Ünige Bencze | Central European University (original) (raw)

Papers by Ünige Bencze

Research paper thumbnail of The Pauline Order in Medieval Transylvania

EVUL MEDIU NETERMINAT A BEFEJEZETLEN KÖZÉPKOR THE UNFINISHED MIDDLE AGES. , 2022

Ciprian Firea Despre patroni şi opţiuni iconografice: câteva gânduri pe marginea polipticului de ... more Ciprian Firea Despre patroni şi opţiuni iconografice: câteva gânduri pe marginea polipticului de la Șmig (cca 1515) Ionuţ-Cosmin Codrea Aspecte din istoria unui monument puţin cunoscut: biserica şi mănăstirea franciscană de la Baia de Criş în documente din secolul al XVIII-lea

Research paper thumbnail of The Monastery of Cârţa: Between the Cistercian Ideal and Local Realities

Research paper thumbnail of Similarities and Differences of a Benedictine and a Cistercian Abbey as Reflected in the Landscape

Research paper thumbnail of The Bethlen Castle in Criș (Mureș County): Overview of the Archaeological Excavations and  Short Revisited Early History of the Estate

Caiete ARA. Arhitectură. Restaurare. Arheologie., 2022

The article discusses the early history and evolution of the Bethlen castle in Criş and the const... more The article discusses the early history and evolution of the Bethlen castle in Criş and the constructions undertaken by the members of the Bethlen family, based on the preserved written sources and the results of the archaeological investigations. The literature connects the very first constructions in Criş to Mark Bethlen, however, the written sources and the excavations indicate the existence of a much earlier settlement, dated approximately to the 12th and 13th centuries, about which little is known. The written documents mentioned an already existing manor house in 1435, and in 1482 the sons of Mark Bethlen divided their father’s house between themselves. Based on the written sources, in the beginning of the 16th century there already existed three manor houses in Criş, one that belonged to Gregory Bethlen, another to Bernard Bethlen, and a third (built from wood) to Nicholas Bethlen. For now, the re-evaluation of the results of the older and newer excavation results is crucial in understanding the early constructions, which are hard to identify in the archaeological record since the site of the castle had been continuously used along the ages.

Research paper thumbnail of A marosszentkirályi pálosok és birtokaik : Egy tájrégészeti kutatás előzetes eredményei és további lehetőségei

Research paper thumbnail of Similarities and Differences of a Benedictine and a Cistercian Abbey As Reflected in the Landscape. Beginnings of a Comparative Approach

Ecclesiastical Landscapes in Medieval Europe. An Archaeological Perspective, 2020

The study proposes to test and to present the preliminary results on whether a Benedictine and a ... more The study proposes to test and to present the preliminary results on whether a Benedictine and a Cistercian abbey's landscape shaping activities can be compared or confronted in any way, and if so, what information/data can be retrieved from this process. The focus shall be on two royal abbeys founded in medieval Transylvania, in the light of the evolution and management of their central estates mainly from the perspective of water management. The study uses a variety of different sources, aiming at a holistic approach. Firstly, a short introductory part will set out the historic context and the particular characteristics of Transylvania, followed by short summaries of the history of the two abbeys analyzed Cluj-Mănăştur (HU Kolozsmonostor) and Cârţa (HU Kerc) to aid the understanding of their treatment. After the contexts have been set out, an analysis will be conducted on the evolution of their estates concentrating on issues of water management with the incorporated results of field investigations. Finally, the conclusions will sum up the results and the possible research tracks of the investigation. The complexity of the topic goes beyond this present study, since additional field investigation is vital for the understanding of the various landscape changes, which took place both prior to and following the ownership of the land by the monastery. Such long term changes should also be examined and interpreted. However, it could be argued that such a preliminary outline of the possibilities can be rewarding in order to pinpoint the deficiencies of the state of research and sources as well as the need for a multidisciplinary holistic approach for the understanding of historic landscapes

Research paper thumbnail of LAY OR MONASTIC? THE MEDIEVAL LANDSCAPE AND PROPERTY DISPUTES OVER TIBURCZTELKE (CHINTENI, CLUJ COUNTY)

Research paper thumbnail of Tájhasználat a kolozsmonostori bencés apátság Kajántó-völgyi birtokain (Land Use on the Kajántó Valley Properties of Kolozsmonostor Benedictine Abbey)

DOLGOZATOK AZ ERDÉLYI MÚZEUM ÉREM-ÉS RÉGISÉGTÁRÁBÓL , 2019

Research paper thumbnail of RECONSTRUCTING A MONASTIC LANDSCAPE: THE EXAMPLE OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY CÂRŢA (KERZ, KERC

Monastic Life, Art, and Technology in the 11th-16th Centuries, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The Abbey of Meszes: New Insights on the Site Location.

Research paper thumbnail of Ü. Bencze–E. Gáll, A Fourteenth Century Sword from Moldoveneşti (Hung.: Várfalva). Studia Universitatis Cibiniensis, VIII, Supplementum 1, 2011, 133–138.

Abstract The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material cultur... more Abstract
The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transylvania. For various subjective and objective reasons the scholarly world, which dealt with swords of the migration and the early medieval period of
Europe, neglected the research of this group of swords. Although the European sword was classified in numerous types and sub-types precise definitions of date and place cannot be done. Therefore in some cases it seems more practical to look for a period during which it might have been in use than to try to date the sword or its types, even if this does not supply a certain date. Swords were widespread and very distributable
objects throughout Europe and it is impossible to assign certain specific regions of origins. Since, out-of-context finds get published rarely it is our aim to publish this single find in order to make its type and details available for the researchers dealing
with medieval weapons.

Research paper thumbnail of A medieval Pauline landscape in the Szekler Land.

Based on the study of written sources, historic maps and archaeological field work, the present a... more Based on the study of written sources, historic maps and archaeological field work, the present article discusses the reconstruction of a single Pauline monastic landscape situated on the territory of the medieval Szekler land. The monastery was placed on a hilltop in today’s Sâncraiul de Mureş (Marosszentkirály), named by the sources as Szentkirály or Székelyháza. The buildings of the monastery were destroyed by a fire and a part of them was used, in the 17th century, for the rebuilding of the fortification in Târgu Mureş (Marosvásárhely). This was one of the wealthiest Pauline monasteries from medieval Transylvania. The monks received a great number of donations and support from the local noble families. Most of the donations consisted of various types of landed estates, the study of which, offers insight into the land use and economy of this monastery.

Research paper thumbnail of The Monastery of Cârţa: Between the Cistercian Ideal and Local Realities

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai. Historia, Dec 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Das Zisterzienserkloster Kerz. Neue Betrachtungen zu Gründung, dynastichen Verbindungen und Zisterzienserideal

Zeitschrift für Siebenbürgische Landeskunde, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of A fourteenth century sword from Moldoveneşti (Várfalva)

The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transy... more The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transylvania. 2 For various subjective and objective reasons the scholarly world, which dealt with swords of the migration and the early medieval period of Europe, neglected the research of this group of swords. Although the European sword was classified in numerous types and sub-types precise definitions of date and place cannot be done. Therefore in some cases it seems more practical to look for a period during which it might have been in use than to try to date the sword or its types, even if this does not supply a certain date. 3 Swords were widespread and very distributable objects throughout Europe and it is impossible to assign certain specific regions of origins. Since, out-of-context finds get published rarely it is our aim to publish this single find in order to make its type and details available for the researchers dealing with medieval weapons.

Research paper thumbnail of Late Medieval Graphite Ware in the Targu Mures Franciscan Friary and the Study of Imported Pottery in Transylvania

Research paper thumbnail of Late Medieval Ceramic Tableware from the Franciscan Friary of Târgu Mureş

Talks by Ünige Bencze

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstructing a monastic landscape: the case of Cârţa (Kerz, Kerc) Abbey

The papers deals with the issue of monastic landscape reconstruction in Eastern Europe and presen... more The papers deals with the issue of monastic landscape reconstruction in Eastern Europe and presents the latest research results made by the author at the site of the Cistercian abbey Kerc.

Research paper thumbnail of Monastic orders in medieval Transylvania: the Cistercians from Kerz

Research paper thumbnail of Monastic Landscapes of Transylvania: the case of Kerz abbey

Research paper thumbnail of The Pauline Order in Medieval Transylvania

EVUL MEDIU NETERMINAT A BEFEJEZETLEN KÖZÉPKOR THE UNFINISHED MIDDLE AGES. , 2022

Ciprian Firea Despre patroni şi opţiuni iconografice: câteva gânduri pe marginea polipticului de ... more Ciprian Firea Despre patroni şi opţiuni iconografice: câteva gânduri pe marginea polipticului de la Șmig (cca 1515) Ionuţ-Cosmin Codrea Aspecte din istoria unui monument puţin cunoscut: biserica şi mănăstirea franciscană de la Baia de Criş în documente din secolul al XVIII-lea

Research paper thumbnail of The Monastery of Cârţa: Between the Cistercian Ideal and Local Realities

Research paper thumbnail of Similarities and Differences of a Benedictine and a Cistercian Abbey as Reflected in the Landscape

Research paper thumbnail of The Bethlen Castle in Criș (Mureș County): Overview of the Archaeological Excavations and  Short Revisited Early History of the Estate

Caiete ARA. Arhitectură. Restaurare. Arheologie., 2022

The article discusses the early history and evolution of the Bethlen castle in Criş and the const... more The article discusses the early history and evolution of the Bethlen castle in Criş and the constructions undertaken by the members of the Bethlen family, based on the preserved written sources and the results of the archaeological investigations. The literature connects the very first constructions in Criş to Mark Bethlen, however, the written sources and the excavations indicate the existence of a much earlier settlement, dated approximately to the 12th and 13th centuries, about which little is known. The written documents mentioned an already existing manor house in 1435, and in 1482 the sons of Mark Bethlen divided their father’s house between themselves. Based on the written sources, in the beginning of the 16th century there already existed three manor houses in Criş, one that belonged to Gregory Bethlen, another to Bernard Bethlen, and a third (built from wood) to Nicholas Bethlen. For now, the re-evaluation of the results of the older and newer excavation results is crucial in understanding the early constructions, which are hard to identify in the archaeological record since the site of the castle had been continuously used along the ages.

Research paper thumbnail of A marosszentkirályi pálosok és birtokaik : Egy tájrégészeti kutatás előzetes eredményei és további lehetőségei

Research paper thumbnail of Similarities and Differences of a Benedictine and a Cistercian Abbey As Reflected in the Landscape. Beginnings of a Comparative Approach

Ecclesiastical Landscapes in Medieval Europe. An Archaeological Perspective, 2020

The study proposes to test and to present the preliminary results on whether a Benedictine and a ... more The study proposes to test and to present the preliminary results on whether a Benedictine and a Cistercian abbey's landscape shaping activities can be compared or confronted in any way, and if so, what information/data can be retrieved from this process. The focus shall be on two royal abbeys founded in medieval Transylvania, in the light of the evolution and management of their central estates mainly from the perspective of water management. The study uses a variety of different sources, aiming at a holistic approach. Firstly, a short introductory part will set out the historic context and the particular characteristics of Transylvania, followed by short summaries of the history of the two abbeys analyzed Cluj-Mănăştur (HU Kolozsmonostor) and Cârţa (HU Kerc) to aid the understanding of their treatment. After the contexts have been set out, an analysis will be conducted on the evolution of their estates concentrating on issues of water management with the incorporated results of field investigations. Finally, the conclusions will sum up the results and the possible research tracks of the investigation. The complexity of the topic goes beyond this present study, since additional field investigation is vital for the understanding of the various landscape changes, which took place both prior to and following the ownership of the land by the monastery. Such long term changes should also be examined and interpreted. However, it could be argued that such a preliminary outline of the possibilities can be rewarding in order to pinpoint the deficiencies of the state of research and sources as well as the need for a multidisciplinary holistic approach for the understanding of historic landscapes

Research paper thumbnail of LAY OR MONASTIC? THE MEDIEVAL LANDSCAPE AND PROPERTY DISPUTES OVER TIBURCZTELKE (CHINTENI, CLUJ COUNTY)

Research paper thumbnail of Tájhasználat a kolozsmonostori bencés apátság Kajántó-völgyi birtokain (Land Use on the Kajántó Valley Properties of Kolozsmonostor Benedictine Abbey)

DOLGOZATOK AZ ERDÉLYI MÚZEUM ÉREM-ÉS RÉGISÉGTÁRÁBÓL , 2019

Research paper thumbnail of RECONSTRUCTING A MONASTIC LANDSCAPE: THE EXAMPLE OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY CÂRŢA (KERZ, KERC

Monastic Life, Art, and Technology in the 11th-16th Centuries, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The Abbey of Meszes: New Insights on the Site Location.

Research paper thumbnail of Ü. Bencze–E. Gáll, A Fourteenth Century Sword from Moldoveneşti (Hung.: Várfalva). Studia Universitatis Cibiniensis, VIII, Supplementum 1, 2011, 133–138.

Abstract The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material cultur... more Abstract
The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transylvania. For various subjective and objective reasons the scholarly world, which dealt with swords of the migration and the early medieval period of
Europe, neglected the research of this group of swords. Although the European sword was classified in numerous types and sub-types precise definitions of date and place cannot be done. Therefore in some cases it seems more practical to look for a period during which it might have been in use than to try to date the sword or its types, even if this does not supply a certain date. Swords were widespread and very distributable
objects throughout Europe and it is impossible to assign certain specific regions of origins. Since, out-of-context finds get published rarely it is our aim to publish this single find in order to make its type and details available for the researchers dealing
with medieval weapons.

Research paper thumbnail of A medieval Pauline landscape in the Szekler Land.

Based on the study of written sources, historic maps and archaeological field work, the present a... more Based on the study of written sources, historic maps and archaeological field work, the present article discusses the reconstruction of a single Pauline monastic landscape situated on the territory of the medieval Szekler land. The monastery was placed on a hilltop in today’s Sâncraiul de Mureş (Marosszentkirály), named by the sources as Szentkirály or Székelyháza. The buildings of the monastery were destroyed by a fire and a part of them was used, in the 17th century, for the rebuilding of the fortification in Târgu Mureş (Marosvásárhely). This was one of the wealthiest Pauline monasteries from medieval Transylvania. The monks received a great number of donations and support from the local noble families. Most of the donations consisted of various types of landed estates, the study of which, offers insight into the land use and economy of this monastery.

Research paper thumbnail of The Monastery of Cârţa: Between the Cistercian Ideal and Local Realities

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai. Historia, Dec 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Das Zisterzienserkloster Kerz. Neue Betrachtungen zu Gründung, dynastichen Verbindungen und Zisterzienserideal

Zeitschrift für Siebenbürgische Landeskunde, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of A fourteenth century sword from Moldoveneşti (Várfalva)

The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transy... more The two-edged swords are a small but significant group of the medieval material culture of Transylvania. 2 For various subjective and objective reasons the scholarly world, which dealt with swords of the migration and the early medieval period of Europe, neglected the research of this group of swords. Although the European sword was classified in numerous types and sub-types precise definitions of date and place cannot be done. Therefore in some cases it seems more practical to look for a period during which it might have been in use than to try to date the sword or its types, even if this does not supply a certain date. 3 Swords were widespread and very distributable objects throughout Europe and it is impossible to assign certain specific regions of origins. Since, out-of-context finds get published rarely it is our aim to publish this single find in order to make its type and details available for the researchers dealing with medieval weapons.

Research paper thumbnail of Late Medieval Graphite Ware in the Targu Mures Franciscan Friary and the Study of Imported Pottery in Transylvania

Research paper thumbnail of Late Medieval Ceramic Tableware from the Franciscan Friary of Târgu Mureş

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstructing a monastic landscape: the case of Cârţa (Kerz, Kerc) Abbey

The papers deals with the issue of monastic landscape reconstruction in Eastern Europe and presen... more The papers deals with the issue of monastic landscape reconstruction in Eastern Europe and presents the latest research results made by the author at the site of the Cistercian abbey Kerc.

Research paper thumbnail of Monastic orders in medieval Transylvania: the Cistercians from Kerz

Research paper thumbnail of Monastic Landscapes of Transylvania: the case of Kerz abbey

Research paper thumbnail of Glass Production in medieval and pre-modern Transylvania

Research paper thumbnail of Urban Development and Franciscan Convent at Marosvásárhely/Târgu-Mureş: Aspects of Material Culture

In this paper I discuss the urbanization process of the market town of Târgu Mureş and the founda... more In this paper I discuss the urbanization process of the market town of Târgu Mureş and the foundation of the Franciscan friary based on written sources and archaeological data. Following Le Goff's theory on the appearance of mendicant orders in settlements as signs of urbanization indicates that Târgu Mureş had a growing economic status, one that could support a mendicant friary. In this case the Franciscans also induced urbanization since the foundation of the friary preceded urban development and the settlement was not yet a market center. So, the arrival of the Franciscans into a not fully developed market town marked and important step towards economic growth and increasing importance in the region, which is reflected also by the material culture of the friary.

Research paper thumbnail of URBAN SOCIAL STRATA TAKEN INTO MONASTIC SPACE: THE EXAMPLE OF MEDIEVAL TRANSYLVANIA

My paper deals with the interaction of urban social strata with monastic communities from social ... more My paper deals with the interaction of urban social strata with monastic communities from social and archaeological perspectives especially in the case of the mendicant orders. Recent research both in historical and archaeological studies made it possible to trace and shed light on how people living in urban environment interacted with the friars and what type of relationships existed between them. My presentation will corroborate the results of the latest studies in order to give a full picture of the variety and complex social interactions as well as their role in the medieval society of Transylvania. As a case study I will use the archaeological material from the Franciscan friary of Târgu Mureş (Marosvásárhely, Neumarkt am Mieresch).

Research paper thumbnail of De Re Monastica VI Il tempo delle comunità monastiche nell'altomedioevo

Per la sede del convegno da Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 raggiungere la facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia -M... more Per la sede del convegno da Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 raggiungere la facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia -Museo dell'Arte Classica -Aula Odeion.

Research paper thumbnail of Manoscritti liturgici monastici dell'Italia meridionale: tipologie e funzioni (Colloquium "De Re Monastica VI. Il tempo delle comunità monastiche nell'altomedioevo", Roma-Subiaco, 9-11 June 2017)

Per la sede del convegno da Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 raggiungere la facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia -M... more Per la sede del convegno da Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 raggiungere la facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia -Museo dell'Arte Classica -Aula Odeion.