Head of the project: Mgr. Jan Mařík, Ph.D. – Department of medieval archaeology

The stronghold of Libice nad Cidlinou (further referred as Libice) was founded on two island-like remnants of a fluvial terrace (with the total area covering 24 ha) eroded by Labe and Cidlina rivers that are considered the inner and outer baileys (Fig 3).
The earliest traces of settlement at these two “islands” are dated to the Middle Bronze Age (cca 1600–1200 BC). The earliest Early Medieval settlement at the site is represented by the occurrence of Prague-type pottery; these finds can be associated with arrival of the Slavonic ethnic group in the course of 6th and 7th centuries. In this time, archaeological data indicate that a smaller settlement without fortification existed on outer bailey while finds from inner bailey are rather rare. Appearance of belt fittings discovered on the inner bailey suggests settlement continuity in 7th and 8th century and these finds that may furthermore document a socially structured society. Distinct increase in settlement activities at the site is dated to the late 9th century, when large burial grounds were established on the inner bailey and its close surroundings. Existence of graves equipped with a number of jewellery and weapons definitely corroborates the presence of higher social strata.

The major change in settlement intensity and structure at the end of the 9th century can be interpreted as a foundation phase of the stronghold. Position of the stronghold of Libice at the crossroad of two long-distance transport (trade) routes leading towards north (to the Silesia) and east across Moravia (to the Eastern Europe) was very beneficial. From the late 9th century onwards, a new settlement zone appeared on left bank of the Cidlina River that existed apart from central areas of the stronghold, i.e. inner and outer bailey. Another important change in the stronghold’s history occurred in the mid-10th century when the stone church inspired by Saxonian (or so-called Ottonian) architectural style was built at the inner bailey. In the same time, fortification was constructed encircling inner and outer bailey. It was made of wood reinforced by clay with inner and outer stone screen wall; it was about 10 m wide and approximately 2900 m in total length. Existence of a previous fortification dated to the late 9th century is also plausible; however, no absolutely reliable evidence has survived. In the second half of the 10th century, Libice appeared for the first time in written sources in connection with the Slavníck dynasty. Members of this noble family ruled the stronghold until 995 AD, when they were killed by the army of the duke Boleslav II, ruler of the Přemyslid dynasty. Another written reference to Libice mentions the death of the stronghold’s administrator and his son in 1170 AD. During the 11th century, Libice was included into the system of settlement centres governed by the Přemyslid dynasty (that ruled the early Czech state). At the same time, there is significantly lower settlement evidence at the stronghold both in the fortified centre and its vicinity. Settlements on the left bank of the Cidlina River were abandoned and the fortified section of the stronghold was used only as a burial ground. The inner bailey was also abandoned and a new village, already in High Medieval style, was founded on the outer bailey. In the year 1130, the stronghold of Libice appeared in the written sources for the last time as a fortified centre (oppidum).

The fact that the stronghold of Libice was an important Early Medieval centre is reflected in both archaeological and written sources. In the second half of the 10th century, Libice served as a power centre of the Slavníck dynasty. Among craft production that can be attested archaeologically, evidence for iron production, jewellery workshops where gold and silver were used and textile production reflected by numerous finds of whorls is available. Discovery of several hundreds of leaden off-cuts from the inner bailey can also relate to non-ferrous metallurgy or jewellery production. Mint that according to the written sources must had existed at the stronghold at the end of the 10th century remained so far archaeologically undetected. Economical models suppose that the life at the stronghold, in terms of satisfying main needs such as fields, timber, fuel wood and stones for various constructions, could be principally obtained from the surrounding land (the so-called hinterland of the settlement) up to a maximum radius of 4 km (Mařík 2009). The fact that only a few other settlements have been attested in this circle supports this presumption.

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 Depiction of Libice on the engraving of K. Škréta from the end of 17th century