EAA 2023: Abstract

Oppidum Závist is one of the longest-settled hilltop sites in Bohemia and a unique example of urban space in Iron Age Central Europe. Despite intensive archaeological investigations from the 1960s to the 1990s, most of the settlement area remained unexplored, as research focused largely on the most prominent structures. Our research questions focus on the use of space through time, population density dynamics, and economic activities. We address the challenges associated with a site of intensive prehistorical occupation studied through a comprehensive surveying methodology: geochemical analysis and radiocarbon dating of charcoal collected from soil coring, complemented by geophysical surveys and spatial analysis of artefacts obtained from metal detector surveys.
Previously conducted large-scale magnetic surveys revealed settlement activity, particularly in the bailey at the foot of the slope, just outside the fifth of six defensive walls, showing pits and linear structures. GPR added a structural analysis and depth component to the magnetic data. A massive support structure appears to prop up the second extensive man-made platform called Balda to the west of the acropolis. The main task of geochemical research is to differentiate the surveyed locations by their function. The geochemical footprint of many pre-Iron Age periods is however distorted by the extensive changes in inhabited space during the 1st millennium BC. Soil investigations and new dating revealed sediment sequences that reflect different phases of use in the Early Medieval period and the Early La Tène period. The latter also contains older charcoal, evidencing fire activities in the Late Bronze Age. Whether the medieval overprint is related to agricultural activities on these terrace-like slopes remains to be seen in further studies by micromorphology, biomarker and XRF analysis. Results from the metal detector survey indicate an important change in the character of settlement during the Iron Age.

Iron age, Bohemia, Hillfort, Geochemical analysis, Geophysical survey, Metal detector survey

Oral presentation

  Abstract (PDF)

Daniel Bursak³

Katja Kothieringer²
Till Sonnemann¹
Alžběta Danielisová³
Roman Křivánek³
René Kyselý³
David Daněček³
Samuel Kertés³