall of Great Moravia, 2019
P. Kouřil, R. Procházka (ed.), Moravian and Silesian Strongholds of the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries in the Context of Central Europe, 2018
Pád Velké Moravy aneb Kdo byl pohřben v hrobu 153 na Pohansku u Břeclavi, 2016
The Cyril and Methodius Mission and Europe – 1150 Years Since the Arrival of the Thessaloniki Brothers in Great Moravia
The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of minor material culture related to t... more The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of minor material culture related to the beginnings of Christianity in Moravia, and probably the most typical aspects of the evangelisation process – crosses, the sign of Christ’s suffering and, at the same time, of his triumph. Other artefacts of Christian character, especially handicraft products, cannot be taken into consideration due to the limited scope of the study. Geographically, the study focuses
on the core of Mojmir dynasty Moravia, i.e. the southern section of the present-day territory and adjoining south-eastern Slovakia, as well as the Danube region in Austria, during the Great Moravian period.
The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of small material culture related to t... more The study submitted focuses on the most significant relics of small material culture related to the beginnings of Christianity in Moravia, and probably the most typical aspects of the evangelisation process – crosses, the sign of Christ’s suffering and, at the same time,
his triumph. Other artefacts of the Christian character, especially handicraft products, cannot be taken into consideration due to the limited scope of the study. Geographically, the study focuses on the core of the Mojmir dynasty Moravia, i.e. the southern section of the present -day territory and adjoining south-eastern Slovakia, as well as the Danube region in Austria, during the Great Moravian period.
Vlastivědný věstník moravský LXVI - Supplementum 2, 2014
The paper deals with a finding of an unusually well-preserved hunting knife dated from Middle Age... more The paper deals with a finding of an unusually well-preserved hunting knife dated from Middle Ages originating from a fortified position Hradisko u Radkova in the region of Moravská Třebová in northwestern Moravia. The location is tackled as a failed attempt of Boreš from Osek, who came from Hrabišic clan, to establish an urban settlement by the middle of the 13th century. It is assumed that the settlement may have forcibly perished sometime in the 80s of the 13th century. Nevertheless, occasional residential activities through the whole Middle Ages and partly also in modern times are documented. The actual hunting knife with a side auspices thorn and rarely preserved wood panelling of the handle belongs to a relatively abundantly widespread type of this weapon not only in Moravia but also in neighbouring countries, especially in Bohemia and Poland. For its wide versatility the hunting knife was popular across the then social spectrum and it was used for a relatively long period of time since the end of the 14th century to the early 16th century. Manufacturing of the specimen from Radov can be also dated in this interim period; a more precise dating is not possible. It is probably related with accidental use of the fortified area even after its original function had ceased, perhaps by one of the robber groups or other armed groups.
Internationale Tagungen in Mikulčice 9. Spisy Archeologického ústavu AV ČR Brno 50, 2019
Předkládaný svazek obsahuje příspěvky, které zazněly během mezinárodní konference Internationale ... more Předkládaný svazek obsahuje příspěvky, které zazněly během mezinárodní konference Internationale Tagung in Mikulčice v květnu 2011. Tématem tohoto kolokvia byla výzbroj a jezdecké vybavení.
Jednotlivé příspěvky se zabývají širokým spektrem otázek, od typologie, chronologie, technologie výroby až po materiálové složení artefaktů.
Kniha vychází v roce, kdy Archeologický ústav Akademie věd České republiky slaví 100 let výročí založení.
Mikulčice – The cemetery around the three-nave basilica. Volume XII of Studien zum Burgwall von ... more Mikulčice – The cemetery around the three-nave basilica.
Volume XII of Studien zum Burgwall von Mikulčice is a source publication whose main aim is to collect and critically review available data for the burial ground around the three-nave basilica (Church 3) at the early medieval site the Mikulčice-Valy Stronghold. The largest cemetery uncovered so far at the site contains 562 graves. Its importance lies mainly in the fact that a large group of members of the ruling class of the Great Moravian society was buried here, as evidenced by the costly treatment of many graves, which were as well equipped with rich grave goods. The introductory chapter of the book outlines the circumstances of archaeological excavation of the vicinity of Church 3, the way of its documentation and the process of making the presented publication. The catalogue itself contains descriptions and drawings of graves and objects found in them. Finally yet importantly, the selected photographic field documentation is attached at the end of the publication.
You can buy the book here: https://www.arub.cz/produkt/mikulcice-die-nekropole-an-der-dreischiffigen-basilika/