Results of non-invasive research on the Teutonic castles in Starogród, Unisław, Zamek Bierzgłowski and Lipienek

Abstract

The article presents the results of non-invasive research carried out as part of the research project ‘Castra Terrae Culmensis – on the border of the Christian world’. It assumed interdisciplinary research of five Teutonic fortresses: in Papowo Biskupie, Lipienek, Starogród, Unisław and in Zamek Bierzgłowski. In the research programme, apart from excavation work, it is also planned to conduct preliminary non-invasive research. It included elaboration of aerial photographic documentation and its processing into an orthophotomap, digital surface model and numerical land cover model, as well as carrying out an open-area reconnaissance using magnetic measurements and performing topographic and altitude measurements in the field. At the same time, electric resistivity prospection was carried out in selected parts of the area recognised by magnetic measurements. A visualisation of archaeological sites (castles) was also prepared using terrestrial laser scanning.
The results of the research initially confirmed that the area of the first incorporation of the town of Chełmno was probably the terrain to the east of the castle, which together with the town formed a compact settlement complex. During geophysical research in two regions (nos. 1 and 3), clear, regular anomalies were recorded, initially interpreted as the remains of the 13th-century buildings of the first incorporation of Chełmno. In turn, the registration of anomalies in regions no. 4 and no. 5 determined the scope of the search with the use of invasive methods (test trenches and open-area excavations) for the remains of the high castle. The castle and the town formed a compact settlement complex. In the north the natural border of the town was the high slope of the Vistula valley, while in the east and south it was surrounded by a dry moat, 16–18 m wide and 2–3 m deep, partially perceptible on maps from the turn of the 19th century and the 20th century.
The results of the research on the high castle in Unisław were also promising, which suggested that the preserved remains of the buildings are located relatively shallow below the ground. Until the start of non-invasive research, its detailed location, chronology and form were unknown. The first analyses of the terrain shape showed that in a narrow promontory, there was located, clearly distinguished by an artificial moat from the rest of the terrain, a small plateau with a span of about 30 m (high castle) and a flat section of the hill, limited by a moat in the west, and in the east by a small depression, probably another moat (ward). Another oval area separated from the plateau by a moat, which is probably the second ward, was registered to the east of the first ward.
The research of the Zamek Bierzgłowski, carried out in the scope strictly limited to the castle courtyard, confirmed the location of the dismantled northern wing. In turn, the results of the research in Lipienek showed the presence of buildings in the outer bailey. However, it was not possible to carry out a similar reconnaissance at the high castle due to the dense vegetation and disturbances on the ground. Further research on both features regarding the spatial arrangement and the chronology of the construction stages will be possible anly thanks to excavations.