Zprávy památkové péče 2016, 76(Příloha):12-19
Extinct modern age glassworks from the perspective of active archaeological preservation using the examples of Šumava National Park areas
The extinct modern age glasswork represents a valuable and very interesting part of the archaeological heritage of the Czech Republic. This type of archaeological monument, however, despite its undeniable importance and high occurrence, stands at the edge of both archaeological and heritage professional interest. This article tries to present what all was preserved from the extinct modern glasswork operations in the landscape, and also to highlight the threats that these archaeological sites are facing. When selecting presented sites, the article builds on hitherto results of a non-destructive survey of selected extinct glassworks from the Central and Western Bohemian Forest.
The article concludes that in many cases, the relics of glasswork sites have been preserved in relatively good condition, something which was often helped by the typical remoteness of glassworks from the settlements of the time and the constant reforestation of their locations. Manufacturing furnaces are mostly found in a preserved state, partly due to their structural and material designs. The degree of knowledge about individual sites, however, is quite different. At the same time, the level of archeologization for many anticipated elements is already beyond the possibilities offered by standard surface surveys. This is why in many cases it is necessary to utilize more sophisticated and demanding methods of nondestructive research, such as LLS data analysis or geophysical measurements. Another difficult challenge associated with the extinct glasswork areas is the issue of the threats to preserved relics and the question of ensuring their meaningful protection.
Keywords: glassmaking; historical glassworks; archaeological surveys; heritage protection of archaeological sites; modern industrial construction
Published: December 1, 2016 Show citation
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