Pedogenesis, Pedochemistry and the Functional Structure of the Waldhufendorf Field System of the Deserted Medieval Village Spindelbach, the Czech Republic

Tracing the spatial organization and activity zones of an Early Mediaeval homestead at the Pohansko stronghold (Czechia) by combining geophysics and geochemical mapping

“…The approach of non‐invasive geochemical surveying has already been applied with the purpose of exploring ancient activities at archaeological sites in Eastern‐Central Europe. It has been demonstrated that it is a cost‐effective tool that can help reveal anthropogenic geochemical signal of settlement activities or agricultural practices of different ages (e.g., Danielisová et al, 2022; Horák et al, 2018; Horák & Klír, 2017; Janovský et al, 2020; Janovský & Horák, 2018; Salisbury, 2013; Šantrůčková et al, 2020). The design of research varies in these types of surveys (e.g., the depth sample collection, the soil horizons sampled, the grid of the sample area) and are adapted to local environmental conditions, the geological background and to the research questions asked.…”

“…The areas of high positive values of PC1 (S, P, Ca, Zn, Cu and Pb) are potentially caused by anthropogenic sources that will be discussed below. PC2 is, according to the detected elements (Rb, K, Ti, Mn and Al), possibly of a geogenic nature (e.g., Horák & Klír, 2017), and therefore, we will not interpret it in more detail. PC3 indicates a negative correlation between hydromorphic/pedogenic feature (Mn with positive values) corresponding with digital elevation model (Figure 2) and some elements (S, Ba, Sb and P) associated with human activities concentrated in specific features (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).…”

“…The design of research varies in these types of surveys (e.g., the depth sample collection, the soil horizons sampled, the grid of the sample area) and are adapted to local caused by anthropogenic sources that will be discussed below. PC2 is, according to the detected elements (Rb, K, Ti, Mn and Al), possibly of a geogenic nature (e.g., Horák & Klír, 2017), and therefore, we will not interpret it in more detail. PC3 indicates a negative correlation between hydromorphic/pedogenic feature (Mn with positive values)…”

Large Scale Geochemical Signatures Enable to Determine Landscape Use in the Deserted Medieval Villages

“…To refine our interpretation, we used PCA -as it could distinguish different inputs hidden within the total elements content in soil (e.g. Entwistle et al, 1998;Horák, Klír, 2017;Horák et al, 2018).…”

“…Areas which were not or only a little cultivated are now covered with podsols, but intensively-cultivated areas are covered with hyperdystric arenosols (by WRB, Entisols Psamments by USDA). However, the situation in the fields around the deserted village of Spindelbach in Krušné Hory (Ore Mountains, Erzgebirge) does not provide evidence of such a relationship (Horák, Klír, 2017).…”