62 Aleksander Limisiewicz
was 11–13 cm. These are most likely to be areas of re-
moved or rotten joists and silted with sand.
In our opinion, the described layering system is a rem-
nant of a wooden structure dug into the ground to a depth
of about 1 m. It seems that the hollow was conducive to
the germination of the grain accumulated here, this was
also pointed out by the authors of a previous study [5].
From the second half of the 13
th
to the rst half of the
16
th
century, at least three phases were observed to ll the
originally dug-in building. We conjecture, the ground also
built up outside the building, constantly leaving the bot-
tom of its interior below the level of its courtyard.
The captured remains of the structure also require clar-
ication. Probably these were the wide draperies covering
the bottom of the object (F1 and D2) and the joists (C1).
These were most likely laid crosswise and created voids
below the oor drapes into which water dripped, silting
up the voids. This is an arrangement typical of rostrums,
where grains were germinated after being soaked in a vat.
A similar structure was exposed within Trench IIIF at
Ostrów Tumski in Wrocław [7] or in the Cistercian malt
house exposed in Świdnica [6].
It has been assumed that the alleged roasting plant con-
tinued in a southerly direction and was part of the malt
house occupying the plot of land at 24–25 Mennicza
Street, although it can be assumed that it may have been
the southern edge of the roasting plant built in Słodowa
Street (now Kazimierza Wielkiego Street).
On the basis of the surviving remains of timber structures
uncovered by the excavations, we can conclude with some
probability that they formed two building axes. One was
the surviving relics of cellars, arranged along a south-north
line at the eastern edge of the plot. The accompanying two
production lines were most likely diachronic. The second
axis of development may have been the rostrum (object
No. 17), located on the west side of the plot. Connecting the
two axes of development to the north may have been covered
production lines. In this case it would have been a saturated
development of a separate part of the plot. Together they
would have surrounded the maltings courtyard. We can
guess that there may have been a front building on the south
side, enclosing the circumferentially described workshop.
However, we do not know from which side the hearth was
adjacent to the roasting house. It was most likely located
directly adjacent to its outer contour [5].
We nd similarly shaped buildings on the Weihner plan
at the junction of Mennicza and Wierzbowa Streets, on the
north side (former Wehner barracks, 19 Mennicza Street).
We assume that the authors of the study of the Renais-
sance “Lord’s Malt House” had this particular develop-
ment in mind when writing about medieval malt houses
(Fig. 4). If we trace the character of the buildings in the
maltings quarter, we can nd more solutions of the kind
not found in other quarters of Wrocław. Particularly note-
worthy are the large rostrum buildings.
Complementing our considerations is an analysis of the
discovered pit 6, which represents the remains of a sec-
ond, younger line dating to the 14
th
–15
th
/16
th
century.
A description was included in the study of the results of
the research carried out at 24–25 Mint Street, as well as of
the other sites [8].
Within the prole of the site, layers Nos. 1–38 were
identied, mostly in a horizontal arrangement, being
the backlls of ramps leading from the south towards
the north, and successive relics of wooden vats used for
steeping malt (Nos. 1–2, No. 16, Nos. 21–22, No. 26,
No. 29, No. 32, No. 37). In plan, the building had an oval
outline, tapering on both sides on the south side, giving
it a ask or bowling pin shape. Its longitudinal axis was
oriented from south to north. Its overall length was 5.2 m
and its width was 2.8 m. The length of the oval part was
3.8 m. In its oor, concentric sandy layers of brown or
grey colour were observed, resulting from the presence
of added humus, decomposed wood or clay. In the central
part, an oval outline measuring 1.8 m × 1.9 m and lled
with yellow sand was observed. On the north–eastern side,
its course was partially eroded by a later trench.
In cross-section, the pit was approximately trough-
shaped, plunging stepwise towards the north (Fig. 5). Its
length was 5.2 m, and the total documented depth reached
1 m. The ll of the site consisted of successive horizon-
tally arranged layers, composed of sand, sand mixed with
humus and humus. Some of these contained decomposed
or burnt wood fragments and a small clay component.
Nine cardinal structural layers were distinguished during
the exploration. During the stratigraphic analysis carried
out, additional structural relics were further distinguished.
As the reconstructed building structures not only lay on
top of each other, but were also displaced within the cav-
ity, the analysed ll was divided into sectors, comprising
packages of layers related to the individual phases of use
of the cavity and ordered in a cycle of chronological suc-
cession. A simplied “realistic” prole will be used for the
description, comprising layers forming successive settle-
ment phases (Fig. 5). The strata will be numbered, possi-
bly in chronological sequence from the stratigraphically
oldest to the youngest. However, this is not the classic Ed-
ward C. Harris diagram [9], as the remains of imperma-
nent and demolished structures are described here. Hence
the impossibility of establishing multiple layers, but more
importantly of establishing the nature of the contacts oc-
curring between them. A continuous numbering of layers
in the reconstructed chronological sequence has been ad-
opted, realising that this perhaps includes hiatuses result-
ing from existing unrecorded destruction surfaces.
Fig. 4. Wrocław, Old Town,
17 Mennicza St., medieval malt
house (according to the
Weihners’ plan)
Il. 4. Wrocław, Stare Miasto,
ulica Mennicza 17, słodownia
średniowieczna (według planu
Weihnerów)