LBK DIALOGUES CONTINUE: VIEWS FROM THE FRONTIERS
Alena Lukes, Marek Zvelebil, Paul Pettitt
Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield
Northgate House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 4ET, United Kingdom
Session abstract
To explore recent developments in research and fieldwork focused on LBK origin
amongst the broader archaeological community, specifically highlighting the indigenous
versus migrationist origin debate.
The session will have three aims: (1) to explore and discuss new research (2) to explore
the earliest LBK cultural tradition and current understanding of lifeways as they may
have been before its emergence and 3) theoretical constraints affecting the understanding
of LBK origin.
Paper abstracts
THE EMERGENCE OF THE LBK – A CASE STUDY IN CULTURAL AND GENETIC
TRANSMISSION
Marek Zvelebil, Alena Lukes, Paul Pettitt
In this presentation, we review the progress made through research into the origins of the
LBK culture since the EAA meeting in Thessaloniki in 2003, when our first session about
the emergence of the LBK took place. We go on to argue that the interactions between
the First Balkan Neolithic cultures of south-east Europe (Karanovo-Starcevo-Cris-Koros)
and the indigenous hunter-gatherers of of the Middle Danube basin (the Beuronian
culture in western Hungary, eastern Austria, and southern Slovakia and Moravia) resulted
in the emergence of the LBK. We explore the processes of genetic and cultural
transmission that arose from contact and interaction between these two populations, and
consider the social, historical and environmental conditions that have facilitated the
constitution of the new cultural tradition – the LBK. We introduce a particular case study
– the settlement and cemetery at Vedrovice, southern Moravia, as a regional example of
such interactive processes. In conclusion, we consider the impact of the LBK
reconsidered as a social tradition arising from the several cultural and genetic sources
(the local Mesolithic and the First Balkan Neolithic at minimum) within the broader
context of Neolithic studies in Europe.
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DIET AND HEALTH AT THE TRANSITION TO AGRICULTURE
Malcolm Lillie
This paper will consider the nature of the transition to agriculture from the perspective of
the impacts that this event has on human health. In particular, a consideration of hunter-
gatherer versus farmer rates of pathology and indicators of dietary stress will be
evaluated for a range of locations in Europe; the evidence for any shifts in expression of
pathology will be assessed; and an evaluation of the impact of any dietary transition will
attempted.
The study will place an emphasis on the evidence obtained from a recent study of the
nature of pathology in evidence at the earlier LBK cemetery site of Vedrovice, Znojmo
district, Moravia, and consider this against the available evidence considered in the wider
regional survey. Inferences on disease expression and prevalence, and the possible
consequences of this in terms of health status will be drawn for the LBK, and from the
wider regional study.
EXPLORING THE DIET OF THE PEOPLE FROM AN EARLY LKB CEMETERY
MORAVIA, THE CZECK REPUBLIC, USING DENTAL MICROWEAR ANALYSIS.
Pia Nystrom
SITE IN
The question of how and when the practice of agriculture spread through out Europe is
fundamental as it reflects one of the most significant transitions undergone by human
societies. In this study, the diet adaptation of a population from the early LBK site of
Vedrovice, located in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic, is examined. Of the 85
individuals available from the cemetery, 32 yielded replicas of sufficient quality to be
analysed. High resolution replicas were made of facet 9 on the second molar. These
samples were examined with a high resolution scanning electron microscope at 500x.
From digital images dental microwear features (pits and striations) were recorded using a
semi-automated image analysis system.
The results suggest that the Vedrovice people had a very ‘soft’ diet, with little evidence
of exogenous abrasives, such as grit, ingested with the food. All the examined individuals
showed a preponderance of striations, which is commensurate with a highly processed
diet. Quite a few individuals had teeth where the occlusal enamel showed a curious
etched appearance, where sharp dental microwear features could not be observed. There
are two possible explanations for this appearance. The teeth may have been exposed to
post-mortem modifications, possibly due to acidic solution used to clean the teeth.
Alternatively, these individuals consumed a highly acidic diet, possibly a fermented food
staple.
DIETARY INFERENCES USING BUCCAL MICROWEAR ANALYSIS
POPULATION FROM VEDROVICE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Ivana Jarošová
ON THE
LBK
Dental microwear analyses reflect important information concerning diet in
bioarchaeological populations. Dietary trends can be reconstructed by quantifying enamel
microwear patterns and assuming a correlation between ingested diet and microwear
patterns on the enamel surface of teeth.
A study of buccal dental microwear patterns was carried out on individuals from the
Vedrovice site, Znojmo district, Czech Republic, dated to Neolithic period, specifically
the Linearbandkeramik (LBK) phase of the cemetery.
For each individual negative replicas of the buccal surface were obtained using
polyvinylsiloxane Affinis Regular Body (Coltène®). Bicomponent polyuretane resin
Feroca Ferropur PR-55 was applied to make positive moulds. Only molars or premolars
that showed clear microwear patterns were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.
Finally, SigmaScan Pro 5.0, image analysis software, was used to quantify microwear
patterns for length, orientation and number of all observed striations in a 0.56 mm2
square surface area. Obtained results were compared with published datasets acquired
from studying various modern hunters-gatherer, pastoralist, and agriculturists with
different dietary habits (Lalueza et al. 1996).
The analysis yielded a distinct microwear pattern for the Vedrovice sample. The density
and the length of microstriations showed inter-group sex and age related variability,
which presumably resulted from a different ratio of meat intake versus plant foods.
Moreover, observed differences in the amount of abrasive particles in the diet might have
originated from food preparation technology associated with early agriculturalist
techniques.
DIET AND MIGRATION AT THE CEMETERY SITE OF VEDROVICE, CZECH
REPUBLIC: A REPORT ON ISOTOPE ANALYSES OF HUMAN REMAINS
Vaughan Grimes, Janet Montgomery, Olaf Nehlich, Michael Richards
The early LBK “Siroka u Lesa” cemetery site of Vedrovice, Czech Republic plays
a key role in the ongoing debate over the development and spread of agricultural
practices into central Europe during the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition. Fundamental to
these issues is whether the expansion of agriculture was a product of intra-regional
developments or occurred as a result of interaction with migrants bringing with them a
new way of life, i.e. the ‘Neolithic package’. Here we present the results from recent
isotope analyses conducted on human remains from Vedrovice to help elucidate aspects
of migratory behaviour and diet within the context of this significant event. Dental
enamel samples from 23 individuals were obtained and analyzed for strontium isotope
ratios (87Sr/86Sr) while a subset (7 teeth) also had strontium, lead and barium
concentrations analyzed. Additionally, we analyzed carbon (d13C), nitrogen (d15N) and
sulphur (d34S) isotopes in bone collagen to directly obtain dietary information. Most of
the samples have 87Sr/86Sr values consistent with originating from the same place. This
may represent the local Vedrovice area, however, the absence of ‘local’ biosphere
87
Sr/86Sr data makes this conclusion tentative. We suggest that 3 (possibly) 4 of the
individuals sampled may have originated outside of the Vedrovice area. Regarding diet,
there was significant similarity between the individuals and indicated a dependence on C 3
rather than C4 (i.e. millet) foodstuffs. Through comparison with d13C and d15N data from
later (Iron Age) Czech sites, it appears the Vedrovice humans derived most of their
protein from animal (herbivore) sources. Analysis of d34S in bone collagen from the same
samples is forthcoming and will also be discussed.
DIETARY TRENDS, ENVIRONMENT AND MOBILITY FROM CHEMICAL BONE ANALYSES OF
LBK POPULATION VEDROVICE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Václav Smrčka, Martin Mihaljevič,Vojtěch Erban, and František Bůzek
Human skeletal remains from early Neolithic graves in Vedrovice, the Czech Republic
were analyzed for information on human diet and mobility. Samples of ribs were used for
the analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes from organic part of collagen.
Results from the analysis of 17 LBK individuals indicated that human skeletons (N – 17)
at the Vedrovice cemetery have the following range of constant isotopes of nitrogen in
the bone collagen (δ 15N + 9.10 up to 10.9 ‰ with an average of 10.14 ‰) and constant
isotopes of carbon (δ 13C -19.94 up to –22.4 ‰ , with an average of –21.30 ‰).
The constant isotopes of nitrogen ((δ 15N) in six males (10.52 ± 0.5 ‰) are higher than
in six females (9.90 ± 0.6‰) ( p=0.099). Constant isotopes of carbon (δ 13C) in six males
(-20.86 ± 0.54 ‰) are also higher than in six females ( -21.67 ± 0.5‰) ( p=0.050).
The population from the Vedrovice cemetery was dependent on terrestrial plants of the
type of photosynthesis C3 (wheat).
Strontium isotope ratios were measured in bone and tooth enamel to determine if these
individuals had changed "geological" residence during their lifetime. Tooth enamel
does not change during early childhood. Bone changes continually through life. The
difference in the strontium isotope ratio between bone and enamel in the same individual
indicates change in residence. Biological migration indicated by the analysis of Sr in the
dental enamel and skeletal remains was compared with migration determined by
petrographic analysis from Neolithic pottery differentiating imported pottery from local
products. Six imports – and potential non-locals, were petrographically determined from
the set of 27 graves comprising ceramic vessels (27/76, 37/76, 66/78, 70/ 79, 79/79,
83/80) i.e. 22 % migration was determined by this method. The analyses were performed
by Dr. Hložek and Doc. Grégrová from the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Brno. Seven
graves (81a/79, 70/79, 69/78, 36/76, 27/76, 19/75, 18/75) were simultaneously submitted
to the analyses by means of both methods i.e. by Sr analysis from the skeletons and by
petrographic analyses of pottery. At the same time, non-locals were independently
determined in four graves (81a/ 79, 70/ 79, 69/78 and 67/78) and by Sr analysis, in two
graves (70/79, 69/ 78) by petrographic analysis of pottery. A young female in grave 27/76
was determined as non-local only petrographically.
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TWO PRINCIPAL WAVES OF NEOLITHIZATION:
TRANSDANUBIA
Eszter Bánffy and Krisztián Oross
THE
LBK
DEVELOPMENT
IN
In the past fifteen years a more and more detailed picture of the formative phase of the
LBK has been observed and described in Transdanubia. It can be bolstered by a series of
arguments that the Neolithic transition of this period meant but a basically still Mesolithic
subsistence, completed with some elements of the Neolithic package. A majoritiy of
small sites were located in marshy areas, favourable for fishing, hunting and gathering,
but meanwhile unsuitable for food production as a basis of subsistence.
As a sharp contrast, from the beginning of the Keszthely and Notenkopf phases, larger
communities settled on arabic loess plateaus and began to exclusively live on agriculture.
Over 20 sites are known to date, where the remains of above ground posthole-framed
LBK houses were uncovered. New evidence e.g. from Balatonszárszó-Kis-erdei-dűlő
denote revolutionary changes in the scale and structure of settlements and further on also
in subsistence strategies. The beginning of the younger LBK phases lies by 5300 cal BC
according to the available radiocarbon dates. The aim of the paper is to present the
dynamics of the LBK development in Western Hungary.
PRENEOLITHIC IMPACT ON THE SEDIMENT SEQUENCE OF THE PEAT BOG AT
NAGYBÁRKÁNY (N HUNGARY)
Péter Majkut, Mariann Imre1 and Pál Sümegi1
Nowadays the peat bog at Nagybárkány called „Nádas-tó” (Reedy Lake) is a basin
mostly covered with an association consisting of species of Sphagnum, Phragmites,
Carex and Salix. It is situated in northwestern Hungary in the Cserhát mountains, on the
northwestern slope of mountain Hármashatár-hegy. The depression is less than 200
meters in diameter, therefore, according to examinations accomplished in the past, it can
be considered an ideal catchment basin that reflects effects and changes of local
environment that be either natural or anthropogenic. An undisturbed and uninterrupted
sample of 3.4 meters was taken using the Russian-head corer that is a well-known and
widely used boring tool in the fieldwork of geoarcheological examinations. The
undisturbed and uninterrupted sample was cut into two halves lengthwise and was sliced
to 4-8 cm subsamples. Sedimentary examinations were based on organic matter and
carbonate content that had been gained using the method of material loss on ignition and
on data concerning concentration of certain chemical elements gained by means of
atomic absorption spectrofotometry. Chronology was based on 5 radiocarbon dates. As a
result of our examinations we could find out that the sediment collecting basin formed
due to a landslide probably on the turn of the 11th and 10th millennia before Christ. In
this basin a shallow oligotrophic-mesotrophic pond developed, then at the end of the 10th
millennia before Christ sphagnum and reed started to spread, the water level slowly
decreased and the lake gradually turned into a peat bog. This process might have
culminated by the 5th millennia before Christ, when, according to a peak in organic
matter the whole basin might have been covered with vegetation. Unfortunately, only a
few catchment basins can be found in Hungary that contain the Mesolithic/Neolithic
transition layers in their sediment sequences. One of the best can be seen in the core
sequence of the Reedy Lake in N Hungary. Therefore, the Mesolithic and Neolithic
environs can be drawn based on the geoarcheological analyses. Clear Preneolithic impact
can be detected on the Late Mesolithic layers of the sequence (about 7000 cal BC). After
this Preneolithic impact a strong human impact can be drawn which correlates (between
5000-5300 cal BC) with Neolithisation process according to emergence of cereals pollen
and microcharcoal maximum.
LBK LIFEWAYS AND THE INDEGENOUS VS. MIGRATIONIST ORIGIN DEBATE. A CASE OF
THE NORTH EUROPEAN PLAIN LBK COMMUNITIES
Arkadiusz Marciniak
The LBK phenomenon on the North European Plain is often linked with early farmers’
rapid colonization of new territory. Emergence of the early Neolithic groups in this new
territory is believed to make possible contacts with the local hunter-gatherers that
inhabited some areas in the Northern European Plain prior to their arrival. These contacts
supposedly led, in the long run, to the acculturation of the indigenous population. This
largely normative narrative has been considerably biased towards the emergence of food
production.
The paper aims to discuss interactions between the Linear Band Pottery farmers and
hunter-gatherers on the North European Plain with an explicit aim to challenge this longterm temporal perspective and model relating to adaptation, subsistence and nutrition.
These relations should be addressed at the level of everyday activities aimed at creating
and maintaining the group’s stability and identity. The paper will also debate a feasibility
of the ‘Neolithic package’ to capture the character of LBK communities in the North
European Plain. In particular, it will explore the earliest tradition and lifeways of this
segment of the LBK population such as social arrangements, spatial embeddeness as well
as food related practices to interrogate the indegenous vs. migrationist origin debate from
a hitherto unexplored perspective.
DRAWING A LINE IN THE SAND? TECHNO-TYPOLOGIES, CULTURAL TRANSMISSION
PROCESSES, AND MODELING CONTACT ACROSS LBK 'FRONTIERS': A VIEW FROM THE
SCHELDT BASIN (BELGIUM)
Erick N. Robinson, Philippe Crombé, and Joris Sergant
Recent work in the Scheldt basin (Belgium) has noted the occurrence of LBK lithic
industry guide artifacts and technologies beyond the traditionally demarcated frontiers of
LBK landscapes within the middle Belgian loess belt. The primary question arising from
these occurrences centre on their resolution for interpreting possible contact and cultural
transmission between LBK and indigenous hunting-fishing-gathering populations. While
suggestive of contact, the appearance of armatures and core-reduction technologies
similar to those of the LBK in association with later Mesolithic settlement zones and
guide artifacts is still little understood in terms of explaining the significant loci of
cultural transmission during neolithisation processes in this region. This presentation
explores the various prospects and problems for using lithic guide artifacts and
technologies to explain cultural transmission processes during the neolithisation of the
Scheldt basin. The primary aim of this presentation is to present preliminary conclusions
on the relational significance of techno-typological resemblance to the construction of
cultural frontiers during the Early Neolithic.
Jaromir Benes
LBK Burials
Zdenek Cizmar
Flint Distribution During the LBK Period in Western Europe
Pierre Allard
(Poster)