Albert Hafner

Social stratigraphy in Late Iron Age Switzerland: stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of human remains from Münsingen

The Iron Age cemetery of Münsingen in Switzerland with 220 abundantly equipped burials marked a milestone for Iron Age research. The horizontal spread throughout the time of its occupancy laid the foundation for the chronology system of the Late Iron Age. Today, skulls of 77 individuals and some postcranial bones are still preserved. The aim of the study was to obtain information about diet, mobility and social stratification of the individuals. Stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur were analysed for 63 individuals. For all of them, C3 plants were found to be the staple food. There are significant differences between males and females in δ13C and δ15N values. This points to a gender restriction in the access to animal protein with males probably having more access to meat and dairy products. Differences in δ15N values were also observed for different age classes. δ34S values indicate a terrestrial-based diet with no significant intake of marine or freshwater fish. Seven adults with enriched δ34S values might have immigrated to Münsingen, four of which were found in the oldest part of the cemetery. Furthermore, possible changes of the vegetation are indicated by the more positive stable carbon ratios in the later phases. The results lead to the suggestion that especially males buried with weapons might have played a special role in the Iron Age society.

Radiocarbon wiggle matching on laminated sediments delivers high-precision chronologies

High-resolution sediment chronologies with the best possible time control are essential for comparing palaeoecological studies with independent high-precision climatic, archaeological or historic data in order to disentangle causes and effects of past environmental, ecological and societal change. We present two varved lake sediment sequences from Moossee and Burgaschisee (Swiss Plateau) that have chronologies developed with Bayesian models and radiocarbon ( 14 C) dating of terrestrial plant macrofossils extracted from sediment samples with constant age ranges. We illustrate the potential of high-resolution 14 C dating for the construction of robust, high-precision sediment chronologies. The mean 2σ age uncertainties were reduced to±19 cal yr for Moossee and to±54 cal yr for Burgaschisee over the entire period of 3000 cal yr, while 2σ uncertainties of only±13 cal yr and±18 cal yr respectively, were achieved for shorter time intervals. These precisions are better than or comparable to those of previous varve studies. Our results imply that a sophisticated subsampling strategy and a careful selection of short-lived and well-defined terrestrial plant remains are crucial to avoid outlying 14 C ages. A direct linkage between palaeoeological studies with dendrochronologically dated, local archaeological sites as well as a precise comparison with high-resolution climate proxy data have become feasible.

From deep lakes to mountain tops: Exploring long and short chronologies with Bayesian statistics

This paper aims at exploring the potential of Bayesian statistics for chronologies using radiocarbon-dates from different settings: dry- and wetland sites of the Northern Alpine Foreland and the Inner Alpine area. In order to understand dynamic cultural phenomena independent scientific dating is indispensable. Beside dendrochronology, radiometric dating methods based on carbon isotopy are still most important. For multi-site evaluations easily accessible data collections are vital as e.g. provided by the database ‘Radon’1 used here. Furthermore, statistical approaches such as sequential calibration, work best with large amount of data. In our three case studies, the combination of both has yielded compelling results beyond conventional approaches:1. Sequence-models of Neolithic wetland sites stratigraphies: Despite the possibility of using high-precision dendrochronologies, 14C-dates are still needed in cases of poor organic preservation. Using prior information such as stratigraphies, stratified artefacts and isolated dendrodates, extraordinary high-confindence Bayesian models can be achieved, like the examples Zurich-Kleiner Hafner (CH) and Ehrenstein (D) of the MET-project1 show. 2. Sum calibration-models for Inner Alpine Neolithic and Bronze Age sites: Until recently, having nearly no radiocarbon dates at hand, the chronology of this area was based on typological comparisons with the Swiss Plateau and Southern Germany. Within the CMCT-project3 we were able to generate new samples for Radiocarbon dates from Neolithic and Bronze Age sites. Hence, an absolute chronological framework can be established for the first time.3. Systematic radiocarbon dating of Late Neolithic human remains: The dolmen of Oberbipp (CH) is one of a rare undisturbed inhumations collective burial with approximately 40 individuals. More than 60 samples of right femora could be dated in three different laboratories, yielding very robust results regarding the burial sequence.In all examples the statistic software R and c14bazAAR4 were used. 1 radon.ufg.uni-kiel.de 2 SNSF-project: http://p3.snf.ch/Project-156205 3 SNSF-project: http://p3.snf.ch/project-165306 4 https://github.com/ISAAKiel/c14bazAAR

Systematic radiocarbon dating of human remains from the Late Neolithic collective dolmen burial of Oberbipp (Switzerland).

Collective megalithic burials of the Late Neolithic are found in the western parts of Europe between Southern Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula, however the discovery of undisturbed sites is extremely rare. The dolmen of Oberbipp is one of the few collective megalithic burial sites including human remains in Switzerland. The site therefore provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary research. Morphological analysis indicates, that approximately 40 individuals are buried in the grave chamber. It was not possible archaeologically to determine different occupation periods within the inhumations. Since dolmen graves were often reused over hundreds of years, this question could only be addressed with radiocarbon dating.

Collapse, resilience and mobility in prehistoric agrarian societies. Can we prove relations to weather and climate?

Based on the intensive research of wetland settlements in lakes and bogs of the Alpine Space I will present examples of collapsing settlement activities, which may be related, to weather and climate. Mainly rising lake levels are seen as a factor of collapse for settlements near lakeshores. Well-researched sites with complete information on size, development and chronology may deliver the best examples. Archaeology – and mainly prehistoric archaeology – is a science, which is used to work with large times scales. Contributions to climate change research offer chances to get involved in a research topic that is of societal relevance. If archaeologists can show that during long periods of the Holocene human societies have been vulnerable and were forced to be adaptive to new environmental situations this may also change the view of our own, quite static societies of the 21st century.

An Interdisciplinary Project on the Neolithic Population of Modern Switzerland.

Human skeletal remains from the Neolithic period are extremely rare and while many pile dwelling sites are known from Switzerland little is known about the inhabitants. Thus the recent discovery of a Neolithic dolmen in Switzerland with in situ inhumations was unexpected and might provide new information about the population. The dolmen of Oberbipp contained well-preserved skeletal remains and was documented using state-of-the-art technologies. The aim of the project is to analyze the skeletal remains of the Oberbipp dolmen in the context of further Neolithic material from Switzerland and to gain further insights into the Neolithic “Swiss” population. The preliminary minimum number of individuals (based on right femora) from Oberbipp is 40. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of both sexes and neonate to adult individuals. Based on the right femora a proportion of 37.5% subadults and 62.5% adults was calculated. First 14C results indicate a use of the dolmen approximately 3500 – 3000 BCE. The reconstruction of complete mitogenomes of 16 individuals shows the presence of haplogroups characteristic for Early Farmers and a remarkably high frequency of haplogroup K. Stable isotopes (C, N, S, H, O, Sr and Pb), further ancient DNA and 14C analyses are currently ongoing. The preliminary results are indicative of a “normal” Neolithic population and are in concordance to other Neolithic sites in central Europe so far. The evaluation of the stable isotope data as well as the evaluation of palaeopathologies might provide additional information. Project funded by Swiss National Science Foundation (CR31I3L_157024) and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (KR4015/4-1). Inga Siebke, Anja Furtwangler, Albert Hafner, Johannes Krause, Sandra Losch.

Archaeology of the Alpine Space. Research on the foothills, valley systems and high mountain landscapes.

Археологія альпійського простору. Дослідження передгір’їв, долинних систем та високогірних ландшафтів Альп В даній статті наводяться приклади ландшафтних археологічних досліджень в альпійському регіональному контексті. Як навколо, так і в самих Європейських Альпах ландшафти відзначаються великою різноманітністю. Найбільш істотні ландшафтні відмінності спостерігаються на висотах, що мають відмітки від 400 до 3000 ібільше метрів над рівнем моря. Основними топографічними ознаками регіону являються горбисті альпійські передгір’я, широкі внутрішні долини, що заходять далеко в самі Альпи та високогірні зони, які починаються вище лінії деревної рослинності. В статті наводяться приклади, що тематично охоплюють пам’ятки від озерних та болотяних поселень на палях у передгірних районах, поховань та поселень у внутрішньоальпійських височинах та річкових терасах до короткочасних таборів та пам’яток на високогірних перевалах. Археологічні свідчення вказують, що поселенська активність починає спостерігатись в усіх регіонах від початку 5-го тисячоліття до н.е. Палеоекологічні дані з передгірних територій можуть віддалити цю межу навіть до середини 6-го тисячоліття до н.е. Автори допускають високий ступінь мобільності між цими регіонами. Якщо озерні та болотяні поселення добре відомі та докладно вивчені вченими, дослідження альпійських високогірних пам’яток почалось тільки два десятиліття тому. Альпи та оточуючі передгірські ландшафти являються яскравим полем для археологічних досліджень, особливо при вивченні ранньоземлеробських культур. Незважаючи на те, що постійні дослідження дають можливість кращого розуміння процесів проникнення перших аграрних суспільств з передальпійських низин в високогірні зони, ми все ще далекі від остаточного розуміння загальної картини. Довготривала еволюція поселенської діяльності, що відбувалась у передгірних районах та у частині внутрішньо альпійських долин перетворила незаймані ландшафти у міські простори з одного боку, з маленькими внутрішньо-альпійськими долинами та високогірними районами, де поширились стійкі форми землекористування з іншого, що відобразилось на характері культурного ландшафту Альп.

Prehistoric archaeology, anthropology and material culture studies. Aspects of their origins and common roots

Pottery, then as now, formed an important part of many societies’ material culture. The study of ceramic vessels is mainly carried out by archaeologists and anthropologists. The two disciplines undoubtedly have a special relationship based on their shared interest in the cultural, social and economic meaning of man-made objects. While prehistoric archaeology evolved from early collections of ancient artefacts, anthropology originated from the collections of overseas ethnographica. In both cases, the aim was to document and understand disappeared or disappearing cultures. Although both disciplines have subsequently developed in different directions, their paths have repeatedly crossed throughout research history, leading to the formation, for instance, of ‘cultural anthropology’, ‘ethnoarchaeology’ and ‘material culture studies’. After ‘objects’ had epistemologically fallen out of fashion amongst many humanities and social sciences in the post-modern era, the recent ‘material turn’ has again shifted the focus onto material culture. The latter development might offer an opportunity for a rapprochement between anthropology and archaeology, as this volume shows. This contribution therefore aims to examine some of the convergences and divergences that occurred between the two disciplines in the past. The main focus here will be put on prehistoric archaeology.

Beyond lake villages. Archaeological excavations and paleoecologal analysis at Lake Burgäschi/Switzerland.

In 2015 started the international research project “Beyond lake villages: Studying Neolithic environmental changes and human impact at small lakes in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.” (University of Bern in collaboration with Landesdenkmalamt Baden-Wurtemberg and University of Vienna, funding: SNF-DFG-FFW). Three archaeological and three palaeoecological teams work together on three small lakes on the Northern side of the Alps. The aim is to compare environmental changes and human impact of Neolithic societies. The Swiss study area is Lake Burgaschi, a small water body in the central part of the Swiss Midlands. Archaeological research started already in 1877 and several major excavation campaigns took place in the 1940ies and 1950ies. Up to now four settlement of the 4th millennium BC areas are known and single finds indicate settlement activities during the 5th and 3rd millennia BC. The presentation gives an overview on former and recent activities in one of the classic find spots of Swiss pile-dwellings research. A special focus will be put on new archaeological and palaeoecological results.

Mobilität und Migration seit 10’000 Jahren. Auf den Spuren eines uralten Phänomens

Die prahistorischen Epochen lassen sich praktisch nur uber materielle Hinterlassenschaften rekonstruieren. Nur in den letzten Jahrhunderten vor der Zeitenwende tauchen auch schriftliche Zeugnisse auf. Im Kurzreferat wird aufgezeigt, welche Formen von Mobilitat und Migration mit archaologischen Methoden nachweisbar sind und welches Bild wir uns heute machen konnen. Der Bogen spannt sich von der Neolithisierung Europas bis zu historisch uberlieferten Migrationen helvetischer Gruppen.