The archaeological supervision of constructional digging at the castle of Štanjel in the area of the east wing cellar of the lower palatium and in the castle courtyard took place in the years 2004 and 2006 respectively, unearthed considerable archaeological material. The findings, abundant in pottery and stove tiles as well as some artefacts in glass, metal and bone were awaiting categorization and archaeological evaluation. The scope of the work presented includes technological analysis and typological classification of the ceramics as the prevailing group among the findings and for all, glass and metal objects inclusive, steps were taken to determine the age and possible origin. The groups of pottery determined in the process include unglazed pottery, lead-glazed pottery as well as more sophisticated classes of tableware: engobed painted pottery, engraved pottery, maiolica and stoneware. Among the samples of fine tableware some imports from the region of Veneto, Friuli and central Italy were recognized, as well as some rare pieces from the German lands. A significant number of pieces of engraved pottery could be tied to central Slovenia. The stove tiles were exceptionally diverse with ornamented renaissance patterns classifiable to Central European space. The rare glass objects also possessed central European characteristics of that time. The results of the work give interesting insight into material culture of the second half of the 16th and the first half of the 17th century in the context of a castle environment.
|
