Žaislinis XIV a. pab. - XV a. pr. arbaletas iš Vilniaus Žemutinės pilies

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Archeologiniai tyrimai; Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (LDK; Grand Duchy of Lithuania; GDL); Viduramžių ginkluotė; Vilniaus žemutinė pilis; 14 amžius; 15 amžius; 14 amžius; 15 amžius; Žaislinis arbaletas; Archaeological research; Late 14 cent. – early 15 cent.; Late 14th-early 15th century; Medieval weaponry; Toy crossbow; Vilnius Lower castle.

ENWhilst undertaking archaeological research in the Vilnius Lower Castle territory in 2008, a well-preserved stock from a toy crossbow was unearthed in the cultural layer dating to the late 14th-first half of the 15th century. The artifact, which was found amidst wooden constructions, was made from pine. Its dimensions were 39.5 cm (length) and 1.9-2.1 cm (width). A cross-section from one end revealed a rectangular shape, while the other was oval in shape (Fig. 4). The construction of this unique piece is interesting because the arrow-firing mechanism is rather more primitive than in traditional crossbows with a nut and trigger system, which predominated in Europe from the 12th century. The mechanism in the toy crossbow is a more archaic alternative that is also markedly simpler. The stretched bowstring is hooked onto an incision in the stock. When the trigger is lifted from the incision, the bowstring fires an arrow. This kind of primitive mechanism was used in battle and hunting crossbows until the 16th century, and has been adapted in the toy crossbow model. Judging by the particularities of how battle crossbows work, the release mechanism of the toy crossbow in question suggests that this principle was not simply conceived out of the blue by children or teenagers. Children would have been inspired to create toy crossbows from observing adults using battle crossbows, appreciating their power and their easily mastered firing technique.The unique crossbow stock found in the Vilnius Lower Castle extends our existing knowledge on Medieval Lithuanian military toys and the features of their manufacture and construction. The construction of the toy crossbow reveals that not only primitive but also mechanically complex toys existed in this period, whose production required time and skilled work. The release mechanism of the toy crossbow bowstring broadens our knowledge on the variety of battle crossbow construction in Lithuania. In terms of the excavated fragment of this piece, we could say that at the turn of the 14th-15th century in Lithuania, battle and hunting crossbows with a lever and splint trigger were being used. [From the publication]

• Archeologija / Archaeology
• Istorija / History