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Foreword
nails of different forms and other objects occupy a significant place. Those were fastening
elements of stone and wooden buildings, functional and decorative fittings, which during
the existence of the castle were used in newly constructed buildings, reconstruction and re-
pair works. After the destructive burning of the castle, the ancient iron objects coming down
into ruins and lying in the ground for several centuries were covered with rust and partially
corroded. Some less damaged ironworks were conserved soon after excavations had been
finished, but the other ones are occasionally inspected by chief specialist of Turaida Museum
Reserve Dainis Bernhards, who applies temporary corrosion protective coating to prevent
further damage of them. Now the digital photographs by Nauris Dainis, of which about
200 are published, will be helpful in preservation of appearance of these antiquities. Since
until now, there are no comprehensive publications about building parts found in architec-
tural monuments dating back to the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period of Latvia, the
catalogue prepared by art historian Ieva Ose will provide a good insight into development
of ironwork. Translation of the text into English was a real challenge for translator Maija
Treilona. Finding of the appropriate English terms would be more difficult without the self-
less assistance of archaeologists Dave Evan and Lisa Wastling from Hull.
Turaida Museum Reserve expresses sincere gratitude to all those who were involved in
preparation of this catalogue, especially to the publishing house “Zinātne” which has already
published several catalogues of Turaida. We hope that the successful cooperation will con-
tinue and a wide range of readers also in the next years will receive new information about
objects from the rich collection of Turaida Museum Reserve.
Anna Jurkāne
Director of Turaida Museum Reserve