Kryburg gauntlet

Demolition work was planned near Kyburg Castle, about 20 miles north of Zurich; the castle was near a medieval town and the planned work threatened any artifacts that might be present on the site.^[1][2] Excavation to preserve any artifacts present was carried out in late 2021 and early 2022.^[1] One of the major finds was the gauntlet.^[1]

A medieval-era weaving cellar and multiple other artifacts, including over 50 iron pieces, were also found during the excavation.^[2] The gauntlet was found within the remains of the weaving cellar, leading archeologists to believe a blacksmith was working in the area before a fire destroyed the weaving cellar.^[3]

The right hand gauntlet was almost complete. Portions of a left hand gauntlet were also recovered.^[1] The gauntlet has four finger-folds.^[1] Side rivets allowed the gauntlet to be a flexible glove.^[4] It is made of iron and was likely attached to an interior textile or leather glove.^[1][4][3]

Because the gauntlet shows evidence of creation by a skilled craftsman, and such armor was expensive, the gauntlet probably belonged to a member of the nobility or another person of high status.^[1][4]

According to Zurich Cantonal Archaeology, most other gauntlets recovered have been from later periods; only five others from this period are known to exist from Swiss excavations, and all are fragmental.^[1][4]

Kyburg Castle planned a permanent display of a copy of the gauntlet and a reconstruction of what it would have looked like when it was made starting in late March of 2024 and a three-week display of the original starting in September of 2024.^[5][3]