Water Supply in a Late Medieval Motte Tower Castle. Remarks Concerning the Discovery of a Well within the Mottetype Manor in Ciochowice in Upper Silesia

Within the late medieval motte manors in Europe, it is very rare to discover facilities and devices, including wells, related to the provision of water for the manor’s domestic needs. Certainly, easy access to water was important both for satisfying the daily needs of the inhabitants and for the stable economic functioning of any knightly seat. This was probably also the role of the well discovered within the relics of the motte in Ciochowice. The aim of this paper is to discuss this rare and valuable find in the context of other discoveries of this type in Europe. It will also be important to present its construction details, chronological findings and individual artefacts related to its daily functioning.