Mesolithic, Alpine archaeology, survey, malacology, palaeoethnobotany, radiocarbon datas
Archaeological surveys and excavations from 2005 to 2023 in the municipality of Muotathal have so far revealed nine Mesolithic sites with radiocarbon-dated charcoal and faunal remains, as well as typologically identifable silices. The... more
Archaeological surveys and excavations from 2005 to 2023 in the municipality of Muotathal have so far revealed nine
Mesolithic sites with radiocarbon-dated charcoal and faunal remains, as well as typologically identifable silices. The
differing topographical situations of the sites and fnd assemblages make it possible to propose a modelled reconstruction of land usage by Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups in the mountainous Alpine study area. Base camps, campsites
at passages obligés and hunting observation posts visited in summer or autumn can be identifed. In winter, groups of
people probably remained on the Swiss Plateau. Determination of siliceous raw materials provides evidence of contacts
and exchange systems involving the Central Plateau, the Jura, the Alpine Rhine Valley and southern Alpine regions.
Palaeoethnobotanical, osteological, anthracological and malacological investigations additionally provide valuable data
regarding the climate, environment and anthropogenic supply strategies.
Mesolithic sites with radiocarbon-dated charcoal and faunal remains, as well as typologically identifable silices. The
differing topographical situations of the sites and fnd assemblages make it possible to propose a modelled reconstruction of land usage by Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups in the mountainous Alpine study area. Base camps, campsites
at passages obligés and hunting observation posts visited in summer or autumn can be identifed. In winter, groups of
people probably remained on the Swiss Plateau. Determination of siliceous raw materials provides evidence of contacts
and exchange systems involving the Central Plateau, the Jura, the Alpine Rhine Valley and southern Alpine regions.
Palaeoethnobotanical, osteological, anthracological and malacological investigations additionally provide valuable data
regarding the climate, environment and anthropogenic supply strategies.
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Results of pedogeomorphological, geochronological and paleobotanical investigations are presented covering the last ca. 4,000 years. The study sites are located in the heavily degraded Kyichu River catchment around Lhasa at 3,600-4,600 m... more
Results of pedogeomorphological, geochronological and paleobotanical investigations are presented covering the last ca. 4,000 years. The study sites are located in the heavily degraded Kyichu River catchment around Lhasa at 3,600-4,600 m a.s.l. Repeatedly, colluvial sediments have been recorded overlying paleosols. These deposits can be divided into i) coarse-grained sediments with a high proportion of stones and boulders originating from alluvial fans and debris flows, ii) matrix supported sediments with some stones and boulders originating from mudflows or combined colluvial processes such as hillwash plus rock fall, and iii) fine-grained sediments originating from hill wash. The IRSL multi-level dating of profile QUG 1 points to a short-time colluvial sedimentation between 1.0 ± 0.1 and 0.8 ± 0.1 ka. In contrast, dated paleosols of profile GAR 1 (7,908 ± 99 and 3,668 ± 57 BP) encompass a first colluvial episode. Here, the upper colluvial sedimentation took place during several periods between 2.6 ± 0.3 and 0.4 ± 0.1 ka. For the first time in Tibet, a systematic extraction, determination and dating of charcoals from buried paleosols was conducted. The charcoals confirm the Late Holocene presence of juniper forests or woodlands in a now treeless, barren environment. A pollen diagram from Lhasa shows a distinct decline of pollen of the Jumperus-type around 4,140 ± 50 BP, which is interpreted as indicating a clearing of forests on the adjacent slopes. It is assumed that the environmental changes from forests to desertic rangelands since ca. 4,000 BP have been at least reinforced by humans.
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Die durch die Projektierung der Nationalstrasse N5 ausgeloste Grossgrabung der jungsteinzeitlichen Siedlung von Twann fand zwischen 1974 und 1976 statt. Der vorliegende Band 6 der 20-teiligen Reihe beschaftigt sich mit den Sedimenten.... more
Die durch die Projektierung der Nationalstrasse N5 ausgeloste Grossgrabung der jungsteinzeitlichen Siedlung von Twann fand zwischen 1974 und 1976 statt. Der vorliegende Band 6 der 20-teiligen Reihe beschaftigt sich mit den Sedimenten. Dabei wurde die Bodenprobe der Kolonne X/42 mit verschiedenen Methoden untersucht (Pollenanalyse, Botanik, Sedimentologie).
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Abstract Two isolated forests of birches (Betula) and willows (Salix) are found in the easternmost outpost of the Gobi Altay mountains, Mongolia. This paper presents a study of their palaeoecological background and present day ecology.... more
Abstract Two isolated forests of birches (Betula) and willows (Salix) are found in the easternmost outpost of the Gobi Altay mountains, Mongolia. This paper presents a study of their palaeoecological background and present day ecology. Based on a range of methods including vegetation surveys, dendroecological analysis, charcoal analysis and interviews inferences pertaining to the forests' present and past state are conducted. The forests survived due to a complex system of ecological interactions. Dated charcoal findings of ...
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Research Interests: Geography and Humanities
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Johannes Miocic1, Ruth Drescher-Schneider2, Hans Rudolf Graf3, Marlu Kühn4, Frank Preusser1, Werner H. Schoch5, Nigel Thew6, Lucia Wick4, and Heinz Furrer7 1Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität... more
Johannes Miocic1, Ruth Drescher-Schneider2, Hans Rudolf Graf3, Marlu Kühn4, Frank Preusser1, Werner H. Schoch5, Nigel Thew6, Lucia Wick4, and Heinz Furrer7 1Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 23b, 79104 Freiburg, Germany, 2Schilingsdorfer Straße 27, 8010 Kainbach bei Graz, Austria, 3Dr. von Moos AG, Bachofnerstrasse 5, 8037 Zürich, Switzerland,4Integrative Prähistorische und Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie, Universität Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland, 5Labor für Quartaere Hoelzer/ Laboratory for Ancient Wood Research, Unterrütistrasse 17, 8135 Langnau a.A., Switzerland, 6Rue Paul Bouvier 2, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 7Paläontologisches Institut und Museum Universität Zürich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
Research Interests: Geography, Geology, Sedimentology, Pleistocene, Peat, and 3 moreHolocene, Interglacial, and Sedimentary Rock
Research Interests: Geography, Archaeology, Geology, Humanities, Art, and 15 moreArchaeobotany, Neolithic Archaeology, Provence, Neolithic Chronology, Âge Du Fer, Middle Neolithic, Âge du Bronze, Puits, Southern France, Néolithique, Pratiques funéraires, Crémation, Chasseen Culture, Sépultures à Crémation, and restes organiques
The exploitation of copper deposits in the mountainous areas of the Alps gained enormous economic importance particularly in the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C., as Alpine copper began to play a central role in the metal supply of Europe.... more
The exploitation of copper deposits in the mountainous areas of the Alps gained enormous economic importance particularly in the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C., as Alpine copper began to play a central role in the metal supply of Europe. This volume summarises the current state of research on prehistoric Alpine copper exploitation from the western and southern Alps to the gates of Vienna in the eastern Alps. The 23 papers were originally presented as contributions to a conference held in September 2016 at the University of Innsbruck, which covered topics such as mountain landscapes, mining, beneficiation, smelting and the metal trade in the Bronze and Early Iron Ages. A particular focus of the present volume is the D-A-CH-funded project on ‘Prehistoric copper production in the Eastern and Central Alps: technical, social and economic dynamics in space and time’, a research collaboration between partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The various contributions provide new perspecti...
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Keywords: Alpen; Feuerstellen; Holzkohle; Jüngere Eisenzeit; Faunenreste; Mollusken; historische Inschriften. – Alpes ; foyers ; charbons de bois ; Âge du Fer récent ; restes de faune ; mollusques ; inscriptions historiques. – Alpi;... more
Keywords: Alpen; Feuerstellen; Holzkohle; Jüngere Eisenzeit; Faunenreste; Mollusken; historische Inschriften. – Alpes ; foyers ; charbons
de bois ; Âge du Fer récent ; restes de faune ; mollusques ; inscriptions historiques. – Alpi; focolari; carbone di legno; età del ferro
recente; resti faunistici; iscrizioni storiche. – Alps; hearths; charcoal; Later Iron Age; animal remains; molluscs; historical inscriptions
de bois ; Âge du Fer récent ; restes de faune ; mollusques ; inscriptions historiques. – Alpi; focolari; carbone di legno; età del ferro
recente; resti faunistici; iscrizioni storiche. – Alps; hearths; charcoal; Later Iron Age; animal remains; molluscs; historical inscriptions
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In the summers of 2020 and 2021, a team of archaeologists and palaeoecologists examined the “Flözerbändli” site, a rocky overhang located directly above the right bank of the River Muota at an elevation of 740 m a.s.l. The excavations... more
In the summers of 2020 and 2021, a team of archaeologists and palaeoecologists examined the “Flözerbändli” site, a rocky overhang located directly above the right bank of the River Muota at an elevation of 740 m a.s.l. The excavations unearthed Early Mesolithic layers which yielded charcoal fragments from the period between 9746 and 8294 BC, stone artefacts including projectile points, as well as animal bones and archaeoethnobotanical remains. A remarkable find was a red deer antler fragment dating from between 10519 and 10028 BC which was decorated with regular rows of pit marks. Late Palaeolithic finds such as this are extremely rare. Various other Mesolithic sites have also been discovered in the municipal area of Muotathal.
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Zusammenfassung: Die genaue Grabungsdokumentation der Scheiterhaufengräber unter den Tumuli aus Cugir und Tarinci, die paläobotanischen, anthropologischen und -zoologischen Untersuchungen sowie die Metallanalysen der Bronzegegenstände aus... more
Zusammenfassung: Die genaue Grabungsdokumentation der Scheiterhaufengräber unter den Tumuli aus Cugir und Tarinci, die paläobotanischen, anthropologischen und -zoologischen Untersuchungen sowie die Metallanalysen der Bronzegegenstände aus dem Wagengrab in Cugir, die ethnografischen und (experimentell-)archäologischen Analysen der Scheiterhaufenverbrennung eröffnen neuen Wege in der Forschung der Scheiterhaufenbestattungen der Spätlatène- bzw. der frühen Kaiserzeit an der unteren Donau, auf der Balkanhalbinsel und für das vorrömische Dakien. Zunächst wurden die Anlage der Verbrennungsstellen und der Aufbau der Scheiterhaufen herausgearbeitet: Die bei den Ausgrabungen entdeckten Bestattungsspuren mit dem für die Verbrennung des Leichnames, der Tierkadaver und der Grabausstattung benötigtem Brennmaterial sowie die Untersuchung der Verbrennungsspuren an den Knochen und den Gegenständen ermöglichten sowohl die Rekonstruktion des Scheiterhaufens als auch die des Verlaufs der Begräbniszere...
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Cave, history of research, Neolithic period, Iron Agegraves, charcoal, animal remains
Anthracology is a part of woodanatomy. The contribution presents possibilities, problems and their solutions for the analysis of charcoal. Careful sampling and the assessment of the overall findings are essential for the interpretation of... more
Anthracology is a part of woodanatomy. The contribution presents possibilities, problems and their solutions for the analysis of charcoal. Careful sampling and the assessment of the overall findings are essential for the interpretation of the results.
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Fruit d’une collaboration entre les universites de Bâle et d’Aix-Marseille, la fouille du site des Bagnoles a L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (84) a conduit a la decouverte d’une serie d’occupations marquees par la decouverte de plusieurs sepultures... more
Fruit d’une collaboration entre les universites de Bâle et d’Aix-Marseille, la fouille du site des Bagnoles a L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (84) a conduit a la decouverte d’une serie d’occupations marquees par la decouverte de plusieurs sepultures a cremation datees de la fin du 5e millenaire avant notre ere, localisees au sein d’un possible espace mortuaire probablement dedie aux funerailles et a des ceremonies commemoratives, et de trois puits a eau neolithiques qui, fait exceptionnel, renfermaient encore de nombreux restes organiques conserves en milieu humide. Replaces dans leur contexte local et regional, ces vestiges ainsi que l’abondant mobilier mis au jour sur le site permettent d’elargir considerablement notre connaissance des communautes d’agriculteurs-eleveurs du Neolithique mediterraneen entre le Ve et le IVe millenaire avant notre ere.
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The Berglibalm rock shelter is located in the municipality of Muotathal in the Bisistal valley at an altitude of 1140 m a. s. l. The areas excavated in 2015 and 2019 measured 5 m2 and yielded the remains of an Early Mesolithic layer... more
The Berglibalm rock shelter is located in the municipality of Muotathal in the Bisistal valley at an altitude of 1140 m a. s. l. The areas excavated in 2015 and 2019 measured 5 m2 and yielded the remains of an Early Mesolithic layer dating from around 8766 to 7596 BC. The charcoal concentrations recorded showed that hazel and maple were the main species used for firewood. The excavation also unearthed many well-preserved faunal remains, a small quantity of plant macrofossils and a lithic assemblage comprising 535 artefacts including 15 microliths. The raw material analysis revealed that the hunter-gatherers preferred local and regional raw materials including fine-grained quartzite (»Ölquarzit«). Some long-distance imports attested to contacts to the Chur and Vorarlberg regions in the east, the Ticino in the south and the Upper Rhine Valley or southern Black Forest region in the north. The rock shelter served as a campsite for Mesolithic hunters targeting ibex, chamois, deer and wil...
Roman fire places, bones, Muotathal, Schwyz
Wüstung, Balm, Holzkohle, Mesolithikum, Jungsteinzeit, Römerzeit, Mittelalter, voralpine Landnutzung
The alpine ice-patch sites of Tisenjoch (I), Schnidejoch and Loetschenpass (CH) brought to light the most complete archery equipment known from European Prehistory. From the end of the last glaciation until the Middle Ages, bows and... more
The alpine ice-patch sites of Tisenjoch (I), Schnidejoch and Loetschenpass (CH) brought to light the most complete archery equipment known from European Prehistory. From the end of the last glaciation until the Middle Ages, bows and arrows were the most important weapons for hunting and warfare. The first verified artefacts of archery equipment are the arrows from Stellmoor, Northern Germany, which date to 10,000 BC, while the oldest bows found so far are still the two elm bows from Holmegard in Southern Denmark, dated to ca. 8000 – 6500 BC (Junkmanns 2013). During the Neolithic, bows were made almost exclusively from yew wood (Taxus baccata). Despite their different shapes, all prehistoric bows found in Europe are simple man-tall bows made from a single piece of wood with a more or less D-shaped cross-section and a flat belly side. Arrows were made from split wood or thin saplings and equipped with different types of points made from stone, bone/ antler material or the wood itself,...
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Archaologie in den Hochalpen: Vom Ruckgang der Gletscher sind auch archaologische Objekte betroffen. Uber Jahrtausende hinweg haben sie im Eis uberdauert, nun kommen sie zum Vorschein. Im Hitzesommer 2003 fand eine Wanderin am Schnidejoch... more
Archaologie in den Hochalpen: Vom Ruckgang der Gletscher sind auch archaologische Objekte betroffen. Uber Jahrtausende hinweg haben sie im Eis uberdauert, nun kommen sie zum Vorschein. Im Hitzesommer 2003 fand eine Wanderin am Schnidejoch ein fremdartiges Objekt aus Birkenrinde. Es erwies sich als Teil eines 4800 Jahre alten Bogenfutterals. In den Jahren 2004 bis 2011 unternahm der Archaologische Dienst des Kantons Bern uber 30 Begehungen der Nordseite und – zusammen mit der Walliser Kantonsarchaologie – auch der Sudseite des Schnidejochs. Zahlreiche weitere Funde aus Holz, Leder und Metall konnten geborgen und wissenschaftlich untersucht werden. Einzigartige Funde Zu den spektakularsten Funden vom Schnidejoch zahlt das Bogenfutteral aus Birkenrinde. Weiter stechen aus den rund 900 Funden ein Pfeilbogen, mehrere vollstandige Pfeile und Fragmente einer Schale aus Ulmenholz hervor. Es handelt sich dabei um das alteste Holzgefass der Schweiz. Weitere herausragende Funde sind ein bronze...
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From 2013 to 2019, the prehistoric copper mining region of Oberhalbstein was in the focus of archaeological research carried out by the Department of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Zurich in cooperation with the... more
From 2013 to 2019, the prehistoric copper mining region of Oberhalbstein was in the focus of archaeological research carried out by the Department of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Zurich in cooperation with the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Grisons. The surveys and excavations of mining and smelting structures unexpectedly yielded numerous large, well-preserved charcoal fragments from conifers (Picea abies/Larix decidua, Pinus cembra, Pinus mugo/sylvestris). A total of 534 charcoal fragments and 7 wooden objects were retrieved from the 23 sites studied. Most of the sites are located between 1695 m and 2450 m a.s.l. The larger charcoal fragments bore up to 200 tree rings, and even fairly small fragments had a considerable number of rings. Dendrochronological analysis allowed us to construct two conifer chronologies that correlated with those from the central and eastern Alps and covered the period between the 12th and the 7th centuries BC. These made it possible to establish accurate calendar dates even for the period of the Hallstatt 14C plateau, which often limits precise radiocarbon dating for that time period. The absolute chronological framework showed that, up to the present state of research, prehistoric copper mining and production in this part of the central Alps took place within two major events: one in the 11th century BC, the other in the 7th or 6th century BC.
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Mesolithic, Rock shelter, mobile art, radiocarbon dates, botanical remains, pollen, anthracology, microlithes
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When the Sakdrisi complex was discovered and its importance fully apprehended more than 12 years ago, no one realised at the time how much valuable information was to be harvested from field and laboratory work as a result. It is a... more
When the Sakdrisi complex was discovered and its importance fully apprehended more than 12 years ago, no one realised at the time how much valuable information was to be harvested from field and laboratory work as a result. It is a recognised fact that mining, metallurgy, settlement and societal structures are related to each other as contemporary features: this opens up various new approaches towards understanding a gold-mining society of the late 4th millennium BC.
The entire production evidence from the Kura-Araxes production chain will be described in an overview, beginning with the mining, the ore-dressing, the ore-milling and the smelting. This valuable evidence has also enabled the research team to understand the importance gold production once had in daily life and how this influenced the ritual habits and the social system. One basic question is whether the production of gold was at this time a permanent or a part-time activity, especially as there is some ambiguity concerning the way of life of the groups involved in gold production at the beginning: were they mobile or sedentary? This question should be approached not only through qualitative but also quantitative aspects: what labour force was necessary to produce one gram of gold from a rich gold-hematite deposit like Sakdrisi? The research team approached this question by a series of experiments and was able to establish a detailed quantitative calculation of the production steps (the “Paravani calculation”, named after an archaeological site where a golden earring was found). These quantitative data will be used to model the different steps of the work carried out at Sakdrisi and Dzedzvebi and to help us understand the societal consequences that it once entailed.
The entire production evidence from the Kura-Araxes production chain will be described in an overview, beginning with the mining, the ore-dressing, the ore-milling and the smelting. This valuable evidence has also enabled the research team to understand the importance gold production once had in daily life and how this influenced the ritual habits and the social system. One basic question is whether the production of gold was at this time a permanent or a part-time activity, especially as there is some ambiguity concerning the way of life of the groups involved in gold production at the beginning: were they mobile or sedentary? This question should be approached not only through qualitative but also quantitative aspects: what labour force was necessary to produce one gram of gold from a rich gold-hematite deposit like Sakdrisi? The research team approached this question by a series of experiments and was able to establish a detailed quantitative calculation of the production steps (the “Paravani calculation”, named after an archaeological site where a golden earring was found). These quantitative data will be used to model the different steps of the work carried out at Sakdrisi and Dzedzvebi and to help us understand the societal consequences that it once entailed.