Morozova Y., Shydlovskyi P. (eds.). Wetland Archaeology and Prehistoric Networks in Europe / NEENAWA International Scientific Conference, September 15th-18th, 2017 (original) (raw)
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NEENAWA, Network in Eastern European Neolithic and wetland archaeology for the improvement of field techniques and dating methods Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites around the Alps (so called pile-dwellings, Pfahlbauten or palafittes in German/French) are of outstanding universal value (UNESCO- world heritage since 2011). Typical sites are in lakes, rivers and bogs, dating between 5300 and 800 BC. Of common character is the perfect conservation of wood, textiles from plant fabrics and many other organic materials. Larger quantities of sub-fossilized as in the peri-Alpine sites offer the possibility of high-precision dating by dendrochrono- logy. Research in these wetland sites started in the mid-19th century. Large scale rescue excavations since the 1970s and the evolution of underwater archaeology in the same period accumulated a thorough Swiss experience with these specific sites. Research in wetland sites is shared between cantonal institutions and universities and led to a world- wide unique accumulation of knowledge. Comparable sites exist outside of the Alpine area, but in much smaller quantities. Regions like Russia (small lakes in NW-Russia) and Macedonia (medium size lakes in the broader zone of Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Greece) have a high scientific potential; rivers in Ukraine are supposed to have the same type of sites. This SCOPES Institutional partnership (IP), funded by Swiss National Science Founda- tion (SNF), was established in order to build up a scientific network in Neolithic and wet- land archaeology and to transfer knowledge from Switzerland, as one of the worldwide leading countries in this field, to the participating Eastern European countries. The fur- ther aims of IP are to concentrate on an improvement of archaeological field techniques (mainly underwater archaeology / documentation under water/diving security) and da- ting methods, including dendrochronology. All Easten European sites have the potential to give new insights on the process of the Neolithisation of Europe. A major outcome would be to establish close ties between a gender and age mix consortium that is willing to develop further research projects. This international collaboration will help to develop methods of investigation for sites located under water and in peat bog, bring together different specialists and help to develop different research themes and teams in Eastern European countries.
Unique in its scope, this book provides for the first time a Southern European perspective on prehistoric wetland settlements and their natural environment. These are dwellings originally built in humid locations, i.e. on shores and in shallow water areas of lakes, bogs, marshes, rivers, estuaries and lagoons. The relevant archaeological remains are in most cases waterlogged and offer outstanding preservation conditions for organic materials and are moreover in close proximity to uninterrupted natural archives (e.g. lake or mire sediments), which allows for a broad range of transdisciplinary research approaches. The sites discussed in this book date from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age (c. 5500–1000 BC), and are located in nine countries of Southern Europe, i.e. Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania, Greece and Bulgaria. Four dimensions of prehistoric wetland settlements are explored in the book – the archaeological, the dendroarchaeological, the palaeoecological and the bioarchaeological: Part I is dedicated to archaeology, i.e. the excavation of settlement remains, their transdisciplinary exploration as well as their interpretation; Part II deals with dendroarchaeology and its contribution to the understanding of occupation sequences and regional chronologies; and Part III concerns uninterrupted off-site palaeoecological records of past ecosystem change, including human–environment interactions, as well as bioarchaeological on-site approaches to subsistence strategies and land use practices. Prehistoric Wetland sites of Southern Europe showcases how different disciplines and areas of expertise from the humanities and the natural sciences meet on an equal footing to elaborate coherent pictures of the past. Besides a cross-section of research statuses of different archaeological sites, currently ongoing research as well as novel, hitherto unpublished case studies and findings are made accessible to the international research community. Drawing on a wide range of expert contributions from both archaeology and the natural sciences, this book targets scholars, professionals, and students from the fields of prehistoric archaeology and palaeo-sciences, and is furthermore of interest to cultural-heritage stakeholders.
SNF-Institutional Partnership: Network in Eastern European Neolithic and Wetland Archaeology for the improvement of field techniques and dating methods. Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites around the Alps (so called pile-dwellings, Pfahlbauten or palafittes in german/french) are of outstanding universal value (UNESCO-World Heritage since 2011). Typical sites are in lakes, rivers and bogs, dating between 5300 and 800 BC. Around the Alps more than 750 sites exist, whereas Switzerland owns 430. Of common character is the per-fect conservation of wood, textiles from plant fabrics and many other organic materials. Larger quantities of sub-fossilized wood offer the possibility of high-precision dating by dendrochro-nology (actually more than 100’000 samples). Research in Pfahlbauten-wetland sites started in Switzerland in the mid-19th century. Large scale rescue excavations since the 1970ies and the evolution of underwater archaeology in the same period accumulated a thorough Swiss exp...
2020, Network in Eastern European Neolithic and Wetland Archaeology
2020
The “Network in Eastern European Neolithic and Wetland Archaeology for the improvement of field techniques and dating methods” (NEENAWA) was an Institutional Partnership between archaeological institutions in North Macedonia, Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The project focused on the enhancement of scientific infrastructure and training of students and professionals dealing with Neolithic settlements near lakes, rivers and marshes. The aim of this book is to document the activities performed during and arising from this project between 2015 and 2020. Activity and experience reports as well as scientific case studies keep record of the various actions and events that took place in the partner countries. They also witness to the scientific and structural development of wetland and underwater archaeology in Eastern Europe.
In Europe, Early Holocene bog sites play an important role in the reconstruction of Mesolithic and Early Neolithic lifestyles according to very well-preserved organic remains (bones and plant material). Still, this exceptional preservation of organic materials must not hide the archaeological complexity of these settlements. Indeed, the precise analysis of the archaeological layers, their depositional processes and their evolution in wetland context shows a complex sedimentary and taphonomic history (truncation, hiatus, chronological mixing, differential preservation...). In addition, the particular conditions of wetland archaeology (underwater intervention, limited test pits due to rising groundwater) can restrict field data recording or extensive excavations. These factors complicate the archaeological interpretation of the discovered remains, their meaning and their representativeness. Due to different views concerning the nature of the archaeological deposits, some major settlements in Europe have been, therefore, at the centre of intense debates about their place in the landscape and their role in mobility patterns. In comparison with dryland sites, can Stone Age bog sites be seen as exceptional settlements or just as exceptionally preserved occupation deposits? • This session will address the specific methodological and archaeological approaches developed to infer the function of Early Holocene wetland sites in Europe. Several questions could be discussed: • Field methodology • Taphonomic and archaeological approaches to sites and remains (environmental archaeology, dating and chronology of depositional process, analysis of organic and lithic remains...) • Reconstruction of wetland site function (specialised or temporary camps, permanent settlements, unique, stratified or mixed refuse layers) and their relationship with dryland sites. We will give priority to communications discussing one or more of these questions from an interdisciplinary perspective.
NEENAWA: Network in Eastern European Neolithic and Wetland Archaeology: first steps
Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites around the Alps (so called pile-dwellings, Pfahlbauten or palafittes in German/French) are of outstanding universal value (UNESCO-world heritage since 2011). Typical sites are in lakes, rivers and bogs, dating between 5300 and 800 BC. Of common character is the perfect conservation of wood, textiles from plant fabrics and many other organic materials. Larger quantities of sub-fossilized wood, as in the peri-alpine sites, offer the possibility of high-precision dating by dendrochronology. Research in these wetland sites started in the mid-19th century. Through large scale rescue excavations since the 1970s and the evolution of underwater archaeology in the same period the Swiss accumulated a thorough experience with these specific sites. Research in wetland sites is shared between cantonal institutions and universities and led to a worldwide unique accumulation of knowledge. Comparable sites exist outside of the Alpine area, but in much smaller quantities. Regions like Russia (small lakes in NW-Russia) and Macedonia (medium size lakes in the border zone of Macedonia, Albania and Greece) have a high scientific potential; rivers in Ukraine are supposed to have the same type of sites.
Национална и универзитетска библиотека "Св. Климент Охридски", Скопје 630*:913(3) NEENAWA Scientific Meeting (2016 ; Skopje, Ohrid) Prehistoric wetlands and lakes bringing forward dendrochronology in archaeology / NEENAWA Scientific Meeting, 11-17.05.2016, Skopje and Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia ; [edited Goce Naumov ; photographs Miško Tutkovski ; maps Ljubo Fidanovski]. -Skopje : Center for prehistoric research, 2016. -илустр. ISBN 978-60865967-0-5 а) Дендрологија б) Предисториска географија