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Discovery of 700-Year-Old Gothic Statue in Spanish Riverbed Sheds Light on Medieval History

by Kim
written by Kim

700-Year-Old Gothic Statue Found in Spanish Riverbed

Discovery

In a remarkable discovery, a fisherman in Galicia, Spain, stumbled upon a rare medieval statue depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus in the Sar River near Santiago de Compostela. Fernando Brey noticed an oddly shaped stone while fishing for trout and realized it was a religious icon.

Identification and Dating

After sending photos to Ana Paula Castor of the local Apatrigal heritage association, the statue was identified as a Gothic-style religious icon. Initial analysis by Castor and Galicia’s Ministry of Culture dated the statue to the 14th century, making it potentially over 700 years old.

Description

The moss-covered statue, sculpted out of granite, weighs approximately 330 pounds. It portrays Mary seated on a throne with her child resting on her lap. Two worn angels sit on her shoulders, holding up her cape. The statue’s base is adorned with four-petaled flowers and acanthus leaves, suggesting it may have once been attached to a wall.

Historical Significance

The statue’s discovery in Conxo, a community near Santiago de Compostela, has sparked speculation that it may have originated from a now-lost church and pilgrimage site. Santiago de Compostela is the final destination on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, and Conxo lies on its outskirts.

Removal and Analysis

Workers removed the statue from the riverbed and transported it to the Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago for cleaning and further study. Researchers will analyze the statue to determine its exact age, origins, and historical significance.

Missing Features

Both Mary and Jesus are missing their faces, possibly removed in an attempt to desanctify the icon. The removal of these features suggests the statue may have been the target of religious vandalism.

Cultural and Historical Value

According to Galicia’s regional minister of culture, Román Rodríguez, the statue’s discovery holds immense cultural and historical value. Beyond its artistic merit, the statue offers a glimpse into Galicia’s medieval past and the role of religion in the region.

Uncovering the Story

Researchers aim to uncover the story behind the statue’s creation, abandonment, and rediscovery. They hope to shed light on why it remained undiscovered for so long near the city and what its presence reveals about Santiago de Compostela’s history.

Ongoing Research

The statue’s discovery has ignited excitement among historians and archaeologists. Ongoing research will provide further insights into its origins, significance, and the story of its rediscovery in the Sar River.

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Remarkable Gold Book Discovery Linked to King Richard III and the Middleham Jewel

by peter
written by peter

Tiny Gold Book Found in English Field May Have Ties to Richard III

Discovery of a Remarkable Artifact

Buffy Bailey and her husband, Ian, were excited to begin their treasure hunt on farmland near York, England. Using a metal detector, Bailey stumbled upon a small gold object shaped like a book. Weighing less than an ounce and measuring half an inch in length, the artifact appeared to date back to the 15th century.

Identification and Significance

Experts at the Yorkshire Museum identified the figures depicted in the book’s open “pages” as Saints Leonard and Margaret, patron saints of childbirth. This discovery suggests that the gold book may have been worn by a woman for protection during pregnancy and childbirth.

Possible Connection to Richard III

The gold book was unearthed near Sheriff Hutton Castle, a former home of King Richard III. Experts speculate that the ornate object may have been owned by a relative of the king, possibly his wife, Anne Neville. The book’s similarity to the Middleham Jewel, a 15th-century gold pendant found near Richard’s childhood home, strengthens this connection.

Historical Context and Sumptuary Laws

During the 15th century, sumptuary laws prohibited anyone other than the nobility from carrying gold. This suggests that the gold book belonged to someone of high status, such as a member of the royal family.

Provenance and Ownership

Exactly how the gold book and the Middleham Jewel ended up lost in fields remains a mystery. Experts believe the owners may have intentionally buried them as acts of thanks or grief related to childbirth, or as a precaution during the English Reformation, when owning such religious images posed risks.

Kathleen Kennedy’s Perspective

Kathleen Kennedy, an expert on medieval and early modern material culture, disputes the claim that the gold book represents a Bible. She argues that English goldsmiths would have engraved well-known scriptural text onto the volume if they intended it to be identified as such.

Richard III’s Reign and Legacy

King of England from 1483 to 1485, Richard III was the last ruler of the House of York. His defeat at the Battle of Bosworth Field marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. Richard’s guilt in the death of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, remains a subject of debate.

Significance of the Find

The gold book is a unique and valuable find. Its potential connection to Richard III and its similarity to the Middleham Jewel make it an important historical artifact. Experts at the Yorkshire Museum are studying the book to learn more about its provenance and significance.

Potential Monetary Value

According to Buffy Bailey, the gold book could be worth over £100,000 (about $134,900). The museum may decide to purchase the object after it has been assessed and valued, with proceeds split between Bailey and the farmland’s owner.

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History

Medieval Ink Pen Discovery Sheds Light on Surprising Literacy in Ireland

by peter
written by peter

Medieval Ink Pen Discovery Reveals Surprising Literacy in Ireland

Discovery of the Oldest Known Ink Pen in Ireland

Archaeologists excavating a medieval stone fort in western Ireland have made a groundbreaking discovery – the oldest known ink pen ever found in the country. The writing tool, crafted from a hollow bone barrel with a copper-alloy point (nib), was unearthed in an 11th-century layer of sediment at Caherconnell Cashel in County Clare.

Significance of the Pen

The discovery is significant because literacy in Ireland was generally associated with the Christian church during this period. However, the pen was found in a secular setting, suggesting that literacy may have been more widespread than previously believed.

Construction and Use of the Pen

The pen’s construction is distinct from the feather quills commonly used by literate individuals in medieval Europe. Historian and calligrapher Tim O’Neill suggests that it may have been used for drawing fine lines, such as ruling straight lines to frame a page.

Evidence of Secular Literacy

Other discoveries made at the fort, such as evidence of fine craftworking, metalwork, games, and music, support the theory that the pen was used for secular purposes. Researchers believe it may have been used to record family lineages and trade transactions.

Comparison to Other Pens

While the artifact is the earliest complete example of a composite pen found in the British Isles, researchers have knowledge of both older and more recent related designs. During the Roman occupation of Britain, people sometimes used pens made entirely of a copper alloy. In England, archaeologists have also found both copper-alloy nibs without bone barrels and vice versa, typically dating to between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Testing the Pen’s Functionality

To determine whether the artifact could have actually been used for writing, archaeologist Adam Parsons of Blueaxe Reproductions constructed a replica. Testing confirmed that the object would have worked as a dip pen.

Historical Context: Monastic Literacy in Ireland

In early medieval Ireland, writing was an essential aspect of monastic life. Scribes, trained by copying their mentors’ work, inscribed words into wax tablets with a metal stylus. Eventually, scribes graduated to pen and parchment, using feather quills to copy existing devotional texts or author their own.

Uncovering the Burren’s Past

Caherconnell Cashel is part of a region known as the Burren along Ireland’s western coast. Excavations at the site have uncovered not only remnants of the medieval settlement but also artifacts dated to as far back as the Neolithic period. These discoveries are providing valuable insights into the development of life in a part of Ireland largely unaffected by intrusive groups such as the Vikings and Anglo-Normans.

Ongoing Research and Future Discoveries

Archaeology Ireland magazine published a full account of the pen’s discovery in its winter 2021 issue. Researchers continue to study the artifact and the site of Caherconnell Cashel, hoping to uncover further evidence of the surprisingly advanced literacy in 11th-century Ireland.

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Archaeology

Discovery of a 14th-Century Papal Bull Fragment in Poland Sheds Light on Medieval Papacy

by Rosa
written by Rosa

The Broken Seal of a Pope’s Medieval Decree Unearthed in Poland

Discovery of a Papal Bull Fragment

A significant archaeological discovery has been made in Poland, where a fragment of an engraved lead seal from a 14th-century papal bull has been unearthed. The artifact was found by Jacek Ukowski, a metal detectorist, near the Polish village of Wysoka Kamieńska. This discovery marks the third papal bull fragment to be found in the region.

Significance of Papal Bulls

Papal bulls were official communications issued by the head of the Roman Catholic Church, traditionally sealed with a metal seal. They were used to convey important messages, such as canonizations of saints and dogmatic pronouncements. The term “papal bull” was derived from the Latin word “bulla,” meaning “seal.”

Characteristics of the Fragment

The fragment is a small piece of lead with Roman numerals and letters engraved on its surface. Researchers believe that it could be part of a larger papal bull that was issued between 1303 and 1352. The inscription on the fragment is damaged, making it difficult to definitively identify the specific pope who issued it.

Possible Origins

Based on the style of the letters and iconography, researchers have suggested that the artifact could be linked to one of four popes who reigned in the first half of the 14th century: Benedict XI, Clement V, Benedict XII, or Clement VI. However, further research is needed to confirm its exact origin.

Previous Discoveries

Prior to this discovery, two other papal bull fragments had been found in the same Polish province. The first was a complete seal dating back to the era of Pope Benedict XII (1334-1342). The second was a fragment that may have been created during the time of Pope Innocent VIII (1484-1492). All three fragments are now housed in the Museum of the History of the Kamień Land.

Importance of the Discovery

According to Grzegorz Kurka, the museum’s director, only a dozen or so papal bulls have been discovered in Poland, making them rare and valuable artifacts. The discovery of this third fragment adds to the museum’s collection and provides researchers with additional insights into the history of the papacy and the dissemination of papal authority in medieval Poland.

Unresolved Mysteries

Despite the discovery of the fragment, many questions about its origins remain unanswered. Researchers are still unsure how the bull came to be in the location where it was found. They speculate that it may have been transported with soil from another area or lost during the construction of a new road surface. The exact provenance of the artifact is likely to remain a mystery.

Conclusion

The discovery of the papal bull fragment in Poland is a testament to the rich history of the Catholic Church and the enduring legacy of its leaders. The artifact provides valuable insights into the practices and communication methods of the papacy during the medieval period. While some mysteries surrounding its origins may never be fully resolved, the fragment remains an important piece of Poland’s cultural heritage.

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Medieval Caernarfon: Uncovering the Secrets of Wales’ Walled Town

by peter
written by peter

Medieval Caernarfon: Unearthing the Past

The Walled Town of Caernarfon

Caernarfon, a town in North Wales, played a pivotal role in the tumultuous history between England and Wales. In the late 13th century, English King Edward I embarked on a campaign to conquer Wales. As part of his strategy, he established a series of fortifications known as the “Iron Ring of Castles.” One of these castles was built in Caernarfon, and alongside it, Edward constructed a walled borough with a grid of streets.

The town walls served as a defensive barrier, protecting the inhabitants from Welsh rebellions and other threats. However, over time, the walls were weakened by attacks and fires, and they were eventually demolished in the 14th century.

Archaeological Discoveries

In recent years, archaeological excavations in Caernarfon have shed new light on the town’s medieval past. One of the most significant discoveries was made during a survey ahead of the construction of a new health center. Archaeologists from C.R. Archaeology unearthed a flight of steps that may represent the remains of the original town wall, built during Edward I’s reign.

Other finds from the survey include fragments of medieval pottery, including the handle of a green wine jug associated with Saintonge ware, a type of pottery manufactured in western France since the 13th century. This discovery suggests that Caernarfon had international trade links during the Edwardian period.

Another intriguing find was the remnants of what appears to be a doorway or a fireplace. If it is a doorway, it could represent a previously unknown entrance to Caernarfon’s gate house, a building that controlled access to the town. If it is a fireplace, it could provide archaeologists with insights into the daily lives of the people who lived in Caernarfon during the medieval period.

The Significance of the Town Walls

The town walls of Caernarfon were more than just a defensive structure. They were also a symbol of Edward I’s authority and the dominance of the English over the Welsh. The walls enclosed a thriving community, with its own social and economic life.

Archaeologists are keen to learn more about the daily lives of the people who lived within the town walls. They hope that future excavations will uncover more evidence of their homes, businesses, and other aspects of their daily routines.

The Historical Context

Edward I’s conquest of Wales was a complex and bloody affair. The Welsh princes had long resisted English rule, but Edward was determined to bring Wales under his control. After a series of campaigns, Edward forced the Welsh princes into submission and established English rule over the region.

Caernarfon played a key role in Edward’s conquest. The castle and town walls were symbols of his power and authority. They also served as a base for English soldiers and administrators, who helped to maintain control over the Welsh population.

The Legacy of Caernarfon

Caernarfon remains a vibrant town today, with a rich history and a proud heritage. The town walls are a reminder of the town’s medieval past and its role in the struggle between England and Wales.

Archaeological excavations continue to uncover new insights into the lives of the people who lived in Caernarfon during the medieval period. These discoveries help us to better understand the history of Wales and the complex relationship between England and Wales.

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