5 research outputs found
Makt och samhÀlle: politisk ekonomi under bronsÄldern i KarpaterbÀckenet
This thesis examines social power in tell-building societies during the Early and Middle
Bronze Age (circa 2200 to 1400 BC) in the Carpathian Basin.
The interpretative framework is based on the notion that social power in stratified prestate
societies was based on control over economic, ideological and military sources of
power, and the ability to combine these in power networks. In order to describe these
conditions are material from different parts of the Carpathian Basin analysed, with a focus on
the fortified tell-settlement Szåzhalombatta-Földvår and the surrounding Benta valley.
In this thesis it is argued that the tell-building societies were involved in a welldeveloped
intra-regional exchange system, that they had effective subsistence production, and
that several communities specialised in the production of different goods. This situation
enabled the use of two interrelated economic power strategies fashioned from control over
staples and valuables respectively, which could be used to finance political activities and
governing organisations through a political economy.
The tell-building communities shared the same general ideology that emphasised a close
connection between the elites and the middle class. It is also argued that the tell-settlements
had an important ideological role. These settlements served as monuments, material
representations of social unity and tradition, where a large tell signified a successful society
with a long history. This situation made it possible for leaders, who were able to assert
control over a tell with military and economic means, to use the communityâs cultural traditions
and history in ideological power strategies.
The use of military might was an integral part of social power strategies. The material
culture shows that members of the elite had military roles and that warfare was common
during the Middle Bronze Age. Coupled with the economic and ideological conditions it is
maintained that leaders were able to combine military and economic power strategies.
Specifically, economic control made it possible to finance military specialists, who could be
used in strategies to assert control over the economy.
Altogether, the sources of power were interrelated and could be used to support each
other. Economic power enabled leaders to control ideological and military instruments.
Military might was used to secure economic and ideological resources, while the ideology
legitimised and institutionalised the stratified social system
The Teleac hillfort in Southwestern Transylvania: the role of the settlement, war and the destruction of the fortification system
Geophysical prospection and excavations show that the heavily fortified Teleac hillfort was densely occupied with a population reaching the low thousands. In this article it is argued that Teleac was a local political centre that acted as a hub for transportation and trade in a region that is rich in mineral resources. Recent investigations also reveal that Teleac was attacked in the late 10th century in an event that breached and destroyed the formidable northern defensive system. This attack suggests that the level of military threat was quite severe in the eastern Carpathian Basin. The attacking forces must have had significant offensive capabilities in order to tackle Teleacâs defences. It is also a strong indication that not only Teleac, but contemporary fortified settlements in the surrounding region were at least in part erected to resist serious military threats
Siedlungsstruktur und Demographie in Teleac: eine spĂ€tbronzezeitliche â frĂŒheisenzeitliche Befestigung in SiebenbĂŒrgen
Recent investigations at the Teleac hillfort in south-western Transylvania have generated new data on the spatial organisation and history of the settlement. A combination of excavations and geophysical prospection revealed that Teleac was a dense and well organised settlement with a substantial population, and that some sections of the hillfort likely were used for different activities. It is also argued that Teleac likely dominated the open settlements and acted as a hub for transportation and trade throughout the region.JĂŒngste Untersuchungen in der befestigten Höhensiedlung von Teleac im sĂŒdwestlichen SiebenbĂŒrgen haben neue Daten zur rĂ€umlichen Organisation und Siedlungsgeschichte erbracht. Ausgrabungen in Kombination mit geophysikalischer Prospektion konnten zeigen, dass Teleac eine dichte und gut organisierte Siedlung mit einer erheblichen Bevölkerung war und dass einige Bereiche der befestigten Höhensiedlung fĂŒr unterschiedliche AktivitĂ€ten genutzt wurden. Es wird auch argumentiert, dass Teleac wahrscheinlich die offenen Siedlungen beherrschte und als Drehkreuz fĂŒr Transport und Handel in der Region fungierte
Archaeological Prospection in WetlandsâExperiences and Observations from Ground-Penetrating Radar Surveys in Norwegian Bogs
Wetlands are of immense importance for archaeological research due to excellent preservation conditions for organic material. However, the detection and registration of archaeological remains in waterlogged areas, such as peatlands, bogs, mires, or lakeshores are very challenging. Alternative methods that can support traditional archaeological registrations and that can help to survey wetlands more efficiently are needed. One goal of the âArkeologi pĂ„ nye veierâ (Archaeology on new ways) project, initiated by Nye Veier AS, was to develop and test a practical solution for non-invasive geophysical surveys in wetland environments in support of traditional archaeological investigations. For that purpose, a custom GPR system for wetland investigations was assembled, tested and applied at Gausdal (Flekkefjord municipality, Agder county) in Norway within the E39-southwest infrastructure project. The GPR survey resulted in promising data, clearly showing the buried remains of an old road within the investigated area. This case study demonstrated the potential of GPR measurements in peatlands as a valuable asset for archaeological registration projects in such environments. However, despite these first encouraging results, wetlands remain very challenging environments, and realistic expectations, as well as a good understanding of the potential and limitations of this approach are a prerequisite for meaningful surveys