Relative sea level (RSL) changes and the palaeogeography of a Neolithic hunter-fisher-gatherer settlement site on the former shore of the Gulf of Finland in the city centre of Tallinn were reconstructed by implementing GIS in landscape modelling based on archaeological, sedimentary and shore displacement data. AMS radiocarbon dating of mammal bones from the cultural layer suggests the existence of the hunter-fisher-gatherer settlement around 5.1–4.8 cal. ka BP on a seaward inclining sandy beach of Tallinn palaeo-bay c. 100 m from the Litorina Sea shoreline and at about 2.4 m above the coeval sea level. The shoreline passed the study site at about 5.8 cal. ka BP and retreated towards northeast with an average speed of 13 m per century, while the RSL lowered by c. 2.5 mm annually. Combining radiocarbon dates of terrestrial and marine mammal bones from the Neolithic cultural layer, a marine reservoir effect of 350 14C years for the brackish-water Baltic Sea was calculated. By using high-resolution archaeological data in combination with RSL and other geological proxies, we demonstrate new possibilities to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment of deeply buried coastal settlement sites and to predict a possible continuation of the cultural layer in heavily built-up areas.
The article discusses what the archaeological heritage offers to society and the surrounding landscapes, in addition to the humanitarian knowledge of human origins and activities. Archaeological sites provide valuable habitats for insects, birds, open-air flora within the modern monoculture of agricultural lands and within economical forests. Archaeological heritage in rural monocultural landscapes can be consciously used for sustaining natural diversity.
This paper explores the idea of excavation being only the first stage in communicating the benefit of archaeology to the public. The role of museums, social media and scientific publication are all important, as are the support from private developers and the personal role of the archaeologists themselves. The use of social media can be positive but this paper also details problems with metal detectorists groups, some of which are not acting responsibly.
The article introduces the management system of archaeological monuments of Estonia. It focuses on the state of archaeological heritage and land usage of listed monuments. The legal background is explained while discussing the need to enhance visitor experience on archaeological sites. A few successful and some unfavourable examples are given to show the struggle to find a balance between development, exposition and preservation.
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