This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studie... more This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studies of the Neolithic. It unites a group of archaeologists from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, who belong to different research traditions. Our first meetings stressed the need for a cross-border dialogue and a common language for lithic analysis, including raw material analysis, blank production and tool production. We began by highlighting the differences and proximities between the different approaches, the potentialities to bridge these differences, the archaeological goals and the training needed. Our project, therefore, aims to harmonise our study practices in order to promote international communication and collaboration.
This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studie... more This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studies of the Neolithic. It unites a group of archaeologists from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, who belong to different research traditions. Our first meetings stressed the need for a cross-border dialogue and a common language for lithic analysis, including raw material analysis, blank production and tool production. We began by highlighting the differences and proximities between the different approaches, the potentialities to bridge these differences, the archaeological goals and the training needed. Our project, therefore, aims to harmonise our study practices in order to promote international communication and collaboration. Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag soll ein kürzlich ins Leben gerufenes europäisches Gemeinschaftsprojekt vorgestellt werden, das sich mit lithischen Studien des Neolithikums befasst. Es vereint eine Gruppe von Archäolog*innen aus Frankreich, dem Vereinigten Königreich, Belgien, den Niederlanden und Deutschland, die unterschiedlichen Forschungstraditionen angehören. Unsere ersten Treffen verdeutlichten die Notwendigkeit eines grenzüberschreitenden Dialogs und einer gemeinsamen Sprache für die lithische Analyse, zu der die Analyse des Rohmaterials, der Grundformproduktion und der Werkzeugproduktion gehören. Wir begannen damit, die Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen den verschiedenen Ansätzen, die Möglichkeiten zur Überbrückung dieser Unterschiede, die archäologischen Ziele und die erforderliche Ausbildung herauszustellen. Unser Projekt zielt darauf ab, unsere Untersuchungspraktiken zu vereinheitlichen, um die internationale Kommunikation und Zusammenarbeit zu fördern.
Südsauerland – Heimatstimmen aus dem Kreis Olpe, 2021
Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2021): Neue spannende Steinzeitfunde aus Attendorn. Südsauerland – ... more Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2021): Neue spannende Steinzeitfunde aus Attendorn. Südsauerland – Heimatstimmen aus dem Kreis Olpe 1/2021, 5-22.
Vorgestellt wird ein mehrperiodiger, steinzeitlicher Oberflächenfundplatz aus dem südlichen, westfälischen Bergland (Sauerland) bei Attendorn (Kr. Olpe), den Gilbert Schmelter aus der gleichnamigen Stadt neu entdeckt hat. Diese Funde sind für die Region selten bzw. bisher einmalig.
- frühmesolithische (spätes Präboreal) Fundstreuung mit Tonschieferretuscheur, rheinischer und westeuropäischer Rohmaterialkomponente
- endneolithische (Glockenbecher) Pfeilspitze aus belgischem Feuerstein
- ein zerbrochener, nicht vollständig durchlochter Keulenkopf
A multi-period, Stone Age surface site from the southern Westphalian uplands (Sauerland) near Attendorn (Olpe distr.), which the native Gilbert Schmelter has discovered recently, is presented. The finds are rare or so far unique for the region:
- Early Mesolithic (late Preboreal) find scatter with a slate-pebble retoucher, Rhenish and Western European raw material components
- Final Neolithic (Bell Beaker) arrowhead made of Belgian flint
- a broken, not completely perforated club head
Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2020): Besuch vom Niederrhein – ein frühmesolithisches Inventar bei... more Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2020): Besuch vom Niederrhein – ein frühmesolithisches Inventar bei Attendorn-Wamge. Archäologie in Westfalen-Lippe 2019, 39-43.
From a recently discovered lithic scatter, Gilbert Schmelter collected some 250 artefacts made of Baltic flint and regional siliceous slate (lydite). Some raw materials appeared to have been sourced from areas to the west (Lower Rhineland). Based on a few characteristic microliths, the lithic assemblage could be assigned to the Early Mesolithic and demonstrated a Beuronian A influence. Furthermore, the finds included a typical retoucher made on a schist pebble, which showed signs of heavy use – a type rarely found in Westphalia.
Within the Lower Rhine Basin, the local Late Neolithic (3500–2800) is interpreted hitherto as a p... more Within the Lower Rhine Basin, the local Late Neolithic (3500–2800) is interpreted hitherto as a period of low population density. So far, only three settlements and a single pit were excavated that are characterised by a low density of finds and features and a poor significance of finds. It is only by the flint mine with extensive axe production on the Lousberg – well dated by 14C to the time between 3500 and 3000 – and the far reaching distribution of its products that indicate a considerable number of “consumers” during that time. During the analysis of the Lousberg-finds, several surface collections including tested raw material blocks, axe-roughouts and axe-production waste flakes made of Lousberg-flint were surveyed that at least raised suspicion to be of Late Neolithic age. Consequently we looked in detail at two larger of these collections (Elsdorf-Tanneck und Jülich-Stetternich) and worked out several criteria to best-case identify explicitly the surface-collections from this particular period. A mapping of these criteria in a restricted but systematically surveyed area reveals some hints on the settlement-patterns of this period and might help to explain the apparent scantiness of Late Neolithic finds in the Rhineland.
M. Baales & I. Koch (2019): Das „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach im Siegerland: Eine „neue“ frühmesol... more M. Baales & I. Koch (2019): Das „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach im Siegerland: Eine „neue“ frühmesolithische Fundstelle im südlichen Westfalen In: M. Baales & C. Pasda (Hrsg.): „All der holden Hügel ist keiner mir fremd ...“ Festschrift zum 65. Geburtstag von Claus-Joachim Kind. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie 327 (Bonn) 447-457.
Während der letzten 40 Jahre sind durch rege Sammeltätigkeit im südwestfälischen Bergland, besonders im Siegerland, zahlreiche mesolithische Oberflächenfundstellen entdeckt worden. Diese datieren aufgrund ihrer Mikrolithenformen weit überwiegend in das Frühmesolithikum. Archäologische Grabungen zum Mesolithikum haben in der Region dagegen bisher kaum stattgefunden. Eine hiervon – bisher unbeachtet, weil nur als Notiz versteckt publiziert – fand 1997 an den reliktischen Basaltklippen des „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach-Oberdresselndorf statt. Galt die Grabung eigentlich der Vorrömischen Eisenzeit, waren die mesolithischen Steinartefakte zufällig zutage gekommen und daher nur kursorisch dokumentiert worden. Eine kleine Nachgrabung sollte die Situation 2016 klären. Dabei fanden sich wie zuvor einige typisch frühmesolithische Mikrolithen und rund 400 weitere Steinartefakte, die bis 40 cm tief in dem anstehenden, blockschutthaltigen Lehm eingebettet waren. Aufgrund einer Mikrospitze mit gerader, ventraler Basisretusche kann das frühmesolithische Inventar anhand naturwissenschaftlich datierter Parallelen ins ältere Boreal datiert werden. Bemerkenswert ist der vergleichsweise hohe Anteil an mittel-/niederrheinischen Rohmaterialien, vor allem von Chalzedon vom Typ Bonn-Muffendorf. Dies verweist auf einen deutlichen „Westbezug“ der Jägergruppe am Wildweiberhaus. Vermutlich war sie erst kurz zuvor über die Sieg in das bergige Siegerland hinaufgezogen.
The „Wildweiberhaus“ (“home of crazy women”) near Burbach in the Siegerland: a “new” Early Mesolithic site in the southern Westphalian uplands
During the last 40 years numerous Mesolithic surface sites have been discovered due to numerous collecting activities in the Westphalian uplands, especially in Siegerland to the south. These surface sites date due to their microlithic inventories predominantly to the Early Mesolithic. By contrast, archaeological excavations to the Mesolithic have hardly occurred in the region so far. One of these – previously unnoticed because only published as a short note - took place in 1997 at the relict basaltic cliffs of the "Wildweiberhaus" at Burbach-Oberdresselndorf (southernmost part of the Siegerland near to the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse). The excavation of Hartmut Laumann actually was focused to the Iron Age, therefore the Mesolithic lithics which came to light coincidentally were only cursory documented. A new sondage should clarify the situation in 2016. As before, some typical Early Mesolithic microliths and some further 400 lithic artefacts were found, which were embedded to a depth of 40 cm deep in a loamy clay, rich in small (basaltic) boulders. Due to a ventral straight base-retouched microlith (micropoint), the early Mesolithic inventory can be dated to the older Boreal using scientifically dated parallels. Noteworthy is the comparatively high proportion of Central and Lower Rhine raw materials used, especially Chalzedony of the Bonn-Muffendorf type and fine-grained Tertiary quartzite. This reflects a clear reference to the west of the Wildweiberhaus Mesolithic hunter-gatherer group. Presumably, they were only shortly before migrated the 100 km east into the Siegerland uplands using the river Sieg as a route.
Investigations within the Collaborative Research Centre 806 "Our Way to Europe: Culture-Envi... more Investigations within the Collaborative Research Centre 806 "Our Way to Europe: Culture-Environment Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late Quaternary" of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft led to the discovery of new sites of the Aurignacian and Magdalenian in North Rhine-Westphalia. The investigations were conducted in close cooperation with the Rhenish and Westphalian cultural heritage management as well as with numerous local history researchers. After summarising the current state of research in the region, the newly discovered sites are discussed in detail and interpreted in the context of the Aurignacian and Magdalenian settlement pattern in the area under investigation. Eventually, a systematic review of private archaeological collections almost doubled the number of known Upper Palaeolithic sites in North Rhine-Westphalia within three years. With regard to the Aurignacian and Magdalenian, the potential to discover new sites seems comparably large for the forme...
M. Baales & i. Koch (2016): Ein lohnender Besuch in Muffendorf – neue mittel- und jungpaläolithis... more M. Baales & i. Koch (2016): Ein lohnender Besuch in Muffendorf – neue mittel- und jungpaläolithische Chalzedonartefakte aus dem Rheinland. Archäologie im Rheinland 2015, 67-69. - Levallois core and other artefacts from the raw material outcrop; first Middle Palaeolithic artefacts from the Muffendorf Chalzedony outcrop at all - carinated piece from the open air site near by, made of Muffendorf Chalzedony, best indication for Aurignacian occupation phase in Muffendorf so far
Summary – Based on I. Koch’s and H. Löhr’s works, the documentation and evaluation of Mesolithic ... more Summary – Based on I. Koch’s and H. Löhr’s works, the documentation and evaluation of Mesolithic sites in the district of Trier was continued as part of project D4 of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 806 “Our Way to Europe” at the University of Cologne. This paper presents a summary of important results of these investigations from early Boreal sites starting with an analysis of the site “Hüttingen an der Kyll” which could be AMS dated to approximately 8400 calBC, representing the first radiocarbon dating of a Mesolithic site in this region. Moreover, the chronological setting of nine Middle Mesolithic site complexes could be defined by means of typochronological analyses of their microliths. Therefore a contingency table was organised by a simplified canonical correspondence analysis based on radiocarbon dated microliths assemblages of Early and Middle Mesolithic sites from Germany, Luxembourg, and the Low Countries. As a result, the sites can be divided into two chronological groups. On the one hand, the typologically defined microliths and the acquisition of raw material in the district of Trier point to a connection with the Early Boreal Mesolithic of the adjacent regions to the North and the Northwest. On the other hand, the connection to the southwestern German Beuronien B appears to have been relatively weak. To some extent the directional movements and their sequences can be reconstructed by considering the origins of the raw materials of microliths. The thus defined activity zones include the proposed catchment areas and networks of communication beyond these areas. This investigation revealed more extensive areas of activities for the Trier district during the 9th millennium than for the adjacent areas of the northern Eifel, the southern lower Rhineland and the “Bergisches Land”.
Key words – Archaeology; Early Boreal; ancient Middle Mesolithic; Germany; District of Trier; Eifel; AMS dating; botanical investigations; typochronology; lithic raw materials; mobility; activity zones
Light for the Dead – Strike-a-Lights in the Late Neolithic Megalithic Tombs from Erwitte-Schmerle... more Light for the Dead – Strike-a-Lights in the Late Neolithic Megalithic Tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke (Kr. Soest) In this article a larger series of Neolithic strike-a-lights from a verified closed find is presented for the first time. 206 strike-a-lights were discovered in two late Neolithic gallery tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke in the Westphalian Hellweg zone which were completely examined between 2009 and 2013. The series mainly consist of little-worked Baltic flint fragments; however, tools of Western European flint were used as well. Particularly noteworthy are the fragments of two types of axe blades of Lousberg flint as well as two flint strike-a-lights with inherent spherical remains of the associated marcasite nodule. Comparable archaeological finds and the number of individuals buried in the graves from Schmerlecke indicate that only men were provided with such percussion strike-a-lights – perhaps as a part of their day-to-day equipment / costume.
Archäologie in Deutschland 3/2015, 49.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornst... more Archäologie in Deutschland 3/2015, 49.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornstein vom Typ Arnhofen und eines Feuersteindolchfragmentes vom bekannten Fundplatz Dreis-Tiefenbach (Netphen).
The article presents two new diagnostic finds from the multi-phased Stone Age site Dreis-Tiefenba... more The article presents two new diagnostic finds from the multi-phased Stone Age site Dreis-Tiefenbach in Netphen. Due to the origins of its raw material, a truncated blade fragment made of Bavarian tabular chert of the Abensberg-Arnhofen type, is unusual amongst the Middle Neolithic range of finds. The fragment of a Final Neolithic-Early Bronze Age flint dagger of a Scandinavian type extends the chronological depth of the settlement history of this site by a further, very interesting dimension.
A small assemblage of lithic artefacts from Dreis Tiefenbach is the earliest evidence of Neolithi... more A small assemblage of lithic artefacts from Dreis Tiefenbach is the earliest evidence of Neolithic settlers in the low mountain range of the Siegerland. Based on typological considerations the assemblage overall can be attributed to the Middle Neolithic period. Particular attention must be paid to flint artefacts of the Rullen type and to Baltic flint tools. The
latter suggest that the settlers had come into the Siegerland from the north (Hellweg Börde region). Whilst this may have been for many reasons, some severely abraded fragments of
haematite from Dreis Tiefenbach suggest that the exploitation of raw materials for use in the making of colouring agents may have been one of them.
This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studie... more This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studies of the Neolithic. It unites a group of archaeologists from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, who belong to different research traditions. Our first meetings stressed the need for a cross-border dialogue and a common language for lithic analysis, including raw material analysis, blank production and tool production. We began by highlighting the differences and proximities between the different approaches, the potentialities to bridge these differences, the archaeological goals and the training needed. Our project, therefore, aims to harmonise our study practices in order to promote international communication and collaboration.
This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studie... more This paper aims at introducing a recent European collaborative project dedicated to lithic studies of the Neolithic. It unites a group of archaeologists from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, who belong to different research traditions. Our first meetings stressed the need for a cross-border dialogue and a common language for lithic analysis, including raw material analysis, blank production and tool production. We began by highlighting the differences and proximities between the different approaches, the potentialities to bridge these differences, the archaeological goals and the training needed. Our project, therefore, aims to harmonise our study practices in order to promote international communication and collaboration. Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag soll ein kürzlich ins Leben gerufenes europäisches Gemeinschaftsprojekt vorgestellt werden, das sich mit lithischen Studien des Neolithikums befasst. Es vereint eine Gruppe von Archäolog*innen aus Frankreich, dem Vereinigten Königreich, Belgien, den Niederlanden und Deutschland, die unterschiedlichen Forschungstraditionen angehören. Unsere ersten Treffen verdeutlichten die Notwendigkeit eines grenzüberschreitenden Dialogs und einer gemeinsamen Sprache für die lithische Analyse, zu der die Analyse des Rohmaterials, der Grundformproduktion und der Werkzeugproduktion gehören. Wir begannen damit, die Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen den verschiedenen Ansätzen, die Möglichkeiten zur Überbrückung dieser Unterschiede, die archäologischen Ziele und die erforderliche Ausbildung herauszustellen. Unser Projekt zielt darauf ab, unsere Untersuchungspraktiken zu vereinheitlichen, um die internationale Kommunikation und Zusammenarbeit zu fördern.
Südsauerland – Heimatstimmen aus dem Kreis Olpe, 2021
Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2021): Neue spannende Steinzeitfunde aus Attendorn. Südsauerland – ... more Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2021): Neue spannende Steinzeitfunde aus Attendorn. Südsauerland – Heimatstimmen aus dem Kreis Olpe 1/2021, 5-22.
Vorgestellt wird ein mehrperiodiger, steinzeitlicher Oberflächenfundplatz aus dem südlichen, westfälischen Bergland (Sauerland) bei Attendorn (Kr. Olpe), den Gilbert Schmelter aus der gleichnamigen Stadt neu entdeckt hat. Diese Funde sind für die Region selten bzw. bisher einmalig.
- frühmesolithische (spätes Präboreal) Fundstreuung mit Tonschieferretuscheur, rheinischer und westeuropäischer Rohmaterialkomponente
- endneolithische (Glockenbecher) Pfeilspitze aus belgischem Feuerstein
- ein zerbrochener, nicht vollständig durchlochter Keulenkopf
A multi-period, Stone Age surface site from the southern Westphalian uplands (Sauerland) near Attendorn (Olpe distr.), which the native Gilbert Schmelter has discovered recently, is presented. The finds are rare or so far unique for the region:
- Early Mesolithic (late Preboreal) find scatter with a slate-pebble retoucher, Rhenish and Western European raw material components
- Final Neolithic (Bell Beaker) arrowhead made of Belgian flint
- a broken, not completely perforated club head
Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2020): Besuch vom Niederrhein – ein frühmesolithisches Inventar bei... more Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2020): Besuch vom Niederrhein – ein frühmesolithisches Inventar bei Attendorn-Wamge. Archäologie in Westfalen-Lippe 2019, 39-43.
From a recently discovered lithic scatter, Gilbert Schmelter collected some 250 artefacts made of Baltic flint and regional siliceous slate (lydite). Some raw materials appeared to have been sourced from areas to the west (Lower Rhineland). Based on a few characteristic microliths, the lithic assemblage could be assigned to the Early Mesolithic and demonstrated a Beuronian A influence. Furthermore, the finds included a typical retoucher made on a schist pebble, which showed signs of heavy use – a type rarely found in Westphalia.
Within the Lower Rhine Basin, the local Late Neolithic (3500–2800) is interpreted hitherto as a p... more Within the Lower Rhine Basin, the local Late Neolithic (3500–2800) is interpreted hitherto as a period of low population density. So far, only three settlements and a single pit were excavated that are characterised by a low density of finds and features and a poor significance of finds. It is only by the flint mine with extensive axe production on the Lousberg – well dated by 14C to the time between 3500 and 3000 – and the far reaching distribution of its products that indicate a considerable number of “consumers” during that time. During the analysis of the Lousberg-finds, several surface collections including tested raw material blocks, axe-roughouts and axe-production waste flakes made of Lousberg-flint were surveyed that at least raised suspicion to be of Late Neolithic age. Consequently we looked in detail at two larger of these collections (Elsdorf-Tanneck und Jülich-Stetternich) and worked out several criteria to best-case identify explicitly the surface-collections from this particular period. A mapping of these criteria in a restricted but systematically surveyed area reveals some hints on the settlement-patterns of this period and might help to explain the apparent scantiness of Late Neolithic finds in the Rhineland.
M. Baales & I. Koch (2019): Das „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach im Siegerland: Eine „neue“ frühmesol... more M. Baales & I. Koch (2019): Das „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach im Siegerland: Eine „neue“ frühmesolithische Fundstelle im südlichen Westfalen In: M. Baales & C. Pasda (Hrsg.): „All der holden Hügel ist keiner mir fremd ...“ Festschrift zum 65. Geburtstag von Claus-Joachim Kind. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie 327 (Bonn) 447-457.
Während der letzten 40 Jahre sind durch rege Sammeltätigkeit im südwestfälischen Bergland, besonders im Siegerland, zahlreiche mesolithische Oberflächenfundstellen entdeckt worden. Diese datieren aufgrund ihrer Mikrolithenformen weit überwiegend in das Frühmesolithikum. Archäologische Grabungen zum Mesolithikum haben in der Region dagegen bisher kaum stattgefunden. Eine hiervon – bisher unbeachtet, weil nur als Notiz versteckt publiziert – fand 1997 an den reliktischen Basaltklippen des „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach-Oberdresselndorf statt. Galt die Grabung eigentlich der Vorrömischen Eisenzeit, waren die mesolithischen Steinartefakte zufällig zutage gekommen und daher nur kursorisch dokumentiert worden. Eine kleine Nachgrabung sollte die Situation 2016 klären. Dabei fanden sich wie zuvor einige typisch frühmesolithische Mikrolithen und rund 400 weitere Steinartefakte, die bis 40 cm tief in dem anstehenden, blockschutthaltigen Lehm eingebettet waren. Aufgrund einer Mikrospitze mit gerader, ventraler Basisretusche kann das frühmesolithische Inventar anhand naturwissenschaftlich datierter Parallelen ins ältere Boreal datiert werden. Bemerkenswert ist der vergleichsweise hohe Anteil an mittel-/niederrheinischen Rohmaterialien, vor allem von Chalzedon vom Typ Bonn-Muffendorf. Dies verweist auf einen deutlichen „Westbezug“ der Jägergruppe am Wildweiberhaus. Vermutlich war sie erst kurz zuvor über die Sieg in das bergige Siegerland hinaufgezogen.
The „Wildweiberhaus“ (“home of crazy women”) near Burbach in the Siegerland: a “new” Early Mesolithic site in the southern Westphalian uplands
During the last 40 years numerous Mesolithic surface sites have been discovered due to numerous collecting activities in the Westphalian uplands, especially in Siegerland to the south. These surface sites date due to their microlithic inventories predominantly to the Early Mesolithic. By contrast, archaeological excavations to the Mesolithic have hardly occurred in the region so far. One of these – previously unnoticed because only published as a short note - took place in 1997 at the relict basaltic cliffs of the "Wildweiberhaus" at Burbach-Oberdresselndorf (southernmost part of the Siegerland near to the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse). The excavation of Hartmut Laumann actually was focused to the Iron Age, therefore the Mesolithic lithics which came to light coincidentally were only cursory documented. A new sondage should clarify the situation in 2016. As before, some typical Early Mesolithic microliths and some further 400 lithic artefacts were found, which were embedded to a depth of 40 cm deep in a loamy clay, rich in small (basaltic) boulders. Due to a ventral straight base-retouched microlith (micropoint), the early Mesolithic inventory can be dated to the older Boreal using scientifically dated parallels. Noteworthy is the comparatively high proportion of Central and Lower Rhine raw materials used, especially Chalzedony of the Bonn-Muffendorf type and fine-grained Tertiary quartzite. This reflects a clear reference to the west of the Wildweiberhaus Mesolithic hunter-gatherer group. Presumably, they were only shortly before migrated the 100 km east into the Siegerland uplands using the river Sieg as a route.
Investigations within the Collaborative Research Centre 806 "Our Way to Europe: Culture-Envi... more Investigations within the Collaborative Research Centre 806 "Our Way to Europe: Culture-Environment Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late Quaternary" of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft led to the discovery of new sites of the Aurignacian and Magdalenian in North Rhine-Westphalia. The investigations were conducted in close cooperation with the Rhenish and Westphalian cultural heritage management as well as with numerous local history researchers. After summarising the current state of research in the region, the newly discovered sites are discussed in detail and interpreted in the context of the Aurignacian and Magdalenian settlement pattern in the area under investigation. Eventually, a systematic review of private archaeological collections almost doubled the number of known Upper Palaeolithic sites in North Rhine-Westphalia within three years. With regard to the Aurignacian and Magdalenian, the potential to discover new sites seems comparably large for the forme...
M. Baales & i. Koch (2016): Ein lohnender Besuch in Muffendorf – neue mittel- und jungpaläolithis... more M. Baales & i. Koch (2016): Ein lohnender Besuch in Muffendorf – neue mittel- und jungpaläolithische Chalzedonartefakte aus dem Rheinland. Archäologie im Rheinland 2015, 67-69. - Levallois core and other artefacts from the raw material outcrop; first Middle Palaeolithic artefacts from the Muffendorf Chalzedony outcrop at all - carinated piece from the open air site near by, made of Muffendorf Chalzedony, best indication for Aurignacian occupation phase in Muffendorf so far
Summary – Based on I. Koch’s and H. Löhr’s works, the documentation and evaluation of Mesolithic ... more Summary – Based on I. Koch’s and H. Löhr’s works, the documentation and evaluation of Mesolithic sites in the district of Trier was continued as part of project D4 of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 806 “Our Way to Europe” at the University of Cologne. This paper presents a summary of important results of these investigations from early Boreal sites starting with an analysis of the site “Hüttingen an der Kyll” which could be AMS dated to approximately 8400 calBC, representing the first radiocarbon dating of a Mesolithic site in this region. Moreover, the chronological setting of nine Middle Mesolithic site complexes could be defined by means of typochronological analyses of their microliths. Therefore a contingency table was organised by a simplified canonical correspondence analysis based on radiocarbon dated microliths assemblages of Early and Middle Mesolithic sites from Germany, Luxembourg, and the Low Countries. As a result, the sites can be divided into two chronological groups. On the one hand, the typologically defined microliths and the acquisition of raw material in the district of Trier point to a connection with the Early Boreal Mesolithic of the adjacent regions to the North and the Northwest. On the other hand, the connection to the southwestern German Beuronien B appears to have been relatively weak. To some extent the directional movements and their sequences can be reconstructed by considering the origins of the raw materials of microliths. The thus defined activity zones include the proposed catchment areas and networks of communication beyond these areas. This investigation revealed more extensive areas of activities for the Trier district during the 9th millennium than for the adjacent areas of the northern Eifel, the southern lower Rhineland and the “Bergisches Land”.
Key words – Archaeology; Early Boreal; ancient Middle Mesolithic; Germany; District of Trier; Eifel; AMS dating; botanical investigations; typochronology; lithic raw materials; mobility; activity zones
Light for the Dead – Strike-a-Lights in the Late Neolithic Megalithic Tombs from Erwitte-Schmerle... more Light for the Dead – Strike-a-Lights in the Late Neolithic Megalithic Tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke (Kr. Soest) In this article a larger series of Neolithic strike-a-lights from a verified closed find is presented for the first time. 206 strike-a-lights were discovered in two late Neolithic gallery tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke in the Westphalian Hellweg zone which were completely examined between 2009 and 2013. The series mainly consist of little-worked Baltic flint fragments; however, tools of Western European flint were used as well. Particularly noteworthy are the fragments of two types of axe blades of Lousberg flint as well as two flint strike-a-lights with inherent spherical remains of the associated marcasite nodule. Comparable archaeological finds and the number of individuals buried in the graves from Schmerlecke indicate that only men were provided with such percussion strike-a-lights – perhaps as a part of their day-to-day equipment / costume.
Archäologie in Deutschland 3/2015, 49.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornst... more Archäologie in Deutschland 3/2015, 49.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornstein vom Typ Arnhofen und eines Feuersteindolchfragmentes vom bekannten Fundplatz Dreis-Tiefenbach (Netphen).
The article presents two new diagnostic finds from the multi-phased Stone Age site Dreis-Tiefenba... more The article presents two new diagnostic finds from the multi-phased Stone Age site Dreis-Tiefenbach in Netphen. Due to the origins of its raw material, a truncated blade fragment made of Bavarian tabular chert of the Abensberg-Arnhofen type, is unusual amongst the Middle Neolithic range of finds. The fragment of a Final Neolithic-Early Bronze Age flint dagger of a Scandinavian type extends the chronological depth of the settlement history of this site by a further, very interesting dimension.
A small assemblage of lithic artefacts from Dreis Tiefenbach is the earliest evidence of Neolithi... more A small assemblage of lithic artefacts from Dreis Tiefenbach is the earliest evidence of Neolithic settlers in the low mountain range of the Siegerland. Based on typological considerations the assemblage overall can be attributed to the Middle Neolithic period. Particular attention must be paid to flint artefacts of the Rullen type and to Baltic flint tools. The
latter suggest that the settlers had come into the Siegerland from the north (Hellweg Börde region). Whilst this may have been for many reasons, some severely abraded fragments of
haematite from Dreis Tiefenbach suggest that the exploitation of raw materials for use in the making of colouring agents may have been one of them.
Einem weiteren „weißen Fleck“ auf der Landkarte des 4. Jahrtausends widmeten sich Daniel Schyle, ... more Einem weiteren „weißen Fleck“ auf der Landkarte des 4. Jahrtausends widmeten sich Daniel Schyle, Ingrid Koch und Silviane Scharl. Auch im Rheinland ist die Zeit des Spätneolithikums bisher kaum fassbar. Der umfangreiche Abbau von Feuerstein am Lousberg in Aachen und die weite Verbreitung dieses Materials in der Region weisen aber auf eine durchgehende Besiedlung hin. Allerdings ist wohl mit eher kleinen und wenig ortskonstanten Siedelplätzen zu rechnen. Anhand zweier umfangreicher Inventare konnten Ansatzpunkte für eine präzisere Charakterisierung der spätneolithischen Silexindustrie auch über die geschliffenen Flintbeile hinaus entwickelt werden.
(source: T. Link/R. Perschke/J. Pyzel, Das 4. Jahrtausend. Bericht über die Sitzung der AG Neolithikum im Rahmen der 80. Tagung des Nordwestdeutschen Verbandes für Altertumsforschung in Lübeck am 2. und 3. September 2013. Archäologische Informationen 36, 2013, 191-196)
Silviane Scharl & Birgit Gehlen (eds.) Mobility in Prehistoric Sedentary Societies. Papers of the CRC 806 Workshop in Cologne 26th-27th June 2015. Kölner Studien zur Prähistorischen Archäologie 8. Rahden/Westfalen 2017: Leidorf, 39 -73., 2017
Introduction
This paper discusses the interaction between foragers and farmers during the variou... more Introduction
This paper discusses the interaction between foragers and farmers during the various phases of the neolithisation processes in south-western and north-western central europe. The disparate state of research on Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups and early Neolithic farmers in terms of the certainty of the detailed chronology, the number
of sites and the comprehensiveness of the find and feature analyses, does not permit a discussion on the basis of equally-weighted data. Nevertheless, examples can be found
to illustrate and evaluate such interaction with regard to the questions raised in this volume on “Mobility in prehistoric sedentary societies”. Important for the following discussions are the distribution maps (Figs. 2–4) and the sites of special interest (Fig. 1; list of sites in Appendix, p. 73).
From the 6th to the 3rd millennium BC, the Neolithic corresponds to a vast stream of innovations ... more From the 6th to the 3rd millennium BC, the Neolithic corresponds to a vast stream of innovations that have affected human societies in temperate Europe. The study of the material culture of these Neolithic populations reveals the existence of very extensive exchange networks. The latter are particularly visible through the sphere of lithic productions. However, the recognition of the circulation of siliceous products is closely related to advances in the characterization of raw materials on the one hand, and technological studies on the other. The study of the networks for the diffusion of raw materials therefore contributes to highlighting the mobility and connectivity of agro-pastoral communities during the Neolithic. The triptych (identification of raw materials/technological analysis/confrontation with theoretical data and modelling) constitutes a rapidly expanding research dynamic for a detailed understanding of the socio-economic organization of Neolithic populations. However, while diffusion networks transcend our national borders, there is currently no cross-border academic training. This project of scientific events for young researchers therefore aims at developing international standards for the analysis of lithic assemblages and at promoting exchange and collaboration beyond the national borders of the area concerned. These standards will be based on the development of commonly agreed criteria creating a modus operandi for the description and analysis of raw materials and technological characteristics. With this in mind, we will seek to pool the highly complementary specific scientific expertise of each of the three institutions involved in this project. In addition, we hope, that the young researchers will also benefit from the intergenerational transmission of this complementary knowledge, since experienced and international renowned experts will take part in the projected workshops.
Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2024): Steinhammer eines frühen Metallurgen. Archäologie in Deutsch... more Michael Baales & Ingrid Koch (2024): Steinhammer eines frühen Metallurgen. Archäologie in Deutschland 1/2024, 61-62.
Kurze Notiz zu einem Altfund, einem schweren Gestein, dass deutliche Nutzungsbereiche zeigt, die bei der intensiven Bearbeitung von Gold oder Kupfer während des ausgehenden Neolithikums entstanden sind. Das Stück fand sich vor Jahrzehnten in der Gemarkung Ostereiden bei Rüthen (Kr. Soest, Südwestfalen).
Short note on a Final neolithic lithic implement which was used to hammer early metall like gold or copper from soutern Westphalia (Rüthen, distr. Soest).
Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2023): Neue »Exoten« aus dem südwestfälischen Neolithikum. Archäolo... more Ingrid Koch & Michael Baales (2023): Neue »Exoten« aus dem südwestfälischen Neolithikum. Archäologie in Westfalen-Lippe 2022, 55-58.
The two artefacts presented here, which were found some decades ago in southern Westphalia, are made from French flint. The fragment of a long flint dagger blade from Unna-Hemmerde is made from the well-known Grand-Pressigny flint, enriching the small collection of such finds from southern Westphalia. Meanwhile, the blade fragment from Kreuztal-Ferndorf is one of Westphalia’s rare examples of an artefact made from tertiary Bartonian flint.
Vorgestellt werden zwei französische Feuersteinfunde, die vor Jahrzehnten bereits in Südwestfalen gefunden wurden. Ein Spandolch-Fragment aus Unna-Hemmerde besteht aus dem bekannten Feuerstein von Grand-Pressigny und bereichert die wenigen südwestfälischen Fundnachweise, wohingegen ein Klingenfragment aus Kreuztal-Ferndorf einer der ersten sicher bestimmten Funde des tertiären Bartonien-Silex in Westfalen ist.
REVOLUTION jungSTEINZEIT. Begleitband zur Archäologischen Landesausstellung NRW, 2015
Christian Groer, Ingrid Koch, Kathrin Nowak & Bernhard Stapel 2015 - Nottuln-Uphoven und Netphen.... more Christian Groer, Ingrid Koch, Kathrin Nowak & Bernhard Stapel 2015 - Nottuln-Uphoven und Netphen. Der Beginn der jungsteinzeitlichen Erschließung der westfälischen Tieflandbucht und der Mittelgebirge. In: T. Otten, J. Kunow, M. M. Rind & M. Trier (Hrsg.): REVOLUTION jungSTEINZEIT. Begleitband zur Archäologischen Landesausstellung 2015. Schriften zur Bodendenkmalpflege in Nordrhein-Westfalen 11,1. Darmstadt, 356-359.
The training course organised in Cologne from 7th to 12th February 2022 will focus on introducing... more The training course organised in Cologne from 7th to 12th February 2022 will focus on introducing and updating knowledge on the characterisation of silicites (flint, chert, silcrete, jasperoids) used to make tools by prehistoric communities. Integrated into action III of the GDR «Silex» (directed by C. Bressy-Leandri, French ministry of culture and communication), its objective is to promote the conceptual advances and the most recently developed characterisation methods, to explain them, and to encourage their dissemination with a view to harmonising, networking and pooling siliceous geomaterial references on a European scale. Recent methodological advances, taking into account the concept of the 'evolutionary chain' make it possible to overcome many dead ends in terms of characterising the origins of rocks. This will be applied to the Upper Cretaceous flints of the Benelux (silicites from the Mons Basin, the Hesbaye and Limburg), in order to reinforce the skills of petroarchaeologists and archaeologists and enabling them to develop more reliable models. reinforcing the skills of petroarchaeologists and archaeologists and enabling them to develop more reliable models. These models, which concern individual or collective behaviour, territoriality and mobility systems, or transfers and exchanges during prehistory, are at the heart of the research of many laboratories. Language: The manifestations will be held in English. Help can be provided in French and German. Registrations: The proposed Scientific Event will be open to all young researchers from Master to postdoctoral fellows and current researchers. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the UFA for 12 participants. Therefore, potential participants are asked to send a short letter of motivation. Call for applications closes on 5th December 2021.
Uploads
Papers by Ingrid E. Koch
Vorgestellt wird ein mehrperiodiger, steinzeitlicher Oberflächenfundplatz aus dem südlichen, westfälischen Bergland (Sauerland) bei Attendorn (Kr. Olpe), den Gilbert Schmelter aus der gleichnamigen Stadt neu entdeckt hat. Diese Funde sind für die Region selten bzw. bisher einmalig.
- frühmesolithische (spätes Präboreal) Fundstreuung mit Tonschieferretuscheur, rheinischer und westeuropäischer Rohmaterialkomponente
- endneolithische (Glockenbecher) Pfeilspitze aus belgischem Feuerstein
- ein zerbrochener, nicht vollständig durchlochter Keulenkopf
A multi-period, Stone Age surface site from the southern Westphalian uplands (Sauerland) near Attendorn (Olpe distr.), which the native Gilbert Schmelter has discovered recently, is presented. The finds are rare or so far unique for the region:
- Early Mesolithic (late Preboreal) find scatter with a slate-pebble retoucher, Rhenish and Western European raw material components
- Final Neolithic (Bell Beaker) arrowhead made of Belgian flint
- a broken, not completely perforated club head
From a recently discovered lithic scatter, Gilbert Schmelter collected some 250 artefacts made of Baltic flint and regional siliceous slate (lydite). Some raw materials appeared to have been sourced from areas to the west (Lower Rhineland). Based on a few characteristic microliths,
the lithic assemblage could be assigned to the Early Mesolithic and demonstrated a Beuronian A influence. Furthermore, the finds included a typical retoucher made on a schist pebble, which showed signs of heavy use – a type rarely found in Westphalia.
density. So far, only three settlements and a single pit were excavated that are characterised by a low density of finds
and features and a poor significance of finds. It is only by the flint mine with extensive axe production on the Lousberg
– well dated by 14C to the time between 3500 and 3000 – and the far reaching distribution of its products that
indicate a considerable number of “consumers” during that time.
During the analysis of the Lousberg-finds, several surface collections including tested raw material blocks,
axe-roughouts and axe-production waste flakes made of Lousberg-flint were surveyed that at least raised suspicion
to be of Late Neolithic age. Consequently we looked in detail at two larger of these collections (Elsdorf-Tanneck und
Jülich-Stetternich) and worked out several criteria to best-case identify explicitly the surface-collections from this particular
period. A mapping of these criteria in a restricted but systematically surveyed area reveals some hints on the
settlement-patterns of this period and might help to explain the apparent scantiness of Late Neolithic finds in the
Rhineland.
Während der letzten 40 Jahre sind durch rege Sammeltätigkeit im südwestfälischen Bergland, besonders im Siegerland, zahlreiche mesolithische Oberflächenfundstellen entdeckt worden. Diese datieren aufgrund ihrer Mikrolithenformen weit überwiegend in das Frühmesolithikum. Archäologische Grabungen zum Mesolithikum haben in der Region dagegen bisher kaum stattgefunden. Eine hiervon – bisher unbeachtet, weil nur als Notiz versteckt publiziert – fand 1997 an den reliktischen Basaltklippen des „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach-Oberdresselndorf statt. Galt die Grabung eigentlich der Vorrömischen Eisenzeit, waren die mesolithischen Steinartefakte zufällig zutage gekommen und daher nur kursorisch dokumentiert worden. Eine kleine Nachgrabung sollte die Situation 2016 klären. Dabei fanden sich wie zuvor einige typisch frühmesolithische Mikrolithen und rund 400 weitere Steinartefakte, die bis 40 cm tief in dem anstehenden, blockschutthaltigen Lehm eingebettet waren. Aufgrund einer Mikrospitze mit gerader, ventraler Basisretusche kann das frühmesolithische Inventar anhand naturwissenschaftlich datierter Parallelen ins ältere Boreal datiert werden. Bemerkenswert ist der vergleichsweise hohe Anteil an mittel-/niederrheinischen Rohmaterialien, vor allem von Chalzedon vom Typ Bonn-Muffendorf. Dies verweist auf einen deutlichen „Westbezug“ der Jägergruppe am Wildweiberhaus. Vermutlich war sie erst kurz zuvor über die Sieg in das bergige Siegerland hinaufgezogen.
The „Wildweiberhaus“ (“home of crazy women”) near Burbach in the Siegerland: a “new” Early Mesolithic site in the southern Westphalian uplands
During the last 40 years numerous Mesolithic surface sites have been discovered due to numerous collecting activities in the Westphalian uplands, especially in Siegerland to the south. These surface sites date due to their microlithic inventories predominantly to the Early Mesolithic. By contrast, archaeological excavations to the Mesolithic have hardly occurred in the region so far.
One of these – previously unnoticed because only published as a short note - took place in 1997 at the relict basaltic cliffs of the "Wildweiberhaus" at Burbach-Oberdresselndorf (southernmost part of the Siegerland near to the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse). The excavation of Hartmut Laumann actually was focused to the Iron Age, therefore the Mesolithic lithics which came to light coincidentally were only cursory documented. A new sondage should clarify the situation in 2016.
As before, some typical Early Mesolithic microliths and some further 400 lithic artefacts were found, which were embedded to a depth of 40 cm deep in a loamy clay, rich in small (basaltic) boulders. Due to a ventral straight base-retouched microlith (micropoint), the early Mesolithic inventory can be dated to the older Boreal using scientifically dated parallels.
Noteworthy is the comparatively high proportion of Central and Lower Rhine raw materials used, especially Chalzedony of the Bonn-Muffendorf type and fine-grained Tertiary quartzite. This reflects a clear reference to the west of the Wildweiberhaus Mesolithic hunter-gatherer group. Presumably, they were only shortly before migrated the 100 km east into the Siegerland uplands using the river Sieg as a route.
- Levallois core and other artefacts from the raw material outcrop; first Middle Palaeolithic artefacts from the Muffendorf Chalzedony outcrop at all
- carinated piece from the open air site near by, made of Muffendorf Chalzedony, best indication for Aurignacian occupation phase in Muffendorf so far
Key words – Archaeology; Early Boreal; ancient Middle Mesolithic; Germany; District of Trier; Eifel; AMS dating; botanical investigations; typochronology; lithic raw materials; mobility; activity zones
In this article a larger series of Neolithic strike-a-lights from a verified closed find is presented for the first time. 206 strike-a-lights were discovered in two late Neolithic gallery tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke in the Westphalian Hellweg zone which were completely examined between 2009 and 2013. The series mainly consist of little-worked Baltic flint fragments; however, tools of Western European flint were used as well. Particularly noteworthy are the fragments of two types of axe blades of Lousberg flint as well as two flint strike-a-lights with inherent spherical remains of the associated marcasite nodule. Comparable archaeological finds and the number of individuals buried in the graves from Schmerlecke indicate that only men were provided with such percussion strike-a-lights – perhaps as a part of their day-to-day equipment / costume.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornstein vom Typ Arnhofen und eines Feuersteindolchfragmentes vom bekannten Fundplatz Dreis-Tiefenbach (Netphen).
latter suggest that the settlers had come into the Siegerland from the north (Hellweg Börde region). Whilst this may have been for many reasons, some severely abraded fragments of
haematite from Dreis Tiefenbach suggest that the exploitation of raw materials for use in the making of colouring agents may have been one of them.
Vorgestellt wird ein mehrperiodiger, steinzeitlicher Oberflächenfundplatz aus dem südlichen, westfälischen Bergland (Sauerland) bei Attendorn (Kr. Olpe), den Gilbert Schmelter aus der gleichnamigen Stadt neu entdeckt hat. Diese Funde sind für die Region selten bzw. bisher einmalig.
- frühmesolithische (spätes Präboreal) Fundstreuung mit Tonschieferretuscheur, rheinischer und westeuropäischer Rohmaterialkomponente
- endneolithische (Glockenbecher) Pfeilspitze aus belgischem Feuerstein
- ein zerbrochener, nicht vollständig durchlochter Keulenkopf
A multi-period, Stone Age surface site from the southern Westphalian uplands (Sauerland) near Attendorn (Olpe distr.), which the native Gilbert Schmelter has discovered recently, is presented. The finds are rare or so far unique for the region:
- Early Mesolithic (late Preboreal) find scatter with a slate-pebble retoucher, Rhenish and Western European raw material components
- Final Neolithic (Bell Beaker) arrowhead made of Belgian flint
- a broken, not completely perforated club head
From a recently discovered lithic scatter, Gilbert Schmelter collected some 250 artefacts made of Baltic flint and regional siliceous slate (lydite). Some raw materials appeared to have been sourced from areas to the west (Lower Rhineland). Based on a few characteristic microliths,
the lithic assemblage could be assigned to the Early Mesolithic and demonstrated a Beuronian A influence. Furthermore, the finds included a typical retoucher made on a schist pebble, which showed signs of heavy use – a type rarely found in Westphalia.
density. So far, only three settlements and a single pit were excavated that are characterised by a low density of finds
and features and a poor significance of finds. It is only by the flint mine with extensive axe production on the Lousberg
– well dated by 14C to the time between 3500 and 3000 – and the far reaching distribution of its products that
indicate a considerable number of “consumers” during that time.
During the analysis of the Lousberg-finds, several surface collections including tested raw material blocks,
axe-roughouts and axe-production waste flakes made of Lousberg-flint were surveyed that at least raised suspicion
to be of Late Neolithic age. Consequently we looked in detail at two larger of these collections (Elsdorf-Tanneck und
Jülich-Stetternich) and worked out several criteria to best-case identify explicitly the surface-collections from this particular
period. A mapping of these criteria in a restricted but systematically surveyed area reveals some hints on the
settlement-patterns of this period and might help to explain the apparent scantiness of Late Neolithic finds in the
Rhineland.
Während der letzten 40 Jahre sind durch rege Sammeltätigkeit im südwestfälischen Bergland, besonders im Siegerland, zahlreiche mesolithische Oberflächenfundstellen entdeckt worden. Diese datieren aufgrund ihrer Mikrolithenformen weit überwiegend in das Frühmesolithikum. Archäologische Grabungen zum Mesolithikum haben in der Region dagegen bisher kaum stattgefunden. Eine hiervon – bisher unbeachtet, weil nur als Notiz versteckt publiziert – fand 1997 an den reliktischen Basaltklippen des „Wildweiberhaus“ bei Burbach-Oberdresselndorf statt. Galt die Grabung eigentlich der Vorrömischen Eisenzeit, waren die mesolithischen Steinartefakte zufällig zutage gekommen und daher nur kursorisch dokumentiert worden. Eine kleine Nachgrabung sollte die Situation 2016 klären. Dabei fanden sich wie zuvor einige typisch frühmesolithische Mikrolithen und rund 400 weitere Steinartefakte, die bis 40 cm tief in dem anstehenden, blockschutthaltigen Lehm eingebettet waren. Aufgrund einer Mikrospitze mit gerader, ventraler Basisretusche kann das frühmesolithische Inventar anhand naturwissenschaftlich datierter Parallelen ins ältere Boreal datiert werden. Bemerkenswert ist der vergleichsweise hohe Anteil an mittel-/niederrheinischen Rohmaterialien, vor allem von Chalzedon vom Typ Bonn-Muffendorf. Dies verweist auf einen deutlichen „Westbezug“ der Jägergruppe am Wildweiberhaus. Vermutlich war sie erst kurz zuvor über die Sieg in das bergige Siegerland hinaufgezogen.
The „Wildweiberhaus“ (“home of crazy women”) near Burbach in the Siegerland: a “new” Early Mesolithic site in the southern Westphalian uplands
During the last 40 years numerous Mesolithic surface sites have been discovered due to numerous collecting activities in the Westphalian uplands, especially in Siegerland to the south. These surface sites date due to their microlithic inventories predominantly to the Early Mesolithic. By contrast, archaeological excavations to the Mesolithic have hardly occurred in the region so far.
One of these – previously unnoticed because only published as a short note - took place in 1997 at the relict basaltic cliffs of the "Wildweiberhaus" at Burbach-Oberdresselndorf (southernmost part of the Siegerland near to the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse). The excavation of Hartmut Laumann actually was focused to the Iron Age, therefore the Mesolithic lithics which came to light coincidentally were only cursory documented. A new sondage should clarify the situation in 2016.
As before, some typical Early Mesolithic microliths and some further 400 lithic artefacts were found, which were embedded to a depth of 40 cm deep in a loamy clay, rich in small (basaltic) boulders. Due to a ventral straight base-retouched microlith (micropoint), the early Mesolithic inventory can be dated to the older Boreal using scientifically dated parallels.
Noteworthy is the comparatively high proportion of Central and Lower Rhine raw materials used, especially Chalzedony of the Bonn-Muffendorf type and fine-grained Tertiary quartzite. This reflects a clear reference to the west of the Wildweiberhaus Mesolithic hunter-gatherer group. Presumably, they were only shortly before migrated the 100 km east into the Siegerland uplands using the river Sieg as a route.
- Levallois core and other artefacts from the raw material outcrop; first Middle Palaeolithic artefacts from the Muffendorf Chalzedony outcrop at all
- carinated piece from the open air site near by, made of Muffendorf Chalzedony, best indication for Aurignacian occupation phase in Muffendorf so far
Key words – Archaeology; Early Boreal; ancient Middle Mesolithic; Germany; District of Trier; Eifel; AMS dating; botanical investigations; typochronology; lithic raw materials; mobility; activity zones
In this article a larger series of Neolithic strike-a-lights from a verified closed find is presented for the first time. 206 strike-a-lights were discovered in two late Neolithic gallery tombs from Erwitte-Schmerlecke in the Westphalian Hellweg zone which were completely examined between 2009 and 2013. The series mainly consist of little-worked Baltic flint fragments; however, tools of Western European flint were used as well. Particularly noteworthy are the fragments of two types of axe blades of Lousberg flint as well as two flint strike-a-lights with inherent spherical remains of the associated marcasite nodule. Comparable archaeological finds and the number of individuals buried in the graves from Schmerlecke indicate that only men were provided with such percussion strike-a-lights – perhaps as a part of their day-to-day equipment / costume.
Kurzbeschreibung einer endretuschierten Klinge aus Hornstein vom Typ Arnhofen und eines Feuersteindolchfragmentes vom bekannten Fundplatz Dreis-Tiefenbach (Netphen).
latter suggest that the settlers had come into the Siegerland from the north (Hellweg Börde region). Whilst this may have been for many reasons, some severely abraded fragments of
haematite from Dreis Tiefenbach suggest that the exploitation of raw materials for use in the making of colouring agents may have been one of them.
(source: T. Link/R. Perschke/J. Pyzel, Das 4. Jahrtausend. Bericht über die Sitzung der AG Neolithikum im Rahmen der 80. Tagung des Nordwestdeutschen Verbandes für Altertumsforschung in Lübeck am 2. und 3. September 2013. Archäologische Informationen 36, 2013, 191-196)
This paper discusses the interaction between foragers and farmers during the various phases of the neolithisation processes in south-western and north-western central europe. The disparate state of research on Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups and early Neolithic farmers in terms of the certainty of the detailed chronology, the number
of sites and the comprehensiveness of the find and feature analyses, does not permit a discussion on the basis of equally-weighted data. Nevertheless, examples can be found
to illustrate and evaluate such interaction with regard to the questions raised in this volume on “Mobility in prehistoric sedentary societies”. Important for the following discussions are the distribution maps (Figs. 2–4) and the sites of special interest (Fig. 1; list of sites in Appendix, p. 73).
Kurze Notiz zu einem Altfund, einem schweren Gestein, dass deutliche Nutzungsbereiche zeigt, die bei der intensiven Bearbeitung von Gold oder Kupfer während des ausgehenden Neolithikums entstanden sind. Das Stück fand sich vor Jahrzehnten in der Gemarkung Ostereiden bei Rüthen (Kr. Soest, Südwestfalen).
Short note on a Final neolithic lithic implement which was used to hammer early metall like gold or copper from soutern Westphalia (Rüthen, distr. Soest).
The two artefacts presented here, which were found some decades ago in southern Westphalia, are made from French flint. The fragment of a long flint dagger blade from Unna-Hemmerde is made from the well-known Grand-Pressigny flint, enriching the small collection of such finds from southern Westphalia. Meanwhile, the blade fragment from Kreuztal-Ferndorf is one of Westphalia’s rare examples of an artefact made from tertiary Bartonian flint.
Vorgestellt werden zwei französische Feuersteinfunde, die vor Jahrzehnten bereits in Südwestfalen gefunden wurden. Ein Spandolch-Fragment aus Unna-Hemmerde besteht aus dem bekannten Feuerstein von Grand-Pressigny und bereichert die wenigen südwestfälischen Fundnachweise, wohingegen ein Klingenfragment aus Kreuztal-Ferndorf einer der ersten sicher bestimmten Funde des tertiären Bartonien-Silex in Westfalen ist.