MegaForm – Ein Formalisierungssystem für die Analyse monumentaler Baustrukturen des Neolithikums im nördlichen Mitteleuropa

MegaForm is a recording system for Neolithic megaliths in northern Central Europe and southern Scandinavia. It was created in the context of the Priority Program 1400 “Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation”. It aims at formalising the recording of architectural traits of megaliths, non-megalithic monuments and simple graves, focussing on single characteristics, not on complex types. Specific national traditions have resulted in different terminologies. MegaForm unites these into one overall recording system, a new standard for the recording and description of megaliths. In this article, the recording system is proposed and commented, and it is possible to download a suitable database system

Dichtezentren und lokale Gruppierungen - Eine Karte zu den Großsteingräbern Mittel- und Nordeuropas

Until today a detailed mapping of the megalithic structures from the 4th millenium BC in northern Europe seems a desideratum. The DFG-Priority Program 1400 “Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation” is currently working on the Neolithic of the northern European plain. One important aim is to record and analyse the archaeological evidence within the working region in a systematical way. As a first step, an account of all megaliths available is of crucial importance. The map presented here reveals remarkable spatial patterns that may serve as a starting point for further research

Report on the geomagnetic survey at margum in october 2011

In autumn 2011, the geomagnetic survey was conducted at Margum/Morava. The results significantly contribute to our knowledge of the history of the site, together with the ones of the recent LiDAR scanning of its wider area. The data show that the part of Margum surveyed was densely settled with stone structures, possible timber-frame buildings and, perhaps, some sunken dwellings of the “Grubenhaus” type, which corresponds both with the results of current excavations and earlier observations. The settlement patterns that can be identified were clearly planned. It is possible to identify two differing general orientations. This suggests that there were at least two main periods of occupation at Margum, during both of which there was a degree of planning as to how the site was laid out. Both orientations are found at either end of the surveyed area, suggesting that the entire site was settled in both phases

First Results of a Bilateral Research Project

Seit 2009 führt die Römisch-Germanische Kommission des DAI in enger Zusammenarbeit mit archäologischen Institutionen der Republik Kosovo geophysikalische Prospektionen durch. Die vielfältige und denkmalreiche Kulturlandschaft des westlichen Balkans bietet ein breites Fundstellenspektrum. Das umfangreiche Prospektionsprogramm zielt in erster Linie auf Stätten neolithischer bis römischer Zeitstellung. Der großflächige Einsatz geophy- sikalischer Messsysteme ermöglicht eine wirkungsvolle Bewertung einer Fundstelle in ihrer Ausdehnung und Vielschichtigkeit sowie ihrer landschaftlichen Einbettung. Neben den bekannten und bereits teilweise archäologisch untersuchten Stätten wie Gllamnik- Vindenis und Graçanicë-Ulpiana/Iustiniana Secunda wurden vor allem die bisher nur durch Oberflächenfunde oder kleine Suchschnitte erfassten Fundstellen von Runik, Boka e Përçevës, Korishë, Lubozhdë und Poslishtë gezielt untersucht. Die geophysika- lischen Messbefunde ganzer Grablandschaften und Siedlungen erweitern und verdichten das Bild einer dynamischen Kulturlandschaft in einer hochfrequentierten Kontaktzone Südosteuropas in prähistorischer und historischer Zeit.Since 2009 the Roman-Germanic Commission of the DAI has conducted geophysical surveys in cooperation with the archaeological institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. The cultural landscape of the Western Balkans encompasses a variety of archaeological monuments and sites. An extensive survey programme mainly aims at sites from the Neolithic to the Roman period. The large-scale use of geophysical measurement systems enables effective evaluation of a site in terms of size, complexity and its integration into the landscape. Apart from well-known and partially excavated sites like Gllamnik-Vindenis and Graçanicë-Ulpiana/Iustiniana Secunda, survey areas at Runik, Boka e Përçevës, Korishë, Lubozhdë and Poslishtë were formerly known by surface finds or small test trenches only. The results of the geophysical survey both at burial landscapes and settlements help to perceive and archaeologically consolidate a dynamic prehistoric and historic cultural landscape within a highly frequented region of contact in South-Eastern Europe