Archaeological research at Bojná brings new findings
A team of experts from the Institute of Archaeology has been intensively researching the well-known archaeological site in Bojná (district Topoľčany) since 2007. They focus on clarifying the economic and political development of the local community from the seventh to the tenth century. Thanks to several extraordinary discoveries, the SAS archaeologists have significantly advanced our knowledge about the most famous period of our history - the Great Moravian Empire. This year, with the help of radiocarbon dating, they managed to discover one of the main motives for the creation of the Bojná power centre.
Among the five forts in the Bojná cadaster, the monumental fortified hillfort Valy is the most important. Past research in this location has brought several rare finds, for example, a bell or gilded plaques from the altar, which have already become symbols of our Christian and national tradition. This year's field and analytical work also brought several remarkable results.
"We managed to confirm that one of the main motives for the creation of the Bojná power centre was the use of the local mineral wealth. According to radiocarbon dating, iron ore was smelted here in the 9th to 10th centuries for the workshops of blacksmiths who worked at the Valy hillfort. With the help of volunteers, we also managed to identify in its vicinity this yearthe remains of pits, where charcoal was prepared for metallurgists and blacksmiths," explains Karol Pieta from the Institute of Archaeology, adding that, according to new information, iron was also used in the nearby pre-Romanesque rotunda of St. George in Nitrianska Blatnica.
In 2024, archaeologists discovered another mass find of iron objects, this time at a distance of more than 300 meters from the reconstructed eastern gate of the Valy hillfort.
"In times of impending danger, but perhaps also for other, religious reasons, the local residents hid dozens of large and small amounts of iron tools, tools and other objects valued at that time in the fortifications, but also its extended surroundings. Such sacrificed or preserved valuables also included a barrel, from which only the iron hoops were preserved," says the archaeologist.
Spracovala: Katarína Gáliková
Foto: Archeologický ústav SAV, v. v. i.