The Kryburg gauntlet is a medieval iron glove discovered near Switzerland's Kyburg Castle during a 2021-2022 archeological excavation. [1]
Demolition work was planned near Kyburg Castle, about 20 miles north of Zurich; the castle was near a medieval town and the planned work threatened any artifacts that might be present on the site. [1] [2] Excavation to preserve any artifacts present was carried out in late 2021 and early 2022. [1] One of the major finds was the gauntlet. [1]
A medieval-era weaving cellar and multiple other artifacts, including over 50 iron pieces, were also found during the excavation. [2] The gauntlet was found within the remains of the weaving cellar, leading archeologists to believe a blacksmith was working in the area before a fire destroyed the weaving cellar. [3]
The right hand gauntlet was almost complete. Portions of a left hand gauntlet were also recovered. [1] The gauntlet has four finger-folds. [1] Side rivets allowed the gauntlet to be a flexible glove. [4] It is made of iron and was likely attached to an interior textile or leather glove. [1] [4] [3]
Because the gauntlet shows evidence of creation by a skilled craftsman, and such armor was expensive, the gauntlet probably belonged to a member of the nobility or another person of high status. [1] [4]
According to Zurich Cantonal Archaeology, most other gauntlets recovered have been from later periods; only five others from this period are known to exist from Swiss excavations, and all are fragmental. [1] [4]
Kyburg Castle planned a permanent display of a copy of the gauntlet and a reconstruction of what it would have looked like when it was made starting in late March of 2024 and a three-week display of the original starting in September of 2024. [5] [3]
The Kryburg gauntlet is a medieval iron glove discovered near Switzerland's Kyburg Castle during a 2021-2022 archeological excavation. [1]
Demolition work was planned near Kyburg Castle, about 20 miles north of Zurich; the castle was near a medieval town and the planned work threatened any artifacts that might be present on the site. [1] [2] Excavation to preserve any artifacts present was carried out in late 2021 and early 2022. [1] One of the major finds was the gauntlet. [1]
A medieval-era weaving cellar and multiple other artifacts, including over 50 iron pieces, were also found during the excavation. [2] The gauntlet was found within the remains of the weaving cellar, leading archeologists to believe a blacksmith was working in the area before a fire destroyed the weaving cellar. [3]
The right hand gauntlet was almost complete. Portions of a left hand gauntlet were also recovered. [1] The gauntlet has four finger-folds. [1] Side rivets allowed the gauntlet to be a flexible glove. [4] It is made of iron and was likely attached to an interior textile or leather glove. [1] [4] [3]
Because the gauntlet shows evidence of creation by a skilled craftsman, and such armor was expensive, the gauntlet probably belonged to a member of the nobility or another person of high status. [1] [4]
According to Zurich Cantonal Archaeology, most other gauntlets recovered have been from later periods; only five others from this period are known to exist from Swiss excavations, and all are fragmental. [1] [4]
Kyburg Castle planned a permanent display of a copy of the gauntlet and a reconstruction of what it would have looked like when it was made starting in late March of 2024 and a three-week display of the original starting in September of 2024. [5] [3]