Examining the multiplicity of burial practices within Neolithic stone cist graves in the Western Alpine Region

The first cemeteries of the western alpine region are detec- table around 4800 BC. These consist of cist graves made of stone (or in some cases wood) slabs and become relative- ly widespread during the following millennium. Over this greater geographical area and long time period (until ca. 3800 BC) these graves remain relatively uniform. However, a wide range of burial practices and funerary rituals can be observed in the context of Neolithic stone cist graves; sing- le- and collective graves with multiple usage phases occur simultaneously and side by side, as do primary and secondary inhumations with cremations and manipulations of human remains. I will present different examples from selected sites in Switzerland, France and Italy analyzed in the context of my PhD project. The aim is to highlight the evolution and multiplicity of burial practices within stone cist graves using anthropological- and new radiocarbon data

Das neolithische Steinkistengrab von Niederried am Brienzersee

Neolithische Kistengräber des sogenannten Typs «Chamblandes» wurden bisher haupt- sächlich in der Westschweiz um den Genfersee sowie im Walliser Rhônetal und im angrenzen- den Aostatal (IT) entdeckt. In Publikationen zu diesem Grabtyp bestehen Unstimmigkeiten in Bezug auf das Grab von Ursisbalm bei Niederried am Brienzersee im Berner Oberland. Die ältere Literatur stützt sich oft auf die Publikation von Alain Gallay von 1977, der das Grab von Niederried zum Typ Chamblandes rechnet; in neueren Publikationen ist jedoch das Steinkistengrab von Niederried nicht aufgeführt oder die Fundstelle wird mit dem etwa 90 km nord-westlich gelegenen Niederried bei Kallnach im Berner Seeland verwechselt. Das Steinkistengrab von Niederried befindet sich im Vergleich zu den übrigen bekannten Gräbern dieses Typs geografisch isoliert am Brienzersee. Aus diesem Grund ist dieses bisher wenig bekannte Grab von Niederried für die Forschung von grosser Bedeutung, zumal bis heute keine weiteren neolithischen Steinkistengräber in den nördlichen Voralpen entdeckt worden sind und die geografisch nächsten vergleichbaren Fundstellen fast 100 km entfernt liegen. Über 100 Jahre nach seiner Entdeckung wird hier das Steinkistengrab von Niederried, Ursisbalm neu behandelt. Die Recherche dazu erfolgte im Rahmen eines vom Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF) geförderten Dissertationsprojektes am Institut für Archäologische Wissenschaften der Universität Bern. Erstmals wurden Radiokarbondatierungen durchgeführt, mit deren Hilfe die bestatteten Individuen absolut datiert werden konnten. Anhand aller verfügbaren Informationen soll geklärt werden, ob das Grab den Definitionskriterien der neolithischen Kistengräber des Typs Chamblandes entspricht

Virtual Reality applications for visualization of 6000-year-old Neolithic graves from Lenzburg (Switzerland)

The last decade has seen a steady increase in the application of virtual 3D approaches in cultural heritage research. Although a large literature exists about the advantages of 3D methods in this field, here we go one step further and elucidate a) how image-based 3D reconstructions can be displayed in virtual reality (VR) space using freeware game engine software and low-cost VR hardware and b) highlight the relative benefits and advantages with a focus on interactive museum displays of relatively large archaeological objects. Specifically, we present three 3D models of different stone grave structures from the Neolithic necropolis of Lenzburg (Northern Switzerland, 4450-3500 BCE). The site has been excavated in 1959/60 and certain graves were subsequently preserved for museum display. By means of VR applications, it is now possible to experience these approximately 6000-year-old tombs with an innovative approach circumventing various barriers or constraints and offering interactive display options

The well-preserved Late Neolithic dolmen burial of Oberbipp, Switzerland. Construction, use, and post-depositional processes

Excavation of the Late Neolithic dolmen of Oberbipp BE, Steingasse in the Swiss Central Plateau provided a unique opportunity for a comprehensive study of the archaeological and anthropological evidence. In multidisciplinary studies, we investigated the processes at work during construction, use, and abandonment of the megalithic structure, as well as the dietary habits, subsistence strategy, and possible mobility of the Neolithic population. Archaeological methods included micromorphology, archaeobiology, typology, use-wear analysis, and geology. The anthropological investigation was complemented by an analysis of stable isotope ratios and palaeogenetics. Local topography and the cover of alluvial sediments ensured an extraordinary conservation of the monument. It allowed the preservation of the human remains of at least 42 individuals of both sexes and all ages. The observation of the sedimentary and post-depositional processes, supplemented by an extensive series of radiocarbon dates, allowed us to reconstruct the history of the dolmen in its environment and the definition of at least two deposition phases. We found genetic evidence of lactase intolerance, a local population with a mixed ancestry of early Anatolian farmers and Western hunter-gatherers, and a crop-based diet. Sparse remains of a nearby Late Neolithic settlement sustain the interpretation that this is the burial site of a local farming community. Evidence of higher mobility of females and kinship over three generations solely in the paternal line suggests a virilocal community. Bone-altering pathologies support the assumption of a caring society

Ancient genomes reveal social and genetic structure of Late Neolithic Switzerland

Genetic studies of Neolithic and Bronze Age skeletons from Europe have provided evidence for strong population genetic changes at the beginning and the end of the Neolithic period. To further understand the implications of these in Southern Central Europe, we analyze 96 ancient genomes from Switzerland, Southern Germany, and the Alsace region in France, covering the Middle/Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age. Similar to previously described genetic changes in other parts of Europe from the early 3rd millennium BCE, we detect an arrival of ancestry related to Late Neolithic pastoralists from the Pontic-Caspian steppe in Switzerland as early as 2860-2460 calBCE. Our analyses suggest that this genetic turnover was a complex process lasting almost 1000 years and involved highly genetically structured populations in this region

Die neolithischen Steinkistengräber von Däniken/Studenweid

Im Jahre 1946 stiess der Oltner Urgeschichtsforscher Theodor Schweizer in der Studenweid unter einem Grabhügel aus der Eisenzeit auf zwei jungsteinzeitliche Steinkistengräber. Rund 200 Meter davon entfernt kamen 1970 in einer Kiesgrube drei weitere Gräber zum Vorschein. Mit dem folgenden Beitrag liegt eine vollständig überarbeitete Fund- und Befundvorlage der Steinkistengräber von 1946 und 1970 vor. Auch Jahrzehnte nach ihrer Entdeckung sind die Gräber von grossem wissenschaftlichem Interesse, denn sie geben seltene Einblicke in die Bestattungssitten im Schweizer Mittelland in der zweiten Hälfte des 5. Jahrtausends v. Chr. So liegt die Fundstelle am östlichen Rand des hauptsächlich am Genfersee, im Wallis sowie im Aostatal verbreiteten Phänomens mit Hockerbestattungen in kleinen Steinkisten (Gräber vom Typ Chamblandes). Ein weiterer Fokus der neuen Auswertung liegt auf dem Schulterbandbecher aus einem Grab von 1970: Das Gefäss liefert wichtige Argumente für eine Datierung der Gräber in die Zeit zwischen 4400 und 4200 v.Chr

Radiocarbon dating of human remains from the late Neolithic dolmen of Oberbipp (Switzerland). Clarifying the chronology and sequences of burials

Undisturbed collective megalithic burials are extremely rare. The dolmen of Oberbipp provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary research. Morphological analysis indicate at least 42 individuals buried in the grave chamber. Using archaeology alone it was not possible to determine different occupation periods of the inhumations. Neolithic communities often reused dolmen over centuries, therefore radiocarbon dating might be able to solve this question. Fragments of the same bone element (right femora) were analyzed by two (in some cases three) different laboratories to date all inhumations individually. This study had three aims: a) determine the total occupation time of the dolmen; b) evaluate the sequence of the burials; c) compare the results of the same skeletal element from different laboratories. In total, 79 radiocarbon results from three different laboratories of the right femora (n=32) are available. The broad application of radiocarbon dating allowed the determination of two occupation periods within the burial: The majority of the femora (n=26) date between 3350-2950BCE, but three samples are from a younger period (2900-2650BCE). The comparison between radiocarbon dates obtained in different laboratories for the same sample showed little variation and only a few samples differed substantially. Our sampling strategy indicates the necessity for archaeological settings such as multiple burials to include large serial radiocarbon measurements to ensure that all occupation phases are uncovered. In addition, our data indicate that dating at different laboratories should be included in the sampling process to guarantee that the interpretation is based on the best available data. Even though the overall concordance across the laborites was good, little variation could lead to a different interpretation of a site. In future it should also be considered to include other bioarchaeological methods such as aDNA analysis in combination with radiocarbon dating to overcome problems related to plateaus of the calibration curve

Systematical radiocarbon dating of Late Neolithic human remains.

Collective burials of the Late Neolithic are found all over Europe; however, undisturbed inhumations are rare. Therefore, the dolmen of Oberbipp (fig. 1) in Switzerland, with approximately 40 individuals, provides a great opportunity to study the burial in its entirety. Radiocarbon dating is used commonly in archaeology. Nevertheless, often only few samples are analyzed due to funding reasons. The aim of this project was twofold: a) to evaluate the burial sequence; b) to sample the most frequently occurring bone for dating at least at two laboratories

Glacial Archaeology in Northern Norway—The Island of Seiland

Norway is at the forefront of monitoring ice patches and glaciers for archaeological remains, and thousands of artifacts have been recovered over the past two decades due to accelerating melting. The majority of finds stem from the lower latitudes of the country and relatively little is known about the glacial archaeology of Norway’s far north. We use historical maps and high-resolution LiDAR derived elevation models to monitor ice flow and melt. We employ a terrain ruggedness index to map areas of non-moving ice which possibly contain well-preserved archaeological finds, and model least cost paths to understand the accessibility for humans and animals of an archaeologically unexplored landscape. We then conduct a sailboat supported exploratory survey on the arctic island of Seiland. While we fail to locate archaeologically productive ice, we identify and date a so far unknown type of archaeological stone structure likely related to sheltering and reindeer hunting/herding activities