Feldspathic Mica Schist From Čučice: A Source of Early Medieval Quernstones in Moravia

Michal Hlavica, Antonín Přichystal, Rudolf Procházka, Petr Gadas

Archeologia technica, vol. 34 (2023)
Pages: 56–65
Language: Czech
Type of article: scientific article
DOI: n/a

Abstract:
The study closely acquaints the reader with only marginally known archaeological and geological site in Čučice (Brno-Country District, Czechia), which was firstly recognized by a geologist S. Zacherle in 1977. From outcrops localised on the slope of a sharp meander of the River Oslava, feldspathic tourmaline mica schist sources were exploited and processed during the Early Middle Ages, and in the form of quernstones they were further distributed to contemporary settlements. Analysing ten samples from (feldspathic) mica schist quernstones from various sites, the study tried to extend current knowledge about the shape and extent of production-distribution network through which products of Čučice passed. The analysis shows that beside the already known occurrence of Čučice quernstones in the centre of Staré Zámky near Brno-Líšeň, they were present also in Mutěnice, i.e., more distant rural settlement within the wider hinterland of Mikulčice’s centre. Regarding the latest field survey, which recognized feldspathic mica schist with garnets in some of Čučice’s outcrops, quernstones from other early medieval centres, which are characteristic by the garnet content and the zonality of tourmalines corresponding to tourmalines from Čučice, are also promising in this respect. These quernstones are already known from the centres of Pohansko near Břeclav and Mikulčice.