The morphology of the Luciąża River valley floor in the vicinity of the Rozprza medieval ring-fort in light of geophysical survey

Multidisciplinary research (including magnetic survey, earth resistance survey, geological mapping, detailed archaeological surface survey and geochemical prospection) was undertaken on an area of about 0.7–9.0 hectares (depending on the method) in the close surroundings of the medieval ring-fort relicts in central Poland. The geophysical studies of the vicinity of the Rozprza ring-fort were part of a multi-method complementary non-destructive archaeological survey. The ring-fort is situated in the Luciąża River (Vistula River basin) valley floor and the flood plain morphology is very important for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions of settlement location. Results of aerial photographs and geophysical prospection allowed the discovery of traces of sub-fossil palaeomeanders of different sizes as well as relicts of archaeological features (system of ramparts and moats). It was possible due to the application of high resolution archaeo-geophysical surveys. Both natural structures and also anthropogenic features registered with geophysics have been verified by geological sounding. The surface geology structure of the close vicinity of the ring-fort has been recognised in detail and selected organic deposits of palaeochannel fills and overbank covers have been 14C dated. The Rozprza ring-fort was situated in a defensive location on the surface of a sandy terrace remnant in the central part of a (partly) swampy valley floor. The accumulation of recorded fills of palaeochannels and moats covers the whole Holocene, as documented by 14C data. It gives the possibility for future detailed palaeoenvironmental studies. The results of geophysical studies, due to their known precise location, allow the effective planning of further research activities, both archaeological and palaeoenvironmenta

Non-invasive prospection of two Iron Age sites in Michałowice, southern Poland

N

LOST AND FOUND: THE VALLUM IN LACU AT OSTROWITE (NORTHERN POLAND). A MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CASE STUDY

The vallum in lacu (rampart by the lake) mentioned in 15th-century written sources as part of the Medieval landscape of Ostrowite (East Pomerania) has been researched by archaeologists and antiquaries since the 19th century. A wide range of non-invasive archaeological prospection methods were applied at Ostrowite in 2010-2015, including magnetic gradiometry, earth resistance, aerial photography, intensive field-walking, geochemical (phosphate) prospection, and the analysis of Airborne Laser Scanning. They were supplemented and verified by small-scale excavation work. This vast set of prospection methods was integrated into a Geographical Information System (GIS), and combined with an analysis of written sources, and allowed for the identification of a previously unknown ring-fort, which for the last 15 years has gone unnoticed by researchers conducting annual excavations in its vicinity. Its discovery and identification were only possible due to the integration of results from various methods, particularly non-invasive ones.Key words: magnetometry, surface survey, phosphate prospection, electrical resistivity, aerial photography, Middle Ages.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/ab.v24i0.156

Discovery of new Iron Age groove-type features from Michałowice in 2010. A geophysical case study

The archaeological site in Michałowice is located in south-eastern Poland within the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Czarnocin commune. It is thus far the only known site with over a dozen excavated groove-type burials attributed to the Roman Iron Age of the Przeworsk Culture.In 2010 a small geophysical test survey was commissioned encompassing an area of 50×30m. Amongst the many geophysical techniques available for such an investigation, the magnetic method was chosen. The aim of the survey was first of all to test whether the local archaeological features that were assumed to exist within the site, such as groove-type square burial enclosures, urn graves and possible settlement pits or even anthropogenic sediments, would generate a clear, interpretable geophysical anomaly. For this purpose a Bartington Grad601-Dual fluxgate gradiometer was used. Data was collected in parallel traverses with 1×0.12m sampling and within one 30×30m and one 20×30m grid. The systematic analysis and mapping of the anomalies registered with magnetic prospecting confirmed the presence of buried archaeological structures, revealing new details of the Michałowice sepulchral complex. Although the study area was relatively small, the amount of new information acquired from the survey was overwhelming. What came as a surprise is that all of these anomalies were located in an area presumed to be a peripheral part of the archaeological site. Thanks to the experiences of the 2010 survey, the capabilities of the magnetic method on this specific site have been thoroughly investigated and evaluated positively. For now, a basic modus operandi for interpreting magnetic data for Michałowice has been created, which hopefully will serve as a roadmap or reference for future integrated non-invasive approaches in the region

From a point on the map to a shape in the landscape. Non-invasive verification of medieval ring-forts in Central Poland: Rozprza case study

N

Magnetic survey of the abandoned medieval town of Nieszawa

New Nieszawa was a 15th century medieval urban settlement, covering approximately 22 hectares on the Polish–Teutonic border. The exact location of the town was forgotten until its discovery through aerial prospection in 2006. In just 40 years the town grew into an important economic entity, competing for trade on the Vistula river until its relocation (1460–1462) during the Thirteen Years' War. The site is unique in that it has not been overbuilt by later structures as is common with medieval foundations. It is located in a flood plain approximately 2 km from the urban center of Toruń. Regular non-invasive surveys have revealed the spatial organization of the town in its untouched state from 550 years ago. The Łódź branch of the Scientific Society of Polish Archaeologists carried out three consecutive projects of non-invasive prospection in 2012–2014, using a Bartington Grad 601-2 instrument (0.5 m x 0.25 m sampling) to cover an area of almost 40 ha stretching for more than 1.6 km. The magnetic survey revealed anomalies located on the spot of observed crop marks, and extending far beyond the area open to aerial observation. It verified the existence of subsurface magnetically susceptible deposits indicative of a typical medieval town plan in Polan

Erased by the Plough, Spotted from the Air. Remains of Earthwork Sites from Silesia

Since 2012 south-western Poland has been subject to regular aerial prospection campaigns that covered a vast area of the Upper Silesian, Lower Silesian and Opole regions. Eight surveys were conducted in with a total of 44 flight hours during late spring and summer dates. Their primary aim was the recognition of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age communities and landscapes. Additional photographic documentation of known and newly discovered features from other chronological periods was also obtained. The article presents a selection of data from five medieval settlements (Borucin site 2, Chrzelice site 1, Gniechowice site 1, Komorno site 1, Stary Zamek site 6), whose common feature is their nearly completely leveled earthworks, which makes the presented aerial imagery a basic source of information about them. The potential of remote sensing approaches in the case of quickly deteriorating archeological terrain forms, although not used frequently, has numerous advantages especially in contrary to the still favoured destructive excavation strategies. A visible intensification of archeological site destruction due to all-round development of urban and rural areas has affected all types of archeological sites – also those characterized (until relatively recently) by unique and complex earthwork remains. This situation requires an adaptation of new protection strategies, as well as alternative cognitive and methodical schemes. The case studies presented in this paper are a final wakeup call showcasing the scale of the ongoing, countrywide, systematic destruction of important yet unknown or poorly researched archeological sites. The remedy in our opinion is the recognition of non-invasive remote sensing and geophysical techniques as primary research methods as they allow defining crucial elements, such as form, size, layout, or functional interpretation

To not see the forest for the trees. A non-invasive approach to the Góra Chełmo medieval hillfort

N

Knowing Without Digging? Non-invasive Research of the Krzczonów Earthwork and its Surroundings

The topic of this paper is a non-invasive research case study of a protected monument mound in Krzczonów, Świętokrzyskie voivodeship in Lesser Poland. It explores the possibilities of noninvasive methodological approaches in the recognition of archaeological sources by asking whether it is possible to procure relevant information without conducting excavations. A new interpretation of the mound’s function and chronology is based on data derived from multimethod field surveys including remote sensing (satellite imagery, UAV, light aircraft, ALS), geophysical (magnetic gradiometry, earth resistance), total station measurements and analytical field walking prospection along with comparison of archival field-walking data. We would like to hypothesize that, contrary to the protected monument list, the Krzczonów earthwork is not a prehistoric feature but could be related to the end of 14th up to the beginning of the 16th century. In this case it could be understood as a remnant of a motte-type castl

Searching for Celts in Upper Silesia. Verification by excavation of a geophysical survey in Samborowice

N