Archaeological research at Grodno Castle in Zagórze Śląskie from 2017 to 2019

Radosław Biel, Magdalena Konczewska, Paweł Konczewski

doi:10.37190/arc210402

Abstract

Although Grodno Castle (Kynsburg), located in the southern part of the Wałbrzych Mountains, due to its turbulent history has been popular since the 19th century, this fact has never translated into the level of advancement of the scientific studies devoted to it. Until recently, scientific research, especially excavations, was carried out to a very limited extent. The aim of the article is to present and discuss the results of archaeological research conducted in 2017–2019 and its correlation with the knowledge provided to us by written sources. For this purpose, the most important historical events related to the functioning of Grodno Castle are briefly discussed. Then, the results of analyzes of the nature and relative chronology of the stratigraphic layers forming the embankment located on the castle zwinger and lying in the courtyard of the upper castle are presented, along with summarizing the conclusions of the typological, morphological, chronological and comparative analyzes of the archaeological finds discovered during the excavations. As a result of these activities, in the case of the layers forming the embankment located on the zwinger, 6 phases of anthropogenic activity were distinguished, which were related to historical events, and an image of the material culture of the castle inhabitants and the changes taking place in it over more than seven centuries were obtained.