930 Geschichte des Altertums bis ca. 499, Archäologie
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Are we creating our past?
(2020)
Urnfield Culture hilltop settlements are often associated with a predominant function in the settlement pattern. This study challenged the idea of centrality by means of density estimates and spatial inhomogeneous explanatory statistics. Reflecting on the differences in spatial trends and material culture, no conclusive evidence for a consolidation of power, economic, or cultic dominance was observed. The dataset strongly points towards the inapplicability of commonly used parametric and/or homogenous spatial algorithms in archaeology. Tracer variables as well as the methodological and theoretical limitations are critically reviewed and a methodological framework to increase the reproducibility and reusability of archaeological research is proposed.
Geoarchaeological reconstructions of land-use changes may help to reveal driving cultural factors and incentives behind these processes and relate them to supra-regional economic and political developments. This is particularly true in the context of complete abandonment of a settlement. Here we present a case study from the site of Faule Pfütze, a small catchment in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony). The historical record of this site is confined to the report of a settlement called Hohenwalde in 1404 CE and two later references to the then-abandoned settlement in 1492 and 1524 CE in this area. Combined geoarchaeological studies allowed for the reconstruction of several phases of land use. While a first phase of alluvial sedimentation occurred during the late 12th century, archaeological evidence for a permanent settlement is absent during this period. The onset of settlement activity is identified during the late 14th century and included a hitherto unknown massive stone building. Mining features are present nearby and are dated to the early 15th century. The local palynological record shows evidence for reforestation during the mid 15th century and thereby corroborates the time of abandonment indicated by written sources. These processes are discussed in the context of a local political conflict (Dohna Feud) leading to the redistribution of properties and the development of a mining economy during this time. Later land use from the mid 16th century onwards appears restricted to charcoal production, probably in the context of smelting works operating in nearby Schmiedeberg as indicated by rising lead concentrations in the alluvial record.
The dynamics of development of Bronze Age fortified settlements in the territory of present-day Poland reflects a general trend visible in other regions of Europe. The first period when relatively few defensive settlements were built was the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. However, intensification of the discussed phenomenon can only be noticed with the development of the Lusatian culture. The older development stage of fortified settlements in Poland is characterised by a significantly lower number of sources. The sites identified until now form a small group of settlements, clearly connected with two cultural circles. The four settlements which have been discovered in Greater Poland and Silesia so far should be linked with local groups of Únětice culture. In south-eastern Poland, in the Polish part of the Western Carpathians, there are three known sites, which are the result of northern expansion of Otomani-Füzesabony culture settlements, as well as the development of local communities of Mierzanowice culture. The text aims at detailed description of archaeological sources concerning particular features and aspects of functioning of fortified settlements. Moreover the collected information will serve to attempt to locate the discussed settlements in wider contexts regarding the roles which are most frequently assigned to the archaeological sites of this kind.
Das bronzezeitliche Kampfgeschehen im Tollensetal – ein Großereignis oder wiederholte Konflikte?
(2018)
In den 1990er Jahren wurden am Ufer der Tollense in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wiederholt Menschenreste entdeckt. Eine erste Sondierung ergab 1996 eine flächig erhaltene Fundschicht mit Menschenresten und wenigen Pferdeknochen (Fundplatz Weltzin 20) aus der Zeit um 1300 v. Chr. Ein Schädel mit Impression verstärkte den Verdacht auf einen Gewaltkonflikt. Die seit 2008 durchgeführten Untersuchungen (u. a. Grabungen, Unterwasserarchäologie, Detektorbegehungen, osteoarchäologische Untersuchungen) liefern zunehmend Argumente für ein bronzezeitliches Gewaltereignis an der Tollense. Inzwischen können kleinräumig verlagerte Menschenreste an verschiedenen Stellen auf über 2,5 km Länge im Flusstal nachgewiesen werden. Unter den zahlreichen Bronzefunden fallen Waffenfunde auf, vor allem bronzene Tüllenpfeilspitzen. Sie korrespondieren gut mit den Verletzungen an den Knochen der ca. 140 Mindestindividuen, fast ausnahmslos junge Männer. Als Ausgangspunkt für den postulierten Konflikt wird eine befestigte Talquerung angenommen. Für seine Dimension ist es von großer Bedeutung, ob die Opfer auf ein Ereignis oder wiederholte Kampfhandlungen zurückgehen. Zahlreiche AMS-Daten sprechen für eine Datierung der Funde in die Zeit von 1300 bis 1250 v. Chr. Insgesamt erlauben die absoluten Daten keine nähere zeitliche Eingrenzung der Ereignisse. Vor allem die ähnliche Zusammensetzung der Funde, das ähnliche Erscheinungsbild der einzelnen Fundplätze, die Dominanz junger Männer, die ähnlichen Verletzungen und das Fehlen von Karnivorenverbiss an den Knochen werden als starke Argumente dafür gesehen, dass die verschiedenen Fundstellen auf ein großes Gewaltereignis zurückgehen. Eine hypothetische Hochrechnung führt zu einer Zahl von ca. 1600-2200 beteiligten Kämpfern, was auf um eine überregionale Auseinandersetzung kampferprobter Männer schließen lässt. Für eine Herkunft der Männer aus unterschiedlichen Regionen sprechen auch die Sr-Isotopen-Analysen.
Panel discussion
(2019)
The history of the Lombards could well be designated a history of warfare, for in the course of the 206-year existence of their realm in Italy the Lombards constantly carried out warfare of varying intensity, whether in their own defence or to expand their territory. Even the time prior to their invasion of Italy, especially their advances from Pannonia, were already marked by numerous military conflicts. Of particular interest here are the questions with reference to the background and the course of these conflicts, and also to the weaponry that was utilised. In the following contribution the weapons of Lombard warriors – or more specifically – the weapons used by warriors in Lombardian Italy will be examined. This specification is necessary because Lombard warriors experienced many interactions with other powers, for example, with Byzantine forces stationed in Italy (until 751 AD), and with foreign enemies like the Franks and Avars, who however could always turn into cooperative partners for the Lombards. Thus, it can be assumed that ultimately through contacts with enemies as well as with allies, the different types of Lombard weaponry depended upon the respective situation. Aside from use in real battles, weapons of the Lombards also had other functions: They were of symbolic significance in that they could demonstrate power and social differences. Certain types of weapons can be interpreted as signs of rank – which of course applies to the early Middle Ages on the whole. In principal, three groups of source material are at disposal for study: 1) references in written sources, 2) contemporary depictions of Lombard warriors, and 3) archaeological evidence, that is, weapons and pieces of armament found in graves, settlements and also occasional finds – including those without a find context. An overall picture of Lombard weaponry can only be gained when all possible source groups are evaluated.
Als 369 v. Chr. durch den thebanischen Feldherrn Epaminondas die Stadt Messene auf der südwestlichen Peloponnes als neue Hauptstadt des gerade von Sparta befreiten Messeniens gegründet wurde, markierte dies sowohl das Ende jahrhundertelanger Kriege, Unterdrückung und Aufstände als auch gleichzeitig den drohenden Beginn eines neuen Konfliktes, da einige griechische Stadtstaaten, allen voran natürlich Sparta, die Rechtmäßigkeit eines selbständigen Messeniens in Frage stellten. Die monumentale, direkt nach der Stadtgründung unter einem gewissen Zeitdruck, doch auf dem neuesten Stand der Befestigungstechnik errichtete Stadtmauer Messenes stellt daher eine äußerst notwendige Maßnahme der Konfliktvorbereitung dar. Doch zeigen auf der anderen Seite ihre bedeutenden repräsentativen Aspekte, dass sie gleichzeitig als Symbol der neugewonnenen Identität, des Selbstbewusstseins und der Standhaftigkeit der neuen Stadtbevölkerung und damit als Stein gewordenes Argument für das Recht der Messenier auf eine unabhängige Existenz diente. Auf diese Weise ist die Stadtmauer Messenes auch als ein vorausschauender Akt der Konfliktprävention zu sehen, der schließlich von Erfolg gekrönt war, da die Stadt sich behaupten konnte und über Jahrhunderte blühte und gedieh..
In this paper I assess two archaeological phenomena for Bronze to Iron Age Britain: the expanding scale of conflict over this period and the practice of what is often called deviant burial, and I consider their possible connection. Such burials may relate to a wider pattern of social violence, given that community setbacks need to be explained away, perhaps requiring scapegoats to take the blame, who met their death as a result of being identified as ‘the enemy within’. Although burials with weaponry occurred in the Early Bronze Age, there is little evidence of conflict and few deviant burials. The Later Bronze Age and the Iron Age, by contrast, provide significant evidence at varying scales of both warfare and deviant burial practices.