Artefacts as sources of knowledge

Contents

Preface to the English Translation... 7 Preface to the First Edition... 8 Preface to the Second Edition... 20 Chapter 1

On the Concept of Artefact

and Classifications of Artefacts... 21 1.1 Rationale of the Concept – Need for Introduction

and Use in Polish Historical Research... 23 1.2 The Concept of Artefact as the Most Universal

Category in Classification of Historical Sources... 25 1.3 Artefact as Opposed to Ecofact... 28 1.4 Artefacts – Collectibles – Relics – Monuments... 30 1.5 The Position of the Artefact

in the System of Historical Sources... 33 1.6 Methodological Classification of Artefacts... 36 1.7 On Stanley South’s Basic

Classification System of Artefacts... 43 1.8 Classification of Artefacts

on the Basis of their Present State... 49 1.9 Proposal for a System of Classification

of Artefacts on the Basis of their Present Use... 59

6 Contents Chapter 2

Procedure of Artefact Identification... 67

2.1 Acquisition of Artefacts... 69

2.2 Identifying the Function of an Artefact... 77

2.3 The Issue of an Artefact’s Transition from its Original Context to Secondary One... 83

2.4 The Issue of Reconstruction of Artefacts... 100

2.5 Sources of Information about Artefacts... 104

Chapter 3 Analyses of Selected Groups of Artefacts... 121

3.1 Gothic Candlesticks as Visible but Unidentified Historical Evidence... 123

3.2 Pilgrim Bells Found in Gniew as Artefacts Identified by their Epigraphic Information Structure... 133

3.3 The Riddle of a Group of Font Basins from the 16

and 17

Centuries... 139

3.4 Weather Vanes... 145

3.5 On the Cognitive Value of Baking Moulds... 153

3.6 Two Leaden Inscription Tablets from the Church in Leszkowy... 157

3.7 The Privy Chamber in Klimontów Collegiate Church Tower: Exceptionality of an Artefact in the Process of Cognition of Past Reality... 165

3.8 Material Evidence of Historical Crafts and Guilds... 169

3.9 The Clay Pipe: Artefact of Unlimited Cognitive Capacity... 173

3.10 Bone Artefacts... 180

3.11 Cut-out Ornaments and Silhouettes: Excellent Paper and Parchment Artefacts... 188

Conclusion... 195

Plates... 200

Selected Bibliography... 278

List of Plates... 292

About the Author... 295