Step by Step: How to Investigate Medieval Footwear

Abstract

The selection of research methods depends on many factors, including a number of finds, their state of preservation, and research problems discussed. In the archaeological studies of the medieval leather objects each stage of the research process is important: from recovering a source from cultural layers, securing and conserving a find, to analysing formal features and preparing detailed typologies, what ultimately leads to an attempt to recreate selected historical issues. In this article it is presenting a method for studying medieval archaeological finds made of leather (mainly footwear). It is an attempt to find research methods for presenting the development line of the medieval shoemaking in the period from the turn of the eighth century and the beginning of the ninth century until the end of the fifteenth century. In the case of large assemblages consisting of hundreds, or even thousands of objects, obviously finished items and their components come to the fore. In such cases, the rest of objects referred to as ‘fragments’, ‘pieces of leather’, ‘unidentified objects’ are usually marginalised. In the studies of economic phenomena, however, products cannot be perceived as less important, because each of them might be a valuable source of information, depending on questions asked. The hierarchy of importance of items (or only their features) should change with the research progress and with the issues examined.