Polish archaeologists used ground-penetrating radar to explore castle Tatarskogo order, located in the town of Elblag near the border with the Kaliningrad oblast of Russia. The scan should be end of a century the dispute about what was originally this structure.
according to Nauka w Polsce, ground-penetrating radar, the researchers used in order to “enlighten” the ground under one of the towers of this castle and reveal the ancient foundations and remains of not come down to our times structures. Technology allows you to make such discoveries without traditional excavation with a shovel.
as a result, scientists have identified underground anomalies, which are probably the remains of the Foundation of the South-Eastern corner tower of the outer perimeter and part of its southern wing. In turn, to the South of it found traces of the moat.
the first phase of the study was completed. The second begins in the coming days. Scientists wanted to pre-verify that this research method is effective. It turned out that it works great when searching for stone foundations.
it is believed that the Teutonic castle in Elblag was built of brick in the style of the Bailey – one of the two most common architectural styles of medieval fortresses. To build it began in 1246, and the construction lasted for several decades. It was almost completely destroyed by the Prussian Union, in 1454 – only dungeon and a few buildings have survived to the present day.
“for more than 100 years of discussions about the shape and size of this castle, says Leh Trawicki, Director of the Archaeological and historical Museum in Elblag. Earlier excavations were conducted on a limited scale. Then were discovered the ruins of the Foundation, but we are unable to obtain a complete picture of the scale and appearance of the castle. Now, thanks to ground-penetrating radar, it will be possible”.
Some historians say that the castle was considered the most beautiful in Prussia after the castle in Malbork. He may even have served as a prototype during the construction of the castle in Malbork, built 30 years later, and other fortresses in the area.
From earlier studies it is known that the main building in the castle was the so-called monastic house. It was a spacious brick structure, in the shape of an irregular quadrangle, with four built-up wings.
According to some scholars, monastic house in Elblag was the largest building of this type ever built in Prussia. And the city of Elblag was one of the most important centres of the Teutonic order at the initial stage of staying of the monks in Prussia.
