Michael Lebsak

Institute of Archaeology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Research Centre for Slavonic and Medieval Archaeology, PhD Student

Masaryk University, Archaeology and Museology, Graduate Student

Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie und Archäologie des Mittelalters, Graduate Student

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Doctorand and Research Fellow.

Czech Academy of Science, Brno, Czech Republic
Masaryk-University, Brno, Czech Republic
Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany

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Papers by Michael Lebsak

Lebsak/Kočárová/Kočár 2026 - Fuel-wood Economy of Early Mediaeval Ironworking: Anthracology from Kümmersbruck-Bachweg (Bavaria, Germany, 8th-9th century AD)

This paper deals with the anthracological analysis of 4,046 charcoal fragments from 162 archaeolo... more This paper deals with the anthracological analysis of 4,046 charcoal fragments from 162 archaeological features at the Early Mediaeval (8th–9th century AD) ironworking site Kümmersbruck-Bachweg. In total, 19 taxa were identified, dominated by Pinus and Quercus, with less Betula and much less Fagus, Alnus, Picea, Abies, and Carpinus. Distributions by context and correspondence analysis overlap across kilns, workshops, and settlement structures, indicating no deliberate fuel wood selection. The spectrum departs from local PNV (Potential Natural Vegetation), with shade-tolerant taxa under-represented and light-demanding taxa abundant, implying secondary woodland. Despite redeposited fills and lack of clear-context samples, we conclude that fuel wood was procured opportunistically, from nearby to the site, in a mosaic landscape shaped by iron production and agriculture.

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Lebsak 2026 - ‘Elites’ and iron production: The Carolingian perspective

‘Elites’ and iron production: The Carolingian perspective. In: Šárka Krupičková, Rudolf Procházka, Šimon Ungerman et al. (eds.), Early medieval elite culture in supra-regional perspective: Society, centres, artefacts. Brno: Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology, Brno, 25-38., 2026

The book was published with financial support of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

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M. Lebsak/J. Petrík/L. Petr/M. M. Kopečná 2024: LANDSCAPE HISTORY AND ECOLOGICAL CHANGE OF THE DRAHANY HIGHLANDS (CZECH REPUBLIC) IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS

by Michael Lebsak and Markéta Martina Kopečná

Archeologia Technica 35, 2024

This paper presents preliminary geoarchaeological research on human-environment interactions and ... more This paper presents preliminary geoarchaeological research on human-environment interactions and land use in the Drahany Highlands (Czech Republic), focusing on the Zemanův žleb and Ostrov u Macochy sites in the Moravian Karst (Moravský kras). Previous studies have primarily linked settlement in these marginal Central European uplands to medieval colonization phases (11th-13th c. AD) driven by mining and non-agrarian activities like charcoal production, with little focus on earlier human impacts. The study utilized GIS analysis, LiDAR data, and sediment sampling to investigate past landscape dynamics. At Zemanův žleb, high sedimentation rates were observed, potentially linked to deforestation and mining. At Ostrov u Macochy, a probable medieval fishpond and Pleistocene/Holocene lake sediments were identified. The pollen record suggests Middle Holocene deciduous woodland with minor anthropogenic impacts. These findings highlight the potential of this region for further study on diachronic landscape changes and medieval land use strategies in low mountain ranges. Future work will involve geophysical surveys, dating, and detailed environmental analysis to better understand these dynamics.

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M. Lebsak/J. Kapusta: Large-scale ironworking in Early Medieval proto-urban settlements: A case study from Mikulčice-Valy, Czech Republic. Přehled výzkumů 65/2, 2024.

Pyrometallurgical remnants, including slags and technical ceramics, offer crucial insights into E... more Pyrometallurgical remnants, including slags and technical ceramics, offer crucial insights into Early Medieval ironworking. Iron held substantial economic significance during this era and its processing is particularly evident in settlement agglomerations and proto-urban sites across Northern and East Central Europe. Despite its importance, large-scale ironworking remains inadequately explored within broader socioeconomic contexts. Our study examines around 300 kg of pyrotechnical waste from the northern suburbium of the Mikulčice-Valy settlement agglomeration (Czech Republic) using macroscopic and metallographic (SEM-EDS, WD-XRF) methods. The findings reveal specialised blacksmithing characterised by intensity and diversity contributing to a better understanding of the operational dynamics and installations in craft-production workshops. We propose that blacksmiths capitalised on the proto-urban environment, satisfying a high demand for diverse iron commodities of a dense population actively engaged in household, agricultural and artisanal work. While elites facilitated access to raw materials and maintained relative peace, direct control over iron production and distribution among the elites appears limited, apart from valuables like weapons. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between ironworkers and political-economic structures, offering new perspectives on the mechanisms driving Early Medieval iron economies.