Unveiling magic from the middle ages: tomographic reading of a folded lead amulet from Dřevíč fortress (Czech Republic)
Daniela Urbanová|Daniel Vavřı́k|Konrad Knauber|Ivana Kumpová|Kateřina Blažková|Zdeněk Šámal
Abstract The discovery of a singular magical leaden artefact from the Middle Ages in Central Bohemia provoked ambition to visualize and decipher text hidden inside while still keeping object its original folded state. To fulfil this goal, several X-ray tomographic scans were done conjunction with advanced data processing. Though parts remain inaccessible or unclear, Dřevíč amulet is first medieval kind ever have been successfully virtually unfolded read. Leaden amulets are very rare under-researched finds archaeological record, just over hundred surviving examples mainly found Southern Scandinavia Germany. They testimonies once widespread practice Christian curative magic roots older pagan traditions. Comparable charms blessings extant countless manuscripts, similar written on parchment most other organic materials not survived. information gained through digital imaging revealed only bearer’s name but also number yet unknown personalized formulae destined protect bearer unattested elsewhere.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences