ArcheoBudaPest 2020/37

Kulcsszavak:középkor, kora újkor, török kor, erődítés, vár, árok, újkor, réteganyag

In the spring of 2020, the Budapest History Museum carried out an archaeological observation and associated excavation works in the southern part of the Hunyadi Courtyard of Buda Castle Palace, in connection with construction works near the so-called Matthias Fountain, also known as the Szép Ilonka Fountain. (Fig. 1)
During the excavation of the fountain basin, the remains of a rubble stone wall were uncovered (elevation: 154.245 a.B.S.l. (above Baltic Sea level)). Based on its characteristics, it appeared to date from the Middle Ages or the Ottoman Era and seems to be aligned with previously recorded remains of the southern retaining wall of the Dry Moat. (Fig. 2) However, due to the limited space available on site, a more detailed examination of the wall’s structure could not be conducted.
In addition to the fountain restoration, a trench for a water pipeline was also excavated next to Building C of the Palace, reaching a depth of about 180–200 cm. (Fig. 3) The eastern side of the trench showed signs of disturbance from a previous pipeline, but intact archaeological layers were revealed on the western side. From these layers, in addition to modern-era finds, medieval and Ottoman-era artifacts were also recovered, including ceramic fragments, animal bones, metal objects–most notably a significant quantity of musket balls and flint stones. (Fig. 4)

Contributors:Dr. Károly Magyar (archaeologist), Alfred Falchetto (archaeological field technician), Zsolt Kevevári (surveyor), Zsolt Viemann (surveyor)