Archaeological Finds
Traces of everyday life
Archaeological excavations at Turjak have revealed a wide range of small objects that shed light on the everyday lives of the castle’s inhabitants from the 15th to the 17th century. Among the most common finds is pottery used for preparing and storing food. The forms of vessels changed over the centuries, from simple medieval pots to the artfully crafted, painted, and glazed examples of the early modern period.
More valuable were glass vessels, which often came to the castle from major European glassmaking centres, particularly the Venetian Republic. These objects testify to Turjak’s trade connections and to the high standard of living its inhabitants enjoyed in the 16th and 17th centuries.
A key element of domestic comfort was provided by tiled stoves. Their decorated ceramic tiles, featuring plant, geometric, and figural motifs, served not only for heating but also as a sign of status and aesthetic taste.
Copper-alloy coin (soldo), minted in 1767; Maria Theresa (1740–1780), Günzburg (Germany).
Copper-alloy pin with a spherical head made of fine twisted wire. 15th–18th century.
Copper-alloy coin (soldo), minted in 1767; Maria Theresa (1740–1780), Günzburg (Germany).
Iron arrowhead with a spike tang, a flattened cross-section and a diamond-shaped profile. 13th–14th century.
Fragment of a stove tile with a white bossed background and an unidentified motif executed in blue, brown, and green glazes. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Fragment of a stove tile, referred to as a tapestry tile, decorated with a fleur-de-lis motif. Lilies are arranged in the form of a cross and framed within a diamond. The tile is made of hard, finely levigated clay and covered with yellow, white, and brown glaze. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Fragment of a stove tile with a double frame. The upper outer frame is divided by projecting dark brown glazed vertical columns resembling supports for balconies or roofs. The tile depicts a vase of flowers and a woman wearing a headdress and a farthingale. It is made of hard, finely levigated clay and covered with green, yellow, and dark brown glazes. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Fragment of a stove tile with a moulded frame and stylised vegetal ornament. A beaded border runs along the frame. The tile is made of hard, finely levigated clay and covered with green glaze. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Fragment of a stove tile with stylised vegetal ornament; the central motif is framed by an irregular polygonal shape. The tile is made of hard, finely levigated clay and covered with green glaze. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Fragment of a stove tile with stylised vegetal ornament and a throne backrest framing the central motif. The tile is made of hard, finely levigated clay, covered with green glaze, and decorated in relief. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
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Small ceramic vessel, wheel-thrown from very fine-grained pottery clay; glazed. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Ceramic mug with a handle, wheel-thrown from very fine-grained pottery clay; glazed rim and interior. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Ceramic wine jug, wheel-thrown from very fine-grained pottery clay; glazed. Second half of the 16th–17th century.
Ceramic cooking pot with a handle, wheel-thrown from fine-grained pottery clay. 16th–17th century.
Ceramic cooking pot, wheel-thrown from fine-grained pottery clay, decorated with a moulded applied rib with impressed decoration; relief cross mark on the base. 16th–17th century.
Fragment of the rim and neck of a bottle made of slightly bluish transparent glass. 14th–15th century.
Circular copper-alloy pendant with a suspension loop, depicting a basilisk (a mythical creature with the head and body of a rooster and a serpentine tail). Second half of the 12th–13th century
Base and part of the bowl of a tall drinking glass made of colourless transparent glass. 16th century–first half of the 17th century.
Ribbed base and part of the bowl of a glass goblet made of colourless transparent glass. 16th century–first half of the 17th century.
Iron nail. 14th–15th century.
Iron handle with two preserved holes in the oval ends. 14th–15th century.
Iron key with a rosette-shaped bow. 14th–15th century.
Iron fire striker. 15th–early 16th century.
Iron knife with a flat tang. 15th–early 16th century.
Iron knife with a spike tang. 14th–15th century.
Iron arrowhead with a spike tang, a diamond-shaped cross-section and a willow-leaf-shaped profile. (13th) 14th–15th century.
Iron arrowhead with a partially preserved spike tang, a square cross-section and a lanceolate profile. 13th–14th (15th) century.
