A Case of Sharp Force Trauma to the Skull of Female Buried Within a Neolithic Rondel, Kolín (Czech Republic)

In this paper we describe a case of non-healed sharp force trauma to the skull of a young female who was buried within a Neolithic circular enclosure (rondel) dated to the Stroked Pottery Culture (encompassing the period between 5100 BC and 4400 BC) at Kolín (Czech Republic). The girl was buried in a stretched position with her face directed right and her arms folded in the same direction, richly equipped with ornaments made from both freshwater and sea shells. This body arrangement diverges from the style for dead bodies that is typical of this region and time period. The exceptional grave location combined with unusual funerary treatment could reflect a foreign origin or special role in society. In the absence of additional conflict mortality data at the settlement, we conclude that this girl may have died as the result of inter- or intra-group conflict or non-specified homicide, possibly with ritual connotations

Dynamic changes in genomic and social structures in third millennium BCE central Europe

Europe’s prehistory oversaw dynamic and complex interactions of diverse societies, hitherto unexplored at detailed regional scales. Studying 271 human genomes dated ~4900 to 1600 BCE from the European heartland, Bohemia, we reveal unprecedented genetic changes and social processes. Major migrations preceded the arrival of “steppe” ancestry, and at ~2800 BCE, three genetically and culturally differentiated groups coexisted. Corded Ware appeared by 2900 BCE, were initially genetically diverse, did not derive all steppe ancestry from known Yamnaya, and assimilated females of diverse backgrounds. Both Corded Ware and Bell Beaker groups underwent dynamic changes, involving sharp reductions and complete replacements of Y-chromosomal diversity at ~2600 and ~2400 BCE, respectively, the latter accompanied by increased Neolithic-like ancestry. The Bronze Age saw new social organization emerge amid a ≥40% population turnover.Peer reviewe

The Site of Tumulus and Lausitz Culture in Čáslav - Na Skále, Distr.Kutná Hora

The Results of long term excavation of multiculture site in context of region settlement in Bronze Age

Velim - Skalka. A Bronze Age fortified site. Analysis of the Pottery Assemblage

Velim is one of the most important sites of the Bronze Age of Central Europe. The longterm investigations of the fortified site produced a large pottery assemblage which can serve as a basis for the study of the transition between the end of the Middle Bronze Age and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age in Central Bohemia. The aim of this study was to define the structure of Velim pottery assemblages recovered during the czech and british investigations of the site and to provide information on the metods used for its assesment and analysis. The basic statistical approaches applied to the analysis produced partial results which can, together with the analysis of further types of material and excavation context, contribute to the interpretation of the charakteristics and chronological position of the site. General results can be summarized as follows: definition of the structure of the pottery assemblage, recognition of trends in some charakteristics from individual find complexis, proposed chronological sequence of features, identification of the spatial variation across the site, and of shifts of functional areas, cultural clasification, analysis of the regional conditions. Keywords Bronze Age - fortified site - pottery - description system - cul

Pohřby jedinců s postižením pohybového aparátu na pohřebišti kultury zvoncovitých pohárů v Kolíně, střední Čechy

Antropologická analýza kosterního materiálu z hrobů kultury zvoncovitých pohárů (KZP) odkrytých při záchranném výzkumu silničního obchvatu Kolína (2008–2010) poukázala na koncentraci paleopatologických nálezů na ploše II-3. V příspěvku je popis patologických změn doplněn o spektrum jejich funkčních důsledků a případných limitací určitých aktivit. Příčiny vzniku a rozsah chorobných změn pohybového aparátu se u studovaných jedinců různí (trauma, specifický zánět a vrozená vývojová vada), u všech tří se ale nepochybně jedná o postižení dlouhodobé či (v jednom případě) celoživotní

Air-Surveyed Cropmarks of Early Iron Age Heritage in Central Europe—Integrating Remotely Detected Data and Excavated Evidence

This paper aims to present the potential of observations of the Earth’s surface by means of remote sensing (survey), specifically via direct (active) visual prospection from low altitude to identify and map small components (such as postholes) of archaeological contexts, namely aboveground post-built structures dated to the Early Iron Age (appr. 800–380 B.C.). This work gives an example of archaeological data on buried settlement constructions identified by aerial reconnaissance (i.e., by a non-invasive method), the interpretation—and primarily dating—of which is based on information achieved by excavation practice (recently performed predominantly during rescue campaigns). This research points to the fact that nonetheless to the traditional idea on the limited potential of crop-marked archaeological heritage in terms of dating (the ability of cropmarks displayed over pits, ditches, graves, etc., to produce exact ground-plans of even small buried features, so that their original function and dating can be determined) the number of more or less precisely datable archaeological sites and features buried under the surface is growing, including wooden structures once constructed on the ground (i.e., not sunken under the ground) and leaving on cereal crops just tiny spots/dots regularly spaced into lines. These are features (constructions) with identical ground plans (postholes placed in 4 × 3 and/or 3 × 3 patterns) of which commonly just one in a group of them situated on one site is enclosed by a perimeter line—a foundation for a wall or a trench for a palisade. Consequently, a retrospective survey of air-photo analog archives and digital repositories now brings new evidence on the chronological setting of many crop-marked Early Iron Age sites that previously remained undated

The new insights into the subsistence and early farming from neolithic settlements in Central Europe: the archaeozoological evidence from the Czech Republic

International audienceThe archaeozoological evidence from two Neolithic settlements occupied in the periods of the Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) and the Stroke Pottery Culture (SBK) has provided new insights into the way of life of early farmers in the Czech Republic. Though LBK and SBK sites are abundant, only isolated studies allow one to reconstruct stockbreeding practices on the basis of archaeozoological and isotopic data. Our results confirm that livestock provided most of the animal products consumed and that hunting was a marginal activity. Though cattle were the dominant stock, with small stock and swine playing a secondary role in the animal economy, our results reveal variability at a regional scale. The management of cattle and small stock at Chotěbudice and Černý Vůl changed according to the time period and the so-called secondary products (milk, maybe hair) were exploited since the LBK. Mortality profiles of swine evidenced a peak between 6 and 24 months with few individuals surviving to adulthood. The δ13C and δ18O analyses of cattle tooth enamel yielded values suggesting pasture in open areas and grouped births. The combination of data from stable isotope analysis and kill-off patterns suggests that calving took place during the spring

The new insights into the subsistence and early farming from neolithic settlements in Central Europe: the archaeozoological evidence from the Czech Republic

International audienceThe archaeozoological evidence from two Neolithic settlements occupied in the periods of the Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) and the Stroke Pottery Culture (SBK) has provided new insights into the way of life of early farmers in the Czech Republic. Though LBK and SBK sites are abundant, only isolated studies allow one to reconstruct stockbreeding practices on the basis of archaeozoological and isotopic data. Our results confirm that livestock provided most of the animal products consumed and that hunting was a marginal activity. Though cattle were the dominant stock, with small stock and swine playing a secondary role in the animal economy, our results reveal variability at a regional scale. The management of cattle and small stock at Chotěbudice and Černý Vůl changed according to the time period and the so-called secondary products (milk, maybe hair) were exploited since the LBK. Mortality profiles of swine evidenced a peak between 6 and 24 months with few individuals surviving to adulthood. The δ13C and δ18O analyses of cattle tooth enamel yielded values suggesting pasture in open areas and grouped births. The combination of data from stable isotope analysis and kill-off patterns suggests that calving took place during the spring