- CAU Kiel, Institut fuer
Ur- und Fruehgeschichte
Johanna-Mestorf-Str. 2-6
D-24098 Kiel
- Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Historical Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Social Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 11 moreBronze Age, Archaeology, Megalithic Monuments, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Landscape Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, Environmental Archaeology, Neolithic Europe, Megaliths (Archaeology), Prehistory, and Settlement archaeologyedit
In the years 2022 and 2023, the Trypillia hilltop settlement of Trinca-La Șanț in northern Moldova was investigated and excavated by the CRC1266 in collaboration with the State University of Moldova. As a result, we unveiled the basic... more
In the years 2022 and 2023, the Trypillia hilltop settlement of Trinca-La Șanț in northern Moldova was investigated and excavated by the CRC1266 in collaboration with the State University of Moldova. As a result, we unveiled the basic structures of the 25 ha fortified settlement, which, adapted to the topography, combines the principles of linear and concentric rows of houses. Based on the 14 C data available to date, it can be assumed that the settlement dates from 3950 to 3650 BCE. Of the 320 houses discovered, up to 100 existed simultaneously, which corresponds to a maximum number of inhabitants of 250-1000 people. δ 13 C/δ 15 N isotope values of domestic animals indicate an extensive economy that corresponds to that of other, similarly large or mega-sites. Research questions As part of the CRC1266 investigations into transformation processes, we selected the northern Moldovan site of Trinca-La Șanț to investigate specific changes within the late Trypillian society. Several reasons prompted this decision, all of which tie back to three aspects.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. and Sjörgen, K.-G. (2022) 'Early monumentality in northern Europe', In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 1213-1237. In southern Scandinavia... more
Müller, J. and Sjörgen, K.-G. (2022) 'Early monumentality in northern Europe', In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 1213-1237.
In southern Scandinavia and the northern central European lowlands, megalithic graves were erected mainly between 3600 and 3100 BCE. These collective tombs shape the cultural landscape of the so-called older and middle Funnel Beaker (TRB) societies. At this time, a ‘megalithic boom’ occurred with the introduction of new agricultural techniques such as ard ploughing, animal traction, manuring, and land clearance. Recent research projects have considerably increased our knowledge of the builders of the megalithic sites. In Falbygden, Sweden, and in Holstein, northern Germany, projects have informed us about the environmental conditions, economic practices, and burial customs of the builders of the Nordic megalithic tombs. On the Cimbrian Peninsula, excavations have helped to clarify the relationship between causewayed enclosures and megaliths. It now seems that the megalithic boom was connected both to agricultural innovations and to a peak in ceremonial activities in general.
In southern Scandinavia and the northern central European lowlands, megalithic graves were erected mainly between 3600 and 3100 BCE. These collective tombs shape the cultural landscape of the so-called older and middle Funnel Beaker (TRB) societies. At this time, a ‘megalithic boom’ occurred with the introduction of new agricultural techniques such as ard ploughing, animal traction, manuring, and land clearance. Recent research projects have considerably increased our knowledge of the builders of the megalithic sites. In Falbygden, Sweden, and in Holstein, northern Germany, projects have informed us about the environmental conditions, economic practices, and burial customs of the builders of the Nordic megalithic tombs. On the Cimbrian Peninsula, excavations have helped to clarify the relationship between causewayed enclosures and megaliths. It now seems that the megalithic boom was connected both to agricultural innovations and to a peak in ceremonial activities in general.
Research Interests:
Jamir, T. and Müller, J. (2022) 'Northeast Indian megaliths: Monuments and social structures' In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 447-473. Different... more
Jamir, T. and Müller, J. (2022) 'Northeast Indian megaliths: Monuments and social structures' In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 447-473.
Different megalithic landscapes of Northeast India offer rich sets of archaeological and ethnoarchaeological information on the social implications of megalith building activities in a comparative perspective. This paper attempts to situate the megalithic building traditions in Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim with specific reference to
the nature of their social structures. Both memorisation practices (as displayed in standing stones) and ancestral practices (as displayed in different burial traditions), demonstrate that extensive communal and cooperative structures link different spheres of daily life. Feasting
activities and the construction of megalithic monuments in the region of Northeast India represent a long-standing practice of both stratified and acephalous societies. The historical, archaeological, and ethnographic backgrounds to the megalithic traditions of Northeast India are thus examined and are linked to results from recent fieldwork undertaken in southern parts of Nagaland.
Different megalithic landscapes of Northeast India offer rich sets of archaeological and ethnoarchaeological information on the social implications of megalith building activities in a comparative perspective. This paper attempts to situate the megalithic building traditions in Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim with specific reference to
the nature of their social structures. Both memorisation practices (as displayed in standing stones) and ancestral practices (as displayed in different burial traditions), demonstrate that extensive communal and cooperative structures link different spheres of daily life. Feasting
activities and the construction of megalithic monuments in the region of Northeast India represent a long-standing practice of both stratified and acephalous societies. The historical, archaeological, and ethnographic backgrounds to the megalithic traditions of Northeast India are thus examined and are linked to results from recent fieldwork undertaken in southern parts of Nagaland.
Research Interests:
Mohanty, R. K. and Müller, J. (2022) Introduction, In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 415-417. The Indian subcontinent, and more generally South and... more
Mohanty, R. K. and Müller, J. (2022) Introduction, In: Laporte, L., Large, J.-M., Nespoulous, L., Scarre, C. and Steimer-Herbet (eds.) Megaliths of the World (Oxford 2022) 415-417.
The Indian subcontinent, and more generally South and Southeast Asia, is a rather remarkable case for megalithic studies. It has a huge number of megalithic remains, some of which were built several millennia before our own era, while others are part of ongoing traditions. In addition, historical texts sourced a few centuries ago inform us about some of the contemporary societies and the associated literature has been extremely abundant, some beginning as early as the first half of the 19th century, and has resulted in the publication of numerous scientific, archaeological, ethnographic and historical articles. After decolonization, these studies
were largely pursued by a fairly dynamic pool of national and some international researchers, as mentioned in the first chapter of this section.
There are few regions of the world where megalith building continues from the past into recent times. An attempt to compare, structurally, some European and the Northeast Indian megaliths was made recently.
The Indian subcontinent, and more generally South and Southeast Asia, is a rather remarkable case for megalithic studies. It has a huge number of megalithic remains, some of which were built several millennia before our own era, while others are part of ongoing traditions. In addition, historical texts sourced a few centuries ago inform us about some of the contemporary societies and the associated literature has been extremely abundant, some beginning as early as the first half of the 19th century, and has resulted in the publication of numerous scientific, archaeological, ethnographic and historical articles. After decolonization, these studies
were largely pursued by a fairly dynamic pool of national and some international researchers, as mentioned in the first chapter of this section.
There are few regions of the world where megalith building continues from the past into recent times. An attempt to compare, structurally, some European and the Northeast Indian megaliths was made recently.
Research Interests:
Fuchs, K., Hofmann, R., Shatilo, L., Schlütz, F., Storch, S., Chabanyuk, V., Kirleis, W. and Müller, J. (2013) 'Life and death in Trypillia times: Interdisciplinary analyses of the exceptional human remains from the settlement of... more
Fuchs, K., Hofmann, R., Shatilo, L., Schlütz, F., Storch, S., Chabanyuk, V., Kirleis, W. and Müller, J. (2013) 'Life and death in Trypillia times: Interdisciplinary analyses of the exceptional human remains from the settlement of Kosenivka, Ukraine (3700-3600 BCE)' bio Rxiv preprint. ttps://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.26.550735
We present an interdisciplinary analysis of finds from the Trypillia settlement of Kosenivka, Ukraine (ca. 3700-3600 BCE, Trypillia C1), that links information on human, faunal, and botanical remains with archaeological data to provide exceptionally detailed insights into life and death at a Trypillia mega-site. We obtained osteological, palaeopathological, and histotaphonomic data from human bone fragments; performed carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic analysis of human and animal bone to calculate food webs with the software FRUITS; and modelled newly generated radiocarbon dates to refine the site's chronology. The biological profile of seven identified individuals, some of whom suffered from disease symptoms common in the Chalcolithic, represents a demographic cross-section of the population. The analysis of perimortem cranial trauma suffered by two individuals suggest cases of interpersonal conflict. Food web calculations demonstrate the large contribution of cereals to the protein component of the human diet, which is supported by dental observations, and we suggest that livestock were a major manure producer for crop cultivation. The most probable scenario for the formation of the Kosenivka find assemblage is a deathly fire event. This makes the site a rare example where the archaeological and osteological results can be used to reconstruct a minimum number of house inhabitants. Following a literature review, we contextualise our analysis by discussing the general lack of human remains from Early and Middle Trypillia sites. The individuals from Kosenivka form part of the less than 0.05% of the total estimated Trypillia population that is represented skeletally; its members were deposited within settlements in the Middle Trypillia stage (until C1), preceding the shift to extramural burials in its late phase (C2). Our detailed results indicate the huge explanatory potential that has yet to be unlocked in the rare and often poorly preserved bioarchaeological archives of the Cucuteni–Trypillia phenomenon.
We present an interdisciplinary analysis of finds from the Trypillia settlement of Kosenivka, Ukraine (ca. 3700-3600 BCE, Trypillia C1), that links information on human, faunal, and botanical remains with archaeological data to provide exceptionally detailed insights into life and death at a Trypillia mega-site. We obtained osteological, palaeopathological, and histotaphonomic data from human bone fragments; performed carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic analysis of human and animal bone to calculate food webs with the software FRUITS; and modelled newly generated radiocarbon dates to refine the site's chronology. The biological profile of seven identified individuals, some of whom suffered from disease symptoms common in the Chalcolithic, represents a demographic cross-section of the population. The analysis of perimortem cranial trauma suffered by two individuals suggest cases of interpersonal conflict. Food web calculations demonstrate the large contribution of cereals to the protein component of the human diet, which is supported by dental observations, and we suggest that livestock were a major manure producer for crop cultivation. The most probable scenario for the formation of the Kosenivka find assemblage is a deathly fire event. This makes the site a rare example where the archaeological and osteological results can be used to reconstruct a minimum number of house inhabitants. Following a literature review, we contextualise our analysis by discussing the general lack of human remains from Early and Middle Trypillia sites. The individuals from Kosenivka form part of the less than 0.05% of the total estimated Trypillia population that is represented skeletally; its members were deposited within settlements in the Middle Trypillia stage (until C1), preceding the shift to extramural burials in its late phase (C2). Our detailed results indicate the huge explanatory potential that has yet to be unlocked in the rare and often poorly preserved bioarchaeological archives of the Cucuteni–Trypillia phenomenon.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. (2009) 'Monumente und Gesellschaft: Ein neues Schwerpunktprogramm zu neolithischen Großsteinanlagen.' Archäologische Narchichten 2009. 30-33. Megalithgräber sind die ältesten oberirdischen Monumente Norddeutschlands und... more
Müller, J. (2009) 'Monumente und Gesellschaft: Ein neues Schwerpunktprogramm zu neolithischen Großsteinanlagen.' Archäologische Narchichten 2009. 30-33.
Megalithgräber sind die ältesten oberirdischen Monumente Norddeutschlands und Südskandinaviens. Ca. 30.000 dieser Anlagen wurden in einer Zeit zwischen 3600 und 3200 v. Chr. errichtet. Immer wieder als Landmarken auffällig, dienten sie nicht nur im Neolithikum als Orte ritueller
Aktivitäten. Der heutige Bestand ist erheblich reduziert, die „großen Steine“ wurden nicht nur bei mittelalterlichen Bauvorhaben, sondern auch bei neuzeitlichen Großprojekten (z. B. dem Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) als willkommenes Baumaterial genutzt.
Megalithgräber sind die ältesten oberirdischen Monumente Norddeutschlands und Südskandinaviens. Ca. 30.000 dieser Anlagen wurden in einer Zeit zwischen 3600 und 3200 v. Chr. errichtet. Immer wieder als Landmarken auffällig, dienten sie nicht nur im Neolithikum als Orte ritueller
Aktivitäten. Der heutige Bestand ist erheblich reduziert, die „großen Steine“ wurden nicht nur bei mittelalterlichen Bauvorhaben, sondern auch bei neuzeitlichen Großprojekten (z. B. dem Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) als willkommenes Baumaterial genutzt.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. and Weinelt, M. (2009) 'Human Development in Landscapes: Eine Graduiertenschule als Brücke zwischen Natur-und Kulturwissenschaften für ArchäologInnen'. Archäologische Nachrichten 2009. 27-29. Im Rahmen der... more
Müller, J. and Weinelt, M. (2009) 'Human Development in Landscapes: Eine Graduiertenschule als Brücke zwischen Natur-und Kulturwissenschaften für ArchäologInnen'. Archäologische Nachrichten 2009. 27-29.
Im Rahmen der Exzellenzinitiativen an den deutschen Universitäten
waren im archäologischen Bereich zwei Projekte erfolgreich: das Berliner Exzellenzcluster TOPOI und die Kieler Graduiertenschule „Human Development in Landscapes (HDL)“. Unter Federführung des Instituts für Ur- und Frühgeschichte hat der interdisziplinäre Zusammenschluss verschiedener Fachwissenschaften an der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel 2008 seine Arbeit aufgenommen.
Im Rahmen der Exzellenzinitiativen an den deutschen Universitäten
waren im archäologischen Bereich zwei Projekte erfolgreich: das Berliner Exzellenzcluster TOPOI und die Kieler Graduiertenschule „Human Development in Landscapes (HDL)“. Unter Federführung des Instituts für Ur- und Frühgeschichte hat der interdisziplinäre Zusammenschluss verschiedener Fachwissenschaften an der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel 2008 seine Arbeit aufgenommen.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. (2023) 'Landscape Archaeology and Socio-Environmental Patterns' Reference Module in Social Sciences 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90799-6.00189-0 Landscape as a product of both nature and human society is the focus... more
Müller, J. (2023) 'Landscape Archaeology and Socio-Environmental Patterns' Reference Module in Social Sciences 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90799-6.00189-0
Landscape as a product of both nature and human society is the focus of socio-environmental research. While landscape archaeology developed from settlement archaeology and environmental archaeology on the one hand, cognitive archaeology, on the other hand, has contributed significantly to new conceptualizations and parameters in the interpretation of landscape space. Even as landscape archaeology reconstructs both natural and social constants and changes on different
spatial scales, the reconstruction of socio-environmental events, processes, and structures, as well as of perception and meaning all play an important role. There are possibilities to disentangle landscape into environmental, economic, social,and cognitive spaces, which, due to technical developments of archaeological tools, can now be traced, for example, with Geographic Information Systems.
Landscape as a product of both nature and human society is the focus of socio-environmental research. While landscape archaeology developed from settlement archaeology and environmental archaeology on the one hand, cognitive archaeology, on the other hand, has contributed significantly to new conceptualizations and parameters in the interpretation of landscape space. Even as landscape archaeology reconstructs both natural and social constants and changes on different
spatial scales, the reconstruction of socio-environmental events, processes, and structures, as well as of perception and meaning all play an important role. There are possibilities to disentangle landscape into environmental, economic, social,and cognitive spaces, which, due to technical developments of archaeological tools, can now be traced, for example, with Geographic Information Systems.
Research Interests:
Kirleis, W., Dal Corso, M., Pashkevyech, G., Schlütz, F., Hofmann, R., Terna, A., Dreibrodt, S., Rud, V., Videiko, M. Y. and Müller, J. (2023) 'A complex subsistence regime revealed for Cucuteni-Trypillia sites in Chalcolithic eastern... more
Kirleis, W., Dal Corso, M., Pashkevyech, G., Schlütz, F., Hofmann, R., Terna, A., Dreibrodt, S., Rud, V., Videiko, M. Y. and Müller, J. (2023) 'A complex subsistence regime revealed for Cucuteni-Trypillia sites in Chalcolithic eastern Europe based on new and old macrobotanical data' Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-023-00936-y
We present a comprehensive data-based characterization of the subsistence economy of Chalcolithic Cucuteni-Trypillia societies (CTS) on the Moldovian and Suceava plateaus and the Podolian and the Dnieper uplands. This study is based on a quantitative evaluation of archaeobotanical samples from 34 settlement sites, with a focus on Trypillia mega-sites and on stable isotopic analysis of ancient crop residues. The isotopic analysis allows us to identify specific cultivation strategies, which show a close relationship with animal husbandry for manure. We describe the economy of the Trypillia mega-sites as having been based on an elaborate agricultural system, in which the inhabitants knew how to grow crops that could withstand the ecological constraints of growth, especially along the forest steppe ecotone. We also argue that the agglomeration of greater population densities at these mega-sites contributed to landscape change from woodland and forest to open grassland and steppe. Following on from this, we suggest that cultivation practices of the CTS were important in the establishment of the present-day cultural steppe in this region.
We present a comprehensive data-based characterization of the subsistence economy of Chalcolithic Cucuteni-Trypillia societies (CTS) on the Moldovian and Suceava plateaus and the Podolian and the Dnieper uplands. This study is based on a quantitative evaluation of archaeobotanical samples from 34 settlement sites, with a focus on Trypillia mega-sites and on stable isotopic analysis of ancient crop residues. The isotopic analysis allows us to identify specific cultivation strategies, which show a close relationship with animal husbandry for manure. We describe the economy of the Trypillia mega-sites as having been based on an elaborate agricultural system, in which the inhabitants knew how to grow crops that could withstand the ecological constraints of growth, especially along the forest steppe ecotone. We also argue that the agglomeration of greater population densities at these mega-sites contributed to landscape change from woodland and forest to open grassland and steppe. Following on from this, we suggest that cultivation practices of the CTS were important in the establishment of the present-day cultural steppe in this region.
Research Interests:
Haak, W., Furholt, M., Sikora, M., Rohrlach, A. B., Papac, L., Sjörgen, K.-G., Heyd, V., Fischer Mortensen, M., Nielsen, A. B., Müller, J., Feeser, I., Kroonen, G. and Kristiansen, Kristian (2023) 'The Corded ware complex in Europe in... more
Haak, W., Furholt, M., Sikora, M., Rohrlach, A. B., Papac, L., Sjörgen, K.-G., Heyd, V., Fischer Mortensen, M., Nielsen, A. B., Müller, J., Feeser, I., Kroonen, G. and Kristiansen, Kristian (2023) 'The Corded ware complex in Europe in light of current Archaeogenetic and enviromental evidence' In: Kristiansen, K., Kroonen, G. and Willerslev, E. (eds.), The Indo-European Puzzel Revisited. Integrating Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics (Cambridge 2023) 63-80.
Corded Ware is one of the main archaeological phenomena of the third millennium before the common era (BCE), with a wide geographic spread across much of central and northeastern Europe, from Denmark, the Rhineland, and Switzerland in the west to the Baltic and Western Russia in the east, and broadly restricted to the temperate, continental zones north of the Alps, the Carpathians, and the steppe/forest steppe border to the east. The Corded Ware complex is named after the characteristic cord imprints on its pottery, which is found as part of a relatively universal set of grave goods, and now commonly includes sub-units that were traditionally named Single Grave, Protruding Foot Beaker, Battle Axe, Boat Axe, and Fatyanovo/ Balanovo culture. The archaeological unit is known chiefly from burials, mostly in single form (thus it is also termed "Single Grave culture" in Denmark and North Germany), while multiple burials also exist, and in predominantly sex-specific west-east or east-west orientation, with females on their left side and males on their right side in flexed position, both facing south. The burial architecture varies from simple pits to wooden or stone cist construction, with or without burial mounds. In most areas with Corded Ware burials, settlement sites are largely unknown, with the exceptions of coastal areas in the Baltic and the
Netherlands, some domestic sites in the Central European Mountain Range, lakeside dwellings in Switzerland, and, based on recent reports, the
Mittelelbe-Saale region in Central Germany.
Corded Ware is one of the main archaeological phenomena of the third millennium before the common era (BCE), with a wide geographic spread across much of central and northeastern Europe, from Denmark, the Rhineland, and Switzerland in the west to the Baltic and Western Russia in the east, and broadly restricted to the temperate, continental zones north of the Alps, the Carpathians, and the steppe/forest steppe border to the east. The Corded Ware complex is named after the characteristic cord imprints on its pottery, which is found as part of a relatively universal set of grave goods, and now commonly includes sub-units that were traditionally named Single Grave, Protruding Foot Beaker, Battle Axe, Boat Axe, and Fatyanovo/ Balanovo culture. The archaeological unit is known chiefly from burials, mostly in single form (thus it is also termed "Single Grave culture" in Denmark and North Germany), while multiple burials also exist, and in predominantly sex-specific west-east or east-west orientation, with females on their left side and males on their right side in flexed position, both facing south. The burial architecture varies from simple pits to wooden or stone cist construction, with or without burial mounds. In most areas with Corded Ware burials, settlement sites are largely unknown, with the exceptions of coastal areas in the Baltic and the
Netherlands, some domestic sites in the Central European Mountain Range, lakeside dwellings in Switzerland, and, based on recent reports, the
Mittelelbe-Saale region in Central Germany.
Research Interests:
Brozio, J.P., Stos-Gale, Z., Müller, J., Müller-Scheeßel, N., Schultrich, S., Fritsch, B., Jürgens, F. and Skorna, H. (2023) 'The origin of Neolithic copper on the central Northern European plain and in Southern Scandinavia:... more
Brozio, J.P., Stos-Gale, Z., Müller, J., Müller-Scheeßel, N., Schultrich, S., Fritsch, B., Jürgens, F. and Skorna, H. (2023) 'The origin of Neolithic copper on the central Northern European plain and in Southern Scandinavia: Connectivities on a European scale' PloS ONE 18(5) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283007
The production, distribution and use of copper objects and the development of metallurgical skills in Neolithic Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia are linked to early centres of copper metallurgy of South East Central Europe and Southeast Europe. A total of 45 Neolithic copper objects, until now the largest sample of Early Neolithic objects from the Northern Central European Plain and Southern Scandinavia, were selected for new lead isotope analyses. They aided in the identification of the origin of the copper: These new analyses indicate that the copper ore deposits in Southeastern Europe, especially from the Serbian mining areas, were used for the Early Neolithic northern artefacts (ca. 4100-3300 BC). The most likely sources of copper for the few Middle Neolithic artefacts (ca. 3300-2800 BC) seem to be from the Slovak Ore Mountains, the Serbian mining areas and the Eastern Alps, whereas deposits of the Slovak Ore Mountains and the Alpine region were used for the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2300-1700 BC) artefacts. For the artefacts dated after 2000 BC, the Great Orme mine in Wales also appears to have been the source of copper for the analysed metals. The use of copper from different regions of Europe probably reflects changing social and cultural connectivities on a European scale and the changing chronology of copper exploitation.
The production, distribution and use of copper objects and the development of metallurgical skills in Neolithic Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia are linked to early centres of copper metallurgy of South East Central Europe and Southeast Europe. A total of 45 Neolithic copper objects, until now the largest sample of Early Neolithic objects from the Northern Central European Plain and Southern Scandinavia, were selected for new lead isotope analyses. They aided in the identification of the origin of the copper: These new analyses indicate that the copper ore deposits in Southeastern Europe, especially from the Serbian mining areas, were used for the Early Neolithic northern artefacts (ca. 4100-3300 BC). The most likely sources of copper for the few Middle Neolithic artefacts (ca. 3300-2800 BC) seem to be from the Slovak Ore Mountains, the Serbian mining areas and the Eastern Alps, whereas deposits of the Slovak Ore Mountains and the Alpine region were used for the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2300-1700 BC) artefacts. For the artefacts dated after 2000 BC, the Great Orme mine in Wales also appears to have been the source of copper for the analysed metals. The use of copper from different regions of Europe probably reflects changing social and cultural connectivities on a European scale and the changing chronology of copper exploitation.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. (2023) 'Activism: The End of History – Adjourned' Forum Kritische Archäologie 12 The editors of Forum Kritische Archäologie have asked me to write something on the question of archaeological activism. My question in return –... more
Müller, J. (2023) 'Activism: The End of History – Adjourned' Forum Kritische Archäologie 12
The editors of Forum Kritische Archäologie have asked me to write something on the question of archaeological activism. My question in return – activism for what? – was answered to the effect that the potential of archaeology or archaeologists in the “struggle” for a better world should be discussed in more detail.
The editors of Forum Kritische Archäologie have asked me to write something on the question of archaeological activism. My question in return – activism for what? – was answered to the effect that the potential of archaeology or archaeologists in the “struggle” for a better world should be discussed in more detail.
Research Interests:
Stal, C., Covataru, C., Müller, J., Parnic, V., Ignat, T., Hofmann, R. and Lazar, C. (2022) 'Supporting Long-Term Archaeological Research in Southern Romania Chalcolithic Sites Using Multi-Platform UAV Mapping' Drones 6,277.... more
Stal, C., Covataru, C., Müller, J., Parnic, V., Ignat, T., Hofmann, R. and Lazar, C. (2022) 'Supporting Long-Term Archaeological Research in Southern Romania Chalcolithic Sites Using Multi-Platform UAV Mapping' Drones 6,277. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6100277
Spatial data play a crucial role in archaeological research, and rthophotos, digital elevation models, and 3D models are frequently used for the mapping, documentation, and monitoring of archaeological sites. Thanks to the availability of compact and low-cost uncrewed airborne vehicles,
the use of UAV-based photogrammetry matured in this field over the past two decades. More recently, compact airborne systems are also available that allow the recording of thermal data, multispectral data, and airborne laser scanning. In this article, various platforms and sensors are applied at the Chalcolithic archaeological sites in the Mosti s , tea Basin and Danube Valley (Southern Romania). By analysing the performance of the systems and the resulting data, insight is given into the selection of the appropriate system for the right application. This analysis requires thorough knowledge of data acquisition and data processing, as well. As both laser scanning and photogrammetry typically result in very large amounts of data, a special focus is also required on the storage and publication of the data. Hence, the objective of this article is to provide a full overview of various aspects of 3D data acquisition for UAV-based mapping. Based on the conclusions drawn in this article, it is stated that photogrammetry and laser scanning can result in data with similar geometrical properties when acquisition parameters are appropriately set. On the one hand, the used ALS-based system outperforms the photogrammetric platforms in terms of operational time and the area covered. On the other hand, conventional photogrammetry provides flexibility that might be required for very low-altitude flights, or emergency mapping. Furthermore, as the used ALS sensor only provides a geometrical representation of the topography, photogrammetric sensors are still required to obtain true colour or false colour composites of the surface. Lastly, the variety of data, such as pre- and post-rendered raster data, 3D models, and point clouds, requires the implementation of multiple methods for the online publication of data. Various client-side and server-side solutions are presented to make the data available for other researchers.
Spatial data play a crucial role in archaeological research, and rthophotos, digital elevation models, and 3D models are frequently used for the mapping, documentation, and monitoring of archaeological sites. Thanks to the availability of compact and low-cost uncrewed airborne vehicles,
the use of UAV-based photogrammetry matured in this field over the past two decades. More recently, compact airborne systems are also available that allow the recording of thermal data, multispectral data, and airborne laser scanning. In this article, various platforms and sensors are applied at the Chalcolithic archaeological sites in the Mosti s , tea Basin and Danube Valley (Southern Romania). By analysing the performance of the systems and the resulting data, insight is given into the selection of the appropriate system for the right application. This analysis requires thorough knowledge of data acquisition and data processing, as well. As both laser scanning and photogrammetry typically result in very large amounts of data, a special focus is also required on the storage and publication of the data. Hence, the objective of this article is to provide a full overview of various aspects of 3D data acquisition for UAV-based mapping. Based on the conclusions drawn in this article, it is stated that photogrammetry and laser scanning can result in data with similar geometrical properties when acquisition parameters are appropriately set. On the one hand, the used ALS-based system outperforms the photogrammetric platforms in terms of operational time and the area covered. On the other hand, conventional photogrammetry provides flexibility that might be required for very low-altitude flights, or emergency mapping. Furthermore, as the used ALS sensor only provides a geometrical representation of the topography, photogrammetric sensors are still required to obtain true colour or false colour composites of the surface. Lastly, the variety of data, such as pre- and post-rendered raster data, 3D models, and point clouds, requires the implementation of multiple methods for the online publication of data. Various client-side and server-side solutions are presented to make the data available for other researchers.
Research Interests:
Pickartz, N., Rabbel, W. Rassmann, K., Hofmann, R., Ohlrau, R., Thorwart, M., Wilken, D. Wunderlich, T., Videiko, M. and Müller, J. (2022) 'Inverse Filtering of Magnetic Prospection Data - A Gateway to the Social Structure of... more
Pickartz, N., Rabbel, W. Rassmann, K., Hofmann, R., Ohlrau, R., Thorwart, M., Wilken, D. Wunderlich, T., Videiko, M. and Müller, J. (2022) 'Inverse Filtering of Magnetic Prospection Data - A Gateway to the Social Structure of Cucuteni-Tripolye Settlements' Remote Sens. 14, 484. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14030484
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Research Interests:
Müller, J. (2022) 'Rituelle Landschaften entstehen. Trichterbecher-Gesellschaften und die Neolithisierung der nordeuropäischen Tiefebene', In: Klimscha, F. and Wiggering, L. (eds.), Die Erfindung der Götter. Steinzeit im Norden (Hannover... more
Müller, J. (2022) 'Rituelle Landschaften entstehen. Trichterbecher-Gesellschaften und die Neolithisierung der nordeuropäischen Tiefebene', In: Klimscha, F. and Wiggering, L. (eds.), Die Erfindung der Götter. Steinzeit im Norden (Hannover 2022) 246-265.
Die Entstehung von Kulturlandschaften stellt einen bedeutenden Schritt in der Geschichte des Verhältnisses zwischen Mensch und Umwelt dar: die natürliche Umwelt wird nicht nur zum Wirtschaften oder Siedeln benutzt, sondern durch die Markierung bestimmter Plätze rituell aufgeladen. Kulturlandschaften in diesem Sinne, also mit einer flächenhaften strukturellen Umgestaltung der Landschaft, bestehen in Nordmitteleuropa erst mit den sogenannten Trichterbecher-Gesellschaften. Dieser Prozess ist verbunden mit einer ersten »Monumentalisierung« der Landschaft – durch das Errichten von Grabenwerken, großen Grabhügeln oder Megalithgräbern.
Die Entstehung von Kulturlandschaften stellt einen bedeutenden Schritt in der Geschichte des Verhältnisses zwischen Mensch und Umwelt dar: die natürliche Umwelt wird nicht nur zum Wirtschaften oder Siedeln benutzt, sondern durch die Markierung bestimmter Plätze rituell aufgeladen. Kulturlandschaften in diesem Sinne, also mit einer flächenhaften strukturellen Umgestaltung der Landschaft, bestehen in Nordmitteleuropa erst mit den sogenannten Trichterbecher-Gesellschaften. Dieser Prozess ist verbunden mit einer ersten »Monumentalisierung« der Landschaft – durch das Errichten von Grabenwerken, großen Grabhügeln oder Megalithgräbern.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. 2022, 'Chronologie, Bedeutung und Rolle Bernburgs im mitteldeutschen Neolithikum' Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichet Halle 10, 1-56. Seit ca. 20 Jahren sind verschiedene Siedlungs- und Grabbefunde mit Bernburger oder... more
Müller, J. 2022, 'Chronologie, Bedeutung und Rolle Bernburgs im mitteldeutschen Neolithikum' Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichet Halle 10, 1-56.
Seit ca. 20 Jahren sind verschiedene Siedlungs- und Grabbefunde mit Bernburger oder Kugelamphoren-Keramik veröffentlicht worden, die die Möglichkeit ergaben, eine 2001vorgenommene chronologische Untersuchung zum Bernburger Stil neu durchzuführen. Dabei wird eine kontinuierliche typochronologische Entwicklung erkennbar, die unter
Berücksichtigung typologischer und Typologie-unabhängiger naturwissenschaftlicher Datierungen das damalige Chronologiemodell ergänzt. Vor diesem Hintergrund, der das geografisch offene Mittelelbebaale-Gebiet als einen multi-kulturellen spätneolithischen Raum lokal agierender Weiler- und Dorfgemeinschaften erscheinen lässt, werden Analysen an stabilen Isotopen zu Tieren und Menschen zusammengetragen, um die Wirtschafts- und Ernährungsweise zu rekonstruieren. Tatsächlich kann dargestellt werden, dass wirtschaftlich ähnlich agierende Gemeinschaften mit einer vergleichbaren Haus- und Siedlungsorganisation den mitteldeutschen Raum für mehrere Jahrhunderte 3380–2840 v. Chr. die Kulturlandschaft prägten. Die Benutzung des einen oder anderen Keramikstils verweist auf soziale Praktiken, die mosaikartig angewandt werden. Obwohl die Datenlage nach wie vor nur als ›exemplarisch‹ zu bezeichnen ist, wird ein Versuch
unternommen, sowohl die Siedlungsweise als auch die vorliegenden aDNA-Resultate in das beschriebene chronologische Kontinuum einzubinden.
Seit ca. 20 Jahren sind verschiedene Siedlungs- und Grabbefunde mit Bernburger oder Kugelamphoren-Keramik veröffentlicht worden, die die Möglichkeit ergaben, eine 2001vorgenommene chronologische Untersuchung zum Bernburger Stil neu durchzuführen. Dabei wird eine kontinuierliche typochronologische Entwicklung erkennbar, die unter
Berücksichtigung typologischer und Typologie-unabhängiger naturwissenschaftlicher Datierungen das damalige Chronologiemodell ergänzt. Vor diesem Hintergrund, der das geografisch offene Mittelelbebaale-Gebiet als einen multi-kulturellen spätneolithischen Raum lokal agierender Weiler- und Dorfgemeinschaften erscheinen lässt, werden Analysen an stabilen Isotopen zu Tieren und Menschen zusammengetragen, um die Wirtschafts- und Ernährungsweise zu rekonstruieren. Tatsächlich kann dargestellt werden, dass wirtschaftlich ähnlich agierende Gemeinschaften mit einer vergleichbaren Haus- und Siedlungsorganisation den mitteldeutschen Raum für mehrere Jahrhunderte 3380–2840 v. Chr. die Kulturlandschaft prägten. Die Benutzung des einen oder anderen Keramikstils verweist auf soziale Praktiken, die mosaikartig angewandt werden. Obwohl die Datenlage nach wie vor nur als ›exemplarisch‹ zu bezeichnen ist, wird ein Versuch
unternommen, sowohl die Siedlungsweise als auch die vorliegenden aDNA-Resultate in das beschriebene chronologische Kontinuum einzubinden.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Käppel, L., Ricci, A. and Weinelt, M. (2023), 'Social, environmental, and cultural connectivity: A concept for an understanding of society and the environment', In: Müller, J. (eds.) Connectivity Matters! Social, Environmental... more
Müller, J., Käppel, L., Ricci, A. and Weinelt, M. (2023), 'Social, environmental, and cultural connectivity: A concept for an understanding of society and the environment', In: Müller, J. (eds.) Connectivity Matters! Social, Environmental and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies (Leiden 2022) 13-24.
In our daily experiences, we can observe how the existence and the degree of connectivities between society and the environment, as well as between and within societies, determine political, social, cultural, economic and even ecological life. 'Connected' societies appear to enable a more peaceful coexistence, whereas disentangled societies can be the basis for severe conflicts. Thus, connectivity often creates the possibility for resilient reactions, for example, to climate change or pandemics. Decisive in this respect can be the connection between the natural and the cultural environment (Guedes and Crabtree 2016; Müller 2018). Against the background of a more general perspective, various aspects will be discussed here, which represent connectivity as the most important concept for an analysis of the environment and society and their dynamic relationship. The use of knowledge about the past, for instance, the tracking of trends or reflections in distant times, enables a special view of the present.
In our daily experiences, we can observe how the existence and the degree of connectivities between society and the environment, as well as between and within societies, determine political, social, cultural, economic and even ecological life. 'Connected' societies appear to enable a more peaceful coexistence, whereas disentangled societies can be the basis for severe conflicts. Thus, connectivity often creates the possibility for resilient reactions, for example, to climate change or pandemics. Decisive in this respect can be the connection between the natural and the cultural environment (Guedes and Crabtree 2016; Müller 2018). Against the background of a more general perspective, various aspects will be discussed here, which represent connectivity as the most important concept for an analysis of the environment and society and their dynamic relationship. The use of knowledge about the past, for instance, the tracking of trends or reflections in distant times, enables a special view of the present.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. (2022) 'A long lasting transformation: northern Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic multi-dimensional developments (c. 4,750 -3,800 BCE)' in Klimscha, F., Heumüller, M., Raemaekers, D.C.M., Peeters, H. Terberger (eds.), Stone Age... more
Müller, J. (2022) 'A long lasting transformation: northern Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic multi-dimensional developments (c. 4,750 -3,800 BCE)' in Klimscha, F., Heumüller, M., Raemaekers, D.C.M., Peeters, H. Terberger (eds.), Stone Age Borderland Experience: Neolithic and Late Mesolithic Parallel Societies in the North European Plain, Rahden/Westf., 359-376
During the last decades, a large amount of new data on the Late Mesolithic and the Early Neolithic in northern Germany has been collected. Both detailed dating procedures and taphonomic processes at different sites have been discussed. With the help of vertical stratigraphy and absolute chronological dating, it is possible to newly describe the pottery sequence of the Middle and Younger Ertebølle and the Early Funnel Beaker (TRB) Ceramic societies from c. 4,750-3,800 BCE. It becomes clear that the development of the ceramics reflects societies for which the simple differentiation between Mesolithic and Neolithic terminology does not go far enough. The information from the south Cimbrian Peninsula suggests a mosaic-like habitus, which integrated 'foraging', 'pastoral' and 'horticultural' practices differently. A long-lasting transformation process becomes visible, which begins during the 43rd century BCE with the introduction of first flat-bottomed funnel beaker ceramics and first domestic animals. Accelerated by a period of climatic stress, the new way of life asserted itself in the 41st century BCE with horticultural subsistence practices and a new ceramic style, among other things. However, for at least three centuries, the Ertebølle ceramic style and the aquatic subsistence remained intact at sites near water, while in other places non-megalithic long mounds were already being built as an expression of the new ideology.
During the last decades, a large amount of new data on the Late Mesolithic and the Early Neolithic in northern Germany has been collected. Both detailed dating procedures and taphonomic processes at different sites have been discussed. With the help of vertical stratigraphy and absolute chronological dating, it is possible to newly describe the pottery sequence of the Middle and Younger Ertebølle and the Early Funnel Beaker (TRB) Ceramic societies from c. 4,750-3,800 BCE. It becomes clear that the development of the ceramics reflects societies for which the simple differentiation between Mesolithic and Neolithic terminology does not go far enough. The information from the south Cimbrian Peninsula suggests a mosaic-like habitus, which integrated 'foraging', 'pastoral' and 'horticultural' practices differently. A long-lasting transformation process becomes visible, which begins during the 43rd century BCE with the introduction of first flat-bottomed funnel beaker ceramics and first domestic animals. Accelerated by a period of climatic stress, the new way of life asserted itself in the 41st century BCE with horticultural subsistence practices and a new ceramic style, among other things. However, for at least three centuries, the Ertebølle ceramic style and the aquatic subsistence remained intact at sites near water, while in other places non-megalithic long mounds were already being built as an expression of the new ideology.
Research Interests:
Immel, A., Pierini, F., Rinne, C., Meadows, J., Barquera, R., Szolek, A., Susat, J., Böhme, L., Dose, J., Bonczarowska, J., Drummer, C., Fuchs, K., Ellinghaus, D., Kässens, J. C., Furholt, M., Kohlbacher, O., Schade-Lidig, S., Franke, A.,... more
Immel, A., Pierini, F., Rinne, C., Meadows, J., Barquera, R., Szolek, A., Susat, J., Böhme, L., Dose, J., Bonczarowska, J., Drummer, C., Fuchs, K., Ellinghaus, D., Kässens, J. C., Furholt, M., Kohlbacher, O., Schade-Lidig, S., Franke, A., Schreiber, S., Krause, J., Müller, J., Lenz, T. L., Nebel, A. and Krause-Kyora B. (2021) 'Genome-wide study of a Neolithic Wartberg grave community reveals distinct HLA variation and hunter-gatherer ancestry' Communications Biology 2021 4:113 https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01627-4
The Wartberg culture (WBC, 3500-2800 BCE) dates to the Late Neolithic period, a time of important demographic and cultural transformations in western Europe. We performed genome-wide analyses of 42 individuals who were interred in a WBC collective burial in Niedertiefenbach, Germany (3300-3200 cal. BCE). The results showed that the farming population of Niedertiefenbach carried a surprisingly large hunter-gatherer ancestry component (34-58%). This component was most likely introduced during the cultural transformation that led to the WBC. In addition, the Niedertiefenbach individuals exhibited a distinct human leukocyte antigen gene pool, possibly reflecting an immune response that was geared towards detecting viral infections.
The Wartberg culture (WBC, 3500-2800 BCE) dates to the Late Neolithic period, a time of important demographic and cultural transformations in western Europe. We performed genome-wide analyses of 42 individuals who were interred in a WBC collective burial in Niedertiefenbach, Germany (3300-3200 cal. BCE). The results showed that the farming population of Niedertiefenbach carried a surprisingly large hunter-gatherer ancestry component (34-58%). This component was most likely introduced during the cultural transformation that led to the WBC. In addition, the Niedertiefenbach individuals exhibited a distinct human leukocyte antigen gene pool, possibly reflecting an immune response that was geared towards detecting viral infections.
Research Interests:
Brozio, J. P., Hellmann, J. P., Filipović, Schmölke, U., Kirleis, W. and Müller, J. (2021) 'Der Wohnplatz 15 (Labenz LA 11): Vorbericht zu einem Fundplatz aus dem 3. vorchristlichen Jahrtausend im Duvenseer Moor' Offa 77, 23-53. This... more
Brozio, J. P., Hellmann, J. P., Filipović, Schmölke, U., Kirleis, W. and Müller, J. (2021) 'Der Wohnplatz 15 (Labenz LA 11): Vorbericht zu einem Fundplatz aus dem 3. vorchristlichen Jahrtausend im Duvenseer Moor' Offa 77, 23-53.
This presentation of the domestic site Wohnplatz 15 (Labenz LA 11) in the Duvenseer Moor is a contribution to settlement archaeology studies of the third millennium BC in the North German Plain, especially because the Younger Neolithic period in this region is largely represented by burial finds. The domestic site, which was first investigated in 1994 and then in 2017, dates between 2700/2600 and 2500 cal BC and covers an area of about 0,1 ha, with several areas of activity. The site is integrated into a landscape of dispersed settlements in the North German Plain, which is characterized by few known sites located far away from each other and by large areas of cleared land.
This presentation of the domestic site Wohnplatz 15 (Labenz LA 11) in the Duvenseer Moor is a contribution to settlement archaeology studies of the third millennium BC in the North German Plain, especially because the Younger Neolithic period in this region is largely represented by burial finds. The domestic site, which was first investigated in 1994 and then in 2017, dates between 2700/2600 and 2500 cal BC and covers an area of about 0,1 ha, with several areas of activity. The site is integrated into a landscape of dispersed settlements in the North German Plain, which is characterized by few known sites located far away from each other and by large areas of cleared land.
Research Interests:
Dibbern, H. and Müller, J. (2020) 'Albersdorf-Dieksknöll, Bredenhoop und Brutkamp. Eine jungsteinzeitliche Land schaft mit 1000-jähriger Geschichte' Archäologische Nachrichten, 2020, 165-167. Die Vorstellung einer jungsteinzeitlichen... more
Dibbern, H. and Müller, J. (2020) 'Albersdorf-Dieksknöll, Bredenhoop und Brutkamp. Eine jungsteinzeitliche Land schaft mit 1000-jähriger Geschichte' Archäologische Nachrichten, 2020, 165-167.
Die Vorstellung einer jungsteinzeitlichen Region mit langer Forschungsgeschichte.
Die Vorstellung einer jungsteinzeitlichen Region mit langer Forschungsgeschichte.
Research Interests:
Müller, J. and Hage, F. (2020) 'Büdelsdorf/Borgstedt. Grabenwerk, nichtmegalithische und megalithische Grabbauten einer trichter becherzeitlichen Kernregion' Archäologische Nachrichten, 2020, 80-81. Eine Fundplatzvorstellung mit... more
Müller, J. and Hage, F. (2020) 'Büdelsdorf/Borgstedt. Grabenwerk, nichtmegalithische und megalithische Grabbauten einer trichter becherzeitlichen Kernregion' Archäologische Nachrichten, 2020, 80-81.
Eine Fundplatzvorstellung mit Auswertung der Grabungvon 2013.
Eine Fundplatzvorstellung mit Auswertung der Grabungvon 2013.
Research Interests:
Delgado-Raack, S., Kneisel, J., Czebreszuk, J. and Müller, J. (2020) 'Manufacture, use and management of macro-lithic resources in the Bronze Age settlement of Bruszczewo (Poland)', Journal of Lithic Studies.... more
Delgado-Raack, S., Kneisel, J., Czebreszuk, J. and Müller, J. (2020) 'Manufacture, use and management of macro-lithic
resources in the Bronze Age settlement of Bruszczewo
(Poland)', Journal of Lithic Studies. https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.3080
Contrary to pottery or metal artefacts, macro-lithic tools are still not fully integrated into the
archaeological research programs concerning the Early Bronze Age of Central Europe. While such
kind of archaeological materials usually do not easily allow typological approaches, their constant
participation in several productive spheres makes them a crucial element for understanding the
economic processes and the organisation of past societies. This paper presents the general results of
the investigation carried out on an assemblage of 1073 macro-lithic items recovered in the wet soil
area of the site of Bruszczewo (municipality of Śmigiel, Poland). This fortified settlement was
inhabited during the Early Bronze Age (2100-1650 BCE) and later on in the Late Bronze Age and
Early Iron Age (1100-800 BCE), with minor archaeological evidences from Middle Ages. The
methodology applied in this assessment is a holistic one, which combines manufacturing (petrography
and morphometry), functional (use-wear and residues) and spatial analyses. This approach has allowed
recording a mainly local raw material supplying system, based on the gathering of pebbles in the
vicinity of the site and a minimal transformation of raw pieces previous to use. Moreover, Bruszczewo
comes out to be a central settlement managing and controlling exogenous ores, such as copper and
gold, as shown by residues found on some macro-lithic forging anvils. All in all, the recognition in the
macro-lithic tool assemblage of different tasks related to subsistence (food preparation) as well as to
manufacture (metallurgy, probably bone working) processes contributes to (a) defining the settlement's
organisation and the management of resources in the site and (b) improving our understanding of the
role played by central settlements in the socio-economic networks, at a time when the first class
societies emerged in Central Europe.
resources in the Bronze Age settlement of Bruszczewo
(Poland)', Journal of Lithic Studies. https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.3080
Contrary to pottery or metal artefacts, macro-lithic tools are still not fully integrated into the
archaeological research programs concerning the Early Bronze Age of Central Europe. While such
kind of archaeological materials usually do not easily allow typological approaches, their constant
participation in several productive spheres makes them a crucial element for understanding the
economic processes and the organisation of past societies. This paper presents the general results of
the investigation carried out on an assemblage of 1073 macro-lithic items recovered in the wet soil
area of the site of Bruszczewo (municipality of Śmigiel, Poland). This fortified settlement was
inhabited during the Early Bronze Age (2100-1650 BCE) and later on in the Late Bronze Age and
Early Iron Age (1100-800 BCE), with minor archaeological evidences from Middle Ages. The
methodology applied in this assessment is a holistic one, which combines manufacturing (petrography
and morphometry), functional (use-wear and residues) and spatial analyses. This approach has allowed
recording a mainly local raw material supplying system, based on the gathering of pebbles in the
vicinity of the site and a minimal transformation of raw pieces previous to use. Moreover, Bruszczewo
comes out to be a central settlement managing and controlling exogenous ores, such as copper and
gold, as shown by residues found on some macro-lithic forging anvils. All in all, the recognition in the
macro-lithic tool assemblage of different tasks related to subsistence (food preparation) as well as to
manufacture (metallurgy, probably bone working) processes contributes to (a) defining the settlement's
organisation and the management of resources in the site and (b) improving our understanding of the
role played by central settlements in the socio-economic networks, at a time when the first class
societies emerged in Central Europe.
Research Interests:
In many European regions, neolithization processes are linked with ritual economies that include the construction of megalithic monuments. As paleo-environmental and archaeological archives of the North Central European and South... more
In many European regions, neolithization processes are linked with ritual economies that include the construction of megalithic monuments. As paleo-environmental and archaeological archives of the North Central European and South Scandinavian Funnel Beaker societies have proven to be excellent, the reconstruction of social processes linked with the introduction of horti-and agriculture and with the construction of first monuments displays a well-researched example for the investigation of long-distance contacts. It becomes obvious that long-distance contacts of these societies indicate different purposes in different stages of their economic and social development. These acephalous societies never really changed their egalitarian character. Innovative knowledge and items, which were gained by long-distance contacts, were integrated into ideologies that stabilized non-stratified governance again and again. Such processes lasted more than forty generations. In consequence, the presented archaeological examples support a view of anarchicoriented anthropologists, who state that non-ruled societies are not an exception but a common thread through human history up to the present day.
Research Interests:
Diachenko, A., Ohlrau, R. and Müller, J. (2022) 'The answer is blowing in the wind: Wind direction inscribed in burnt houses as chronological proxy' in Dębiec, M., Gorski, J., Müller, J., Saile, T. and Wlodarcak, P., eds., From Farmers to... more
Diachenko, A., Ohlrau, R. and Müller, J. (2022) 'The answer is blowing in the wind: Wind direction inscribed in burnt houses as chronological proxy' in Dębiec, M., Gorski, J., Müller, J., Saile, T. and Wlodarcak, P., eds., From Farmers to Heroes? Archaeological Studies in Honor of Sławomir Kadrow, Bonn: Habelt, 201-209.
Wind direction is an obvious factor in developing dwelling sequences of burnt houses. Even if the reconstruction of the wind directions in the case of house fires does not necessarily lead to a sequencing of the processes, it does yield helpful information. We can see which remains of houses were standing upright at the same time and were caught in a fire. This is additional information that can be used in the reconstruction of burning sequences. They can be used in different dating attempts, e.g. Bayesian dating methods.
Wind direction is an obvious factor in developing dwelling sequences of burnt houses. Even if the reconstruction of the wind directions in the case of house fires does not necessarily lead to a sequencing of the processes, it does yield helpful information. We can see which remains of houses were standing upright at the same time and were caught in a fire. This is additional information that can be used in the reconstruction of burning sequences. They can be used in different dating attempts, e.g. Bayesian dating methods.
Research Interests:
Brozio, J. P., Feeser, I., Heumüller, M., Müller, J., Corradini, E., Kirleis, W., Dörfler, W., Erkul, E. and Wunderlich, T. (2022) 'Hunte 4: Re-validation of a Bell Beaker domestic site in the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany',... more
Brozio, J. P., Feeser, I., Heumüller, M., Müller, J., Corradini, E., Kirleis, W., Dörfler, W., Erkul, E. and Wunderlich, T. (2022) 'Hunte 4: Re-validation of a Bell Beaker domestic site in the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany', Praehistorische Zeitschrift https://doi.org/10.1515/pz-2022-2020.
One of the few areas of the central North European Plain with settlement structures of the Single Grave groups (SG) as well as the Bell Beaker (BB) phenomenon is the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany. This region
is characterised by extensive wetlands on the southern border of the Northern Lowland and has been subject of since the last century. Archaeological prospections in the 1940s led to the detection of a domestic site of the BB groups at the Hunte 4 site. In 2020, new research was carried out at this site, which, through the integration of archaeology,
geophysics and palynology, identified a Late SG and BB site and reconstructed the surrounding landscape. In contrast to the Hunte 1 settlement with building structures 2.5 km to the south, which also shows SG and BB activities, the results of the investigations at Hunte 4 point to a temporary use of the site. Consequently, a settlement system can be reconstructed in the region of the Dümmer for the second half of the third millennium and at the beginning of the second millennium BCE, which consisted of at least one permanent settlement and at the minimum one temporarily used sites – several more could be presumed but have to yet be localised. At the same time, the Dümmer region marks the southern border of a settlement system in the central Northern European Plain which is characterised by less domestic site, less permanent settlement sites and buildings structures. This contrasts with the increasing number of known settlement sites in the surrounding regions of the central
Northern European Plain and suggests a higher translocality of individuals and groups in this area.
One of the few areas of the central North European Plain with settlement structures of the Single Grave groups (SG) as well as the Bell Beaker (BB) phenomenon is the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany. This region
is characterised by extensive wetlands on the southern border of the Northern Lowland and has been subject of since the last century. Archaeological prospections in the 1940s led to the detection of a domestic site of the BB groups at the Hunte 4 site. In 2020, new research was carried out at this site, which, through the integration of archaeology,
geophysics and palynology, identified a Late SG and BB site and reconstructed the surrounding landscape. In contrast to the Hunte 1 settlement with building structures 2.5 km to the south, which also shows SG and BB activities, the results of the investigations at Hunte 4 point to a temporary use of the site. Consequently, a settlement system can be reconstructed in the region of the Dümmer for the second half of the third millennium and at the beginning of the second millennium BCE, which consisted of at least one permanent settlement and at the minimum one temporarily used sites – several more could be presumed but have to yet be localised. At the same time, the Dümmer region marks the southern border of a settlement system in the central Northern European Plain which is characterised by less domestic site, less permanent settlement sites and buildings structures. This contrasts with the increasing number of known settlement sites in the surrounding regions of the central
Northern European Plain and suggests a higher translocality of individuals and groups in this area.
Research Interests:
Makarewicz, C., Hofmann, R., Videiko, M. and Müler, J. (2022) 'Cross-community negotiation, livestock pasture partitioning and pig-driven waste management at the Trypillia settlement of Maidanetske ', Antiquity.... more
Makarewicz, C., Hofmann, R., Videiko, M. and Müler, J. (2022) 'Cross-community negotiation, livestock pasture partitioning and pig-driven waste management at the Trypillia settlement of Maidanetske ', Antiquity. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2022.32.
The inhabitants of the vast Chalcolithic Trypillia sites of Eastern Europe required highly organised strategies to meet subsistence needs. Here, the authors use isotopic analyses of faunal remains from Maidanetske, Ukraine, to identify intensive and extensive grazing practices. The former demanded intra-community negotiation to ensure access to high-quality pastures for valuable animals such as dairy cows, suggesting that pasture may have also served socially integrative functions. The simultaneous use of extensive pasturing strategies for cattle placed on different pastureland suggests that landscapes were partitioned, with access determined by cooperation or competition. Maidanetske's dual pasturing system reflects the importance of spatially organised practices in maintaining social structure.
The inhabitants of the vast Chalcolithic Trypillia sites of Eastern Europe required highly organised strategies to meet subsistence needs. Here, the authors use isotopic analyses of faunal remains from Maidanetske, Ukraine, to identify intensive and extensive grazing practices. The former demanded intra-community negotiation to ensure access to high-quality pastures for valuable animals such as dairy cows, suggesting that pasture may have also served socially integrative functions. The simultaneous use of extensive pasturing strategies for cattle placed on different pastureland suggests that landscapes were partitioned, with access determined by cooperation or competition. Maidanetske's dual pasturing system reflects the importance of spatially organised practices in maintaining social structure.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Delgado-Raack, S., Escanilla, N., Kienle, L., Kneisel, J., Czebreszuk, J., Jaeger, M., Szmyt, M. and Schürmann, U. (2023) 'First evidence for the forging of gold in an Early Bronze Age Site of Central Europe (2200–1800 BCE)',... more
Müller, J., Delgado-Raack, S., Escanilla, N., Kienle, L., Kneisel, J., Czebreszuk, J., Jaeger, M., Szmyt, M. and Schürmann, U. (2023) 'First evidence for the forging of gold in an Early Bronze Age Site of Central Europe (2200–1800 BCE)', Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 47(2023) 103748 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103748.
Evidence of gold processing in the fortified site of Bruszczewo (Poland) is the first testimony of the production of gold artefacts in a domestic Early Bronze Age site of Central Europe. This paper highlights the potential of macrolithic tool ensembles as a key element for the recognition of metallurgical work processes. Moreover, it presents an optimised methodological approach to tackle the application of stone tools in metallurgical production, based on technological characterisation, use-wear analysis, portable X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, the absence of gold sources in Central Europe raises the question about the origin of the metal, constituting an especially striking issue, as gold was a raw material of restricted access. As Bruszczewo was one of the few enclosed Early Bronze Age sites north of the Central European Mountain Range, the patterning of metal processing (including gold) sheds light on the mode of the production of metal artefacts, apparently restricted to central sites of power, which controlled the communication trails.
Evidence of gold processing in the fortified site of Bruszczewo (Poland) is the first testimony of the production of gold artefacts in a domestic Early Bronze Age site of Central Europe. This paper highlights the potential of macrolithic tool ensembles as a key element for the recognition of metallurgical work processes. Moreover, it presents an optimised methodological approach to tackle the application of stone tools in metallurgical production, based on technological characterisation, use-wear analysis, portable X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, the absence of gold sources in Central Europe raises the question about the origin of the metal, constituting an especially striking issue, as gold was a raw material of restricted access. As Bruszczewo was one of the few enclosed Early Bronze Age sites north of the Central European Mountain Range, the patterning of metal processing (including gold) sheds light on the mode of the production of metal artefacts, apparently restricted to central sites of power, which controlled the communication trails.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Hofmann, R., Videiko, M. and Burdo, N. (2022) 'Nebelivka – rediscovered: A Lost City' in Dębiec, M., Gorski, J., Müller, J., Saile, T. and Wlodarcak, P., eds., From Farmers to Heroes? Archaeological Studies in Honor of... more
Müller, J., Hofmann, R., Videiko, M. and Burdo, N. (2022) 'Nebelivka – rediscovered: A Lost City' in Dębiec, M., Gorski, J., Müller, J., Saile, T. and Wlodarcak, P., eds., From Farmers to Heroes? Archaeological Studies in Honor of Sławomir Kadrow, Bonn: Habelt, 213-222.
In addition to Maidanetske and Talianki, Nebelivka belongs to the mega-sites, which have been excavated on a large scale. While detailed 14C analyses
verify multiple phases at the first two mentioned settlements, this has not yet been the case for Nebelivka. A new analysis, which differentiates
between termini post, ad and ante quem for the data from the site, documents the flourishment and the early breakdown of the settlement there.
Instead of a mega-site, at which the settlement concept was used over a long-term, here we are dealing with a “lost city”. The reasons for this are
still unclear. However, this is what distinguishes Nebelivka from Maidanetske and Talianki.
In addition to Maidanetske and Talianki, Nebelivka belongs to the mega-sites, which have been excavated on a large scale. While detailed 14C analyses
verify multiple phases at the first two mentioned settlements, this has not yet been the case for Nebelivka. A new analysis, which differentiates
between termini post, ad and ante quem for the data from the site, documents the flourishment and the early breakdown of the settlement there.
Instead of a mega-site, at which the settlement concept was used over a long-term, here we are dealing with a “lost city”. The reasons for this are
still unclear. However, this is what distinguishes Nebelivka from Maidanetske and Talianki.
Research Interests:
In southern Scandinavia and the northern central European lowlands, megalithic graves were erected mainly between 3600 and 3100 BCE. These collective tombs shape the cultural landscape of the so-called older and middle Funnel Beaker (TRB)... more
In southern Scandinavia and the northern central European lowlands, megalithic graves were erected mainly between 3600 and 3100 BCE. These collective tombs shape the cultural landscape of the so-called older and middle Funnel Beaker (TRB) societies. At this time, a ‘megalithic boom’ occurred with the introduction of new agricultural techniques such
as ard ploughing, animal traction, manuring, and land clearance. Recent research projects have considerably increased our knowledge of the builders of the megalithic sites. In Falbygden, Sweden, and in Holstein, northern Germany, projects have informed us about the environmental conditions, economic practices, and burial customs of the builders of the
Nordic megalithic tombs. On the Cimbrian Peninsula, excavations have helped to clarify the relationship between causewayed enclosures and megaliths. It now seems that the megalithic boom was connected both to agricultural innovations and to a peak in ceremonial activities in general.
as ard ploughing, animal traction, manuring, and land clearance. Recent research projects have considerably increased our knowledge of the builders of the megalithic sites. In Falbygden, Sweden, and in Holstein, northern Germany, projects have informed us about the environmental conditions, economic practices, and burial customs of the builders of the
Nordic megalithic tombs. On the Cimbrian Peninsula, excavations have helped to clarify the relationship between causewayed enclosures and megaliths. It now seems that the megalithic boom was connected both to agricultural innovations and to a peak in ceremonial activities in general.
Research Interests:
J. Müller/R. Hofmann/M. Shatilo, Tripolye Mega-Sites: “Collective Computational Abilities” of Prehistoric Proto-Urban Societies? Journal of Social Computing 3, 1, 2022, 75-90, doi: 10.23919/JSC.2021.0034. In the East European region... more
J. Müller/R. Hofmann/M. Shatilo, Tripolye Mega-Sites: “Collective Computational Abilities” of Prehistoric Proto-Urban Societies? Journal of Social Computing 3, 1, 2022, 75-90, doi: 10.23919/JSC.2021.0034.
In the East European region between Prut and Dnieper, proto-urban mega-sites developed ca. 4100−3600 BCE with population agglomerations of around 10000 inhabitants per site. An outline of complexity categories, based on P. Turchin et al. (2018), illustrates that "computational abilities" are first developed to make the shift from dispersed to agglomerated settlement patterns. The development of an internal decision-making system for a polity that organizes communication via public buildings on different levels, together with a site-specific track system, may be responsible for this shift (or made it possible). However, after generations, this communication pattern was not developed into further collective communication abilities (e. g., into a writing system), while at the same time a tendency toward centralizing decision processes probably destroyed the communication flow. This ultimately led to the collapse of Tripolye mega-sites.
In the East European region between Prut and Dnieper, proto-urban mega-sites developed ca. 4100−3600 BCE with population agglomerations of around 10000 inhabitants per site. An outline of complexity categories, based on P. Turchin et al. (2018), illustrates that "computational abilities" are first developed to make the shift from dispersed to agglomerated settlement patterns. The development of an internal decision-making system for a polity that organizes communication via public buildings on different levels, together with a site-specific track system, may be responsible for this shift (or made it possible). However, after generations, this communication pattern was not developed into further collective communication abilities (e. g., into a writing system), while at the same time a tendency toward centralizing decision processes probably destroyed the communication flow. This ultimately led to the collapse of Tripolye mega-sites.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Urbanism, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 6 moreChalcolithic Archaeology, Social Archaeology, Quantitative methods (Archaeology), Quantitative analysis, Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), and Cucuteni-Tripolye culture
K. Rassmann/M. Furholt/N. Müller-Scheeßel/J. Müller, The social organisation of the Vinča culture settlements. New evidence from magnetic and archaeological excavation data. In: M. Radivojević/B. W. Roberts/M. Marić/J. Kuzmanović... more
K. Rassmann/M. Furholt/N. Müller-Scheeßel/J. Müller, The social organisation of the Vinča culture settlements. New evidence from magnetic and archaeological excavation data. In: M. Radivojević/B. W. Roberts/M. Marić/J. Kuzmanović Cvetković/T. Rehren (Hrsg.), The Rise of Metallurgy in Eurasia (Oxford 2021) 455–459.
New large-scale magnetic surveys of Vinča period settlements can provide fresh insights into the social organisation of Late Neolithic communities. In the following chapter we compare the results of such surveys of a large region of southeastern Europe with
the regional archaeological study conducted in the Bosnian Visoko valley (Müller et al. 2013a) in order to correct previous estimations of settlement sizes and population numbers and to discuss the internal social composition of Vinča period settlements.
New large-scale magnetic surveys of Vinča period settlements can provide fresh insights into the social organisation of Late Neolithic communities. In the following chapter we compare the results of such surveys of a large region of southeastern Europe with
the regional archaeological study conducted in the Bosnian Visoko valley (Müller et al. 2013a) in order to correct previous estimations of settlement sizes and population numbers and to discuss the internal social composition of Vinča period settlements.
Research Interests:
A. Constant/A. Tschantz/B. Millidge/F. Criado-Boado/L. M. Martinez/J. Müller/A. Clark, The Acquisition of Culturally Patterned Attention Styles under Active Inference. Frontiers in Neurorobotics 15, 2021, 1-13. This paper presents an... more
A. Constant/A. Tschantz/B. Millidge/F. Criado-Boado/L. M. Martinez/J. Müller/A. Clark, The Acquisition of Culturally Patterned Attention Styles under Active Inference. Frontiers in Neurorobotics 15, 2021, 1-13.
This paper presents an active inference based simulation study of visual foraging. The goal of the simulation is to show the effect of the acquisition of culturally patterned attention styles on cognitive task performance, under active inference. We show how cultural artefacts like antique vase decorations drive cognitive functions such as perception, action and learning, as well as task performance in a simple visual discrimination task. We thus describe a new active inference based research pipeline that future work may employ to inquire on deep guiding principles determining the manner in which material culture drives human thought, by building and rebuilding our patterns of attention.
This paper presents an active inference based simulation study of visual foraging. The goal of the simulation is to show the effect of the acquisition of culturally patterned attention styles on cognitive task performance, under active inference. We show how cultural artefacts like antique vase decorations drive cognitive functions such as perception, action and learning, as well as task performance in a simple visual discrimination task. We thus describe a new active inference based research pipeline that future work may employ to inquire on deep guiding principles determining the manner in which material culture drives human thought, by building and rebuilding our patterns of attention.
Research Interests:
J. Müller, Das 3. vorchristliche Jahrtausend - ein Zeitalter der Globalisierung. In: D. Mölders/M. M. Rind/K. Schierhold/W. Neubauer/J. Richards (Hrsg.), Stonehenge - Von Menschen und Landschaften (Petersberg 2021) 78-91. Im 3.... more
J. Müller, Das 3. vorchristliche Jahrtausend - ein Zeitalter der Globalisierung. In: D. Mölders/M. M. Rind/K. Schierhold/W. Neubauer/J. Richards (Hrsg.), Stonehenge - Von Menschen und Landschaften (Petersberg 2021) 78-91.
Im 3. vorchristlichen Jahrtausend wird globalisiert: Überregionale Phänomene und regionale Gegenreaktionen prägen Europa. Mobilität und soziale Separationen (Kugelamphoren, Schnurkeramik und Glockenbecher) bewirken das Entstehen einer großräumig
verbundenen Welt. Diese erfasst nach 2500 v. Chr. auch die Britischen Inseln. Krisen und Transformationen, das Entstehen und Vergehen von Monumenten und Kulturlandschaften prägen Nordwest- und Mitteleuropa.
Im 3. vorchristlichen Jahrtausend wird globalisiert: Überregionale Phänomene und regionale Gegenreaktionen prägen Europa. Mobilität und soziale Separationen (Kugelamphoren, Schnurkeramik und Glockenbecher) bewirken das Entstehen einer großräumig
verbundenen Welt. Diese erfasst nach 2500 v. Chr. auch die Britischen Inseln. Krisen und Transformationen, das Entstehen und Vergehen von Monumenten und Kulturlandschaften prägen Nordwest- und Mitteleuropa.
Research Interests:
J. Müller, Integration, mobility, migration. In: V. Heyd/G. Kulcsár/B. Preda-Bălănică (Hrsg.), Yamnaya Interactions. Proceedings of the International Workshop held in Helsinki, 25-26 April 2019 (Budapest 2021) 47-56. Available genetic... more
J. Müller, Integration, mobility, migration. In: V. Heyd/G. Kulcsár/B. Preda-Bălănică (Hrsg.), Yamnaya Interactions. Proceedings of the International Workshop held in Helsinki, 25-26 April 2019 (Budapest 2021) 47-56.
Available genetic results for the 3rd millennium BC in Central Europe have been interpreted in isolation from each other so far. A comparison of three supra-regional phenomena that were formerly interpreted as possible candidates of “migrations” displays strong diff erences of the data, which result in diff erent interpretations. While in Central Europe in the cases of the Globular Amphorae and Bell Beaker Phenomenon no (mass) migration but phenomena of social separation and regional mobility can be assumed, only the Corded Ware Phenomenon remains as a candidate for increased mobility. Consequently, local and regional mobility and the integration of relatives and strangers play a much
greater role in social transformation processes than has been expressed during recent discourses.
Available genetic results for the 3rd millennium BC in Central Europe have been interpreted in isolation from each other so far. A comparison of three supra-regional phenomena that were formerly interpreted as possible candidates of “migrations” displays strong diff erences of the data, which result in diff erent interpretations. While in Central Europe in the cases of the Globular Amphorae and Bell Beaker Phenomenon no (mass) migration but phenomena of social separation and regional mobility can be assumed, only the Corded Ware Phenomenon remains as a candidate for increased mobility. Consequently, local and regional mobility and the integration of relatives and strangers play a much
greater role in social transformation processes than has been expressed during recent discourses.
Research Interests: Genetics, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 9 moreBell Beakers (Archaeology), Migration Studies, Corded Ware Culture, Mobility (Archaeology), Molecular Biology and genetics, aDNA Analysis, Bell Beaker Culture, Globular Amphora Culture, and Yamnaya
S. Dreibrodt/R. Hofmann/M. D. Corso/H.-R. Bork/R. Duttmann/S. Martini/P. Saggau/L. Schwark/L. Shatilo/M. Videiko/M.-J. e. Nadeau/P. M. Grootes/W. Kirleis/J. Müller, Earthworms, Darwin and prehistoric agriculture-Chernozem genesis... more
S. Dreibrodt/R. Hofmann/M. D. Corso/H.-R. Bork/R. Duttmann/S. Martini/P. Saggau/L. Schwark/L. Shatilo/M. Videiko/M.-J. e. Nadeau/P. M. Grootes/W. Kirleis/J. Müller, Earthworms, Darwin and prehistoric agriculture-Chernozem genesis reconsidered. Geoderma 409 (2022) 115607, 2021, 1-14.
Chernozems are among the most fertile agricultural soils on Earth and are important terrestrial carbon reservoirs. Since the Miocene-advent of grassland-ecosystems, they develop on fine-grained calcareous parent materials, generally in continental climates. So far, no theory explains all Chernozem occurrences. This limits modeling of their long-term soil carbon dynamics. Insights gained on Chernozems that buried prehistoric archaeological features in central Ukraine provide a key. Prehistoric agriculture favored anecic earthworm abundance and anecic earthworm surface casting delivers the best explanation for coeval Chernozem genesis, its properties, and distribution, an idea originally put forward by Darwin. Anecic earthworms transfer soil material upwards due to
the necessity to clear their vertical burrow permanently from material fallen in. While Chernozems in the climatic steppe form under climate conditions that limit epigeic and endogeic earthworms naturally, the patchy and time-transgressive Chernozem occurrences in temperate humid Europe would reflect sites where the proliferation of anecic earthworms at the expense of the former ecological groups resulted from early Anthropocene landscape transformations. We will have to add anecic earthworms to the Neolithic Package that identifies the socioeconomical transformations related to sedentarism and evolving agrarian production modes of cereal cultivationand animal husbandry.
Chernozems are among the most fertile agricultural soils on Earth and are important terrestrial carbon reservoirs. Since the Miocene-advent of grassland-ecosystems, they develop on fine-grained calcareous parent materials, generally in continental climates. So far, no theory explains all Chernozem occurrences. This limits modeling of their long-term soil carbon dynamics. Insights gained on Chernozems that buried prehistoric archaeological features in central Ukraine provide a key. Prehistoric agriculture favored anecic earthworm abundance and anecic earthworm surface casting delivers the best explanation for coeval Chernozem genesis, its properties, and distribution, an idea originally put forward by Darwin. Anecic earthworms transfer soil material upwards due to
the necessity to clear their vertical burrow permanently from material fallen in. While Chernozems in the climatic steppe form under climate conditions that limit epigeic and endogeic earthworms naturally, the patchy and time-transgressive Chernozem occurrences in temperate humid Europe would reflect sites where the proliferation of anecic earthworms at the expense of the former ecological groups resulted from early Anthropocene landscape transformations. We will have to add anecic earthworms to the Neolithic Package that identifies the socioeconomical transformations related to sedentarism and evolving agrarian production modes of cereal cultivationand animal husbandry.
Research Interests:
Summary: The multi-disciplinary research-project “Tell in the woods? Anthracological investigations in SE Europe and Turkey” deals with the woodland-management of Neolithic and Chalcolithic societies. As part of this project charcoal... more
Summary: The multi-disciplinary research-project “Tell in the woods? Anthracological investigations in SE Europe and Turkey” deals with the woodland-management of Neolithic and Chalcolithic societies. As part of this project charcoal samples from several sites from a settlement-region in Bosnia and Herzegovina were investigated. First results show an open landscape with manifold vegetation. The investigation of different sites allows the tracing of vegetational differences on a micro-regional scale.
Among various Naga communities of Northeast India, megalithic building and feasting activities played an integral role in the different and intertwined dimensions of social and political organisation until very recently. During a... more
Among various Naga communities of Northeast India, megalithic building and feasting activities played an integral role in the different and intertwined dimensions of social and political organisation until very recently. During a collaborative fieldwork in 2016, we visited different village communities in the southern areas of Nagaland and recorded local knowledge about the function and social implications of megalithic building activities. The preserved knowledge of the monuments themselves and their embeddedness in complex feasting activities and social structures illustrate the multifaceted character of megalithic building. The case study of Nagaland highlights how the construction of megalithic monuments may fulfil very different functions in societies characterised by institutionalised hierarchies than in those that have a more egalitarian social organisation. The case study of southern Naga communities not only shows the importance of various dimensions and courses of action-such as sharing and cooperation, competitive behaviour, and the influence of economic inequality-, but also the importance of social networks and different layers of kinship. The multifaceted and interwoven character of megalithic building activities in this ethnoarchaeological case study constitutes an expansion for the interpretation of archaeological case studies of monumentality.
Research Interests:
. Hofmann, R., Müller, J., Shatilo, L., Videiko, M., Ohlrau, R., Rud, V.e.a., Governing Tripolye: Integrative architecture in Tripolye settlements, PLoS ONE 14(9): e0222243, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222243 Recently,... more
.
Hofmann, R., Müller, J., Shatilo, L., Videiko, M., Ohlrau, R., Rud, V.e.a., Governing Tripolye: Integrative architecture in Tripolye settlements, PLoS ONE 14(9): e0222243, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222243
Recently, high-resolution magnetometry surveys have led to the discovery of a special category of buildings-so-called 'mega-structures'-situated in highly visible positions in the public space of Tripolye giant-settlements of the late 5 th and first half of the 4 th millennium BCE. In this paper we explore what these buildings actually are and how they can contribute to the understanding of the development of social space in Tripolye giant-settlements. For this investigation, we linked newly obtained excavation data from the giant-settlement Maida-netske, Ukraine, with a much larger sample of such buildings from magnetic plans obtained in the region between the Carpathian foothills and the Dnieper River. Accordingly, Tripolye mega-structures represent a particular kind of integrative building documented in many non-ranked ethnographic contexts. Based on our results we are interpreting that these buildings were used for various ritual and non-ritual activities, joint decision-making, and the storage and consumption of surplus. In Tripolye giant-settlements at least three different categories of mega-structures could be identified which most likely represent different levels of socio-political integration and decision-making. The emergence of this hierarchical system of high-level integrative buildings for the whole community and different low-level integrative architectures for certain segments of local communities was related to the rise of Tripolye mega-sites. The presence of different integrative levels most likely reflects the fusion of different previously independent communities in the giant-settlements. Later in the mega-site development, we observe how low-level integrative buildings increasingly lose their importance indicated by shrinking size and, finally, their disappearance. This observation might indicate that the power which was previously distributed across the community was transferred to a central institution. It is argued that the non-acceptance of this concentration of power and the decline of lower decision-making levels might be a crucial factor for the disintegration of Tripolye giant-settlements around 3600 BCE. PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.
Hofmann, R., Müller, J., Shatilo, L., Videiko, M., Ohlrau, R., Rud, V.e.a., Governing Tripolye: Integrative architecture in Tripolye settlements, PLoS ONE 14(9): e0222243, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222243
Recently, high-resolution magnetometry surveys have led to the discovery of a special category of buildings-so-called 'mega-structures'-situated in highly visible positions in the public space of Tripolye giant-settlements of the late 5 th and first half of the 4 th millennium BCE. In this paper we explore what these buildings actually are and how they can contribute to the understanding of the development of social space in Tripolye giant-settlements. For this investigation, we linked newly obtained excavation data from the giant-settlement Maida-netske, Ukraine, with a much larger sample of such buildings from magnetic plans obtained in the region between the Carpathian foothills and the Dnieper River. Accordingly, Tripolye mega-structures represent a particular kind of integrative building documented in many non-ranked ethnographic contexts. Based on our results we are interpreting that these buildings were used for various ritual and non-ritual activities, joint decision-making, and the storage and consumption of surplus. In Tripolye giant-settlements at least three different categories of mega-structures could be identified which most likely represent different levels of socio-political integration and decision-making. The emergence of this hierarchical system of high-level integrative buildings for the whole community and different low-level integrative architectures for certain segments of local communities was related to the rise of Tripolye mega-sites. The presence of different integrative levels most likely reflects the fusion of different previously independent communities in the giant-settlements. Later in the mega-site development, we observe how low-level integrative buildings increasingly lose their importance indicated by shrinking size and, finally, their disappearance. This observation might indicate that the power which was previously distributed across the community was transferred to a central institution. It is argued that the non-acceptance of this concentration of power and the decline of lower decision-making levels might be a crucial factor for the disintegration of Tripolye giant-settlements around 3600 BCE. PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Brozio, J.P., Dörfler, W., Kirleis, W., 2020. Narratives of third millennium transformations: new biographies of Neolithic societies, landscapes and monuments, in: Gebauer, A.B., Sörensen, L., Teather, A., Valera, A.C. (Eds.),... more
Müller, J., Brozio, J.P., Dörfler, W., Kirleis, W., 2020. Narratives of third millennium transformations: new biographies of Neolithic societies, landscapes and monuments, in: Gebauer, A.B., Sörensen, L., Teather, A., Valera, A.C. (Eds.), Monumentalizing life in Neolithic Europe: Narratives of continuity and change, Oxbow, Oxford, pp. 115-124.
Societal transformations of the 3rd millennium BC concern
the relationship of the northern central European and southern Scandinavian societies with their landscapes and role
of monumentality. The end of the construction of megaliths
around 3100 BC is explained with a general disintegration
and the dissolution of cooperative social approaches within
the late TRB communities, followed by a time of diversity
and new orientations. While the first northern boom on monumentality was driven for cooperative purposes, the second
monumental boom around 2850–2650 BC was motivated by
new ideologies about individual representation. After this
second boom, around 2600 BC, a re-use of megaliths and
a kind of megalithic renaissance took place. But at around
2200 BC, further economic and political transformations no
longer incorporated monumental approaches into the differently developing new societies. In conclusion, landscape
histories and monument biographies reflect different cultural
and ideological constitutions, which loosely correspond to the
northern later Early/Middle Neolithic, the Younger Neolithic,
and the Late Neolithic.
Societal transformations of the 3rd millennium BC concern
the relationship of the northern central European and southern Scandinavian societies with their landscapes and role
of monumentality. The end of the construction of megaliths
around 3100 BC is explained with a general disintegration
and the dissolution of cooperative social approaches within
the late TRB communities, followed by a time of diversity
and new orientations. While the first northern boom on monumentality was driven for cooperative purposes, the second
monumental boom around 2850–2650 BC was motivated by
new ideologies about individual representation. After this
second boom, around 2600 BC, a re-use of megaliths and
a kind of megalithic renaissance took place. But at around
2200 BC, further economic and political transformations no
longer incorporated monumental approaches into the differently developing new societies. In conclusion, landscape
histories and monument biographies reflect different cultural
and ideological constitutions, which loosely correspond to the
northern later Early/Middle Neolithic, the Younger Neolithic,
and the Late Neolithic.
Research Interests:
Constant, A., Tschantz, A., Millidge, B., Criado-Boado, F., Martinez, L.M., Müller, J., Clark, A., 2020, September 3. The Acquisition of Culturally Patterned Attention Styles under Active Inference, https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/rchaf... more
Constant, A., Tschantz, A., Millidge, B., Criado-Boado, F., Martinez, L.M., Müller, J., Clark, A., 2020, September 3. The Acquisition of Culturally Patterned Attention Styles under Active Inference, https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/rchaf
This paper presents an active inference based simulation study of visual foraging and transfer learning. The goal of the simulation is to show the effect of the acquisition of culturally patterned attention styles on cognitive task performance, under active inference. We show how cultural artifacts like antique vase decorations drive cognitive functions such as perception, action and learning, as well as task performance in a simple visual discrimination task. We thus describe a new active inference based research pipeline that future work may employ to inquire on deep guiding principles determining the manner in which material culture drives human thought, by building and rebuilding our patterns of attention.
This paper presents an active inference based simulation study of visual foraging and transfer learning. The goal of the simulation is to show the effect of the acquisition of culturally patterned attention styles on cognitive task performance, under active inference. We show how cultural artifacts like antique vase decorations drive cognitive functions such as perception, action and learning, as well as task performance in a simple visual discrimination task. We thus describe a new active inference based research pipeline that future work may employ to inquire on deep guiding principles determining the manner in which material culture drives human thought, by building and rebuilding our patterns of attention.
Furholt, M., Eckelmann, R., Filipovic, D., Gillis, R.E., Müller, J., 2020. Patterns of subsistence at the LBK and Želiezovce settlement site of Vráble, in: Furholt, M., Cheben, I., Müller, J., Bistáková, A., Wunderlich, M.,... more
Furholt, M., Eckelmann, R., Filipovic, D., Gillis, R.E., Müller, J., 2020. Patterns of subsistence at the LBK and Želiezovce settlement site of Vráble, in: Furholt, M., Cheben, I., Müller, J., Bistáková, A., Wunderlich, M., Müller-Scheeßel, N. (eds.), Archaeology in the Zitatva Valey. The LBK and Želiezovce settlement site of Vráble, Sidestone, Leiden, pp. 503-510.
We summarise and contextualise the results of zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical and stable isotope analyses as well as the demographic patterns discussed in
earlier chapters in order to reconstruct the subsistence strategies at Vráble (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia) and discuss their social implications. While there are differences
in preferences for animal species and crop species between the farmsteads, there
seems to be an overall system of strong spatial integration of animal husbandry and
plant cultivation, in which cultivation plots were used intensively as pasture areas,
providing manure and thus enhancing crop yields. Such a spatially concentrated
subsistence regime corresponds to the concentrated settlement pattern at Vráble, as
opposed to the rest of the Upper Žitava Valley. The higher productivity of the fields
at Vráble, which, we argue, could, in part, have been a consequence of this specific
subsistence regime, may have been an important pull factor explaining the phenomenon of settlement concentration at Vráble. The concentration may, in turn, have
further reinforced crop yields. The partial switch from productive subsistence-related activities to large-scale investment into economically unproductive, socially
antagonistic enclosure construction activities may have been a factor driving the
eventual decline of the settlement.
We summarise and contextualise the results of zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical and stable isotope analyses as well as the demographic patterns discussed in
earlier chapters in order to reconstruct the subsistence strategies at Vráble (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia) and discuss their social implications. While there are differences
in preferences for animal species and crop species between the farmsteads, there
seems to be an overall system of strong spatial integration of animal husbandry and
plant cultivation, in which cultivation plots were used intensively as pasture areas,
providing manure and thus enhancing crop yields. Such a spatially concentrated
subsistence regime corresponds to the concentrated settlement pattern at Vráble, as
opposed to the rest of the Upper Žitava Valley. The higher productivity of the fields
at Vráble, which, we argue, could, in part, have been a consequence of this specific
subsistence regime, may have been an important pull factor explaining the phenomenon of settlement concentration at Vráble. The concentration may, in turn, have
further reinforced crop yields. The partial switch from productive subsistence-related activities to large-scale investment into economically unproductive, socially
antagonistic enclosure construction activities may have been a factor driving the
eventual decline of the settlement.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Rassmann, K., 2020. Frühe Monumente - soziale Räume. Das neolithische Mosaik einer neuen Zeit, in: Bánffy, E., Hofmann, K.P., Rummel, P.v. (Eds.), Spuren des Menschen. 800 000 Jahre Geschichte in Europa, WBG, Darmstadt, pp.... more
Müller, J., Rassmann, K., 2020. Frühe Monumente - soziale Räume. Das neolithische Mosaik einer neuen Zeit, in: Bánffy, E., Hofmann, K.P., Rummel, P.v. (Eds.), Spuren des Menschen. 800 000 Jahre Geschichte in Europa, WBG, Darmstadt, pp. 134-158.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Müller-Scheeßel, N., Cheben, I., Wunderlich, M., Furholt, M., 2020. On the demographic development of Vráble and the Upper Žitava Valley, in: Furholt, M., Cheben, I., Müller, J., Bistáková, A., Wunderlich, M., Müller-Scheeßel,... more
Müller, J., Müller-Scheeßel, N., Cheben, I., Wunderlich, M., Furholt, M., 2020. On the demographic development of Vráble and the Upper Žitava Valley, in: Furholt, M., Cheben, I., Müller, J., Bistáková, A., Wunderlich, M., Müller-Scheeßel, N. (Eds.), Archaeology in the Zitatva Valey I. The LBK and Želiezovce settlement site of Vráble, Sidestone, Leiden, pp. 495-504.
Demography is a central factor to understand the social economic development of a settlement as large as Vráble. Using the magnetic plans of the entire site, combined with targeted excavations and extensive coring programs, we develop a chronological model. This is based on 14C dates and the orientation of houses, which show a strong correlation, indicating a gradual change in orientation towards the left of 13° per 100 years. The internal use of space and the number of houses to estimate the mean number of inhabitants of the settlement and change in this number over time. The reconstruction of population numbers in different processes and strategies during the settlement history of Vráble (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia). Including the regional context of the Upper Žitava Valley, we find a possible over-exploitation of arable land, and inter-site mobility and agglomeration processes at Vráble are to be seen in this light. The increasing population density of the northern neighbourhood of the settlement is interpreted as reflecting its increasing economic dominance at the cost of the others. We interpret the construction of the enclosure in the south-western neighbourhood as an attempt to counter this dominance. While this attempt was mederatly sucessful for a few generations, the entire settlement eventually went into decline.
Demography is a central factor to understand the social economic development of a settlement as large as Vráble. Using the magnetic plans of the entire site, combined with targeted excavations and extensive coring programs, we develop a chronological model. This is based on 14C dates and the orientation of houses, which show a strong correlation, indicating a gradual change in orientation towards the left of 13° per 100 years. The internal use of space and the number of houses to estimate the mean number of inhabitants of the settlement and change in this number over time. The reconstruction of population numbers in different processes and strategies during the settlement history of Vráble (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia). Including the regional context of the Upper Žitava Valley, we find a possible over-exploitation of arable land, and inter-site mobility and agglomeration processes at Vráble are to be seen in this light. The increasing population density of the northern neighbourhood of the settlement is interpreted as reflecting its increasing economic dominance at the cost of the others. We interpret the construction of the enclosure in the south-western neighbourhood as an attempt to counter this dominance. While this attempt was mederatly sucessful for a few generations, the entire settlement eventually went into decline.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Vandkilde, H., 2020. The Nordic Bronze Age Rose from Copper Age Diversity: Contrasts in the Cimbrian Peninsula, in: Austvoll, K.I., Eriksen, M.H., Fredriksen, P.D., Melheim, L., Prøsch-Danielsen, L., Skogstrand, L. (Eds.),... more
Müller, J., Vandkilde, H., 2020. The Nordic Bronze Age Rose from Copper Age Diversity: Contrasts in the Cimbrian Peninsula, in: Austvoll, K.I., Eriksen, M.H., Fredriksen, P.D., Melheim, L., Prøsch-Danielsen, L., Skogstrand, L. (Eds.), Contrasts of the Nordic Bronze Age (Brepols, Turnhout) pp. 29-48.
Research Interests:
Kleijne, J., Weinelt, M., Müller, J., 2020. Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic maritime resilience? The 4.2 ka BP event and its implications for environments and societies in Northwest Europe, Environmental Research Letters 15 ,125003, 1-20... more
Kleijne, J., Weinelt, M., Müller, J., 2020. Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic maritime resilience? The 4.2 ka BP event and its implications for environments and societies in Northwest Europe, Environmental Research Letters 15 ,125003, 1-20
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aba1083d1086.
This paper deals with prehistoric communities at the end of the 3rd millennium BC in Northwest Europe in relation to the 4.2 ka BP climatic event. In particular, the question of the resilience of these communities to climatic change will be studied here by comparing various climatic records and analysing specific archaeological parameters for social and cultural change. These parameters include the duration and intensity of settlement occupation, the variability of subsistence activities (e.g. cereal cultivation, animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, and gathering) and the connectedness of communities within exchange networks. Rather than answering the often-asked yes/no question with regard to human-environment relations, our research asks what effect resulted from the 4.2 ka BP climatic event, and, from the perspective of resilience, how did communities adopt to these changes in their practices and cultural choices during the later 3rd millennium BC. In short, we maintain that climate change took place at the end of the 3rd millennium BC, but the changes in humidity and temperature with their effects on vegetation were probably regionally varied across Northwest Europe. We also observe that the studied communities developed differently during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. On the one hand, we identify new food storage and house building techniques in the Low Countries and Schleswig-Holstein and, on the other hand, substantiate population decrease on the Orkney Islands around 2300 BC. Finally, we note a development of the Bell Beaker phenomenon into an Early Bronze Age maritory of connected communities across the North Sea, in which these communities expressed their resilience to climate change.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aba1083d1086.
This paper deals with prehistoric communities at the end of the 3rd millennium BC in Northwest Europe in relation to the 4.2 ka BP climatic event. In particular, the question of the resilience of these communities to climatic change will be studied here by comparing various climatic records and analysing specific archaeological parameters for social and cultural change. These parameters include the duration and intensity of settlement occupation, the variability of subsistence activities (e.g. cereal cultivation, animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, and gathering) and the connectedness of communities within exchange networks. Rather than answering the often-asked yes/no question with regard to human-environment relations, our research asks what effect resulted from the 4.2 ka BP climatic event, and, from the perspective of resilience, how did communities adopt to these changes in their practices and cultural choices during the later 3rd millennium BC. In short, we maintain that climate change took place at the end of the 3rd millennium BC, but the changes in humidity and temperature with their effects on vegetation were probably regionally varied across Northwest Europe. We also observe that the studied communities developed differently during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. On the one hand, we identify new food storage and house building techniques in the Low Countries and Schleswig-Holstein and, on the other hand, substantiate population decrease on the Orkney Islands around 2300 BC. Finally, we note a development of the Bell Beaker phenomenon into an Early Bronze Age maritory of connected communities across the North Sea, in which these communities expressed their resilience to climate change.
Research Interests:
Immel, A., Pierini, F., Rinne, C., Meadows, J., Barquera, R., Szolek, A., Susat, J., Böhme, L., Dose, J., Bonczarowska, J., Drummer, C., Fuchs, K., Ellinghaus, D., Kässens, J., Furholt, M., Kohlbacher, O., Schade-Lindig, S., Franke, A.,... more
Immel, A., Pierini, F., Rinne, C., Meadows, J., Barquera, R., Szolek, A., Susat, J., Böhme, L., Dose, J., Bonczarowska, J., Drummer, C., Fuchs, K., Ellinghaus, D., Kässens, J., Furholt, M., Kohlbacher, O., Schade-Lindig, S., Franke, A., Franke, A., Krause, J., Müller, J., Lenz, T.L., Nebel, A., Krause-Kyora, B., 2021. Genome-wide study of a Neolithic Wartberg grave community reveals distinct HLA variation and hunter-gatherer ancestry, Communications Biology 4, 113 https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01627-4
The Wartberg culture (WBC, 3500-2800 BCE) dates to the Late Neolithic period, a time of important demographic and cultural transformations in western Europe. We performed genome-wide analyses of 42 individuals who were interred in a WBC collective burial in Niedertiefenbach, Germany (3300-3200 cal. BCE). The results showed that the farming population of Niedertiefenbach carried a surprisingly large hunter-gatherer ancestry component (34-58%). This component was most likely introduced during the cultural transformation that led to the WBC. In addition, the Niedertiefenbach individuals exhibited a distinct human leukocyte antigen gene pool, possibly reflecting an immune response that was geared towards detecting viral infections.
The Wartberg culture (WBC, 3500-2800 BCE) dates to the Late Neolithic period, a time of important demographic and cultural transformations in western Europe. We performed genome-wide analyses of 42 individuals who were interred in a WBC collective burial in Niedertiefenbach, Germany (3300-3200 cal. BCE). The results showed that the farming population of Niedertiefenbach carried a surprisingly large hunter-gatherer ancestry component (34-58%). This component was most likely introduced during the cultural transformation that led to the WBC. In addition, the Niedertiefenbach individuals exhibited a distinct human leukocyte antigen gene pool, possibly reflecting an immune response that was geared towards detecting viral infections.
Research Interests:
We present a synthesis of the socio-political developments of the communities at the Neolithic site of Vráble ‘Veľké Lehemby’ (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia), discussing subsistence strategies, the use of space and the built environment, as... more
We present a synthesis of the socio-political developments of the communities at the Neolithic site of Vráble ‘Veľké Lehemby’ (Nitriansky kraj, Slovakia), discussing subsistence strategies, the use of space and the built environment, as well as material culture and integrate these into a model of the political economy. A characteristic of the site is the simultaneous existence of both exclusionary and communal strategies,
which were influenced by and were influencing different social spheres of the settlement community. While we can trace differentiated subsistence strategies at the level of individual farms, as well as at the level of neighbourhoods, we can also see strong indicators for the importance of collective and communal mechanisms, as well as practices of sharing. These are indicated by the presence of specific storage pits and the communal building of an enclosure. We interpret these communal activities not only as indicators for structures of social security and solidarity, but also as indicators of growing social tensions and possibly conflicts over the course of the settlement history. We argue that the settlement was abandoned as a result of an
intensification of these tensions, leading towards the deliberate separation of one of the neighbourhoods and the development of social inequality, expressed through differentiated burial rites. The social and political structure of Vráble dissolved at the beginning of the 5th mil. BCE and was followed by a decentralised and dispersed system of sites during the subsequent period of Lengyel communities.
which were influenced by and were influencing different social spheres of the settlement community. While we can trace differentiated subsistence strategies at the level of individual farms, as well as at the level of neighbourhoods, we can also see strong indicators for the importance of collective and communal mechanisms, as well as practices of sharing. These are indicated by the presence of specific storage pits and the communal building of an enclosure. We interpret these communal activities not only as indicators for structures of social security and solidarity, but also as indicators of growing social tensions and possibly conflicts over the course of the settlement history. We argue that the settlement was abandoned as a result of an
intensification of these tensions, leading towards the deliberate separation of one of the neighbourhoods and the development of social inequality, expressed through differentiated burial rites. The social and political structure of Vráble dissolved at the beginning of the 5th mil. BCE and was followed by a decentralised and dispersed system of sites during the subsequent period of Lengyel communities.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Settlement Patterns, Archaeological Method & Theory, History of Archaeological Praxis, and 7 moreBronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Settlement archaeology, and Bronze Age of the Carpathian Basin
The Younger Quaternary erosion history was reconstructed in a catchment close to the Chalcolithic giant settlement Maidanetske, central Ukraine based on dated sediment sequences. Four trenches and a long percussion drill-core were... more
The Younger Quaternary erosion history was reconstructed in a catchment close to the Chalcolithic giant settlement Maidanetske, central Ukraine based on dated sediment sequences. Four trenches and a long percussion drill-core were analyzed in a valley grading from a Loess covered plateau towards the Talianky River. The sediments were dated by a combination of radiocarbon dating, optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) and embedded artifacts. Although there is some weakness of numerical dating so far, a non-coincidence between phases of soil erosion and the local and regional settlement history over long periods of the Holocene is indicated. This, viewed in the light of the geographical setting of the site in the climate sensitive forest-steppe borderland, suggests climatically driven erosion processes. The detected phases of erosion coincide with global (cal 27.6 ± 1.3 kyrs BP, 12.0 ± 0.4 kyrs BP), northern hemispheric (cal 8.5 ± 0.3 kyrs BP), Mediterranean (cal 3.93 ± 0.1 kyrs BP) as well as western to central European (2700 to 2000 cal BP) climate anomalies. Increased occurrences of heavy precipitation events, probably during phases of a weakened vegetation cover, could explain the observed record. Investigations at additional sites in Eastern Europe are needed to verify the representativeness of the presented record from central Ukraine at a regional level.The composition of the sediments indicates changes of the slope-channel connectivity during the deposition history. Whereas the glacial to early Holocene and modern times sediments were derived from the whole catchment area, during the mid-to late-Holocene a tendency to lower slope storage of colluvial material and valley incision is indicated.
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Ricci, A. (eds.) 2020. Past Societies. Human Devlopment in Landscapes, Sidestone Press, Leiden.
Research Interests:
The early Neolithic site of Vráble (5250-4950 cal BCE) is among the largest LBK settlement agglomerations in Central Europe, and exceptional within the southwest Slovakian area. Geophysical surveys revealed more than 300 houses, grouped... more
The early Neolithic site of Vráble (5250-4950 cal BCE) is among the largest LBK settlement agglomerations in Central Europe, and exceptional within the southwest Slovakian area. Geophysical surveys revealed more than 300 houses, grouped into three contemporary neighbourhoods, one of which is delineated by a complex ditched
enclosure system. This enclosure is associated with a large number of human remains, which reveal new patterns of burial and deposition practices. This volume presents the first part of the results of an international research project that was started in 2012 and aims to explore the social implications of settlement concentration in the context of early farming communities, on the background of subsistence patterns and landscape use.
This is the first volume of “Archaeology in the Žitava valley”, and it presents the finds, features and data uncovered and synthesised from our archaeological, pedological, geophysical, archaeobotanical, anthropological, zoo-archaeological and stable isotope studies on the site of Vráble “Veľké Lehemby” and “Fárske” in southwest Slovakia.
These data are used to reconstruct the social and economic patterns and social processes, highlighting a growing tension between incentives of cooperation and sharing vs. monopolisation of resources and individual interests, driving the 300-year history of this site until its total abandonment. While the history of Vráble is unique, it holds clues for a better understanding of the overall, central European phenomenon of large, enclosed settlements of the later LBK, their association with rituals and violence involving human bodies, and the end of the LBK social world.
enclosure system. This enclosure is associated with a large number of human remains, which reveal new patterns of burial and deposition practices. This volume presents the first part of the results of an international research project that was started in 2012 and aims to explore the social implications of settlement concentration in the context of early farming communities, on the background of subsistence patterns and landscape use.
This is the first volume of “Archaeology in the Žitava valley”, and it presents the finds, features and data uncovered and synthesised from our archaeological, pedological, geophysical, archaeobotanical, anthropological, zoo-archaeological and stable isotope studies on the site of Vráble “Veľké Lehemby” and “Fárske” in southwest Slovakia.
These data are used to reconstruct the social and economic patterns and social processes, highlighting a growing tension between incentives of cooperation and sharing vs. monopolisation of resources and individual interests, driving the 300-year history of this site until its total abandonment. While the history of Vráble is unique, it holds clues for a better understanding of the overall, central European phenomenon of large, enclosed settlements of the later LBK, their association with rituals and violence involving human bodies, and the end of the LBK social world.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Müller, J., Rassmann, K., Videiko, M. (Eds.), Trypillia Mega-sites and European Prehistory: 4100-3400 BCE, Routledge, London (2016)
Research Interests:
J. Kunow/J. Müller/F. Schopper (Hrsg.), Archäoprognose Brandenburg II. Forschungen zur Archäologie im Land Brandenburg 10 (Wünsdorf 2007)
Research Interests:
J. Müller/T. Seregély (Hrsg.), Wattendorf-Motzenstein - eine schnurkeramische Siedlung auf der Nördlichen Frankenalb: Naturwissenschaftliche Ergebnisse und Rekonstruktion des schnurkeramischen Siedlungswesens in Mitteleuropa.... more
J. Müller/T. Seregély (Hrsg.), Wattendorf-Motzenstein - eine schnurkeramische Siedlung auf der Nördlichen Frankenalb: Naturwissenschaftliche Ergebnisse und Rekonstruktion des schnurkeramischen Siedlungswesens in Mitteleuropa. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie - Endneolithische Siedlungsstrukturen in Oberfranken II (Bonn 2008)
Research Interests:
W. Dörfler/J. Müller (Hrsg.), Umwelt - Wirtschaft - Siedlungen im dritten vorchristlichen Jahrtausend Mitteleuropas und Südskandinaviens. Offa-Bücher 84 (Kiel 2008), ISBN 9783529011849.
Research Interests:
J. Müller/R. Hoffmann/Th. Peek (Hrsg.), „Ötzi – sein Leben, seine Zeit“ Oberfranken am Ende der Jungsteinzeit (Tüchersfeld 2002), ISBN 3980779602
Research Interests:
R. Hofmann/J. Müller (Hrsg.), Axt und Rad en miniature. Außergewöhnliche Zeugnisse der späten Jungsteinzeit vom Motzenstein bei Wattendorf (Tüchersfeld 2005), ISBN 3980779629.
Research Interests:
J. Czebreszuk u. J. Müller (Hrsg.), The Absolute Chronology of Central Europe 3000-2000 BC. Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa 1 (Poznan/ Bamberg/ Rahden 2001). ISBN 3896468812
Research Interests:
J. Czebreszuk/S. Kadrow/J. Müller (Hrsg.), Defensive Structures from Central Europe to the Aegean in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa 5 (Poznan/Bonn 2008), ISBN 9783774936140.
Research Interests:
J. Müller (Hrsg.), Alter und Geschlecht in ur- und frühgeschichtlichen Gesellschaften.Tagung Bamberg 20.-21. Februar 2004. Universitätsforschungen zur Prähistorischen Archäologie (Bonn 2005).
Research Interests:
J. Müller/A. Zimmermann (Hrsg.), Archäologie und Korrespondenzanalyse. Beispiele, Fragen, Perspektiven. Internationale Archäologie 23 (Espelkamp 1997).
Research Interests:
J. Czebreszuk/ J. Müller/M. Jaeger/J. Kneisel (Hsrg.), Brusczewo IV. Natural resources and econimic activities of the Bronze Age people, Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa 14 (Bonn 2015).
Research Interests:
J. Czebreszuk/ J. Müller (Hsrg.), Brusczewo III. The settlement and fortification in the mineral zone of the site. Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa 13 (Bonn 2015).
Research Interests:
J. Müller (Hrsg.), Exploring Landscapes – The Reconstruction of Social Space. Investigations on Prehistorical and Historical Societies and the Environment (Bonn 2014). Exploring landscapes and reconstructiong social space. In the last... more
J. Müller (Hrsg.), Exploring Landscapes – The Reconstruction of Social Space. Investigations on Prehistorical and Historical Societies and the Environment (Bonn 2014).
Exploring landscapes and reconstructiong social space. In the last five years, scientists of numerous disciplines at Kiel University have dedicated themselves to reconstructing pre-modern socetial and environmental conditions through intensive field work. In the framework of the Graduate School "Human Development in Landscapes" and the "Johanna-Mestorf_Acadamy of Socio-Environmental Research and Landscape Archaeology",field work led predominantly early-career researchers to regions ranging from Peru to the Ukraine and from Iceland to Ethopia. A majo focus of the new findings addresses the reconstruction of prehistoric and ancient societies in Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia. In this volume, an overview of the diversity of activities is provided for the first time.
Exploring landscapes and reconstructiong social space. In the last five years, scientists of numerous disciplines at Kiel University have dedicated themselves to reconstructing pre-modern socetial and environmental conditions through intensive field work. In the framework of the Graduate School "Human Development in Landscapes" and the "Johanna-Mestorf_Acadamy of Socio-Environmental Research and Landscape Archaeology",field work led predominantly early-career researchers to regions ranging from Peru to the Ukraine and from Iceland to Ethopia. A majo focus of the new findings addresses the reconstruction of prehistoric and ancient societies in Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia. In this volume, an overview of the diversity of activities is provided for the first time.
Research Interests:
J. Müller/ R. Hofmann/ R., Kirleis/ S.Dreibrodt/ R. Ohlrau/ L. Brandstätter/ M. Dal Corso/V. Out/ R. Rassmann/ K. Videko. Maidanetske 2013. New excavations at a Trypillia megasite, Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa 16 (Bonn 2017)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
J. Müller, Großsteingräber Grabenwerke Langhügel: Frühe Monumentalbauten Mitteleuropas. Sonderheft Archäologie in Deutschland (WBG Darmstadt 2017). Bis zu 5800 Jahre alte Monumente prägen noch heute die Landschaften Norddeutschlands:... more
J. Müller, Großsteingräber Grabenwerke Langhügel: Frühe Monumentalbauten Mitteleuropas. Sonderheft Archäologie in Deutschland (WBG Darmstadt 2017).
Bis zu 5800 Jahre alte Monumente prägen noch heute die Landschaften Norddeutschlands: Großsteingräber sind als Landmarken über Jahrtausende hinweg den Bewohnern gegenwärtig und erzählen aus einer Zeit, als der Mensch erstmals großräumig Kulturlandschaften
in Nordmitteleuropa und Südskandinavien geschaffen hat. So sichtbar und nah Großsteingräber uns heute erscheinen, so schwierig und langwierig ist ihre Erforschung: Wer hat sie errichtet und warum? Wie waren die damaligen Lebensbedingungen? Was bedeuteten
megalithische, aber auch nichtmegalithische Monumente für die Gesellschaften? Um dies zu verstehen, müssen wir die ökologischen, ökonomischen, sozialen und kulturellen Aspekte der damaligen Zeit rekonstruieren.
Dieser Aufgabe hat sich in den letzten Jahren eine Gruppe von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern verschiedener universitärer und außeruniversitärer Forschungseinrichtungen gestellt, die im Rahmen des Schwerpunktprogramms 1400 der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft »Frühe Monumentalität und soziale Differenzierung« Großsteingräber, Grabenwerke, Siedlungen und Umweltbedingungen insbesondere der Trichterbechergesellschaften
(4100–2800 v. Chr.) untersucht haben (www.schwerpunkt-monumente.de). Mithilfe kultur-, natur- und lebenswissenschaftlicher Methoden ließ sich der Kenntnisstand um das Geschehen insbesondere im norddeutschen Raum erheblich erweitern. Dieses Sonderheft
der »Archäologie in Deutschland« fasst einige der Forschungsergebnisse zusammen und bietet einen Einstieg in die Thematik.
Bis zu 5800 Jahre alte Monumente prägen noch heute die Landschaften Norddeutschlands: Großsteingräber sind als Landmarken über Jahrtausende hinweg den Bewohnern gegenwärtig und erzählen aus einer Zeit, als der Mensch erstmals großräumig Kulturlandschaften
in Nordmitteleuropa und Südskandinavien geschaffen hat. So sichtbar und nah Großsteingräber uns heute erscheinen, so schwierig und langwierig ist ihre Erforschung: Wer hat sie errichtet und warum? Wie waren die damaligen Lebensbedingungen? Was bedeuteten
megalithische, aber auch nichtmegalithische Monumente für die Gesellschaften? Um dies zu verstehen, müssen wir die ökologischen, ökonomischen, sozialen und kulturellen Aspekte der damaligen Zeit rekonstruieren.
Dieser Aufgabe hat sich in den letzten Jahren eine Gruppe von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern verschiedener universitärer und außeruniversitärer Forschungseinrichtungen gestellt, die im Rahmen des Schwerpunktprogramms 1400 der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft »Frühe Monumentalität und soziale Differenzierung« Großsteingräber, Grabenwerke, Siedlungen und Umweltbedingungen insbesondere der Trichterbechergesellschaften
(4100–2800 v. Chr.) untersucht haben (www.schwerpunkt-monumente.de). Mithilfe kultur-, natur- und lebenswissenschaftlicher Methoden ließ sich der Kenntnisstand um das Geschehen insbesondere im norddeutschen Raum erheblich erweitern. Dieses Sonderheft
der »Archäologie in Deutschland« fasst einige der Forschungsergebnisse zusammen und bietet einen Einstieg in die Thematik.
Research Interests:
DFG-Priority Program 12400 "Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation: On the origin and development of neolithic large-scale buildings and the emergence of early complex societies in Northern Central Europe" Monuments, especially... more
DFG-Priority Program 12400 "Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation:
On the origin and development of neolithic large-scale buildings and the emergence of early complex societies in Northern Central Europe"
Monuments, especially megaliths shape huge regions of the northern German landscape, even today, when the majority have been destroyed. The reconstructed number of monumental buildings in the whole area is estimated to several tens of thousands and they seem to have been built in a fairly short period, from 3500 to 3100 BC. This is the period of the first enclosures in northern central Europe, of increased human economic impact on the environment, of extended external relations, and of a distinct increase in elaboration and diversity of material culture.
The present state of the art seems to contrast this period both to the preceding Early Neolithic and the following Middle Neolithic and Late Neolithic Periods. The Priority Program aims at investigating the social and ideological developments connected to these formal changes in the cultural landscape. But in order to link our observations to models of social change, to an understanding of ideological developments and to combine those topics to the physical background, the climate, environment and landscape developments, we need more data, systematic data sampling, the integration of all data sources available and syntheses that account for different spatial scales and have a proper temporal resolution.
On the origin and development of neolithic large-scale buildings and the emergence of early complex societies in Northern Central Europe"
Monuments, especially megaliths shape huge regions of the northern German landscape, even today, when the majority have been destroyed. The reconstructed number of monumental buildings in the whole area is estimated to several tens of thousands and they seem to have been built in a fairly short period, from 3500 to 3100 BC. This is the period of the first enclosures in northern central Europe, of increased human economic impact on the environment, of extended external relations, and of a distinct increase in elaboration and diversity of material culture.
The present state of the art seems to contrast this period both to the preceding Early Neolithic and the following Middle Neolithic and Late Neolithic Periods. The Priority Program aims at investigating the social and ideological developments connected to these formal changes in the cultural landscape. But in order to link our observations to models of social change, to an understanding of ideological developments and to combine those topics to the physical background, the climate, environment and landscape developments, we need more data, systematic data sampling, the integration of all data sources available and syntheses that account for different spatial scales and have a proper temporal resolution.
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In der Sammlung aus Aufsätzen werden zahlreiche Ergebnisse interdisziplinärer Untersuchungen des Schwerpunktprogrammes "Frühe Monumnetalität und soziale Differenzierung" dargestellt. Anlass ist die Errichtung eines Megalithgrabes auf dem... more
In der Sammlung aus Aufsätzen werden zahlreiche Ergebnisse interdisziplinärer Untersuchungen des Schwerpunktprogrammes "Frühe Monumnetalität und soziale Differenzierung" dargestellt. Anlass ist die Errichtung eines Megalithgrabes auf dem Campus der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.
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Research Interests: Environmental Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 6 moreSocial Archaeology, Theoretical Archaeology, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Funnel Beaker Culture, Social Structure, and Megaltihs Neolithic Funnel Beakers Social Archaeology Landscape Archaeology
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Landscape Archaeology, Balkan Studies, and 10 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Balkan prehistory, Neolithic Europe, Cluster Analysis (Multivariate Data Analysis), Italian Prehistory, Cardial Groups, Site Catchment Analysis, Impresso, and Cardial Pottery
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In recent years, high-resolution geomagnetic surveys in Cucuteni-Tripolye settlements led to the discovery of large, so far unknown building structures which are located at prominent positions within settlements. Due to their... more
In recent years, high-resolution geomagnetic surveys in Cucuteni-Tripolye settlements led to the discovery of large, so far unknown building structures which are located at prominent positions within settlements. Due to their extraordinary size, positioning and special architectural characteristics this structures are interpreted as some kind of public or communal buildings such as temples or assemblage houses. Within large settlements two classes of such buildings can be distinguished: high-level 'mega-structures' for the whole settlement and low level ring-or pathway buildings for parts of the commune. The second category of buildings, normally show regular distributions within settlements which likely reflect some kind of communal organisation. In order to achieve better understanding of construction and functional aspects of such buildings, we excavated one of the low-level ring-or pathway building in the large settlement Maidanetske in the frame of a Ukrainian-German cooperation. Detailed collection of information regarding the finds and their context, of imprints of construction timber on daub, and the dense sampling for botanical, zoological, pedological, and geoarchaeological investigations should provide arguments for the evaluation of functional aspects of this building in comparison to 'normal' houses. In order to understand transformations in the social organisation of Tripolye communities, we would like, on the other hand, evaluate such buildings in a diachronic perspective based on plans of geomagnetic surveys. Thereby, important aspects like frequency and positioning of within settlements and the size of the structures in relation to the use group size will be discussed.
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Vorlesung Johannes Müller/Mara Weinelt Wintersemester 2014/2015
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Vorlesung Johannes Müller/Mara Weinelt Wintersemester 2014/2015
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Vorlesung Johannes Müller/Mara Weinelt Wintersemester 2014/2015
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Vorlesung Johannes Müller/Mara Weinelt Wintersemester 2014/2015
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The aim of the session is to reconsider features, function and transformations of domestic infrastructures and related processes observed at archaeological sites. In our understanding, infrastructures, like wells, dwellings, tracks,... more
The aim of the session is to reconsider features, function and transformations of domestic infrastructures and related processes observed at archaeological sites. In our understanding, infrastructures, like wells, dwellings, tracks, assembly halls, or ritual places, were interwoven with socio-environmental interaction patterns and networks. The session intends to pursue a diachronic perspective on Neolithic to pre-state site infrastructures. The session draws attention to a more comprehensive understanding of the connectivity of social relations, culture, and economy, and natural environment revealed by infrastructures within, outside of and between sites. Changes in these dynamic constructs often were enduring and substantial, thus leading to various transformations, whose main characteristics shall be discussed in the contributing papers. We also welcome contributions addressing the practical application of environmental, social and cultural change theories on cases of infrastructure transformation processes observed in intra-site and inter-site variability, including moments of crisis and collapse. Quite often, researchers discover settlement units of different complexity within the same archaeological site. Their main interest is to explore human infrastructures: remains of buildings, enclosures, production facilities, places of consumption, or the identification of economic, social and ritual activity areas. Studying these infrastructures is accompanied by extensive investigations of the geographical setting and natural resources in order to reconstruct past environmental conditions. In many cases, the traces of human activity recorded at these sites give evidence of different occupation phases and thus the opportunity to study infrastructural change in time and space. Often, the variability of the assessed parameters points to random processes of change. In other cases, there are interdependencies of environmental and infrastructural parameters and trends can be detected. As a whole, the session pursues questions related to the significance of infrastructure transformations: Which social, environmental and economic consequences result from the infrastructure transformations (e.g. re-organisation of economic zones, establishment of traffic routes, and formation of new building types)? How do these consequences contribute to current research on Neolithic to pre-state societies (e.g. landscape formation, catalysts of economic production and distribution, impact on social and cultural outreach)? Which kind of social, economic or environmental theory is applicable or derivable from observed infrastructure transformations?
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The Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes” at Kiel University gladly hosts the international Open Workshop “Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 12,000 Years: The Creation of Landscapes” in Kiel March 20-24, 2017 for the... more
The Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes” at Kiel University gladly hosts the international Open Workshop “Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 12,000 Years: The Creation of Landscapes” in Kiel March 20-24, 2017 for the fifth time after 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
This workshop aims to bring together researchers from different disciplines to discuss the interaction between physical and social landscapes as the most profound process that catalyses human activities in space and time; and the interplay of environments, social relationships, material culture, population dynamics, and human perceptions of socio-environmental change. This year the Workshop is supported by the Collaborative Research Centre 1266 “Scales of transformation: Human-environmental Interaction in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies”.
This workshop aims to bring together researchers from different disciplines to discuss the interaction between physical and social landscapes as the most profound process that catalyses human activities in space and time; and the interplay of environments, social relationships, material culture, population dynamics, and human perceptions of socio-environmental change. This year the Workshop is supported by the Collaborative Research Centre 1266 “Scales of transformation: Human-environmental Interaction in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies”.
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The 3rd millennium BC in Europe is a period showing a new quality in the transregional distribution of material culture. What is more, there is a more marked duality between the fragmented pattern of local styles and the new overarching... more
The 3rd millennium BC in Europe is a period showing a new quality in the transregional distribution of material culture. What is more,
there is a more marked duality between the fragmented pattern of local styles and the new overarching transregional elements of material
culture, most notably expressed in archaeological terms by the Bell Beaker and Corded Ware phenomena. Such a duality, especially
marked by the concept of Bell Beakers and »Common Ware«, is surely not a total novelty. But the hitherto unknown width of distribution
of »global« Corded Ware, or Bell Beaker elements is evidence of a new character of this dialectic in the 3rd millennium BC.
In this workshop, we want to explore the background
of this new quality. To what extent is this re-arrangement of global and local frames of reference a consequence of a fundamental change in social organisation and economic practices? In how far does it reflect increased migration, new mobility patterns, or changing
networks of interaction? Or how can we disentangle the effect of different developments that might have lead to the culmination of the Neolithic sequence in European prehistory?
there is a more marked duality between the fragmented pattern of local styles and the new overarching transregional elements of material
culture, most notably expressed in archaeological terms by the Bell Beaker and Corded Ware phenomena. Such a duality, especially
marked by the concept of Bell Beakers and »Common Ware«, is surely not a total novelty. But the hitherto unknown width of distribution
of »global« Corded Ware, or Bell Beaker elements is evidence of a new character of this dialectic in the 3rd millennium BC.
In this workshop, we want to explore the background
of this new quality. To what extent is this re-arrangement of global and local frames of reference a consequence of a fundamental change in social organisation and economic practices? In how far does it reflect increased migration, new mobility patterns, or changing
networks of interaction? Or how can we disentangle the effect of different developments that might have lead to the culmination of the Neolithic sequence in European prehistory?
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Dear all, the deadline for submitting your abstracts for the International Open Workshop Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 12,000 Years: The Creation of Landscapes V has been extended. All abstracts for papers or posters are now... more
Dear all, the deadline for submitting your abstracts for the International Open Workshop Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 12,000 Years: The Creation of Landscapes V has been extended. All abstracts for papers or posters are now welcome until December 14, 2016. Please make sure to send us the texts until that date!
For more details about all the sessions and the registration process, you can visit the Workshop's official webpage through the following link http://www.workshop-gshdl.uni-kiel.de/
or contact us.
For more details about all the sessions and the registration process, you can visit the Workshop's official webpage through the following link http://www.workshop-gshdl.uni-kiel.de/
or contact us.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Neolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), and 15 moreNeolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, Balkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, The Neolithic Revolution, Underwater Archaeology, Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Mesolithic/Neolithic, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Great Lakes Archaeology, Bronze Age, Waterscapes, and Seascape Archaeology
Das DFG-Schwerpunktprogramm 1400 "Frühe Monumentalität und Soziale Differenzierung – Zur Entstehung und Entwicklung neolithischer Großbauten und erster komplexer Gesellschaften im nördlichen Mitteleuropa" umfasst interdisziplinäre... more
Das DFG-Schwerpunktprogramm 1400 "Frühe Monumentalität und Soziale Differenzierung – Zur Entstehung und Entwicklung neolithischer Großbauten und erster komplexer Gesellschaften im nördlichen Mitteleuropa" umfasst interdisziplinäre Projekte, die sowohl mit archäologischen Feldmethoden als auch naturwissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen ein breites Spektrum an neuen Informationen insbesondere zu den Trichterbecher-Gesellschaften (ca. 4100–2800 v.u.Z.) generieren.
Aufbauend auf einer breiten Basis erhobener Daten können neue Erkenntnisse zu Chronologie, Demographie, Umwelt und Wirtschaftsweise vorgestellt werden. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf Siedlungen, Gräbern und Grabenwerken, aber auch auf Wegen, Kommunikationsräumen und Austauschnetzwerken. Band 2 der Schriftenreihe des Schwerpunktprogrammes veröffentlicht erste Ergebnisse aus den laufenden Forschungen zu den frühen ackerbaulichen Gemeinschaften Nordmitteleuropas.
Aufbauend auf einer breiten Basis erhobener Daten können neue Erkenntnisse zu Chronologie, Demographie, Umwelt und Wirtschaftsweise vorgestellt werden. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf Siedlungen, Gräbern und Grabenwerken, aber auch auf Wegen, Kommunikationsräumen und Austauschnetzwerken. Band 2 der Schriftenreihe des Schwerpunktprogrammes veröffentlicht erste Ergebnisse aus den laufenden Forschungen zu den frühen ackerbaulichen Gemeinschaften Nordmitteleuropas.
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Since the emergence of phenomenological approaches in archaeology, there has been a wide appreciation of the epistemological importance of understanding how people perceived their environment, rather than creating disembodied... more
Since the emergence of phenomenological approaches in archaeology, there has been a wide appreciation of the epistemological importance of understanding how people perceived their environment, rather than creating disembodied representations of it (often claimed to be ‘objective’). With the advent of material agency and post-phenomenological theories, the understanding of past human perception and how it was influenced by the material world has become even more vital, highlighting the need to develop appropriate methodologies to answer these questions. Methods for studying human perception have evolved in archaeology from the pioneering studies in landscape archaeology, such as viewshed analysis using GIS and the study of site acoustics, to more recent cheriotic approaches and eye-tracking methods. Yet, bearing weight on these approaches is the recognition that, because humans are socialised in different ways, there may not be a clear way to characterise a 'model' of feeling, thinking or doing that pertains to all humans. Consequently, the meaning of how we perceive the world today may not correspond to how people perceived it in the past, i.e. contra 'presentism'. One potential solution, which XSCAPE (ERC-funded project) is trying, is to substitute the “how” of perception as content, for the “how” of perception as a way: what cognitive processing tell us about past and present perceptions and how this is influenced by the material world.
The session aims to discuss methods/techniques used for the study of past human perception, attempting to integrate methodological innovations with more established ones in our discipline. Secondly, we wish to enquire on the limitations of assuming universal models of human perception and how we might be able to address them. We welcome papers that bring forth new perceptual methods for archaeological research and concrete applications in specific case studies, as well as submissions that critically engage with questions about presentism.
The session aims to discuss methods/techniques used for the study of past human perception, attempting to integrate methodological innovations with more established ones in our discipline. Secondly, we wish to enquire on the limitations of assuming universal models of human perception and how we might be able to address them. We welcome papers that bring forth new perceptual methods for archaeological research and concrete applications in specific case studies, as well as submissions that critically engage with questions about presentism.