Subsistenční strategie raně středověkých populací v dolním Podyjí. Archeozoologické a archeobotanické vyhodnocení nálezů z výzkumu Kostice – Zadní hrúd (2009–2011)

Článek seznamuje s vyhodnocením archeobotanických a archeozoologických vzorků z výzkumu v Kosticích – Zadním hrúdu (okr. Břeclav), realizovaného v letech 2009–2011. Přispívá k řešení otázek spojených se subsistenční strategií společnosti v období od 6. do počátku 13. stol. v oblasti dolního Podyjí (Česká republika). Zaznamenaný trend podporuje archeologický obraz osady, která v době Velké Moravy (9. stol.) tvořila subsistenční zázemí blízkého centra na Pohansku u Břeclavi. Po propadu způsobeném kolapsem velkomoravské společnosti (10. stol.) zde došlo k revitalizaci a následnému boomu celého sídlištního komplexu. V mladohradištním období (11. až 12. stol.), kdy zde vzniká centrální lokalita druhého řádu (trhová ves),produkuje sídliště poměrné široké spektrum plodin i kvalitní maso pro sebe, a možná i pro nedaleké právní centrum v přemyslovské Břeclavi.Článek seznamuje s vyhodnocením archeobotanických a archeozoologických vzorků z výzkumu v Kosticích – Zadním hrúdu (okr. Břeclav), realizovaného v letech 2009–2011. Přispívá k řešení otázek spojených se subsistenční strategií společnosti v období od 6. do počátku 13. stol. v oblasti dolního Podyjí (Česká republika). Zaznamenaný trend podporuje archeologický obraz osady, která v době Velké Moravy (9. stol.) tvořila subsistenční zázemí blízkého centra na Pohansku u Břeclavi. Po propadu způsobeném kolapsem velkomoravské společnosti (10. stol.) zde došlo k revitalizaci a následnému boomu celého sídlištního komplexu. V mladohradištním období (11. až 12. stol.), kdy zde vzniká centrální lokalita druhého řádu (trhová ves),produkuje sídliště poměrné široké spektrum plodin i kvalitní maso pro sebe, a možná i pro nedaleké právní centrum v přemyslovské Břeclavi.The article presents the evaluation of archaeobotanical and archaeozoological samples from the excavation in Kostice – Zadní hrúd (Břeclav distr.) conducted in 2009–2011. The work helps answer questions connected with the subsistence strategies of society in the period between the 6th century and the beginning of the 13th century in the lower Dyje River region of the Czech Republic. The recorded trend supports the archaeological image of a settlement that was part of the subsistence hinterland of the nearby centre at Pohansko near Břeclav during the period of Great Moravia in the 9th century. The decline caused by the collapse of Great Moravian society in the 10th century was followed by a revitalisation and subsequent boom in the entire settlement complex. In the Late Hillfort period (10th to 12th century), which saw the creation of a secondary location (market village), the settlement produced a relatively wide spectrum of crops and quality meat for its own needs and possibly also for the nearby administrative centre in Přemyslid Břeclav

Osteological research on material from Pohansko – Southern Bailey (1991–1994): Comparison with the early medieval sites

Pohansko archaeological site is situated 2 km south of Břeclav. Analysed animal bones were obtained from the Southern Bailey between 1991–1994. The domestic fauna predominate and the game animals are present only sporadically. If it wasn´t possible to determinate the species of animal, the size class was chosen. All parts of animal skeletons occurrred in excavated area. Long bones and their fragments and loose teeth from the lower jaw predominated, fragments of the lower jaw and fingers occurred less frequently. The height at withers of ox (105,9 cm) and pig (71,6 cm) indicates the presence of adult specimens. Study of metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the ox shows on predominance of female specimens.Pohansko archaeological site is situated 2 km south of Břeclav. Analysed animal bones were obtained from the Southern Bailey between 1991–1994. The domestic fauna predominate and the game animals are present only sporadically. If it wasn´t possible to determinate the species of animal, the size class was chosen. All parts of animal skeletons occurrred in excavated area. Long bones and their fragments and loose teeth from the lower jaw predominated, fragments of the lower jaw and fingers occurred less frequently. The height at withers of ox (105,9 cm) and pig (71,6 cm) indicates the presence of adult specimens. Study of metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the ox shows on predominance of female specimens

Isotope record of the first lower molars of domestic cattle from the early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” localities (Czech Republic)

In this essay, we focused on the evaluation of isotope analyses (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll) of the first lower molars (m1) of domestic cattle (Bostaurus) from two early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey (Pohansko-JP) and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” (Kostice-ZH) sites. The aim of the study is the evidence of the breast-feeding effect of calves and subsequent weaning on the dentine average isotope  composition. Results from both sites are compared with the data obtained from recent experimental cattle breeding. Possible differences in the cattle breeding between both studied localities are evaluated. The first lower molars of the domestic cattle (n = 15) were selected for analyses from both sites supplemented by a sample of the compact bone of the shinbone of an adult individual from the Pohansko-JP site. The determination of the ontogenetic age of the analyzed individuals is based on the dentition development stage. For the purpose of isotope analyzes (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll), dentine collagen was extracted from all tooth crowns. The δ13Ccoll dentine values of the m1 of cattle from the Pohansko-JP ranged from -17.75‰ to -21.8‰ (n = 11) with mean value of -19.81 ± 1.03‰. δ15Ncoll values for dentine of all m1 samples from Pohansko-JP range from 6.2‰ to 11.87‰ with mean value of 8.29 ± 1.71‰ (n = 11). The highest δ15Ncoll values were observed primarily in samples of juvenile individuals, with the exception of one adult specimen (10.90 ‰). δ13Ccoll values in m1 of adult individuals from the Kostice-ZH site range from -19.30‰ to -20.91‰ (n = 4). The mean value -19.83 ± 1.01‰ is lower if compared to results from recent experimental breedings. The volume of 15N isotope is significantly lower contrary to those in Pohansko-JP and aforementioned experimental study. It can be assumed that the diet of the cattle in both studied sites was primarily based on C3 plants; however, we cannot exclude a small admixture of C4 plants (millet) in the diet of some observed individuals. The cattle from the Pohansko-JP could be driven to graze from the open meadows up to the ecotones in the vicinity of the forest which is partly supported by the palaeobotanic record. In Kostice-ZH site, the grazing in open meadows was most prevalent. The volume of 15N from the Pohansko-JP site shows that in most cases, calves were not prematurely weaned. In samples from Kostice-ZH, the 15N content in adult individuals was significantly lower contrary to values from Pohansko-JP. A present stage of the knowledge indicates that the cattle (i. e., including mother cows) was probably fed plants characterized by low δ15N values; however, a premature weaning to increase the milk production cannot be excluded.In this essay, we focused on the evaluation of isotope analyses (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll) of the first lower molars (m1) of domestic cattle (Bostaurus) from two early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey (Pohansko-JP) and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” (Kostice-ZH) sites. The aim of the study is the evidence of the breast-feeding effect of calves and subsequent weaning on the dentine average isotope  composition. Results from both sites are compared with the data obtained from recent experimental cattle breeding. Possible differences in the cattle breeding between both studied localities are evaluated. The first lower molars of the domestic cattle (n = 15) were selected for analyses from both sites supplemented by a sample of the compact bone of the shinbone of an adult individual from the Pohansko-JP site. The determination of the ontogenetic age of the analyzed individuals is based on the dentition development stage. For the purpose of isotope analyzes (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll), dentine collagen was extracted from all tooth crowns. The δ13Ccoll dentine values of the m1 of cattle from the Pohansko-JP ranged from -17.75‰ to -21.8‰ (n = 11) with mean value of -19.81 ± 1.03‰. δ15Ncoll values for dentine of all m1 samples from Pohansko-JP range from 6.2‰ to 11.87‰ with mean value of 8.29 ± 1.71‰ (n = 11). The highest δ15Ncoll values were observed primarily in samples of juvenile individuals, with the exception of one adult specimen (10.90 ‰). δ13Ccoll values in m1 of adult individuals from the Kostice-ZH site range from -19.30‰ to -20.91‰ (n = 4). The mean value -19.83 ± 1.01‰ is lower if compared to results from recent experimental breedings. The volume of 15N isotope is significantly lower contrary to those in Pohansko-JP and aforementioned experimental study. It can be assumed that the diet of the cattle in both studied sites was primarily based on C3 plants; however, we cannot exclude a small admixture of C4 plants (millet) in the diet of some observed individuals. The cattle from the Pohansko-JP could be driven to graze from the open meadows up to the ecotones in the vicinity of the forest which is partly supported by the palaeobotanic record. In Kostice-ZH site, the grazing in open meadows was most prevalent. The volume of 15N from the Pohansko-JP site shows that in most cases, calves were not prematurely weaned. In samples from Kostice-ZH, the 15N content in adult individuals was significantly lower contrary to values from Pohansko-JP. A present stage of the knowledge indicates that the cattle (i. e., including mother cows) was probably fed plants characterized by low δ15N values; however, a premature weaning to increase the milk production cannot be excluded

Holocene spatio-temporal patterns of biomass burning in the Bohemian-Bavarian Forest Mountains (Central Europe)

International audienceTo distinguish human-caused from naturally-caused fire regimes, palaeoecological records must demonstrate that observed changes in vegetation and fire are in response to changes in human activity rather than driven by natural climate-fire relationships. Here, we use a high-resolution multi-proxy approach (testate amoebae derived depth to water table (DWT), macro- and micro-charcoal, charcoal morphologies, pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, plant macrofossils, and XRF) from Pékna, a mid-elevation peat bog situated near Lipno Reservoir - an area rich in human land use - to investigate human-driven vs. naturally-driven fire regimes in the Šumava Mountains. Our results span the entire Holocene and illustrate that humans have been consistently modifying the landscape since 5,500 cal yr BP. Specifically, during the mid-Holocene (7,000 – 4,000 cal yr BP) when water table was at its highest at Pékna, relatively frequent, low-severity fires occurred and was accompanied by the prolonged presence of coprophilous fungi, secondary human indicators and an opening of the forest, suggesting human activities. Human land use intensified ~1,500 cal yr BP as indicated by increases in primary human indicator species, an increase in early successional tree species (Pinus and Betula) indicating an opening of the forest canopy, and the development of regional mining is suggested by a marked increase in the concentration of lead (Pb). While water table depths decreased indicating drier conditions ~1,500 cal yr BP, local fires persisted, burning at low severities as indicated by the continued presence of charred herb macrofossils. The most intensive land use occurred in the last 500 years with the highest abundance of primary and secondary human indicator species, and coprophilious fungi. Locally, marked increases in the concentration of both redox-sensitive elements such as iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), and chlorine (Cl), and detrital elements such as potassium (K), aluminum (Al) and Titanium (Ti) indicate major changes in the depositional environment over the last 500 years, possibly due to peat draining. However, this time period witnessed decreased biomass burning as a result of a more open landscape and less fuels to burn. These results contribute to a growing body of literature illustrating the importance of prehistoric impact in the mid-mountains of Central Europe

Disentangling human-fire-climate linkages at mid-elevations in the Šumava Mountains of central Europe

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Disentangling human-fire-climate linkages at mid-elevations in the Šumava Mountains of central Europe

International audienc