The Early Bronze Age circular enclosure Schönebeck in a ritual and settlement landscape at the Mittelelbe: microregional developments in a transregional context.

• Applicant: Dr. Tim Grünewald
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 464871355

Downstream of the mouth of the river Saale, the Elbe meadows are characterised by a high density of archaeological remains; two circular enclosures, Pömmelte and Schönebeck, that were built in the late 3rd millennium BC by representatives of the Bell Beaker and Únětice Culture, are essential. In combination with evidence of intensive settlement, numerous burials and previous sanctuaries of the Corded Ware Culture, these illustrate a focal importance of the ritual and settlement landscape in a time of cultural transition. Among other things, ritual, sociopolitical and economic developments can be understood in the narrow context of both sites. Additionally, documented finds and features from the close vicinity enable an illustration of spatial use and design within a microregion.The findings grant an exceptional opportunity to investigate potential continuities in the Final Neolithic to Early Bronze Age development of religion and ritual. In the Mittelelbe region, sanctuaries and sacrifices can be analysed with chronological and spatial differentiation. A fundamental component of the complex undertaking is the presentation of the roundel Schönebeck. Only then it will be possible to compare both monuments – Schönebeck and Pömmelte – and give a microregional overall view to understand the ritual and settlement landscape. The shape and certain elements of the structures correspond to each other. Other features indicate a differentiated ritual behaviour. A comparative analysis of both enclosures as elements of a sacred landscape reveals details of their origin, use, and meaning.The presentation of Schönebeck, a comparative analysis with Pömmelte and a microregional analysis will be complemented by a transregional perspective, as the developments in the Elbe meadows did not happen in isolation. On the one hand, characteristics of other Central European roundels will be analysed and compared to address differences and similarities in the conception of cult places and their meaning. On the other hand, similarities with henges in South England can be analysed. Stonehenge, Avebury and contextualised landscapes grant comparable insights into the development of ritual and religion through their continuous occupancy. Diverse characteristics of features and a common context with the expansive Bell Beaker phenomenon indicate significant correlations of ritual landscapes during the 3rd millennium BC. The building sequence at the Mittelelbe with square ditch structures, the erection and intentional deconstruction of Pömmelte and chronologically staggered building of Schönebeck resembles the succession of square structure and henges in Avebury, as well as the connection between Bluestonehenge and Stonehenge that is defined by deconstruction and secondary material use. Synchronous and seemingly comparable developments in Central Germany and Southern England require a detailed examination.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants