Achaeometrical Research in Hungary II., 1988

ENVIRONMENT - András PÁLÓCZI HORVÁTH: Multidisciplinary archaeological research of the medieval royal palace-garden at Visegrád

3. The excavations Excavations at the royal palace have been going on since 1934 (DERCSENYI, HÉJ J and RÓZSA 1958; BALOGH 1966: 232; BÚZÁS 1994: 9). To date, the medieval garden is an open area of 50x70 m, surrounded by the hill from the east. At the foot of the hill terraces were found. Excavations were preceded by a geophysical survey in this open area and the inner garden of the palace. Measurements were carried out by Mr. Miklós Pattantyús-Á. (Loránd Eötvös Geophysical Institute of Hungary, Budapest). The resulting map showed soil anomalies and characteristics of stratification. The features indicated in the map were systematically sought after at the site. Our excavations in the palace-garden were conducted between 1993-1996. A new research project started in 1997. 4. The stratigraphy and features of the garden The historical layers of the garden remained undisturbed west of the terrace. It was observed, that from the 14th century onwards the soil surface gradually increased. The different layers can be identified as the main building periods of the palace. The destruction of the palace can be observed as well: it took place at the end of the 16th and during the 17th century. The lowest building layer belongs to the first half of the 14th century, representing Charles Robert's construction activities. This layer was situated on a former, Árpád Period level with settlement remains from the 13th century (ovens, pottery etc.; BUZÁS1994: 113). King Sigismund built over the palace and the garden: in the middle of the garden a fountain was erected that operated using the water-system of the palace. There may have been beds around the fountain in a geometric arrangement. On the western part of the garden a simple stone well was built with a wooden well house above it. A very rich botanical assemblage came to light during the excavation of this well. According to the archaeological materials and profiles, the well was destroyed and filled in during the second half of the 15th century, during the building operations of King Matthias. 5. Environmental archaeological results Most of the bioarchaeological assemblages came to light from the well during watersieving. In other, dry layers only animal bones and pieces of charcoal could be found. Soil samples were taken from the water-logged layers of the well and from the soil of the garden. Their analyses are still in progress. From the Sigismund Period well 52 plant species (11 of them fruit species) were identified by the archaeobotanist Ms Andrea Torma (HAM; TORMA 1996). Prof. Károly Babos (Loránd Eötvös University) carried out xylotomical investigations and identified 7 species of tree and wine-grape (Vitis viniferá). Archaeozoological results: The animal bones collected in the garden represent food refuse from the 14th-15th century royal court. They are indicative of an aristocratic diet. According to the identifications by the archaeozoologist Mr. Tamás Somhegyi (НАМ) most of the bones belonged to cattle (67 %). Pig, sheep and domestic hen played an important role too. Remains of game animals such as hare, red deer and bear were found as well (SOMHEGYI 1996). Pollen analyses, malacological, pedological and pétrographie investigations are still in progress. Some additional soil boring must be done in the future. 179