Pot-shaped tiles of the 15th–16th centuries from excavations in Smolensk

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Abstract

The article discusses finds of pot-shaped tiles in the territory of Smolensk from the 1970s to the present. It is established that Smolensk tiles have similarities in both lines of pot-shaped tile evolution traced through the finds in Belarusian castles; the two lines originating from the common root. The period of existence of such tiles is determined within the 15th–16th centuries AD. It is assumed that Smolensk was part of the distribution zone of this product type. The authors also suggest that pot-shaped tiles characteristic of spreading Western «stove fashions» can serve as an important cultural marker distinguishing the material world of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from its eastern neighbour.

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About the authors

N. A. Krenke

Institute for the History of Material Culture of the RAS; Institute of Geography of the RAS

Author for correspondence.
Email: nkrenke@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Moscow

I. N. Ershov

Institute of Archaeology of the RAS

Email: ershovin@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

V. A. Raeva

Email: veraraeva@mail.ru

Independent Researcher

Russian Federation, Moscow

T. V. Stolyarova

Smolensk State Museum-Reserve

Email: anasazi03@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Smolensk

References

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2. Fig. 1. A pot-shaped tile of high proportions from the 1999 excavations at 8 Metallistov Street.

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3. Fig. 2. A pot-shaped tile from the 2011 excavations at 6 Malo-Shkolnaya Street.

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4. Fig. 3. A pot-shaped tile with a rounded mouth (reconstruction of the shape), 2020 excavations at 11 Sobornaya Gora Street.

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5. Fig. 4. Fragments of pot-shaped tiles, 2020 excavations at 11 Sobornaya Gora Street.

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6. Fig. 5. A pot-shaped tile (full profile), 2020 excavations at 11 Sobornaya Gora Street.

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7. Fig. 6. A pot-shaped tile with green glaze, 2020 excavations at 11 Sobornaya Gora Street.

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