Enclosures and settlements of the Michelsberg culture in Lower Franconia – archaeological and natural-scientific analysis on dating, settlement process and function

• Applicant: Dr. Nils Ostermeier
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 524743671

Within Southern Germany, until today Franconia (Northern Bavaria) did not belong to the distribution area of the characteristic enclosures of the Michelsberg culture (4400–3500 BC); the easternmost representatives were known in the Neckar region near Heilbronn and the lower reaches of the Main River. Field research at Bütthard-Gaurettersheim by the University of Würzburg – Chair of Prehistoric Archaeology in 2020 provided the first evidence of a Michelsberg enclosure in Northern Bavaria. Subsequently, a further Young Neolithic earthwork was discovered near Bütthard-Oesfeld, and near to Kitzingen-Repperndorf and Ochsenfurt-Darstadt/Goßmannsdorf were investigated two presumed Michelsberg enclosures more. Furthermore, a settlement near Ochsenfurt-Hopferstadt was documented. Based on the latest findings, the distribution of Michelsberg culture earthworks must be extended to the area of Northern Bavaria. Thus, the project aims at the intensive archaeological and natural-scientific investigation of the Franconian enclosures as unique prehistoric monuments in this area. The enclosures are examined using a process of archaeological fieldwork, consisting of a sequence of geophysical prospection, aerial archaeology by UAS, survey, ground penetration radar, geoelectric prospection and drilling, supplemented by archaeobotany, radiocarbon dating, archaeozoology and phosphate analysis. The funds requested enable archaeobotanical analyses on soil samples from Edelmann drill pipes. In addition to archaeobotanical statements, the investigations aim at obtaining datable material in the form of short-lived botanic residues. In order to acquire a solid database, a series of 40 radiocarbon dates is scheduled. To obtain further information on the use and function of the earthworks, phosphate analyses will be carried out on soil samples from drill cores. Furthermore, the large number of well-preserved faunal remains from the settlement of Hopferstadt and the enclosure of Repperndorf are extraordinarily suitable for archaeozoological investigations. With the help of the natural-scientific analyses, the Würzburg Prehistoric Chair’s investigations on the Franconian enclosures and settlements will be continued and brought to an initial conclusion. The focus is on questions of dating, settlement sequence and function. The project also provides a basis for further investigations to the Michelsberg culture in the Lower Franconian Main region. For field research, the Würzburg Chair of Prehistoric Archaeology uses a sequence of non-destructive to minimally invasive prospecting methods. None of the methods used is new; however, their combination has proved to be extremely effective in earthwork research delivering a maximum gain of knowledge. In addition to increase the understanding of the Young Neolithic, the project establishes this prospecting method in archaeological research of earthworks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants