Herstellungstechnologische Untersuchungen zu Wandmalereien

The Regnum Maravorum, the empire of the Moravians, emerged after the end of the Avar rule in the Carpathian Basin, before 800 AD probably in the region of Moravia, the northern Weinviertel and western Slovakia. The past two generations have witnessed considerable excavations activity uncovering early medieval settlements, proto- urban centres, so called Herrenhöfe and forts dating to the ninth and the first half of the tenth century. Stone and wooden church buildings with stone foundations and - mostly very simple - mural paintings were also discovered in the region. Some of the sites - Mikulcice, Breclav-Pohansko, Uherske Hradiste, Devin, Nitra - are well known sites. It is regettable that until currently, those painted fragments were shown very little interest. An international research project, founded by the Austrian Science Foundation was concentrated on these fragments. The present publication encompasses the results of the technological studies, the evaluation of the state of conservation, as well as a catalogue of these up to now only partly published objects. The technological and conservative studies were aimed at two objectives: firstly to secure the conservation of this historical source and secondly to gain insights into the technological knowledge of the epoch. The analysis of materials, painting technique, state of conservation and gents of corrosion was based on 154 fragments of mostly painted plaster. The fragments were selected because of the presence remarkable and characteristic features. The fragments were studied using a combination of magnifying glases, stereo microscopes, incident light, and vertical light. Features on the force-and backside and the painting layer were recorded according to a specially developed system. In addition, chemical analyses, as well as observations using ultraviolet light, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used. When a wide range of archaeological, historical and technological methods and questions are applied to the study of these artefacts, their significance becomes apparent. How important an interdisciplinary approach is, is shown by the sensational results of the technological and conservational studies. Only the fundaments, the demolition rubble and some unimpressive plaster fragments are left of these sacral buildings, previously rich in polychromatic paintings. The analysis allow us now to assess building technology, give us a sense of the space, and show clearly that both interior and exterior surfaces were polychromatically painted. The show that both fresco and secco techniques were used, and that the plaster was of a very high quality. Ultimately, a between archaeology and art history previously unrecognized facette of the early medieval world appears.