Petr Žákovský | Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (original) (raw)
Books by Petr Žákovský
One of the objectives of the publication is to present to both the professional and the lay publi... more One of the objectives of the publication is to present to both the professional and the lay public the events connected with the Thirty Years’ War, when the territory of Moravia was the site of military operations taking place with various levels of intensity in the individual districts during the lengthy conflict, above all from the archaeological perspective. The devastating consequences of war events affected numerous towns, villages, and aristocratic residences. Many places were besieged and plundered repeatedly. Evidence of one of the longest conflicts in modern history has survived to this day in the form of movable and immovable archaeological monuments throughout Moravia and Czech Silesia. In addition to the examination of battlefields, which has received increased attention especially in the Bohemian milieu in recent decades, the archaeology of conflicts is focused also on the examination of modern-era military camps – complexes that provided the background for locating the individual types of armed forces, their arms, and equipment for a certain time. The book is divided into several parts. In the first part, in addition to a brief summary of the most important events of the Thirty Years' War with regard to the territory of Moravia and the Přerov region, the reader is introduced to a description of the Swedish military field camp of the Swedish army in 1643 near Horní Moštěnice. The main part of the publication is a basic introduction to the various categories of weapons and armour used by the various types of troops during the Thirty Years' War. The presented militaria come mainly from archaeological finds from various localities in Moravia and Czech Silesia, and their presentation will allow all those interested in the subject to get acquainted with the archaeologized material for the first time, which has not been presented to such an extent to the professional and lay public. Most of the artefacts are published here for the first time.
Středověké meče v českých zemích. Meč jako technologický, kulturněhistorický a archeologický fenomén / Medieval swords in the Czech lands. The sword as a technological, cultural, historical and archaeological phenomenon, 2023
Throughout their entire history, swords have been among the professionally and layman-attractive ... more Throughout their entire history, swords have been among the professionally and layman-attractive historical artefacts documenting the technological and artistic level of the given period. Although the history of swords is very long and goes back deep into prehistoric times, the peak of the sword as a weapon and as a status symbol is undoubtedly the Middle Ages. It was precisely then that the sword became a symbol of the gradually constituting nobility and it is here that its perception as an ambivalent object starts. It is seen on the one hand a symbol of power, honour, courage, and law, but on the other hand also of violence and war. The book presents medieval swords to the lay public in a comprehensive form as objects of study in many scientific disciplines, from archaeology to metallurgy, and places the acquired knowledge in the Central European context. It shows the methods of researching swords as well as our current knowledge of their manufacture, including technological experiments. The book presents the results of long-term scientific research in a popular form, which was recently crowned by two extensive scientific monographs.
Evaluation of a set of medieval swords from the Czech Republic in the context of contemporary Eur... more Evaluation of a set of medieval swords from the Czech Republic in the context of contemporary European swords. This volume deals in detail with the typological and technological development of swords from the Czech territory, also in relation to finds from other European regions. The analysis of the development of the symbolic perception of the sword by the society of the time, which underwent a rather complex development.
This book is the first part of a two-volume monograph, which is focused on documentation, analysi... more This book is the first part of a two-volume monograph, which is focused on documentation, analysis and interpretation of swords from the turn of the 9th century to the mid-16th century in what is now the Czech Republic, and on their assessment in the context of contemporary European swords. This volume aims to provide both a systematic inventory of these medieval and Early Renaissance swords and information connected with them. The most essential part is a comprehensive catalogue of 430 swords or sword fragments, which are historically linked to the territory of the Czech Republic (the swords were found there, they come from Czech and Moravian collections, items of which are most likely to be of a local origin, or they are nowadays deposited abroad although they are certainly of Czech or Moravian origin).
The publication “Medieval and early modern period weapons from Přerov region” was composed togeth... more The publication “Medieval and early modern period weapons from Přerov region” was composed together with the exposition of the same name, taking place in Comenius Museum in Přerov between 13 October and 31 March of 2018. Main goal of the authors was to analyse and present to the public an extraordinarily large and complex set of militaria, either deposited in the Museum or gathered in Přerov region. The studied collection comprises practically all types of weapons, armours, and riding equipment from the time period between the collapse of Great Moravian Empire and the end of the Thirty Years' War. Brief summary of military history of Přerov region also forms the first part of the book.
The present collection of Medieval and early modern period weapons, armours, and equipment represents a basic source of information for both professionals and amateurs. The catalogue part of the publication, complemented with rich pictorial supplement, comprises 430 processed entries related to the items in the collection whose cataloguing took place till the end of 2017.
The dissertation thesis summarizes knowledges about medieval and early modern-age single-edged w... more The dissertation thesis summarizes knowledges about medieval
and early modern-age single-edged weapons, which were mainly obtained due to the inventory from collections of Moravian institutions. On this basis a detailed typology of their parts – blade, tang, pommel, cross-guard, knuckle guard was created. That one will enable the uniform classification in the future. It also clarified single-edged weapons development. According to the results, it seems that the dussacks evolved from ordinary knives sometime in the second half of the 13th century, when appeared already fully developed specimens. At the end of the 14th century one-handed dussacks begins to appear, which soon become the most popular one-handed weapons in Central Europe. Then, at the end of the 15th
century, long forms of dussacks begins to appear and those have been handled with both hands. They were not very popular, probably because of certain technological difficulties in their manufacturing. At the beginning of the 16th century dussacks began to obtain involved hilts, whose development culminated especially in the second half of this century. It seems, that the dussacks were the beginning of the
development of later standardized military saber.
Tesáky a problematika jednosečných zbraní středověku a raného novověku 2. Babice nad Svitavou (ok... more Tesáky a problematika jednosečných zbraní středověku a raného novověku 2. Babice nad Svitavou (okr. Brno-venkov) Uložení: Soukromá sbírka, bez inv. č. Typ: A 3 , I,- ,- ,-Datace: 14.-15. století Nálezové okolnosti: Zbraň byla nalezena v roce 2007 pomocí detektoru kovů na blíže neznámém místě ve Katalog 3. Bludov (okr. Šumperk) Uložení: Soukromá sbírka, bez inv. č. Typ:- ,- ,- ,-,t 8 Datace: 15. století Nálezové okolnosti: Záštitný trn byl nalezen v roce 2011 pomocí detektoru kovů v blízkém okolí hradu Bludova. Snad přímo v areálu vojenského tábora, který se rozprostírá a navazuje na pozůstatky vlastního hradu. V nevelké vzdálenosti od něj byl nalezen téměř kompletně dochovaný nožovitý tesák a nemůžeme tudíž zcela vyloučit možnost, že by oba předměty měly bližší souvztažnost. Historie lokality: Hrad byl založen patrně již někdy v průběhu 2. poloviny 13. století, ale v písemných pramenech se uvádí až v roce 1346. Již před rokem 1349 se hrad uvádí v majetku pánů z Lipé, od kterých hrad získal markrabě Jan Jindřich a posléze jeho syn Prokop, jemuž sloužil jako základna vojsk v bojích s bratrem Joštem. V roce 1397 Jošt hrad Prokopovi vyplatil a postoupil jej pánům z Kunštátu. Za Smila z Kunštátu na počátku 15. století mohl na hradě vzniknout již zmíněný vojenský tábor, který mohl sloužit jako stav družiny, o jejíž činnosti nám vypovídá celá řada písemných záznamů.
![Research paper thumbnail of Hrad Křídlo. Historie, stavební vývoj a archeologie zříceniny šlechtického sídla v Hostýnských vrších [Castle Křídlo; 2021] (co-authors R. Vrla, D. Janiš, J. Janišová, Z. Schenk, L. Bartíková, P. Žákovský, A. Fojtík, M. Popelka, Z. Štaffen, P. Fojtík, S. Španihel)](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/81006514/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Hrad Křídlo. Historie, stavební vývoj a archeologie zříceniny šlechtického sídla v Hostýnských vr... more Hrad Křídlo. Historie, stavební vývoj a archeologie zříceniny šlechtického sídla v Hostýnských vrších [Castle Křídlo. History, building development, and archaeology of a ruined noble house in the Hostýnské vrchy hills; 2021] (co-authors Radim Vrla, Dalibor Janiš, Jana Janišová, Zdeněk Schenk, Lenka Bartíková, Petr Žákovský, Adam Fojtík, Miroslav Popelka, Zdeněk Štaffen, Pavel Fojtík, Samuel Španihel)
Papers by Petr Žákovský
Kordy a rapíry z českých sbírek, 16. – 18. století. II. díl (Šindelář, V., ed.). Milevské muzeum Milevsko, 2023
The chapter presents in a brief form a set of archaeological finds of rapiers and parrying dagger... more The chapter presents in a brief form a set of archaeological finds of rapiers and parrying daggers from the territory of the present-day Czech Republic. In comparison with written sources, the social context of these weapons and their significance for the inhabitants of the Czech lands at that time is outlined. More attention is then given to the recent discovery of a rapier from Jaroměřice in eastern Bohemia.
Zmizelá Třebíč. Výpověď archeologie k dějinám města (Hoch, A., ed.), 2022
Přehled výzkumů, 2022
This study focuses on the discovery of iron components of a wheellock pistol found to the south o... more This study focuses on the discovery of iron components of a wheellock pistol found to the south of Hradec nad Moravicí on the route of a former historical road that linked Opava with Moravia. The find consists of an octagonalsection barrel with a lead projectile and a lock plate with an almost complete lock mechanism. The keys to dating the find and determining its provenance are not only the shape of the barrel, but primarily the design of the wheellock mechanism and the shapes of several of its components. Based on the shape of the dog, the manner in which the lock plate was fixed into the wooden body of the pistol, and particularly the existence of an internal dog leaf spring, the pistol can with a high degree of probability be identified as a product of one of the gunsmiths' workshops in the German towns of Braunschweig or Goslar during the 1570s or 1580s. The find from Hradec nad Moravicí adds to the group of archaeological discoveries of European and North American firearms with wheellock mechanisms, and the study provides a selective overview of this group.
Pod stromom života. Zborník k 70. narodeninám Michala Slivku. Studia Archaeologica et Mediaevalia XIII, 2022
In the collections of Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, number of artefacts closely related to Me... more In the collections of Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, number of artefacts closely related to Medieval and Early Modern warfare are deposited. Among them are many exceptional relics from the former Pilsen armoury as well as archaeological finds, collected at the end of the 19th century by local researcher F. X. Franc. He found them during the excavations of Lopata castle near Milínov (Pilsen region). However, there are some artefacts in this, without the doubt and important collection, which are in terms of their localization rather disputable. There is a reasonable doubt, that the unique of helmet of basinet type was found in the castle area. Same goes for the well preserved dussack, which is the subject of this paper. This weapon could be described as single-handed short dussack with broad blade, dated to a rather long chronological window between the end of 14th and the beginning of 16th century. Thanks to its pristine condition, this weapon provided us with new information regarding the manufacturing techniques, used for the manufacture of medieval weapon, including the common manufacturing defects.
Přehled výzkumů 63(1), 2022
The temporary lowering of the water level in Dalešice Reservoir for maintenance in the autumn of ... more The temporary lowering of the water level in Dalešice Reservoir for maintenance in the autumn of 2021 created an opportunity to conduct an archaeological investigation of the Kramolín hillfort – a site permanently flooded since the 1970s. A small group of archaeologists reached the shore of Kramolín island by boat and performed the survey with metal detectors and GPS hand held devices. This survey produced a large collection of lithic artefacts, pottery sherds, and isolated metal artefacts from different prehistoric periods (including the Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman period and Early Middle Ages), which had already been identified during previous excavations. However, although the site was illegally surveyed with metal detectors earlier, several important artefacts were still found. In addition, the current state of the overlying sediment and its erosion was documented. The survey showed that the site is not yet exhausted and repeated survey in the case of the lowered water level can again provide more important information about this site.
Zborník Slovenského národného múzea CXV - Archeológia 31, 2021
In 2018, the torso of a sword was accidentally discovered in the boulder field on a slope of Lips... more In 2018, the torso of a sword was accidentally discovered in the boulder field on a slope of Lipská hora in the cadastral district of Mrsklesy. It can be interpreted as a partially deformed remnant of a longsword from the 14th or early 15th century. The state of its preservation enabled a comprehensive metallographic survey, which showed that the blade consists of a core of heterogeneous steel (even iron in places) and a welded-on coat of steel entirely surrounding the core; this construction most probably evidences the use of mechanisation in he blade production. The blade bears on both sides a series of brass inlaid maker’s marks in the form of tongs, a wolf, an eight-pointed star in a circle and a crosier, probably referring to the origin of the blade in the renowned sword workshops of Passau. The marks were made using the technique of molten-metal inlaying, which was more suited to mass production compared to the complicated and time-consuming technique of wire inlaying. Hence, the sword from Lipská Hora is another of the many pieces of evidence of lively trade between the Czech lands and this Bavarian production centre.
Študijné zvesti, 2021
An amateur metal detector survey conducted in the cadastral territory of Klamoš in 2015/2016 yiel... more An amateur metal detector survey conducted in the cadastral territory of Klamoš in 2015/2016 yielded, among other things, a well-preserved long-sword. Based on the typo-chronological analysis, the sword can be classified as an Oakeshott Type XIIIa, J, 2, and dated to the course of the 14th c. A conservation-restoration survey revealed remains of maker’s marks on the blade and, mainly, rich pommel decoration that is thus far unique. The latter is further discussed in detail in terms of a both formal evaluation and the applied decoration technology, the identification of which has been based on a detailed survey of the weapon and experimental work. A metallographic examination of the blade was finally
omitted due to its compact preservation.
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Archaeologica, 2021
The collections of Buchlov State Castle include, among other things, a richly decorated late medi... more The collections of Buchlov State Castle include, among other things, a richly decorated late medieval long-sword that can be, based on its overall character, including maker's marks on its blade, reliably interpreted as a so-called magistrate's sword made around the turn of the 16th century in Passau, Bavaria. This article discusses the nature of its decoration in comparison with other similar preserved Central European magistrates' swords of Passau provenance, as well as both the practical and symbolic function of these weapons.
Hrady mnou spatřené. Sborník příspěvků k životnímu jubileu Radima Vrly, 2021
Acta Militaria Mediaevalia, 2020
The paper concerns the discovery of a new falchion found in the old riverbed of the San river nea... more The paper concerns the discovery of a new falchion found in the old riverbed of the San river near Nozdrzec in SouthEastern Poland. The artefact, which was preserved along with the remains of wooden and leather elements, can be dated to the th th second half of the 15 and the beginning of the 16 centuries. It is one of a very few falchions known from former Red Rutheniathe eastern part of the Kingdom of Poland. However, written sources and iconography indicate that this kind of side-arm was just as popular here as in other Central European regions.
Přehled výzkumů 61/2, 2020
In 2019, a metal-detector find of an exceptionally well-preserved weapon was made in the complex ... more In 2019, a metal-detector find of an exceptionally well-preserved weapon was made in the complex of Ždánice Forest. We can classify it as a long-sword of Type XVIa, H1, 1b (according to Oakeshott 1964; Głosek 1984, 39-40, Fig. 4) and date it to the turn of the 15th century. Its blade was marked on both sides with three marks taking the form of a forked cross, a diagonal consisting of three equilateral crosses and, finally, a bishop's crosier. The weapon was assembled from a blade of Passau provenance and hilt-components characteristic of the wider Central European region. These and other facts concerning the sword were obtained through detailed analysis, which this study introduces.
Archaeologia historica 45/1, 2020
Systematic metal-detector prospection conducted in 2016 in the forested area of the western part ... more Systematic metal-detector prospection conducted in 2016 in the forested area of the western part of the Kroměříž region yielded a solitary find of a Romanesque sword. This weapon can be classified as a sword of the XII, B, 1 type, and its origin is sought in the 12th century. The blade consists of a layer of steel encasing a softer core, which was a relatively new type of construction used at the time. Besides, a specific tin-inlaid initial inscription was detected on both sides of the blade, which most likely reads as Salvator Iesus Omnipotens Salvator, or Omnipotens Salvator Iesus Omnipotens. These and urther details of the find are in the article discussed in detail.
One of the objectives of the publication is to present to both the professional and the lay publi... more One of the objectives of the publication is to present to both the professional and the lay public the events connected with the Thirty Years’ War, when the territory of Moravia was the site of military operations taking place with various levels of intensity in the individual districts during the lengthy conflict, above all from the archaeological perspective. The devastating consequences of war events affected numerous towns, villages, and aristocratic residences. Many places were besieged and plundered repeatedly. Evidence of one of the longest conflicts in modern history has survived to this day in the form of movable and immovable archaeological monuments throughout Moravia and Czech Silesia. In addition to the examination of battlefields, which has received increased attention especially in the Bohemian milieu in recent decades, the archaeology of conflicts is focused also on the examination of modern-era military camps – complexes that provided the background for locating the individual types of armed forces, their arms, and equipment for a certain time. The book is divided into several parts. In the first part, in addition to a brief summary of the most important events of the Thirty Years' War with regard to the territory of Moravia and the Přerov region, the reader is introduced to a description of the Swedish military field camp of the Swedish army in 1643 near Horní Moštěnice. The main part of the publication is a basic introduction to the various categories of weapons and armour used by the various types of troops during the Thirty Years' War. The presented militaria come mainly from archaeological finds from various localities in Moravia and Czech Silesia, and their presentation will allow all those interested in the subject to get acquainted with the archaeologized material for the first time, which has not been presented to such an extent to the professional and lay public. Most of the artefacts are published here for the first time.
Středověké meče v českých zemích. Meč jako technologický, kulturněhistorický a archeologický fenomén / Medieval swords in the Czech lands. The sword as a technological, cultural, historical and archaeological phenomenon, 2023
Throughout their entire history, swords have been among the professionally and layman-attractive ... more Throughout their entire history, swords have been among the professionally and layman-attractive historical artefacts documenting the technological and artistic level of the given period. Although the history of swords is very long and goes back deep into prehistoric times, the peak of the sword as a weapon and as a status symbol is undoubtedly the Middle Ages. It was precisely then that the sword became a symbol of the gradually constituting nobility and it is here that its perception as an ambivalent object starts. It is seen on the one hand a symbol of power, honour, courage, and law, but on the other hand also of violence and war. The book presents medieval swords to the lay public in a comprehensive form as objects of study in many scientific disciplines, from archaeology to metallurgy, and places the acquired knowledge in the Central European context. It shows the methods of researching swords as well as our current knowledge of their manufacture, including technological experiments. The book presents the results of long-term scientific research in a popular form, which was recently crowned by two extensive scientific monographs.
Evaluation of a set of medieval swords from the Czech Republic in the context of contemporary Eur... more Evaluation of a set of medieval swords from the Czech Republic in the context of contemporary European swords. This volume deals in detail with the typological and technological development of swords from the Czech territory, also in relation to finds from other European regions. The analysis of the development of the symbolic perception of the sword by the society of the time, which underwent a rather complex development.
This book is the first part of a two-volume monograph, which is focused on documentation, analysi... more This book is the first part of a two-volume monograph, which is focused on documentation, analysis and interpretation of swords from the turn of the 9th century to the mid-16th century in what is now the Czech Republic, and on their assessment in the context of contemporary European swords. This volume aims to provide both a systematic inventory of these medieval and Early Renaissance swords and information connected with them. The most essential part is a comprehensive catalogue of 430 swords or sword fragments, which are historically linked to the territory of the Czech Republic (the swords were found there, they come from Czech and Moravian collections, items of which are most likely to be of a local origin, or they are nowadays deposited abroad although they are certainly of Czech or Moravian origin).
The publication “Medieval and early modern period weapons from Přerov region” was composed togeth... more The publication “Medieval and early modern period weapons from Přerov region” was composed together with the exposition of the same name, taking place in Comenius Museum in Přerov between 13 October and 31 March of 2018. Main goal of the authors was to analyse and present to the public an extraordinarily large and complex set of militaria, either deposited in the Museum or gathered in Přerov region. The studied collection comprises practically all types of weapons, armours, and riding equipment from the time period between the collapse of Great Moravian Empire and the end of the Thirty Years' War. Brief summary of military history of Přerov region also forms the first part of the book.
The present collection of Medieval and early modern period weapons, armours, and equipment represents a basic source of information for both professionals and amateurs. The catalogue part of the publication, complemented with rich pictorial supplement, comprises 430 processed entries related to the items in the collection whose cataloguing took place till the end of 2017.
The dissertation thesis summarizes knowledges about medieval and early modern-age single-edged w... more The dissertation thesis summarizes knowledges about medieval
and early modern-age single-edged weapons, which were mainly obtained due to the inventory from collections of Moravian institutions. On this basis a detailed typology of their parts – blade, tang, pommel, cross-guard, knuckle guard was created. That one will enable the uniform classification in the future. It also clarified single-edged weapons development. According to the results, it seems that the dussacks evolved from ordinary knives sometime in the second half of the 13th century, when appeared already fully developed specimens. At the end of the 14th century one-handed dussacks begins to appear, which soon become the most popular one-handed weapons in Central Europe. Then, at the end of the 15th
century, long forms of dussacks begins to appear and those have been handled with both hands. They were not very popular, probably because of certain technological difficulties in their manufacturing. At the beginning of the 16th century dussacks began to obtain involved hilts, whose development culminated especially in the second half of this century. It seems, that the dussacks were the beginning of the
development of later standardized military saber.
Tesáky a problematika jednosečných zbraní středověku a raného novověku 2. Babice nad Svitavou (ok... more Tesáky a problematika jednosečných zbraní středověku a raného novověku 2. Babice nad Svitavou (okr. Brno-venkov) Uložení: Soukromá sbírka, bez inv. č. Typ: A 3 , I,- ,- ,-Datace: 14.-15. století Nálezové okolnosti: Zbraň byla nalezena v roce 2007 pomocí detektoru kovů na blíže neznámém místě ve Katalog 3. Bludov (okr. Šumperk) Uložení: Soukromá sbírka, bez inv. č. Typ:- ,- ,- ,-,t 8 Datace: 15. století Nálezové okolnosti: Záštitný trn byl nalezen v roce 2011 pomocí detektoru kovů v blízkém okolí hradu Bludova. Snad přímo v areálu vojenského tábora, který se rozprostírá a navazuje na pozůstatky vlastního hradu. V nevelké vzdálenosti od něj byl nalezen téměř kompletně dochovaný nožovitý tesák a nemůžeme tudíž zcela vyloučit možnost, že by oba předměty měly bližší souvztažnost. Historie lokality: Hrad byl založen patrně již někdy v průběhu 2. poloviny 13. století, ale v písemných pramenech se uvádí až v roce 1346. Již před rokem 1349 se hrad uvádí v majetku pánů z Lipé, od kterých hrad získal markrabě Jan Jindřich a posléze jeho syn Prokop, jemuž sloužil jako základna vojsk v bojích s bratrem Joštem. V roce 1397 Jošt hrad Prokopovi vyplatil a postoupil jej pánům z Kunštátu. Za Smila z Kunštátu na počátku 15. století mohl na hradě vzniknout již zmíněný vojenský tábor, který mohl sloužit jako stav družiny, o jejíž činnosti nám vypovídá celá řada písemných záznamů.
Hrad Křídlo. Historie, stavební vývoj a archeologie zříceniny šlechtického sídla v Hostýnských vr... more Hrad Křídlo. Historie, stavební vývoj a archeologie zříceniny šlechtického sídla v Hostýnských vrších [Castle Křídlo. History, building development, and archaeology of a ruined noble house in the Hostýnské vrchy hills; 2021] (co-authors Radim Vrla, Dalibor Janiš, Jana Janišová, Zdeněk Schenk, Lenka Bartíková, Petr Žákovský, Adam Fojtík, Miroslav Popelka, Zdeněk Štaffen, Pavel Fojtík, Samuel Španihel)
Kordy a rapíry z českých sbírek, 16. – 18. století. II. díl (Šindelář, V., ed.). Milevské muzeum Milevsko, 2023
The chapter presents in a brief form a set of archaeological finds of rapiers and parrying dagger... more The chapter presents in a brief form a set of archaeological finds of rapiers and parrying daggers from the territory of the present-day Czech Republic. In comparison with written sources, the social context of these weapons and their significance for the inhabitants of the Czech lands at that time is outlined. More attention is then given to the recent discovery of a rapier from Jaroměřice in eastern Bohemia.
Zmizelá Třebíč. Výpověď archeologie k dějinám města (Hoch, A., ed.), 2022
Přehled výzkumů, 2022
This study focuses on the discovery of iron components of a wheellock pistol found to the south o... more This study focuses on the discovery of iron components of a wheellock pistol found to the south of Hradec nad Moravicí on the route of a former historical road that linked Opava with Moravia. The find consists of an octagonalsection barrel with a lead projectile and a lock plate with an almost complete lock mechanism. The keys to dating the find and determining its provenance are not only the shape of the barrel, but primarily the design of the wheellock mechanism and the shapes of several of its components. Based on the shape of the dog, the manner in which the lock plate was fixed into the wooden body of the pistol, and particularly the existence of an internal dog leaf spring, the pistol can with a high degree of probability be identified as a product of one of the gunsmiths' workshops in the German towns of Braunschweig or Goslar during the 1570s or 1580s. The find from Hradec nad Moravicí adds to the group of archaeological discoveries of European and North American firearms with wheellock mechanisms, and the study provides a selective overview of this group.
Pod stromom života. Zborník k 70. narodeninám Michala Slivku. Studia Archaeologica et Mediaevalia XIII, 2022
In the collections of Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, number of artefacts closely related to Me... more In the collections of Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, number of artefacts closely related to Medieval and Early Modern warfare are deposited. Among them are many exceptional relics from the former Pilsen armoury as well as archaeological finds, collected at the end of the 19th century by local researcher F. X. Franc. He found them during the excavations of Lopata castle near Milínov (Pilsen region). However, there are some artefacts in this, without the doubt and important collection, which are in terms of their localization rather disputable. There is a reasonable doubt, that the unique of helmet of basinet type was found in the castle area. Same goes for the well preserved dussack, which is the subject of this paper. This weapon could be described as single-handed short dussack with broad blade, dated to a rather long chronological window between the end of 14th and the beginning of 16th century. Thanks to its pristine condition, this weapon provided us with new information regarding the manufacturing techniques, used for the manufacture of medieval weapon, including the common manufacturing defects.
Přehled výzkumů 63(1), 2022
The temporary lowering of the water level in Dalešice Reservoir for maintenance in the autumn of ... more The temporary lowering of the water level in Dalešice Reservoir for maintenance in the autumn of 2021 created an opportunity to conduct an archaeological investigation of the Kramolín hillfort – a site permanently flooded since the 1970s. A small group of archaeologists reached the shore of Kramolín island by boat and performed the survey with metal detectors and GPS hand held devices. This survey produced a large collection of lithic artefacts, pottery sherds, and isolated metal artefacts from different prehistoric periods (including the Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman period and Early Middle Ages), which had already been identified during previous excavations. However, although the site was illegally surveyed with metal detectors earlier, several important artefacts were still found. In addition, the current state of the overlying sediment and its erosion was documented. The survey showed that the site is not yet exhausted and repeated survey in the case of the lowered water level can again provide more important information about this site.
Zborník Slovenského národného múzea CXV - Archeológia 31, 2021
In 2018, the torso of a sword was accidentally discovered in the boulder field on a slope of Lips... more In 2018, the torso of a sword was accidentally discovered in the boulder field on a slope of Lipská hora in the cadastral district of Mrsklesy. It can be interpreted as a partially deformed remnant of a longsword from the 14th or early 15th century. The state of its preservation enabled a comprehensive metallographic survey, which showed that the blade consists of a core of heterogeneous steel (even iron in places) and a welded-on coat of steel entirely surrounding the core; this construction most probably evidences the use of mechanisation in he blade production. The blade bears on both sides a series of brass inlaid maker’s marks in the form of tongs, a wolf, an eight-pointed star in a circle and a crosier, probably referring to the origin of the blade in the renowned sword workshops of Passau. The marks were made using the technique of molten-metal inlaying, which was more suited to mass production compared to the complicated and time-consuming technique of wire inlaying. Hence, the sword from Lipská Hora is another of the many pieces of evidence of lively trade between the Czech lands and this Bavarian production centre.
Študijné zvesti, 2021
An amateur metal detector survey conducted in the cadastral territory of Klamoš in 2015/2016 yiel... more An amateur metal detector survey conducted in the cadastral territory of Klamoš in 2015/2016 yielded, among other things, a well-preserved long-sword. Based on the typo-chronological analysis, the sword can be classified as an Oakeshott Type XIIIa, J, 2, and dated to the course of the 14th c. A conservation-restoration survey revealed remains of maker’s marks on the blade and, mainly, rich pommel decoration that is thus far unique. The latter is further discussed in detail in terms of a both formal evaluation and the applied decoration technology, the identification of which has been based on a detailed survey of the weapon and experimental work. A metallographic examination of the blade was finally
omitted due to its compact preservation.
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Archaeologica, 2021
The collections of Buchlov State Castle include, among other things, a richly decorated late medi... more The collections of Buchlov State Castle include, among other things, a richly decorated late medieval long-sword that can be, based on its overall character, including maker's marks on its blade, reliably interpreted as a so-called magistrate's sword made around the turn of the 16th century in Passau, Bavaria. This article discusses the nature of its decoration in comparison with other similar preserved Central European magistrates' swords of Passau provenance, as well as both the practical and symbolic function of these weapons.
Hrady mnou spatřené. Sborník příspěvků k životnímu jubileu Radima Vrly, 2021
Acta Militaria Mediaevalia, 2020
The paper concerns the discovery of a new falchion found in the old riverbed of the San river nea... more The paper concerns the discovery of a new falchion found in the old riverbed of the San river near Nozdrzec in SouthEastern Poland. The artefact, which was preserved along with the remains of wooden and leather elements, can be dated to the th th second half of the 15 and the beginning of the 16 centuries. It is one of a very few falchions known from former Red Rutheniathe eastern part of the Kingdom of Poland. However, written sources and iconography indicate that this kind of side-arm was just as popular here as in other Central European regions.
Přehled výzkumů 61/2, 2020
In 2019, a metal-detector find of an exceptionally well-preserved weapon was made in the complex ... more In 2019, a metal-detector find of an exceptionally well-preserved weapon was made in the complex of Ždánice Forest. We can classify it as a long-sword of Type XVIa, H1, 1b (according to Oakeshott 1964; Głosek 1984, 39-40, Fig. 4) and date it to the turn of the 15th century. Its blade was marked on both sides with three marks taking the form of a forked cross, a diagonal consisting of three equilateral crosses and, finally, a bishop's crosier. The weapon was assembled from a blade of Passau provenance and hilt-components characteristic of the wider Central European region. These and other facts concerning the sword were obtained through detailed analysis, which this study introduces.
Archaeologia historica 45/1, 2020
Systematic metal-detector prospection conducted in 2016 in the forested area of the western part ... more Systematic metal-detector prospection conducted in 2016 in the forested area of the western part of the Kroměříž region yielded a solitary find of a Romanesque sword. This weapon can be classified as a sword of the XII, B, 1 type, and its origin is sought in the 12th century. The blade consists of a layer of steel encasing a softer core, which was a relatively new type of construction used at the time. Besides, a specific tin-inlaid initial inscription was detected on both sides of the blade, which most likely reads as Salvator Iesus Omnipotens Salvator, or Omnipotens Salvator Iesus Omnipotens. These and urther details of the find are in the article discussed in detail.
Opavské hradby (Kolář, F., ed.), 2013
Krnov. Historie - archeologie, 2015
Fragments of a pair of heavily gold-plated spurs made from a copper alloy were discovered during ... more Fragments of a pair of heavily gold-plated spurs made from a copper alloy were discovered during a metal detector survey on the grounds of a castle known today as Zítkov (cadastral territory of Choceň in the Pardubice Region). Even though it is not clear how the spurs reached their findspot, these products are extraordinary evidence of work with non-ferrous metal in the 14th century or at the beginning of the 15th century. Their connection with the knightly milieu is evident from the craftsmanship of the artefacts and
the gold-plating of their surface.
Vlastivědný věstník moravský, 2018
The paper present the findings of a short dussack, which was probably made at the beginning of th... more The paper present the findings of a short dussack, which was probably made at the beginning of the 20th century in the premises of the castle of Rychleby (Reichenstein) during an archaeological research. This weapon is most likely to be associated with an older weapon mentioned in literature, which was described as a dagger with five golden (?) rivets. Despite certain original elements, the dussack in question represents a fairly common weapon, which was widespread during the 14th century until the 1st half of the 16th century throughout the whole social spectrum. This is, after all, evidenced by frequent findings of similar weapons in the premises of the Czech, Moravian and Silesian castles.
Přehled výzkumů, 2017
The archaeological excavation conducted in Prague – New Town in 2013 at the intersection of today... more The archaeological excavation conducted in Prague – New Town in 2013 at the intersection of today’s Národní třída – Mikulandská streets, i.e. in the medieval New Town, yielded, among other things, the unique find of a late medieval long sword. The sword was found in an oval feature of an unknown function (definitely not a cesspit), whose demise dates to the turn of the 16th century. The sword, which can be classified as an Oakeshott type XVIIIb, T14, 12a, can be dated to the period between the second half of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century. These and other findings come from an analysis of the find situation, from metallographic examination, and mainly from detailed typo-chronological analysis of the weapon and marks, by which the sword was signed.
Archaeologia historica, 2017
Archaeological material consisting of two horseshoes, a presumed fragment of a helmet, a rapier a... more Archaeological material consisting of two horseshoes, a presumed fragment of a helmet, a rapier and unspecified skeletal remains was unearthed in the bed of the Hustířanka stream, in the cadastral zone of the Habřina village, in 1922. Of these items, only the beautifully and almost completely preserved rapier has been reliably identified. The blade bears marks in the form of the imperial orb and the “Passau wolf”. The weapon can be positively dated to the late 16th – early 17th century, or to the first decades of the 17th century. The find is hypothetically linked to the events of the Thirty Years’ War that hit the region particularly hard in the 1640s.
The demise of Orlík Castle in the cadastral district of Sudislav nad Orlicí (Pardubice Region, Cz... more The demise of Orlík Castle in the cadastral district of Sudislav nad Orlicí (Pardubice Region, Czech Republic) was dated to the beginning
of the 14th century based on existing knowledge. A metal detector survey conducted at the site in recent years produced a collection
of artefacts documenting life at the castle in the early 15th century as well as somewhere around the turn of this century. In
addition to common items (spurs, keys, knives, buckles, bits, horseshoes, etc.), the assemblage also contains a great amount of
military gear, especially parts of armour such as the plates of a brigandine, a fragment of a cuirass and parts of gloves. These
artefacts provide significant insight into the development of protective military gear at the turn of the 14th and 15th century in central
Europe. The presented finds likewise make it possible to interpret the determined situation in various ways, including as the base of
a military retinue, the activities of which at the nearby castle in Brandýs nad Orlicí during the time of domain owner Jan of Brandýs
and Boskovice are documented in written reports. A smaller assemblage of high medieval artefacts found at the opposite end of the
same cadastre at the ‘Pláňov’ site probably signalises the presence of a period road.