On the Issue of the Typological Definition of the So-called “Central European Castell”

Abstract

Typology is one of the fundamental archaeological methods that helps to organise large amounts of data and facilitates their handling. It is also used in castellology, where it categorises castles into various types, for example, on the basis of their layout, as observed in Czech castellology. Among these classifications, the socalled Central European castell has proved to be particularly problematic. Nevertheless, none of the representatives within this group completely aligns with the definition formulated by T. Durdík. The best-explored representatives of this group, which come closest to meeting the definition, are the castles in Písek and Kadaň. For this reason, they served as analogies for other supposed representatives, forming the basis for the conceptualisation of the original form. Recent research has cast doubts on their inclusion in this typological group. In contrast to the examples mentioned above, there are other sites that come close to the definition, yet their classification into the group of so-called Central European castell has been questioned, to say the least. The issues discussed in this article underscore the insufficient level of knowledge available regarding the representatives of the so-called Central European castell, effectively challenging the legitimacy of using this type in terms of an archaeological method. A potential solution to this situation lies in reclassifying them into another typological group, preferably within the category of castles with a perimeter layout, which would allow their further use. Moreover, such a merger would eliminate the artificial boundaries currently separating these related sites. Nevertheless, typology should primarily be regarded as a method that helps and simplifies the handling of accumulated data. Existing groups require revision to make them more applicable for further research. This should not be limited to the assessment of architectural and historical qualities; it should also incorporate other approaches that have been underutilised thus far. This will help to create a more nuanced understanding and improved comprehension of castle sites.