Lány – ein Produktionsort gegossenener Bronzen der Spätawarenzeit in der awarisch-slawischen Kontaktzone des unteren Thayatals

Interdisciplinary research, carried out by the Masaryk University Brno and the University of Vienna, at the site of Lány (CZ) at the border between Austria and Moravia has revealed a large settlement (∼12ha) from the 6th century until the 8th/9th century in a contact zone between Slavonic and Avarian influences. Aside from pottery that ranges from early slavic finds of the Prague type to specimens of the middle-danubian tradition („mitteldanubische Kulturtradition“) and other finds such as spindle whorls etc. several dozen typical Avar belt accessories have been found. Most of them date to the late Avar III period, are brand new and do not show any traces of usage. Together with semi-finished products, miscast objects and remains of the bronze casting process, we interpret Lány as a production site/ workshop for Avar belts. L any is at the very Northwestern periphery of the Avar Khaganate. However, material culture, aside from the belt accessories, is much more associated with what we know from regions where Slavonic populations of the 7th/8th century had settled. We furthermore discuss the usage of Avar belts amongst the Slavic elites of the 8th century and possible explanations for the dense distribution of Avar finds outside of the Khaganate

Abstracts from the 8th International Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications

This work was supported by a restricted research grant of Bayer AG

Towards an Online Database for Archaeological Landscapes. Using the Web Based, Open Source Software OpenAtlas for the Acquisition, Analysis and Dissemination of Archaeological and Historical Data on a Landscape Basis

In this paper, we present the web-based, open source software OpenAtlas, which uses the International Council of Museums’ Conceptual Reference Model (CIDOC CRM), and its possible future potential for the acquisition, analysis and dissemination of a wide range of archaeological and historical data on a landscape basis. To this end, we will first introduce the ongoing research project The Anthropological and Archaeological Database of Sepultures (THANADOS), built upon OpenAtlas, as well as its data model and interactive web interface/presentation frontend. Subsequently, the article will then discuss the possible extension of this database of early medieval cemeteries with regard to the integration of further archaeological structures (e.g., medieval settlements, fortifications, field systems and traffic routes) and other data, such as historical maps, aerial photographs and airborne laser scanning data. Finally, the paper will conclude with the general added value for future research projects by such a collaborative and web-based approach

Airborne LiDAR Point Cloud Processing for Archaeology. Pipeline and QGIS Toolbox

The use of topographic airborne LiDAR data has become an essential part of archaeological prospection. However, as a step towards theoretically aware, impactful, and reproducible research, a more rigorous and transparent method of data processing is required. To this end, we set out to create a processing pipeline for archaeology-specific point cloud processing and derivation of products that are optimized for general-purpose data. The proposed pipeline improves on ground and building point cloud classification. The main area of innovation in the proposed pipeline is raster grid interpolation. We have improved the state-of-the-art by introducing a hybrid interpolation technique that combines inverse distance weighting with a triangulated irregular network with linear interpolation. State-of-the-art solutions for enhanced visualizations are included and essential metadata and paradata are also generated. In addition, we have introduced a QGIS plug-in that implements the pipeline as a one-step process. It reduces the manual workload by 75 to 90 percent and requires no special skills other than a general familiarity with the QGIS environment. It is intended that the pipeline and tool will contribute to the white-boxing of archaeology-specific airborne LiDAR data processing. In discussion, the role of data processing in the knowledge production process is explored

Grenze – Kontaktzone – Niemandsland. Die March-Thaya-Region während des frühen Mittelalters

Der Verlauf der Flüsse Thaya und March definiert heute einen großen Teil der Grenze zwischen Österreich und der Tschechischen Republik. In der jüngeren Vergangenheit erlebte diese Grenzregion gravierende Veränderungen, die ihren Höhepunkt im Fall des Eisernen Vorhangs fanden. Durch diesen wurde die Grenze wieder durchlässig für Interaktionen, Austausch und Kommunikation. Auch im frühen Mittelalter können in dieser Region gravierende Veränderungen an archäologischen und historischen Quellen nachverfolgt werden und – abhängig vom Kontext – kann sie als Grenze, Kontaktzone oder Niemandsland interpretiert werden, wo zu verschiedenen Zeiten unterschiedliche Systeme aufeinander treffen: Im 6. und 7. Jahrhundert nach Christus lässt sich keine Grenze im eigentlichen Sinne fassen. Dies ändert sich im Laufe des 8. Jahrhunderts, als sich zwei unterschiedliche Einflusssphären in der Region fassen lassen und unter den Begriffen „slawisch“ und „awarisch“ zusammengefasst werden können. Im 9. Jahrhundert trifft in der Region das Karolingische Reich im Südwesten auf Großmähren im Nordosten. Durch ungarische Übergriffe und ökologische Veränderungen erlebt die Region im 10. Jahrhundert eine Regression. Nur wenige Jahrzehnte später lassen sich allerdings bereits gedeihende neue Siedlungen abseits der alten Zentren fassen. Im 11. Jahrhundert entwickelt sich das Gebiet letztlich hin zu einer Grenze in einem Dreieck zwischen arpadisch-ungarischem, mährisch-přemyslidischem und babenbergischem Einflussbereich.Řeky Dyje a Morava dnes vymezují velkou část hranice mezi Rakouskem a Českou republikou. V nedávné minulosti tato příhraniční oblast prošla hlubokými transformacemi, které vyvrcholily pádem železné opony. Hranice opět stala propustnou pro výměna a komunikace. I v raném středověku procházel tento region transformací: v závislosti na kontextu je region Morava-Thaya vnímán jako hranice, jako kontaktní zóna i jako země nikoho. V 6. a 7. století nelze rozpoznat žádnou skutečnou hranici. To se mění v 8. století, kdy dochází k oddělení různých systémů - zahrnutých pod pojmy slovanský a avarský. V 9. století se na jihozápadě nachází karolinská říše a na severovýchodě Velká Morava. Kvůli maďarským válkám a také kvůli ekologickým změnám zažil region v 10. století regres. Avšak až o několik desetiletí později vzkvétají nové osady mimo stará centra. A konečně, v 11. století se region vyvinul v hraniční trojúhelník mezi Přemyslovskou Moravou, Árpádským Maďarskem a Babenbergskou markou.The rivers Thaya and Morava define large parts of the border between Austria and the Czech Republic today. In the past this border region underwent serious transformations that culminated in the fall of the Iron Curtain. Fortunately, the frontier has again become permeable for interaction, exchange and communication. Considerable transformation processes can be observed for the Early Middle Ages and – depending on the context – the Morava-Thaya region is seen as a frontier, as a contact zone or as a no man’s land, where in different periods different systems meet: For the 6th and 7th centuries no real border can be seen. This changes in the 8th century, when a separation of different systems – subsumed under the terms Slavic and Avar – takes place. In the 9th century there is the Carolingian Empire to the south-west and Great-Moravia to the north-east. Due to the Hungarian wars and also because of ecological changes the region experienced regression in the 10th century. However, only a few decades later new settlements flourish aside from the old centres. Finally, in the 11th century, the region evolves to a border triangle between Přemyslid Moravia, Árpád Hungary and the Babenberg march

Airborne LiDAR-Derived Digital Elevation Model for Archaeology

International audienceThe use of topographic airborne LiDAR data has become an essential part of archaeological prospection, and the need for an archaeology-specific data processing workflow is well known. It is therefore surprising that little attention has been paid to the key element of processing: an archaeology-specific DEM. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to describe an archaeology-specific DEM in detail, provide a tool for its automatic precision assessment, and determine the appropriate grid resolution. We define an archaeology-specific DEM as a subtype of DEM, which is interpolated from ground points, buildings, and four morphological types of archaeological features. We introduce a confidence map (QGIS plug-in) that assigns a confidence level to each grid cell. This is primarily used to attach a confidence level to each archaeological feature, which is useful for detecting data bias in archaeological interpretation. Confidence mapping is also an effective tool for identifying the optimal grid resolution for specific datasets. Beyond archaeological applications, the confidence map provides clear criteria for segmentation, which is one of the unsolved problems of DEM interpolation. All of these are important steps towards the general methodological maturity of airborne LiDAR in archaeology, which is our ultimate goal.L'utilisation de données LiDAR aéroportées topographiques est devenue un élément essentiel de la prospection archéologique, et la nécessité d'un flux de travail de traitement des données spécifique à l'archéologie est bien connue. Il est donc surprenant que peu d'attention ait été accordée à l'élément clé du traitement: un MNE spécifique à l'archéologie. En conséquence, le but de cet article est de décrire en détail un MNE spécifique à l'archéologie, de fournir un outil pour son évaluation automatique de la précision et de déterminer la résolution de grille appropriée. Nous définissons un DEM spécifique à l'archéologie comme un sous-type de DEM, qui est interpolé à partir de points au sol, de bâtiments et de quatre types morphologiques de caractéristiques archéologiques. Nous introduisons une carte de confiance (plug-in QGIS) qui attribue un niveau de confiance à chaque cellule de la grille. Ceci est principalement utilisé pour attacher un niveau de confiance à chaque caractéristique archéologique, ce qui est utile pour détecter les biais de données dans l'interprétation archéologique. La cartographie de confiance est également un outil efficace pour identifier la résolution de grille optimale pour des ensembles de données spécifiques. Au-delà des applications archéologiques, la carte de confiance fournit des critères clairs pour la segmentation, qui est l'un des problèmes non résolus de l'interpolation DEM. Tous ces éléments sont des étapes importantes vers la maturité méthodologique générale du LiDAR aéroporté en archéologie, qui est notre objectif ultime

Limits of Active Laser Triangulation as an Instrument for High Precision Plant Imaging

Laser scanning is a non-invasive method for collecting and parameterizing 3D data of well reflecting objects. These systems have been used for 3D imaging of plant growth and structure analysis. A prerequisite is that the recorded signals originate from the true plant surface. In this paper we studied the effects of species, leaf chlorophyll content and sensor settings on the suitability and accuracy of a commercial 660 nm active laser triangulation scanning device. We found that surface images of Ficus benjamina leaves were inaccurate at low chlorophyll concentrations and a long sensor exposure time. Imaging of the rough waxy leaf surface of leek (Allium porrum) was possible using very low exposure times, whereas at higher exposure times penetration and multiple refraction prevented the correct imaging of the surface. A comparison of scans with varying exposure time enabled the target-oriented analysis to identify chlorotic, necrotic and healthy leaf areas or mildew infestations. We found plant properties and sensor settings to have a strong influence on the accuracy of measurements. These interactions have to be further elucidated before laser imaging of plants is possible with the high accuracy required for e.g., the observation of plant growth or reactions to water stress

Accumulation of wet-deposited radiocaesium and radiostrontium by spring oilseed rape (Brássica napus L.) and spring wheat (Tríticum aestívum L.)

The accumulation of 134Cs and 85Sr within different parts of spring oilseed rape and spring wheat plants was investigated, with a particular focus on transfer to seeds after artificial wet deposition at different growth stages during a two-year field trial. In general, the accumulation of radionuclides in plant parts increased when deposition was closer to harvest. The seed of spring oilseed rape had lower concentrations of 85Sr than spring wheat grain. The plants accumulated more 134Cs than 85Sr. We conclude that radionuclides can be transferred into human food chain at all growing stages, especially at the later stages. The variation in transfer factors during the investigation, and in comparison to previous results, implies the estimation of the risks for possible transfer of radionuclides to seeds in the events of future fallout during a growing season is still subjected to considerable uncertainty

When big data initiatives meet: Data sharing between THANADOS and IsoArcH for early medieval cemeteries in Austria

This paper reports carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope data obtained from bone collagen of humans from the early medieval cemeteries of Hemmaberg/Gora svete Heme and Oberleiserberg located in Austria. The Hemmaberg/Gora svete Heme cemetery, dating from the 8th to the 11th century, comprises 29 graves, from which 15 individuals were analyzed. The Oberleiserberg cemetery, established in the first half of the 11th century, includes 71 graves as well as several incidental finds of human bones, from which 75 samples were analyzed. Both cemeteries show comparable δ13C data (mean for Oberleiserberg: –17.5 ± 1.2 ‰, 1σ; mean for Hemmaberg: –16.4 ± 1.6‰, 1σ). However, the δ15N values of individuals from Oberleiserberg (mean: +10.4 ± 1.5‰, 1σ) are slightly higher than those of individuals from Hemmaberg/Gora svete Heme (mean: +8.8 ± 1.1‰,1σ). The δ34S values were only obtained on the individuals from Oberleiserberg, and show a mean value of –0.9 ± 2.0 ‰ (1σ).Beyond the isotopic data presented in this article, we lay the foundations for cooperation between the IsoArcH database (https://isoarch.eu) [1] and the THANADOS (https://thanados.net) [2] project. While IsoArcH primarily stores isotope-related datasets for bioarchaeology, THANADOS stores data on archaeologically and anthropologically researched burials. Moving forward, IsoArcH and THANADOS plan to work closely together to integrate their databases. This collaboration presents a promising opportunity for both projects to pool their resources and knowledge, offering a wealth of information for researchers and the general public who are interested in anthropology and archaeology

Lány – ein Produktionsort gegossenener Bronzen der Spätawarenzeit in der awarisch-slawischen Kontaktzone des unteren Thayatals

Interdisziplinäre Forschungen der Masaryk-Universität Brünn und der Universität Wien an der Fundstelle von Lány (CZ) an der Grenze zwischen Österreich und Mähren haben eine große Siedlung (∼12ha) aus dem 6. bis 8./9. Jahrhundert in einer Kontaktzone zwischen slawischen und avarischen Einflüssen aufgedeckt. Neben Keramik, die von frühslawischen Funden des Prager Typs bis zu Exemplaren der mitteldanubischen Kulturtradition reicht, und anderen Funden wie Spinnwirteln etc. wurden mehrere Dutzend typisch avarische Gürtelgarnituren gefunden. Die meisten von ihnen stammen aus der späten Avar-III-Periode, sind brandneu und weisen keinerlei Gebrauchsspuren auf. Zusammen mit Halbfertigprodukten, Fehlgüssen und Resten des Bronzegusses interpretieren wir Lány als Produktionsstätte/Werkstatt für awarische Gürtel. Lány liegt an der nordwestlichen Peripherie des awarischen Khaganats. Die materielle Kultur, abgesehen vom Gürtelzubehör, entspricht jedoch eher dem, was wir aus Regionen kennen, in denen slawische Völker des 7./8. Jahrhunderts siedelten. Darüber hinaus diskutieren wir die Verwendung avarischer Gürtel unter den slawischen Eliten des 8. Jahrhunderts und mögliche Erklärungen für die dichte Verteilung avarischer Funde außerhalb des Khaganats.Interdisciplinary research, carried out by the Masaryk University Brno and the University of Vienna, at the site of Lány (CZ) at the border between Austria and Moravia has revealed a large settlement (∼12ha) from the 6th century until the 8th/9th century in a contact zone between Slavonic and Avarian influences. Aside from pottery that ranges from early slavic finds of the Prague type to specimens of the middle-danubian tradition („mitteldanubische Kulturtradition“) and other finds such as spindle whorls etc. several dozen typical Avar belt accessories have been found. Most of them date to the late Avar III period, are brand new and do not show any traces of usage. Together with semi-finished products, miscast objects and remains of the bronze casting process, we interpret Lány as a production site/workshop for Avar belts. Lány is at the very Northwestern periphery of the Avar Khaganate. However, material culture, aside from the belt accessories, is much more associated with what we know from regions where Slavonic populations of the 7th/8th century had settled. We furthermore discuss the usage of Avar belts amongst the Slavic elites of the 8th century and possible explanations for the dense distribution of Avar finds outside of the Khaganate