FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE

From Studies on Ancient Arms

and Armour Production Technology
 INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY
OF POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
D BRANCH

FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE

From Studies on Ancient Arms
and Armour Production Technology

Fasciculus XXVI

D 2013
 FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE EDITORIAL BOARD
1, TYLNA STREET, 90-364 D, POLAND

Edited by
JERZY MAIK

Secretary of the Editorial Board

KALINA SKRA

Editorial Committee
SVEN EKDAHL (Berlin, Germany), JAN KLPT (Praha, ech Republik),
JAN SZYMCZAK (d, Poland), WITOLD WITOSAWSKI (d, Poland)

Cover design and layout by

EMILIA WTORKIEWICZ-MAROSIK

Indexed in:
ERIH European Reference Index for the Humanities
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Copyright by Instytut Archeologii i Etnologii PAN, Warszawa

and Polska Akademia Nauk, Oddzia w odzi

This publication has been funded with support from the Polish Academy of Sciences

Printed in Poland
PL ISSN 0860-0007

Typesetting by
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Printed by Ocyna Wydawniczo-Reklamowa Sagalara, d 2013

Edition copies: 300
Professor Andrzej Zbierski (1926-2013)
 INDEX

Jerzy Maik
Preface ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Bartosz Kontny, Magdalena Natuniewicz-Sekua

Astonishing nds in a well-known site. Newly found spurs from Weklice (the Wielbark culture) ............................. 11

Leszek Klimek, Tomasz Kurasiski, Kalina Skra

Metallographic analyses of military items from the Early Medieval inhumation cemetery in Radom, Site 4 ............. 25

Artur Sierosawski, Wadysaw Weker

Non-destructive examination of spearheads from the cemetery in Koskie, the Koskie District ............................. 41

Tadeusz Grabarczyk, Olgierd awrynowicz

Falchion and its technology in Poland (14th-16th centuries) ....................................................................................... 51

Krzysztof Cackowski, Marek Koyszko, Pawe Kucypera, Marcin Wiewira

Plates from Radzy Chemiski ................................................................................................................................... 63

Mt Varga
Medieval rearm mouldings from Visegrd (Hungary) ............................................................................................... 75

Leszek Klimek, Janusz Stpiski, Piotr Strzy, Grzegorz abiski

Late medieval wrought iron rearms from the Museum in Biecz ............................................................................... 83

Piotr Czubla, Piotr Strzy

Rock materials in the manufacture of cannonballs in Poland selected examples ..................................................... 99

List of Authors ..................................................................................................................................................................... 111

 FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE
FASC. XXVI, PL ISSN 0860-0007
JERZY MAIK
PREFACE
In archaeological literature, a steady growth has been
observed for some time in the interest in specialized archae-
ological find testing. Archaeologists have come to the con-
clusion that further thorough studies into the past will be
impossible or at least more difficult without the knowledge
obtained from such tests.
Fasciculi Archaeologiae Historicae, fascicle XXVI,
provides the reader with a selection of studies on recent
ancient arms and armour production technology research.
The first paper differs slightly from the following contri-
butions. Firstly, it deals with the Roman period while the
others are devoted to the weapons of the Middle Ages.
Secondly, it discusses the examination of spurs, which can-
not be considered part of arms and armour sensu stricto, but
are a kind of equestrian equipment. Spurs, however, remain
so closely related to the mounted warrior that including
a paper devoted to them in the present publication should
not create discord. I will say straight away that the tests
performed led to surprising conclusions on the origin of the
spurs examined and refer anyone interested in the subject to
the article in question.
The three following papers, dealing with medieval
offensive weapons, do not contain such spectacular analysis
results. However, we are of the opinion that they will be used
by other scholars in the course of future research.
The next article is devoted to the knights coat of
plates. It discusses the tests which led to its reconstruction,
the ornamentation included, and suggested that the find was
of local provenance.
The three last contributions refer to firearms pro-
duction. The first paper constitutes an introductory
publication of a metallurgical workshop dating back to
the beginning of the 15th century and discovered during
the archaeological excavation conducted in Visegrd, Hun-
gary, where barrels, most probably for handguns and long
guns, had been cast. This discovery requires a number of
specialized tests and the paper in question only signals
its appearance.
Specialized tests were performed in the case of two large
heavy iron guns held in the museum in Biecz. The results
show that both the finds may have been made locally.
The last paper deals with medieval stone cannonballs
on the example of finds from Bolesawiec-on-Prosna,
Chojnice, Czuchw and Puck. Although local materials
were used to make the projectiles, the choice of them was
not purely accidental.
We do not expect this limited selection of papers
devoted to ancient arms and armour production technology
to mark a turning point in the discussion of the subject mat-
ter in question. However, if the present publication evokes
interest among scholars arms and armour researchers,
archaeologists and historians and demonstrates the hidden
potentials of archaeological finds, we shall assume that the
goals set here have been accomplished.
The fascicle you are holding in your hands has been
dedicated to the late Professor Andrzej Zbierski, an archae-
ologist and a historian, who had worked for many years
at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Pol-
ish Academy of Sciences in d and Gdask to sub-
sequently become the Director of the Central Maritime
Museum in Gdask. Thanks to his masters thesis, entitled
Wczesnoredniowieczne grnictwo i hutnictwo w wietle
materiaw z grodziska czyckiego, prepared under the
supervision of Professor Konrad Jadewski and published
in Studia Wczesnoredniowieczne, volume III, in 1955,
Professor Andrzej Zbierski had become the forerunner
of metal science research in Polish archaeology.
d, October 2013
(translated by Zuzanna Poklewska-Parra)
 FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE
FASC. XXVI, PL ISSN 0860-0007

MT VARGA

MEDIEVAL FIREARM MOULDINGS FROM VISEGRD (HUNGARY)

Preface
The archaeological relics of the city have been tar-
nished because of the magnificence of the castle and palace
in Visegrd, but there were lately possibilities to explore
the buildings and objects, therefore we became a clearer
picture of late medieval life in Visegrd1. Several artefacts
and objects had been discovered earlier, that told us about
medieval handicrafts. Gergely Buzs and Istvn Kovts
excavated a workshop survival in 2006, which artefact is
inserted in this line2. The workhouse is datable for the first
third of the 15th century on the basis the turned up coins and
the stratigraphy, it is a unique artefact in Hungarian arche-
ology with the smelter and artefacts inside.

The excavation
The date of the excavation was 2006, when there was
a rescue excavation on the plot in F street 73. (Fig. 1)3.
There used to be a house on this plot before and they would
build a new one with a basement, so there was an oppor-
tunity to explore the area. The basement of the proposed
new house was excavated with four square during the exca-
vation, while ground-penetrating radar mensuration was
made with negative result on the eastern side of the plot.
Several archaeological periods and objects were seized on
the area of the four segments from the beginning of the 14th
century until the 18th century.

Fig. 1. The reconstruction of 15th century Visegrd. After O. Ms-

1
Latest summary of archeological and historic research of zros 2009, p. 287.
the town see: O. Mszros, A ks kzpkori Visegrd vros tr-
tnete s helyrajza (The history and topography of late medieval The found archaeological feature and objects start at
Visegrd town), Visegrd 2009.
2
The excavation made by Hungarian National Museum
this place in the 14th century, sith archaeological substrate
King Matthias Museum (Visegrd). has not been found from the previous Arpadian Age4.
3
Present article deals only with the excavation of the lower A pitched way belonging to the first half of the 14th century,
part of the plot since the upper part was excavated in 2006. On the east from the object there is a round superstructure with
upper part of the plot, close to the hill F street 69-79 a church
hedging wall, two cesspits and a burnt faced walkaway.
of Visegrd from the Late Middle Ages can be found where ar-
chaeological excavations took place many times. For identica- The road surface has been refilled around the middle
tion of excavation taken place on the upper part of the plot see: of the 14th century and a soled timber house was built on it
G. Buzs, Visegrd egyik kzpkori templomnak feltrsa (Exca- with a stone-oven.
vation of a Medieval church from Visegrd),
Visegrd) Memlkvdelem,
Vol. 2007/1, pp. 43-54; G. Buzs, O. Mszros, A kzpkori Vi-
segrd egyhzainak rgszeti kutatsai (Archeological research of 4
A copper pierced coin by III. Bla (1172-1196) Hungarian
churches of Medieval Visegrd), Magyar Sion j folyam, Vol. 2 king, was found at the excavation area but it has to regarded as
(44), 2008/1, pp. 92-97; O. Mszros, op. cit., pp. 46-48 and 206. side artefact.

75
 MT VARGA
Fig. 2. View of the workshop with the found objects/places.
The next period is placed in the first third of the 15th
century, when a piling was built vice the timber house, and
it was used by as a brazier-workhouse. They found inside
the workhouse three dinky smelters and one stove (Fig. 2).
This workhouse was terminated during the 15th century
and a timber house was built again, which one could L-shape
and ballast covered the yard. A way ran along in this period
in the 15th-16th centuries on the northern side of the build-
ing, which one went to east to the church. The main street
of the city settled down west from the building. An other
timber house was visible east from the building, which stood
in the end of the 15th beginning of the 16th century.
The buildings were perished in the Turkish period, and
a farmhouse was built next time in the second half of the
18th century and it was improved several times5.
5
Brief overview about excavated objects: G. Buzs, op. cit.,
p. 45 and the preliminary report of the excavations: M. Varga,
Elzetes jelents a Visegrdon feltrt bronznt mhelyrl
(Preliminary report about excavated bronzemoulding workshop
from Visegrd),, Altum Castrum Online, 2012: http://archeo-
logia.hu/content/archeologia/59/varga-m-visegradi-bronzonto-
muhely-1.pdf.
76
The findings
On the excavation were dredged up rich and various
findings, part of the material can be connected to the work-
house, other part of the material could get to the upper fill
lamina of the workhouse.
Numerous iron findings are known from the excava-
tion, but they have not been restored yet, that is why we
cannot tell a lot about them. There are several more or less
spurs, horseshoes, keys, locks, hinges, chisels, knives,
hooks and buckle in this category classified.
We can find in the copper- and bronze objects sev-
eral buckles, jewelleries and accessories rings, chaplets,
studs, pins, strap ends with varied forms and functions.
Three lead seals were found on the excavation, and one of
them has been ascertained. The lead seal was set on a baize
baleand, which came from the city of Tournai (Flandrien,
today Belgien) to the territory of the Hungarian Kingdom6.
6
M. Varga, Ks kzpkori rmek Visegrd F u. 73. lel-
helyrl, s elzetes anyagvizsglati eredmnyeik (Late medieval
coins from Visegrd, F street 73., and preliminary results of ma-
terial testing), 2011, pp. 13-15 (manuscript, in press). Similar lead
seal known from Solt-Ttelhegy: J. Szentpteri, A solti Ttelhegy
 MEDIEVAL FIREARM MOULDINGS FROM VISEGRD (HUNGARY)

Fig. 3. One half of a brass sabretaches lock. Drawing by Zsolt

Nyri.

A bronze candelabrum, thimble, pins, bronze plates and sil-

ver, bronze and lead ornaments are listed here. One half of
a bronze sabretache is an unwonted and special find (Fig. 3).
The object is U-shapen, there are 5 holes in a round and the
studs are already missing from it. Leather or some weft was
fixed to the studs. From the interlock of the sabretache left
a hooked ending, it was probably cut in the missing other Fig. 4. Pieces of a large graphite material melting pot.
loopy side. Two little studs are found on the two sides of the
object, with which one would the other half of the object is
fixed and it made of the open the sabretache7.
Large and various pottery were turned up on the exca-
vation. Jars and mouldjars are surely switched to the work-
house. Graphite triangular mouldjars turned up usually
from goldsmith workshops8. They turned up here too in dif-
ferent sizes (several jar splinters), they were jars for metal
smelting and casting (Fig. 4). Different shaped, rounded
jars turned up too (half a dozen complete and fragmentary
pieces) (Fig. 5), which probably were not used for smelting
and casting9. The so-called table ware (pots, lids, cups,

trtnete az skortl napjainkig (The history of Solt-Ttelhegy

from prehistory to present days)
days),, Mzeumr, Vol. VIII/1., (2010
tavasz) p. 6, and Verbal Communication by Gyrgy V. Szkely.
7
The closest relation to the object can be found from the
ndings of Bajcsa castle. From these ndings two have the same
shape but the sabretache locks were made from iron: L. Vndor,
Vndor
The iron, wood and ivory objects of Bajcsa Castle,
Castle [in:] Weitscha/
Bajcsa Fortress. A Styrian-type Fort in Hungary during the Sec-
ond Half of the Sixteenth Century,
Century, ed. Gy. Kovcs, Zalaegerszeg
2002, pp. 87 and 129. Fig. 5. Small round jar.
8
From the excavated graphited jars experts can conclude
the function of a workshop or the work of goldsmiths. But many
times only objects are found at the plots not buildings there- glasses, bowls, mugs, jugs, glazed pots) set out the big-
fore only these ndings can prove the existence of a goldsmith ger segment of the pottery material. The pottery types of
workshop. the period 14th-15th centuries are in evidence here too,
9
We know similar jars from the royal palace at Visegrd, as
well as from Pter Grf and Dniel Grh excavated glass maker
workshop (Visegrd, F street 34.) P. Grf, D. Grh, Az vegmeg- Visegrd 1997, pp. 7-8, g. 363-364. Similar jar is described from
munkls kzpkori emlkei (Medieval relics of the glass-work- Buda castle Imre Holl: I. Holl, Mittelalterliche Funde aus einem
ing), [in:] Kzpkori vegek (Medieval glasses)
glasses), ed. E. Mester, Brunnen von Buda, Budapest 1996, p. 42, g. 6:10.

77
 MT VARGA
Fig. 6. Stove excavated from the norther part of the workshop.
and the material shows similarity with other pottery find-
ings from Visegrd. Tiles of stove and stove decorations
turned up relatively in force. We can find in the previously
vessel-, mug,- and onion-shaped, but in the late age from the
period of King Sigismund, and stoves from Anjou-period.
The turned up tile of stove prove that there was not fancy
stoves only in the palaces and castles, in cities and in house
of well-off citizens.
Finds, wich suggests bones processing were found on
several places of the excavation area. Stumpy cowshank
ends, wrought, scoury bones signify, that bonebeads were
made, but they probably made other products too. It prob-
ably isnt about permanent bonesprocessing workshop, they
rather occassionally made boneproducts.
Glasses were found in fragmentary state , they
can find cups, bottles and vials in these. We can find bet-
ter quality product from Venice (or Venices shaped home
made), but it occures lower quality regional product.
Rich coins material has been published on the exca-
vation10. We can find coins from the reign of Lewis (I.)
the Great to Wadysaw II., which mostly throw back the
money circulation of the period. The content of the materi-
10
Previous studies on composition and detailed processing
of collection of coins see: M. Varga, Ks kzpkori rmek their remaind height is 30-40 centimetres. The smelters
78
als was made on the coins. The test was tended primarily to
stipulate the exact content of the materials of the late medi-
eval coins (mostly silver and silver-copper alloy), the prov-
enance, on the strength of we could stipulate the coins with-
out any mark of the mint.
The workhouse
A yellow loamy trampled surface is perceptible in the
whole workhouse, from where, or rather from the fill stra-
tum came up lots of charcoal, molten copper, copper slag,
jars and mould parcels. The workhouse remains were seized
mostly in the 2006/4. square, but it reached to the 2006/3.
square. The mounting walls were built of wood, the work-
shop could open the east. Some serious stone building may
have belonged to the workhouse, but unfortunately this one
hasnt been explored yet. In the north end of the square
came up an oven (Fig. 6), in which one could happen the
re-temper of the bronze. From this way came up the smelter
Nr. 1. in the south, with southern orifice. The smelter Nr. 2.
was found southwest from the oven, with northern orifice.
The smelter Nr. 3. was found southwest way from the other
two, with something like wester orifice (Fig. 7).
All of the three smelters show roughly the same struc-
ture: they were built of bricks, square-shaped, they were
scooped in the ground, their size is 30x40 centimetres,
 MEDIEVAL FIREARM MOULDINGS FROM VISEGRD (HUNGARY)

are unique finds in our country, because to our know-

ledge, in the territory of present-day Hungary havent been
excavated such smelters yet11. Their identification happens
mostly about written sources12. According to the opinion
of the visual and written sources, to the revealed smelt-
ers belong so called shaft-furnaces, this one included the
streaming-furnaces, from which the molten material per-
manently flew to the fore-oven. The more exact definiton of
the smelters (in the scientific bibliography these are called
the pests as well) is: copper-refreshing furnace or binary
alloy-furnace of copper and plummer (Fig. 8). The copper is
smelted in these with the help of plummer, silver-scum and
charcoal, then it is alloyed with plummer and tin. After it
the bronze will be poured into loaf-shaped moulders. Smelt-
ers signify shallow furnaces with an open breast, where
there is a nose-opening in the back wall of the smelter and
a tap on the front side for the smelted metal pouring out.
The spandrel of the smelter was built maximum 5 feet high
(approx. 150 centimetre)13 for putting in the smelting mate-
rial easily. According to the contemporary sources theirs
inner size had to be approx. 50x62 centimetres and the fur-
nace used to broaden upwards14.
Fig. 7. Smelter Nr. 1.
The moulds
The moulds made of clay were excavated from almost together from two pieces. Then in the middle of this cylin-
every part of the plot. Generally speaking these artefacts were drical mould was placed an other cylindrical-shaped tube,
excavated in a fragmentary condition; this made theirs iden- this one gave the round form from inside. So the smelted
tification more difficult. Firstly we thought that it was about bronze could be poured from above into the mould, this way
moulds of a kind of tube and as it turned out later, we had was produced the tube. On the bottom or on the top of the
not been so far from the truth. The identification of the find- mould was taken a clay-plug to prevent the bronze pouring
ings was hard, because such things have not been discovered out or the contamination coming in. After this, when it was
yet at any rate we dont know something like these from necessary, the inside of the tube could be formed by perfora-
published assemblage. Among the moulds there are some tion, respectively the superfluous materials (burrs) during
smaller ones and bigger ones as well, theirs cross-sectional the moulding were taken away from outside.
view is a circle, a squadre or hexagonal; thats why we can Several metal objects were tested by Zoltn May (Hun-
suppose that during the excavation were found the casting garian Academy of Sciences Institute of Materials and
moulds of several objects (Fig. 9). Every mould could be put Enviromental Chemistry) and Mria Tth (Hungarian
Academy of Sciences Institute for Geological and Geo-
chemical Research) with the XRF (X-ray fluorescence)
11
Presumably a similar function but different shaped (round)
smelter was excavated by Emese Lovsz and Mikls Makoldi at investigational method. The content of the materials by one
Disgyr-Vrfrd in 2006, the ndings are dated to the 16th-17th of the objects there was some bronze molden sticked in
centuries. Verbal Communication by Mikls Makoldi and E. Lo- the mould was 70% copper and 17% tin. An other simi-
vsz, A disgyri vr (Disgyr castle)
castle),, Vrak, kastlyok, temp- lar moulding-piece contained 62% copper and 13% tin.
lomok, Vol. 2008/2, pp. 4-7.
12
Mainly based on the works of Theophilus elder and Geor-
In addition both mouldings contained in a smaller quantity
gius Agricola: P. Theophilus, A klnfle mvessgekrl (On va- zinc, stibium, plummer, nickel and iron. On the strength of
rious arts).. With the notes and preface of V. Takcs, Budapest this we can state that for the moulding it was used the so-
1986; G. Agricola, Tizenkt knyv a bnyszatrl s kohszatrl called potin, which was very current in the Middle Ages,
De re metallica).
(De metallica). Translated by R. Becht, ed. L. Molnr, Buda-
inter alia these proportions were used by the moulding of
pest 1985.
13
Foot metre unit, there are many different types but the churchbells. In our days by the moulding of churchbells the
most frequently used is 1 foot=31,6 centimetre. requirement of the proportion is even 77-80% copper and
14
G. Agricola, op. cit.,, pp. 372-376, 404-406, 502-505, Figs. 20-23 tin15.
198 and 253. The work of Agricola was born almost 100 years
later then the operation of the workshop, nevertheless, this is the
most useful source. The workshop, stove and smelter descriptions 15
E. Benk, Erdly kzpkori harangjai s bronz kereszte-
are not quite the same as the ones found in Visegrd. Further stud- lmedenci (Medieval bells and bronze baptismal fonts of Transy-
ies are in progress. lvania), Budapest-Kolozsvr 2002, pp. 35-47.

79
 MT VARGA
About the early firearms
The first memoirs about the early hand-held firearms
are dated back to the middle of the 14th century, as long as
in Hungary we know the first memoirs about these from
the end of the 14th from the beginning of the 15th cen-
tury. These arms were smaller then cannons, so we cannot
regard these ones as real hand-held firearms, either. These
were principally a transition between the two types, prob-
ably that is the reason why these weapons were called hand-
guns. Theirs firepower was small yet and it was impossible
to shoot punctually with them. The handgun was not very
useful in a battle, thats why it was rather used by the siege.
The enemy was frightened first of all by the explosions,
the fire and the smoke. Later, in the 15th century even the
horsemen began to use this type of weapon. The early arms
were made from copper and iron, later this place was taken
over by the bronze. In those times it could not be mould from
iron without any air-bubbles. But at the beginning of the 15th
century it was turned back to the wrought iron tubes. The
majority of the early arms was laid on a sort of stand or plat-
form (more often on a wooden one). Mostly it was all about
dinky ones, which were fixed to the platform with a band or
it was put a haft into the empty tail of the gun16. In the opin-
ion of the experts the gun of Tannenberg was the oldest one
before, but it has been discovered ultimately a similar gun
16
J. Lugs, Handfeuerwaffen Systematischer berblick
ber die Handfeuerwaffen und ihre Geschichte
Geschichte, Vol. 1, Berlin
1982, pp. 11-14; J. Kalmr, Rgi magyar fegyverek (Old Hungar-
ian weapons),, Budapest 1971, pp. 192-193.
80
Fig. 8. Copper and lead combining fur-
nace. After G. Agricola, 1985. g. 253.
made from bronze in the castle of Otep (Estonia), which
is dated back to the year of 1396, so far this handgun is the
oldest hand-held firearm17. The latest elaboration of the
Hungarian hackbuts is the work of Istvn Figura, whereas
the bronze guns from Poland have been resumed recently
by Piotr Strzy18.
We cannot take cognizance surely of it which type of
arms the excavated moulds in Visegrd belonged to. In the
Hungarian assemblage almost every manual bronze firearm
is fragmentary. The length of the barrel by the only undam-
aged piece (Mostar) is 56 centimetres, whereas the other
ones are 6,311,530 centimetres long. These were exca-
vated in Visegrd, in Vc and in Nagykanizsa, and the sta-
tion of either of them is unknown. Every barrel is octogonal,
theirs calibre is between 11-13-16-18 millimetres19. There are
more possibilites, because among the moulds there are some
ones with round and octogonal cross-sectional view as well.
But it seems to be sure that we have got such a hand-held
firearm made from bronze, which size is smaller than the
iron-made ones, and only one person might use it. The barrel
17
A. Mesalu, Weapons in Otep castle in 1396, Castella
Maris Baltici, Vol. V, 2001, pp. 93-94.
18
I. Figura, Harquebuses in Hungary, Thesis, PTE BTK De-
partment of Archaeology, Pcs 2010; P. Strzy, Einige Bemerkun-
gen ber mittelalterliche Feuerwaffenwendung in Polen, Studia
Universitas Cibiniensis, Series Historica Supplementum No. 1,
2011, pp. 139-145.
19
K. Kozk, A magyarorszgi szakllas puskk fejldstr-
tnetrl (From the Hungarian harquebuses genetic), Archaeo-
logiai rtest, Vol. 101, 1974, pp. 290-291.
MEDIEVAL FIREARM MOULDINGS FROM VISEGRD (HUNGARY)

Fig. 9. Mouldings.

81
 MT VARGA

might attenuate from the end to the muzzle and probably it
could be a muzzle-loading one. Its calibre might be between
19-24 millimetres. There are some pieces among the mould-
fragments which ones have not succeeded in already iden-
tificating, so we can attempt yet the whole reconstruction.
Conclusion
Several branches can be attached to te metal-work in
Visegrd, and we have got for almost everyone archaeologi-
cal data. We know a blacksmith, a moneyer, a bell founder
and a goldsmith as well20.
There are several objects in the assemblage of the work-
house that suppose the existence of a workshop for bronze
casting/bronzesmith/weapon-smelter. The several dozens
of crucibles and melting pots in different sizes and forms,
workshop garbages and castings, together with the more
than fifty casting moulds refer us not only to the creating
of smaller works, but of barrels (maybe hand-held firearms
too) in this workshop in the first third of the 15th century.
Several sources can testify that the firearms were already in
use in the first half of the 15th century, these sources men-
tion among others gunsmiths and weapon-smelters in Koice
(Kassa) and in Bratislava (Pozsony)21. Barrels became harder
and more solid when copper was alloyed with tin, it is proved
by the material content tests of the castings as well. The bar-
rels were made from potin like the majority of the medi-
eval churchbells.22 Moreover was going on in the workshop
occasionally the forgery of coins of Sigismunds Age23, and
it could be make some smaller bronzesmith-works too. Dur-
ing the putting down of the oven more exactly below the
fireplace was turned up a coin from the period of King
Sigismund too, and so we can state that the fireplace together
with the furnaces and the working of the workshop could not
be in function earlier than the 1430s.24
In the Hungarian archaeological assemblage it have not
been proved so far similar excavated smelters and such work-
shops specialised for making guns only a cannon-founder
workhouse is known -, so the excavated workhouse in Viseg-
rd dated on the first third of the 15th century is a unique
artefact in the medieval archaeological research anyway.
The particular elaboration of the assemblage is expected fur-
ther on in some minor and major studies and monographies.
Translated by Katalin Horvth and Krisztin Szigetvri

Streszczenie

redniowieczne formy odlewnicze broni palnej z Wyszehradu (Visegrd) na Wgrzech

Pracowni metalurgiczn w Visegrdzie tworzyo kilka
dziaw (zakad kowalski, mennica, ludwisarnia i warsztat
zotniczy) i prawie dla kadego z nich dysponujemy danymi
archeologicznymi. Wrd odkrytych w pracowni znajduje
si kilka takich, ktre wiadcz o istnieniu w tym miejscu
odlewni brzu i broni oraz kowalstwa brzowego.
Kilkadziesit tygli i naczy odlewniczych o rnych
rozmiarach i formie, odpadki produkcyjne i odlewy, razem
z ponad 50 egzemplarzami form odlewniczych wiadcz
o produkcji w tym warsztacie w 1. tercji XV. stulecia nie
tylko drobnych przedmiotw, ale take i luf (najprawdopo-
dobniej broni rcznej).
Kilka rde pisanych powiadcza uycie broni pal-
nej w 1 po. XV w. Wspominaj one take o kowalach
i odlewnikach wytwarzajcych bro paln w Koszycach
i w Bratysawie.
Z przeprowadzonych bada wynika, e lufy
staj si bardziej wytrzymae, kiedy mied czy si
z cyn, co zostao udowodnione na podstawie ana-
liz prbek odleww. Lufy produkowano z spiu,
podobnie jak wikszo redniowiecznych dzwonw.
W omawianym warsztacie sporadycznie rw-
nie faszowano monety Zygmunta Luksemburskiego
oraz produkowano mniejsze przedmioty z brzu. Pod-
czas eksploracji pieca, dokadniej pod paleniskiem,
20
O. Mszros, op. cit., pp. 39-41.
znaleziono monet z czasw krla Zygmunta Luk-
semburskiego, co pozwala stwierdzi, e pracownia
nie moe datowana wczeniej ni na lata 30. XV w.
W materiaach archeologicznych z terenu Wgier nie
ujawniono, jak do tej pory, podobnego warsztatu i pra-
cowni specjalizujcej si w produkcji broni; znani s nato-
miast tylko wytwrcy broni. Opisany kompleks z Vise-
grdu, datowany na 1. tercj XV w., jest wic odkryciem
unikatowym. Planowane jest szczegowe opracowa-
nie zbioru znalezisk w mniejszych i wikszych studiach
i monografiach.
21
F. Temesvry, Pisztolyok. A Magyar Nemzeti Mzeum tzi-
fegyver-gyjtemnye I. (Pistols. The Hungarian National Museums
re weapons collection I.), Budapest 1988, pp. 14-15; K. Kozk,
op. cit., p. 298, K. Kozk, Magyar nylbets szakllas puskk
(Hungarian harquebuses with stocks), Folia Archaeologica,
Vol. IX, 1957, p. 167. Even Kozk Kroly noted that in the beginning
of the 15th century the production of bronze made hand-held rearms
started in the Hungarian Kingdom. There are accounts about it.
22
From the collection of Visegrd Museum we know pieces
from bronze harquebuses rearms: Inv. nr.: 55.4564. and 61.7.9.15.
23
M. Varga, Ks kzpkori rmek Flat, small and round
pieces were cut out from the copper plates which were made into
fake coins with the help of coining die. Parvus, quarting and de-
narius sized at discs were cut out from copper plates.
24
Inv. nr.: 2010.1.1.28. CNH II. 124. A, H 578. (CNH II.= L.
Rthy, Corpus Nummorum Hungariae. II., Budapest, 1907; H=
L. Huszr, Mnzkatalog Ungarn von 1000 bis Heute, Budapest
1979); This coin of Sigismund was minted only from 1427.

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 FASCICULI ARCHAEOLOGIAE HISTORICAE
FASC. XXVI, PL ISSN 0860-0007

LIST OF AUTHORS:

KRZYSZTOF CACKOWSKI TOMASZ KURASISKI

Institute of Archaeology Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toru of Polish Academy of Sciences
Szosa Bydgoska 44/48 Tylna 1
Pl-87-100 Toru Pl-90-364 d
krzysztof.cackowski@wp.pl tomasz.kurasinski@wp.pl

PIOTR CZUBLA OLGIERD AWRYNOWICZ

Faculty of Geographical Sciences Institute of Archaeology of the University of d
of the University of d Uniwersytecka 3
Laboratory of Geology Pl-90-137 d
Narutowicza 88 olgierdlawrynowicz@uni.lodz.pl
Pl-90-139 d
piczubla@geo.uni.lodz.pl MAGDALENA NATUNIEWICZ-SEKUA
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology
TADEUSZ GRABARCZYK of Polish Academy of Sciences
Institute of History of the University of d Al. Solidarnoci 105
A. Kamiskiego 27a Pl-00-140 Warszawa
PL-90-219 d magnat@iaepan.edu.pl
tadeuszgrabarczyk@gmail.com m_natuniewicz@yahoo.com

LESZEK KLIMEK ARTUR SIEROSAWSKI

Institute of Materials Science and Engineering State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw
Lodz University of Technology Duga 52
Stefanowskiego 1/15 Pl- 00-241 Warszawa
Pl-90-924 d arthur.sieroslawski@gmail.com
leszek.klimek@p.lodz.pl
KALINA SKRA
MAREK KOYSZKO Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology
Institute of Archaeology of Polish Academy of Sciences
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toru Tylna 1
Szosa Bydgoska 44/48 Pl-90-364 d
PL-87-100 Toru kalina.skora@tlen.pl
kolmark@op.pl
JANUSZ STPISKI
BARTOSZ KONTNY AGH University of Science and Technology
Institute of Archaeology of University of Warsaw Faculty of Metals Engineering
Krakowskie Przedmiecie 26/28 and Industrial Computer Science
Pl-00-927 Warszawa Al. Mickiewicza 30
bartosz.kontny@uw.edu.pl Pl-30-059 Krakw
stepinsk@agh.edu.pl
PAWE KUCYPERA
Institute of Archaeology PIOTR STRZY
Nicolaus Copernicus University Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology
Szosa Bydgoska 44/48 of Polish Academy of Sciences
Pl-87-100 Toru Tylna 1
squaredrops@gmail.com Pl-90-364 d
piotr_strzyz@wp.pl
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 MT VARGA GRZEGORZ ABISKI
Rippl-Rnai Mzeum Academy of Jan Dugosz
H-7400 Kaposvr, F u. 10. Institute of History
vargamate12@gmail.com Armii Krajowej 36a
Pl-42-200 Czstochowa
WADYSAW WEKER Archeo-Logos
State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw Mieszka I 30
Duga 52 Pl-41-106 Siemianowice lskie
Pl- 00-241 Warszawa g.zabinski@gmail.com
wweker@op.pl

MARCIN WIEWIRA
Institute of Archaeology
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toru
Szosa Bydgoska 44/48
Pl-87-100 Toru
mwiewiora@wp.pl

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