Publication details
Zur Entwicklung der Grenze im mährisch-österreichischen Grenzgebiet während des 11.-12. Jahrhunderts und zur Rolle der Befestigung von Nikolsburg/Mikulov
| Title in English | The transformations of the Moravian-Austrian border in the 11th – 12th century and the role of the princely residence in Mikulov |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Beiträge zur Mittelalterarchäologie in Österreich |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology |
| Keywords | Late Hillford period; pottery; borders; dendrochronology; castles |
| Description | Based on historical and archaeological sources this article deals with the question regarding the historical beginnings of Mikulov and its castle, which is situated on the current border between Austria and Czech Republic. Recent archaeological excavations shed light on questions about the form and role of the predecessor of the medieval castle in wider regional context. This provided an opportunity to study in detail the settlement structures in the immediate vicinity of this princely castle. As study material were used findings from older and recent archaeological researches and its comparison. Relics of the original castle from the oldest cultural layers – destroyed wood structures and stone debris – were dated according dendrochronological data into the late phase of the 11th century. The support for this dating is based on accompanying minor finds from related cultural layers, especially on pottery fragments. The relics of the oldest fortified residence in Mikulov are at the same time evidence of the beginnings of the border formation between Přemyslid Principality and the Bavarian Eastern March. In the same time started the first activities in building the line of castles in the contact zone of these two power blocks. Princely castle in Mikulov is considered as an extended and control point or gateway on the important north-south trail. |
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