Journal:Archaeologia Baltica
Volume 16 (2011): Settlements and Towns, pp. 152–167
Abstract
The article analyses material related to glass bottles excavated in Klaipėda (Memel) Old Town. Firstly, this is material from Žvejų St 4 and 6, and the area around Tomo, Didžiojo Vandens, Vežėjų and Pasiuntinių streets. Early glass bottles found in this area could even date from the 16th century, whereas the peak in the local consumption of beverages in bottles is related to the second half of the 18th century and the 19th century. Four major types of local glass bottles are distinguished in this work. Subtypes of extant or partly restored bottles are also introduced. Attempts are made throughout the entire research to answer the questions how much and in what way the bottles discovered in Klaipėda Old Town reflect general patterns of lifestyle in Western and Central Europe in the context of modern times.
Journal:Archaeologia Baltica
Volume 16 (2011): Settlements and Towns, pp. 168–185
Abstract
Archaeological excavations in one of the Old Town areas around Kurpių Street have provided new and valuable information
for research related to urban development in the 16th and 17th centuries. Previously accomplished complex research into archaeological, historical, palaeobotanical and zooarchaeological material enabled us to go deeper into both the constructional development of the area and the daily life of the citizens. This article presents up-to-date results from research into zooarchaeological material from one plot on Kurpių Street from the mid-16th century to the second half of the 17th century. On the basis of this data and published historical sources, an analysis is made of some unexplored aspects relating to features of animal breeding and butchering among the local population in the 16th and 17th centuries. It also includes an evaluation of animal osteometric data. The results are compared with data from other Lithuanian records. The insights presented add to our slender knowledge about the nutrition of locals at that time and their daily life.
Journal:Archaeologia Baltica
Volume 16 (2011): Settlements and Towns, pp. 186–210
Abstract
This report reviews leather footwear discovered during the latest archaeological research in Klaipėda, in investigations carried out at 3 Kurpių St in 2007 and 2008, and at 10 Žvejų St in 2006 (headed by R. Bračiulienė). Another aim is to present examples of the footwear of Klaipėda dwellers in the 16th and 17th centuries which are of interest in terms of their shape and style, and which are typical of the shoes of the West European Renaissance and of the townsfolk of the Early Modern Period. The following types of footwear are presented: primitive shoes, low-cut shoes, mules and children’s shoes. The report describes the parts of the footwear, joining methods, seams and decorative components. It discusses differences between the footwear of the 16th and the 17th centuries, and refers to morphological studies and microchemical analyses of archaeological leather and thread fibre conducted by other experts.