Megaliths and Settlement Structures in Eastern Holstein during 3500-3700 BC: Trave Valley and Oldenburger Graben

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Johannes Müller
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2009 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 128716292

The goal of this project is to reconstruct an Early and Middle Neolithic settlement and grave landscape situated in two micro-regions in the southern distribution area of the Funnelbeaker northern group. In light of relevant research literature and with the aid of diverse field activities, we were able to collect relevant data from the small areas of the Middle Trave Valley (Mittleres Travetal) and the Western Oldenburg Graben (Westlicher Oldenburger Graben) during the first two project phases from 2009–2012. Extracted samples are currently being analysed. In particular, investigations in the area of a complex settlement and a multi-phased megalithic tomb offer new possibilities to identify Funnelbeaker organizational strategies. In this context, the Neolithic settlement of Oldenburg-Dannau LA 77 with house floor areas, wells, and a number of existing in situ interments in the megalithic tomb of Wangels LA 69 are of particular interest. The latter enable propositions concerning the relationship between settlements, megalithic tombs, and the landscape. Divergent strategies can be verified, for example, by the density of the settlement locations. The main emphasis of the last project phase from 2013–2015 will be placed on the analysis of the obtained data from the settlements of Oldesloe-Wolkenwehe LA 154 and Oldenburg-Dannau LA 77 as well as from the megalithic tomb of Wangels LA 69. An analysis of spatial use during the Neolithic will be carried out through the implementation of comparative environmental evaluations and paleoecological examinations from the micro-regions. On the basis of these investigations, models of Neolithic organizational strategies can be developed and interpreted with respect to the distribution area of the Funnelbeaker culture and further Neolithic cultural phenomenon.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1400: Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation. The Origin and Development of Neolithic Large-Scale Buildings and the Earliest Complex Societies in Northern Central Europe
• Participating Persons: Dr. Sönke Hartz; Professorin Dr. Doris Mischka