Land-use and environmental history at the Middle Neolithic settlement site Oldenburg-Dannau LA 77

   The ‘Oldenburger Graben’ is an extended wetland area in Northern Germany with a rich archaeological heritage. Several settlements from Late Mesolithic to Late Neolithic were found along the former shore in elevations under the recent sea-level. Environmental reconstructions around the Middle Neolithic settlement site Oldenburg-Dannau LA77 enabled for a detailed reconstruction of the sea level development and the according environmental transformations. The general increase from values of -4 m at around 5500 cal BC to -2.5 m at around 3000 cal BC is described as a process of stagnation and transgression with strong influence on living conditions in the lowland area. A lake- and peat-landscape was drowned by the rising sea level and underwent a transformation into a marine environment. By the time the coastal erosion resulted in a damming of the former bay and a brackish lagoon lake developed that succeeded towards a freshwater system. The Middle Neolithic settlement of Dannau LA 77could be linked to a brackish-marine transgression phase. From c. 3500 until 2900 cal BC the results indicate local settlement activities including cereal cultivation with a short phase of reduced activities at around c. 3200 cal BC. During this time of occupation, the sandy elevation was still connected to the mainland. After c. 2900 cal BC the site became an island, the time when the local inhabitation ceased. The comparison with other investigated sites in the Oldenburger Graben region shows a stepwise Neolithisation process with indications for single domestic animals occurring already in the Late Mesolithic and a transition to animal husbandry around 4100 cal BC, the beginning of the Early Neolithic (EN) Ia. Single Cereal-Type pollen grains also occur already during the Ertebølle-time but arable farming did not contribute substantially to the nutrition before c. 3800 cal BC, i.e. the EN Ib. Thus, the transformation of the subsistence economy was a stepwise process what supports the idea of an autochthonous Neolithisation process

Palynologische Untersuchungen zum Bestattungsplatz Wangels LA 69

Bei dem vorliegenden Beitrag handelt es sich um einen Bericht zu palynologischen Untersuchungen im Rahmen archäologischer Ausgrabungen des Instituts für Ur- und Frühgeschichte der Universität Kiel am Fundplatztes Wangels LA 69, Kreis Ostholstein. Die Auswertung der archäologischen Ergebnisse zur Chronologie und Genese dieses mehrphasigen neolithischen Bestattungsplatz erfolgte durch Brozio (2016). Demnach wurde im frühen Mittelneolithikum, c. 3360 cal BC, ein megalithische Gangrab vom Typ „Holsteiner Kammer“ mit Rundhügel errichtet. Diese wurde im Laufe des Mittelneolithikums zu einem Langbett erweitert. Der Nachweis von subfossilen Bodenhorizonten, inklusive Hakenpflugspuren, unter der ersten Grabanlage sowie in Sodenpackungen des Langbettes gab Anlass für die begleitenden pollenanalytische Untersuchungen. Diese erlaubten einen Einblick in die lokale Landnutzung und Vegetationsverhältnisse während unterschiedlicher Nutzungsphasen. Konnte aufgrund der bisherigen archäologischen Ergebnisse nicht eindeutig geklärt werden, ob es sich bei den Pflugspuren um rituelle oder profane Handlungen handelte, so unterstützen die vorliegenden Ergebnisse die letztere Deutung. Der Nachweis von Offenland- und Ackerbauanzeigern erlaubte hierbei die Ansprache eines frühneolitischen Ackerhorizontes unter der Grabanlage. Der Vergleich mit ähnlichen Untersuchungen von Paläoböden unter Grabhügeln in den Niederlanden, Dänemark und Schleswig-Holstein legt nahe, dass die Errichtung auf ehemaligen Nutzflächen, und damit die Transformation von profanem zu sakralen Orten, ein typisches Phänomen trichterbecherzeitlicher Grabanlagen ist.This paper reports on palynological investigations within the framework of archaeological excavations of the Institute for Pre- and Early History of the University of Kiel at the site Wangels LA 69, district Ostholstein. Brozio (2016) analysed the archaeological results on the chronology and genesis of this multi-phase Neolithic burial site. According to this, in the early Middle Neolithic, c. 3360 cal BC, a megalithic passage grave of the type "Holsteiner Kammer" with a round hill was erected. In the course of the Middle Neolithic this was extended to a long barrow. The evidence of subfossil soil horizons, including ard marks, under the first tomb as well as in sod bricks of the long barrow was the reason for the accompanying pollen analytical investigations. These allowed an insight into the local land use and vegetation conditions during different phases of use. While the archaeological results obtained so far did not make it possible to clarify clearly whether the ard marks were of ritual or profane character, the present results support the latter interpretation. The evidence of open land and arable farming indicators allowed the identification of an early Neolithic arable horizon under the tomb. The comparison with similar investigations of paleo soils under burial mounds in the Netherlands, Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein suggests that the erection on former cultivated land, and thus the transformation from profane to sacred sites, is a typical phenomenon of funnel-beaker graves

Driving mechanisms of Holocene lagoon development and barrier accretion in Northern Elis, Peloponnese, inferred from the sedimentary record of the Kotychi Lagoon

As part of the lagoon barrier accretions plain characterizing the NW coast of the Peloponnese, the Kotychi Lagoon is believed to have formed in the prograding delta of the Palaeo-Peneus River over 7000 years ago. Geochemical/sedimentological proxies-data (XRF, grain size, OC-, IC-, C/N-analysis) combined with Bayesian age-depth-modeling revealed that from 8500 to 8000 cal BP marine conditions were prevailing. Around 8000 cal BP, a short-lived sequence of coastline progradation and barrier accretion created lagoonal conditions. Thus, the first chronological control for the onset of lagoon formation in coastal Elis is presented. Pronounced lagoonal conditions developed approximately 6300 cal BP, simultaneously to the period of circum-Mediterranean lagoon formation. A rapidly varying sedimentary record indicates a phase of geomorphological instability between 5200 and 3500 cal BP terminating with the erosional unconformity of a river channel. This evolution reflects a two-phase development: (1) Early Holocene morphology was controlled by the postglacial sea level rise; (2) with receding of the ice sheets by mid-Holocene, the preeminent role of the eustatic signal was overwhelmed giving local and regional processes, such as human-induced soil erosion and climatic forcing an accentuated role. Thus, the evolution of the Elean coastline shows analogies to circum-Mediterranean lagoon formation.researc

Transforming landscapes: Modeling land-use patterns of environmental borderlands

How did socio-cultural transformation processes change land-use patterns? Throughout the last 50 years, outstanding comprehensive geographic, archaeobiological, and archaeological data have been produced for the area of Oldenburger Graben, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Based on this exceptional data set, we are able to study the land-use patterns for a period ranging from the Final Mesolithic until the Late Neolithic (4600–1700 BCE). By application of fuzzy modeling techniques, these patterns are investigated diachronically in order to assess the scale of transformations between the different archaeological phases. Based on nutrient requirements and proposed dietary composition estimates derived from empirical archaeobotanical, archaeozoological, and stable isotope data, the required extent of the areas for different land-use practices are modeled. This information is made spatially explicit using a fuzzy model that reconstructs areas of potential vegetation and land-use for each transformation phase. Pollen data are used to validate the type and extent of land-use categories. The model results are used to test hypotheses on the dynamics of socio-cultural transformations: can we observe a diversification of land-use patterns over time or does continuity of land-use practices prevail? By integrating the different lines of evidence within a spatially explicit modeling approach, we reach a new quality of data analysis with a high degree of contextualization. This allows testing of hypotheses about Neolithic transformation processes by an explicit adjustment of our model assumptions, variables, and parameters

Adaptations and transformations of hunter-gatherers in forest environments: New archaeological and anthropological insights

Like any other living being, humans constantly influence their environment, be it intentionally or unintentionally. By extracting natural resources, they shape their environment and also that of plants and other animals. A great difference setting people apart from all other living beings is the ability to construct and develop their own niche intentionally, and the unique tool for this is cultural behaviour. Here, we discuss anthropogenic environmental changes of hunter-gatherers and present new palaeoecological and palynological data. The studies are framed with ethnoarchaeological data from Western Siberia to gain a better understanding of how different triggers lead to coping mechanisms. For archaeological implication, we use two Mesolithic case studies from Germany: One of them focuses on hazelnut economy around ancient Lake Duvensee, and the other broaches the issue of selective roe deer hunt and its consequences at the site of Friesack. We address the archaeological evidence from the perspective of active alteration and its consequences, starting our argumentation from a perspective of niche construction theory. This approach has rarely been applied to early Holocene hunter-gatherers in Northern Europe even though the available data render possible to discuss human–environment interaction from such a perspective. It is demonstrated that archaeological research has tools at hand that enables to detect anthropogenic niche construction. However, the ethnoarchaeological example shows limitations and archaeologically invisible triggers and consequent results of human adaptations. The critical revision of such perspectives based on empirical data provides a better understanding of social and environmental transformations in the early- and mid-Holocene

A high-quality annually laminated sequence from Lake Belau, Northern Germany: Revised chronology and its implications for palynological and tephrochronological studies

The annually laminated record of Lake Belau offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate with high temporal resolution Holocene environmental change, aspects of climate history and human impact on the landscape. A new chronology based on varve counts, 14C-datings and heavy metal history has been established, covering the last 9400 years. Based on multiple varve counting on two core sequences, the easily countable laminated section spans about 7850 varve years (modelled age range c. 9430 to 1630 cal. BP). Not all of the record is of the same quality but approximately 69% of the varves sequence is classified to be of high quality and only c. 5% of low quality. The new chronology suggests dates generally c. 260 years older than previously assumed for the laminated section of the record. The implications for the vegetation and land-use history of the region as well as revised datings for pollen stratigraphical events are discussed. Tephra analysis allowed the identification of several cryptotephra layers. New dates for volcanic eruptions are presented for the Lairg B event (c. 6848 cal. BP, 2s range 6930–6713 cal. BP), the Hekla 4 event (c. 4396 cal. BP, 2s range 4417–4266 cal. BP), and Hekla 3 eruption (c. 3095 cal. BP, 2s range 3120–3068 cal. BP)

Friedrich Freudenthals Aufenthalt in der Trinkerheilstätte Stift Isenwald bei Gifhorn 1907

Ein Aktenfund im Gifhorner Archiv der Dachstiftung Diakonie lieferte ein Bündel von neun Briefen, die Zeugnis sind für einen bedrückenden Lebensabschnitt des norddeutschen Schriftstellers Friedrich Freudenthal. Die Korrespondenz steht im Zusammenhang mit Freudenthals Aufenthalt in der Trinkerheilstätte Stift Isenwald 1907

Transcranial sonography for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) transcranial sonography (TCS) represents an alternative diagnostic method to verify clinical diagnosis. Although the phenomenon of an increased echogenicity of the Substantia nigra (SN) is well known this method is still not widly used in the diagnostic workup. Until now reliability of this method is still a matter of debate, partly because data only existed from a few laboratories using the same ultrasound machine. Therefore our study was conducted to test the reliability of this method by using a different ultrasound device and examining a large population of control and IPD subjects by two examiners to calculate interobserver reliability.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In this study echogenicity of SN was examined in 199 IPD patients and 201 control subjects. All individuals underwent a neurological assessment including Perdue pegboard test and Webster gait test. Using a Sonos 5500 ultrasound device area of SN was measured, echogenicity of raphe, red nuclei, thalamus, caudate and lenticular nuclei, width of third and lateral ventricle were documented.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found a highly characteristic enlargement of the SN echogenic signal in IPD. The cut-off value for the SN area was established using a ROC curve with a sensitivity of 95% corresponding to an area of SN of 0.2 cm²and was found to be equivalent to the cut-off values of other studies using different ultrasound devices.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study shows that TCS is a reliable and highly sensitive tool for differentiation of IPD patients from individuals without CNS disorders.</p

Déclaration sur l’approche par l’archéologie sociale du changement climatique

Manifiesto sobre Arqueología Social del Cambio Climático aprobado en la Cumbre SACC celebrada en Kiel. Aprobado y firmado el 6 de septiembre de 2021.[ES] El SACC es un grupo independiente, constituido en Kiel, de investigadores e investigadoras que trabajan sobre cambio climático. El objetivo de SACC es reunir científicos y científicas internacionales y representantes de importantes organizaciones internacionales de las áreas de arqueología, paleoecología y gestión del patrimonio para con el fin de discutir y evaluar la contribución de la investigación arqueológica y paleo-ecológica para comprender la interrelación entre el cambio social, el cultural, el ecológico y el climático. Pretendemos resaltar cómo la arqueología, a través del estudio de la conducta adaptativa en el pasado, es capaz de reforzar tanto la resiliencia socio-ecológica de nuestras sociedades, como su capacidad adaptativa ante el actual cambio climático. Además, pretendemos contribuir a la comprensión del impacto del cambio climático en los yacimientos y sitios arqueológicos y patrimoniales, así como en los paisajes culturales, los museos, las colecciones y archivos patrimoniales. SACC celebrará cumbres cada dos años y emitirá una declaración o manifiesto al término de cada una de ellas. S ACC está organizada por un comité interino presidido por las personas convocantes del SACC 1.[EN] SACC is an independent group of researchers working on climate change in the past constituted in Kiel. The aim of SACC is to bring together international scientists and representatives of important international organisations in the fields of archaeology, paleoecology and heritage management to discuss and evaluate the contribution of archaeological and paleo-ecological research to understand the link between social, cultural, ecological and climatic change; and to highlight how archaeology, through the study of past adaptive behaviour, is able to enhance socio-ecological resilience of societies as well as their adaptive capacity to current climate change; furthermore, to contribute to the understanding of the impact of climate change on archaeological and heritage sites as well as on cultural landscapes, museums, collections, and archives. SACC will hold its summit every second year with a declaration at the end of each summit. SACC is organized by a steering committee chaired by the SACC 1 organisers.[FR] Le SACC est un groupe indépendant de chercheurs travaillant sur le changement climatique dans le passé, qui s’est formé à Kiel. L’objectif du S ACC est de réunir des scientifiques internationaux et des représentants d’organisations internationales importantes dans les domaines de l’archéologie, de la paléoécologie et de la gestion du patrimoine. Il a pour objectif de discuter et d’évaluer la contribution de la recherche archéologique et paléo-écologique à la compréhension du lien entre les changements sociaux, culturels, écologiques et climatiques et de souligner comment l’archéologie, par l’étude du comportement adaptatif du passé, est capable d’améliorer la résilience socioécologique des sociétés ainsi que leur capacité d’adaptation au changement climatique actuel. En outre, il contribue à la compréhension de l’impact du changement climatique sur les sites archéologiques et patrimoniaux ainsi que sur les paysages culturels, les musées, les collections et les archives. Le SACC tiendra son conseil tous les deux ans avec une déclaration à la fin de chaque conseil. Il est organisé par un comité de pilotage présidé par les organisateurs de SACC 1.Peer reviewe