A swamp as an obstacle to approach – archaeological and geoelectrical investigations on the Early Bronze Age fortification of Ratzersdorf, Lower Austria

Interdisciplinary cooperation between geoelectrics and archaeology made it possible to identify a swamp as an integral part of a defense concept for the first time in Austria at the Early Bronze Age hilltop settlement of Ratzersdorf, Lower Austria. The marsh and a spring were included as natural topographic structures in the defense conception of the fortification

Is this settlement intersected by a ditch? A comparison between magnetic prospection data, ALS data, and archaeological and geological excavation results from the Early Bronze Age fortified hilltop settlement of Ratzersdorf, Lower Austria

In this case study we present preliminary results from a joint analysis of magnetometry data, remote sensing data, and excavation results generated in the course of research on the Early Bronze Age fortified hilltop settlement of Ratzersdorf/Am Dachsgraben in Lower Austria. In an effort to evaluate the interpretive potential of each data set we conclude that a combined analysis of all available data is essential for a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic and natural features and formation processes. At the Ratzersdorf site specifically, the visibility of both anthropogenic and geological structures in the magnetometry data demonstrates the importance of the combination of complementary data for the verification or falsification of preliminary interpretive ideas

Combining teaching and research: a BIP on geophysical and archaeological prospection of North Frisian medieval settlement patterns

We performed a research-oriented EU Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP) with participants from four countries focused on North Frisian terp settlements from Roman Iron Age and medieval times. We show that the complex terp structure and environment can be efficiently prospected using combined magnetic and EMI mapping, and seismic and geoelectric profiling and drilling. We found evidence of multiple terp phases and a harbor at the Roman Iron Age terp of Tofting. In contrast, the medieval terp of Stolthusen is more simply constructed, probably uni-phase. The BIP proved to be a suitable tool for high-level hands-on education adding value to the research conducted in on-going projects