Źródła pisane i archeologia: przykład Góry Katedralnej w Chełmie

Abstract

Archaeologists examining the residence of Daniel Romanovych on Cathedral Hill in Chelm (thirteenth century) enjoy a noteworthy opportunity to compare excavations with the text of Kronika halicko-wolynska (The Galician-Volhynian Chronicle). It is highly probable that at least some of the descriptions of places and objects in the Chronicle could have been first-hand. For a researcher who does not specialise in a critical analysis of text sources such a confrontation of chronicle records with archaeological discoveries becomes, therefore, an exciting challenge. The article discusses the dilemmas of an archaeologist who, with assorted categories of data at his disposal, tries to confront them with a chronicler’s account. The text of the chronicle provides interesting information concerning the location of the town of Chelm, elements of the development of Cathedral Hill, including the town-castle centre situated here, some churches and secular elements of monumental architecture, the town fire recorded in the chronicle in 1256, as well as a mysterious tower standing in the urban area, the town’s demographic and ethno-cultural structure, and the occupation of its residents at the time of Daniel. It has been noted that the chronicle lacks references to several essential elements confirmed in the outcome of archaeological studies. The shape of the ducal residence remains an important unsolved enigma. The chronicle also does not discuss the construction catastrophe that probably took place in the course of building the circumferential wall of the residence. Another noteworthy feature is the written source’s silence concerning the third tower (bergfried) erected in nearby Stolpie. This omission is particularly strange considering that in accordance with the results of the conducted research the tower could have been the first monumental building raised in the land of Chelm already during the period of Roman Romanovych and redesigned at the time of Daniel. It thus remains a mystery why such a characteristic and unique defensive-sacral edifice, located in the fore-field of the ducal residential complex and highly untypical for this part of Europe, was relegated to the sidelines of the chronicler’s interest. In other instances, the text of Kronika halicko-wolynska makes it possible to confront the written record with archaeological findings. Upon numerous occasions the concurrence of the written accounts with the outcome of the excavations does not give rise to doubt. Nonetheless, in reference to the ducal residence the author of the chronicle mentioned a number of selected details of interest to him, but neglected to include data about its forms and spatial features. It is highly likely that many of the above-listed unidentified facts could be determined by expanding the range of studies. We still do not have information about the northern part of Cathedral Hill or whether the basilica located in the southern part stood within the stronghold or the town district. The solution of those issues, and many similar problems, remains an essential task for the next future.