Wooden shield

A wooden shield discovered during excavations in the northern part of Szczecin's Podzamcze between fortifications dating back to the end of the 12th century. Unique on a European scale, the Szczecin shield was made of six 6.5-17 cm wide and 0.4-0.7 cm thick slats, also known as planks, closely adhered to each other, most probably bonded with the plant (resin) or animal (bone) glue. Only the wooden part of the shield and the left leather handle in the form of a 42 cm long strip of leather fixed with nails have survived. The front surface of the shield was covered with colourful decoration painted directly on the rails with red, yellow and black paint. The central part is occupied by a red and yellow stylised cross with expanding arms. Along the rim, there are red circles and black ovals with yellow rosettes inside, arranged alternately, separated from the central part by a black line. The shield is made of light, soft and fast-drying alder wood, characterised by short grain, which is very resistant to splitting and cracking. It is now flat but originally may have been slightly convex, almond-shaped.

Sławomir Słowiński