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Die Burgruine Alt-Wartburg im Kanton Aargau
Bericht über die Forschungen 1966/67
In 1966/67, the ruins of Alt-Wartburg above Olten were cleared of rubble and archaeologically examined. One of the interesting aspects from a research point of view is a terminus ante quem for the castle’s destruction, which is mentioned several times in records for the year 1415. Finds and features suggest that the settlement was founded in the 11th century. The preserved walls date from the 12th century, followed by a phase of expansion in the second half of the 13th century; further structural alterations were carried out in the 14th century. In 1415, the castle was seized, pillaged and destroyed by fire during the conquest of the Aargau region by the Bernese. The spectrum of finds does not show the entire range of household goods typically found at a medieval castle site, since items that could easily be carried off were probably looted in 1415. This makes the series of stove tiles found all the more impressive, ranging from unglazed beaker tiles to vessel tiles and medallion tiles as well as accessories such as cornice tiles and upper cornice tiles. But even here the rampaging of the conquerors was evident: hardly any of the medallions were completely preserved, and most were smashed. The detailed presentation of the archaeological context is followed by a chapter on the history of ownership and political power.
