What does the bell-distribution hide? Spatial behavior and demographic development of the Funnel Beaker culture populations in Bronocice region, Poland

Abstract

Diachenko A., Kruk J. and Milisauskas S. 2016. What does the bell-distribution hide? Spatial behavior and demographic development of the Funnel Beaker culture populations in Bronocice region, Poland. Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 68, 25-38.Spatial archaeology usually links population estimates to settlement functions. Normal (Gaussian) or binomial distributions of a variable reflecting population values are used for groups of sites identified as seasonal occupations, hamlets, villages, centers etc. However, using this approach the demographic development remains hidden in bell-curves. To solve this issue we propose a research procedure that considers spatio-demographic development of the population. Application of this procedure to Funnel Beaker sites in the Bronocice region led to the identification of at least 7 sub-phases in the 'classical' period Bronocice 3 (BR II) and 4 (BR III) and could be increased to 8-9 sub-phases.

Neolithic Textile Production Artifacts at Bronocice

“…Excavations at Bronocice revealed an extensive area of settlement and recovered a large volume of diverse cultural materials including pottery, lithics, burials, fiber and textile production artifacts, and floral and faunal remains (Kruk and Milisauskas 1985). Numerous household pits, human burials, two defensive ditches, and two enclosures for domestic animals were investigated at Bronocice (Diachenko et al 2016;Kruk and Milisauskas 1981aand b, 1983, Milisauskas and Kruk 1984, 1989Milisauskas et al 2012Milisauskas et al , 2016. The archaeological evidence for spinning and weaving at Bronocice is comprised of clay and bone artifacts, pseudomorphs, collapsed workshop or sheds, storage pits and postmold stains.…”

Variability in 4th Millennium BC Livestock Management Practices in the Bronocice Region, Southeastern Poland

“…The use of the Phase 1 sheep levels as a basis of comparison gives a relative point from which to evaluate all other readings. Like other contemporary Funnel Beaker settlements in the region, the Phase 1 Funnel Beaker occupation at Bronocice was small, probably seasonal, and focused mainly on cattle rearing (Figure 3, Table 3) (Diachenko et al 2016;Milisauskas et al 2012;Pipes et al 2009). The majority of dental specimens fell within the strontium peak intensity range of strontium Range = 9,500 to Variability in 4 th Millennium BC Livestock Management Practices in the Bronocice Region 16,000.…”

Janusz Kruk’s settlement archaeology: inspirations and determinants

“…An even more important reason for the considerations in this article is the ongoing discussion on the theoretical and source-related aspects of this kind of settlement study, primarily in Polish archeology (cf. Kadrow 2010;Włodarczak 2013;Diachenko et al 2016). There is no indication that this discussion will soon end.…”

“…A -alluvial zone, B -valley edge zone, C -slopes of the upland zone, D -edges of the upland zone, F -upland zone; Settlement size: a -1.80 ha; b -2.00 ha; c -2.20-2.30 ha; d -2.50 ha; e -2.70-3.10 ha; f -3.40-3.70 ha; g -4.00-4.50 ha; h -5.00-5.10 ha; I -5.60 ha; j -8-9 ha; k -21 ha (acc. to Diachenko et al 2016) For this reason, I have turned to the theory of "the Death of the Author" known from literary criticism (cf. Barthes 2006), which opposes the view equating the significance of a text with the author's intention.…”

“…A -alluvial zone, B -valley edge zone, C -slopes of the upland zone, D -edges of the upland zone, F -upland zone; Settlement size: a -1.80 ha; b -2.00 ha; c -2.20-2.30 ha; d -2.50 ha; e -2.70-3.10 ha; f -3.40-3.70 ha;g -4.00-4.50 ha; h -5.00-5.10 ha; I -5.60 ha; j -8-9 ha; k -21 ha (acc. toDiachenko et al 2016)…”