ARCHSTN049 Production technology in the Middle Ages and early modern times

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Summer 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Petr Vojtal (lecturer)
PhDr. Petr Vojtal (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Vojtal
Institute of Historical Sciences – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Prerequisites
For undergraduate students
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Lecture lessons will focus on the study of the production of materially and functionally differentiated artefacts used in everyday life the life of medieval and early modern society. Attention will be paid to raw material and technological sources procedures and work tools used within craft specializations, as well as processing areas focused on metallurgy of precious, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, accompanying carriages and workshops connected with production ceramics, stone elements, glass and objects made of organic materials. The organization of production and business activities will be mentioned including the use of final products. The theoretical basis will be discussed in lectures and developed using practical examples in seminars.
Syllabus
  • 1. Craft and home production, methodology, sources, terminology, literature. 2. Sources of raw materials and methods of obtaining them (deep and surface mining, forestry, agriculture, breeding). 3. Production of ceramics and construction crafts (pottery and stove-making, brick-making, lime-making, masonry). 4. Stone processing and building smelting (stonework and sculpture). 5. Production of precious and non-ferrous metals (metallurgy and foundry). 6. Production of iron and so-called forest crafts (metallurgy and blacksmithing, coal production, production of tar, potash, potash and potash). 7. Glass production and metallurgical operations (glassmaking and enamel treatment techniques). 8. Production of objects from bone and antler (bonesmithing and workshop areas). 9. Production of objects from wood (carpentry, joinery, wheelwrighting, cooperage). 10. Production of textiles (spinning, weaving, linen and drapery, tailoring, hat making). 11. Leather processing (tannery and related crafts). 12. Food production (butchery, milling, bakery, malting and brewing, winemaking). 13. Production of luxury items (gold and silversmithing, armory, herding, jewellery).
Literature
    required literature
  • Petráň, J. et al.: Dějiny hmotné kultury I/1-2. Praha 1985.
  • Nováček, K.: Nerostné suroviny středověkých Čech jako archeologický problém: bilance a perspektivy výzkumu se zaměřením na výrobu a zpracování kovů. Archeologické rozhledy 53, 2001,279-309.
  • Nový, L et al.: Dějiny techniky v Československu do konce 18. století. Praha 1974.
  • Petráň, J. et al.: Dějiny hmotné kultury II/1-2.Praha 1995–1997.
  • Janotka, M. – Linhart, K.: Řemesla našich předků. Praha 1987.
  • Hrubý, P.: Metalurgická produkční sféra na Českomoravské vrchovině v závěru přemyslovské éry. Brno 2019.
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar
Assessment methods
Credit. A written test Participation in the seminar (75%), active approach
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2023, Summer 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Summer 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/summer2025/ARCHSTN049