Investigating the complex story of one ditch—A multidisciplinary study of ditch infill provides insight into the spatial organisation within the oppidum of Bibracte (Burgundy, France)

Goláňová, Petra; Hajnalová, Mária; Lisá, Lenka; Milo, Peter; Petr, Libor; Fránková, Markéta; Kysela, Jan; Flammer, Patrik G.; Kočárová, Romana; Barta, Peter

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231790

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…Výplně pravěkých objektů z hlediska formačních procesů za použití mikromorfologie v archeologickém kontextu byly po měrně dobře zpracovány především na neolitických lokalitách (Matthew et al 2000;Karkanas, Efstratiou 2009;Shillito, Ryan 2013;Koromila et al 2018) v prostředí telů, kde dochází velmi vhodně k postupnému pohřbívání jednotlivých sídlištních úrovní. Na našem území byly výplně pravěkých objektů z hlediska formačních procesů zpracovávány poměrně málo (Tichý et al 2010) a pokud ano, tak šlo především o výplně příkopů (Goláňová et al 2020) a speciálně výplně neolitických rondelů (Lisá et al 2015;2013a) nebo o paleolitické situace (Lisá et al 2013b;, 2018Nejman et al 2018;Nerudová et al 2012;Škrdla et al 2009). Na příkladu pravěkého objektu, resp.…”

Section: úVodunclassified

Mikromorfologie v archeologickém kontextu jako nástroj pro interpretace vzniku výplní pravěkých objektů: případová studie z Tvrdonic, okr. Břeclav

Lisá

Trampota

2020

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Micromorphology in the archaeological context is a methodological tool of modern multidisciplinary archeology. It is basically a microscopic characterization of sediments in a direct context of archaeological situations with the aim of detecting formation processes, the knowledge of which is essential for further interpretations. This method was applied to the sediment fill of two features in a stratigraphic relationship from the locality Tvrdonice – “Pole od Týnecka”. Samples were taken from a La Tène recessed structure fill and an earlier Bronze Age pit that is superimposed below the La Tène feature. From a macroscopic and micromorphological point of view, it is evident that the fill of an Early Bronze Age feature consists of wind-blown sands in superposition with in situ or slightly displaced soil material. Micro-layers detected macroscopically are only related to object leveling. The layer of soil beneath the “floor” of the La Tène recessed building displays signs of long-term bioturbated soil, i.e. the La Tène building was founded in an existing depression. The active floor layer of the La Tène building is represented by alternating layers of lighter and darker laminae. While the darker laminae represent the trampled layer, the lighter laminae consist of recrystallized ash, which impregnates the trampled layer. On a social level, this finding can be interpreted as the creators of the La Tène recessed building choosing to minimize labour costs by using the recessed terrain and thus avoiding the excavation of the building floor. The utility area possessed a purposefully modified surface, which is related to ergonomic efficiency, but its function is unknown. The uppermost part of the fill is formed by backfill that does not show any signs of pedogenic influences, which indicates that the object was intentionally filled (leveled).

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Section: úVodunclassified

Mikromorfologie v archeologickém kontextu jako nástroj pro interpretace vzniku výplní pravěkých objektů: případová studie z Tvrdonic, okr. Břeclav

Lisá

Trampota

2020

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Land cover and use-history of large empty spaces at fortified Iron Age hilltop sites; a case study from La Terrasse, Bibracte oppidum

Hajnalová,

Goláňová,

Jamrichová

et al. 2023

Veget Hist Archaeobot

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The research of Iron Age oppida and hillforts plays a significant role in understanding the urbanisation processes throughout the European continent. The habitation and built-up areas have always been in the limelight of both traditional and environmental archaeological research. However, at many oppida, there were also large, unoccupied empty spaces. As they are crucial for understanding these settlements’ internal organisation, their functions are debated. Here we aim to demonstrate that seldom studied archaeobotanical archives preserve information on their use-history. By implementing a multiproxy approach, we seek to answer questions on the development, land use and vegetation history of one important open space at Bibracte oppidum on Mont Beuvray. Through the correlation of pollen, phytoliths, diatoms, charcoal, seeds, and parasites with radiocarbon dating we collected evidence of archaeologically otherwise untraceable human activities and detected a much more complicated history of the studied area. We show that it was repeatedly used in the last eight millennia and was never farmed or built up. During the phases of its most intensive exploitation in the Late Iron Age (La Tène) and Early Middle Ages (Merovingian) periods, it was kept as grassland. Our research lays down the foundation for the wider implementation of archaeobotany into projects that aim to clarify the uses and functions of enigmatic large open spaces, not only from the Iron Age but also from other periods.

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Absence of evidence or evidence of absence? The microarchaeology of an ‘empty’ square enclosure of the Late Iron Age La Tène Culture

Cereda

Mayrhofer²,

Saliari

et al. 2023

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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Archaeological features without macro-finds (i.e. finds visible with the naked eye) represent a common phenomenon that poses considerable methodological problems in interpretation. To tackle these problems, we present an approach based on integrating micro-archaeological methods and macro-observations to help elucidate ‘invisible’ activities or at least to exclude certain others. Specifically, we combine micromorphological and micro-debris analyses with the scarce macro-finds and their fragmentation degree to clarify whether the lack of evidence for certain activities really reflects their absence or merely bad preservation conditions. This study focuses on a Late Iron Age ‘empty’ enclosure excavated in the settlement site of Haselbach, Lower Austria. ‘Empty’ square enclosures of the La Tène Culture have been controversially interpreted as either sanctuaries, domestic buildings or burial enclosures, although these interpretations were rarely supported by any material evidence. Using a multi-proxy approach enables us to reconstruct the formation processes of the Haselbach feature as well as to rule out a range of activities, although a clear definition of its primary function was not reached. Based on our case study, we propose a research protocol that can be applied to research on similar ‘empty’ features in order to better validate their functional interpretations.

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Investigating the complex story of one ditch—A multidisciplinary study of ditch infill provides insight into the spatial organisation within the oppidum of Bibracte (Burgundy, France)

Cited by 7 publications

References 29 publications

Mikromorfologie v archeologickém kontextu jako nástroj pro interpretace vzniku výplní pravěkých objektů: případová studie z Tvrdonic, okr. Břeclav

Mikromorfologie v archeologickém kontextu jako nástroj pro interpretace vzniku výplní pravěkých objektů: případová studie z Tvrdonic, okr. Břeclav

Land cover and use-history of large empty spaces at fortified Iron Age hilltop sites; a case study from La Terrasse, Bibracte oppidum

Absence of evidence or evidence of absence? The microarchaeology of an ‘empty’ square enclosure of the Late Iron Age La Tène Culture

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