Rivo BERNOTAS
(University of Turku, Finland)
Abstract:
The aim of current research is to give an overview of the development of Tartu town infrastructure in the 13th-14th centuries.
Methods: wooden constructions will be dated using dendrochronological dating, town wall and buildings will be compared with analogues from the countries adjacent to Estonia, find material will be analysed using typological method.
Previous research: Archaeologist Andres Tvauri has written a dissertation about Tartu, which covers the time between the end of first millenium and the beginning of 13th century (year 1224 is date of the German conquest of Tartu, which is accepted as the beginning of Middle Ages in Tartu). There have been numerous publications about separate parts of medieval town buildings (study of St. John’s church being most comprehensive one), but complex research has not been done so far.
Conclusion of the research: After the German conquest medieval Tartu was until 14th century a wooden town, reaching out up to present-day Tartu University botanical gardens in the north and up to Tartu post office plot in the south. Building of stone masonry started at the beginning of 14th century when new town plan was introduced. The new town plan included building medieval town square/market, town wall, masonry churches and houses.
Keywords:
medieval Estonia, town archaeology, medieval buildings, town walls, waste-pits