Silver mining and landscape changes in medieval Central Europe: Reconstructing ore processing in a buried fir forest on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands (Koječín, Czech Republic)

Authors

HRUBÝ Petr KAISER Knut KOČÁR Petr MALÝ Karel PETR Libor

Year of publication 2024
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source GEOARCHAEOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Web open acces
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gea.22002
Keywords Abies sp; alluvial; late Holocene; medieval mining; metallometry; subfossil wood
Attached files
Description This study discusses the potential of archaeological organic objects in anthropogenic sediments in terms of research into human impact on the medieval landscape and environment. In the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, at a mid-altitudinal stream valley site (ca. 510?m?asl), remains of a cut medieval forest stand with anthropogenic wooden structures and buried by technogenic sediments (e.g., ore, gangue and tailings) were archaeologically excavated. The site was analysed using an interdisciplinary approach, applying methods from archaeology, archaeobotany, sedimentology, pedology and geochemistry as well as dendrochronology and radiometric dating. The vegetation can be reconstructed as forest with a dominance of fir and an admixture of spruce and alder. The surrounding slopes were covered by broadleaf trees. Remains of wooden technical structures, stamped, ground and washed ores and gangue, together with fragments of grinding stones, allow the interpretation of the site as an ore and stamp mill linked to ore washing equipment. This record of a buried medieval fir forest can be likewise used as a historical testimony and analogue for present-day issues on ecology and forestry, aiming at ecological revitalisation and adaptation of forests to ongoing climate change in Central Europe.

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