Papers by Tanja Trausmuth-Wallner
Fundberichte aus Österreich 59, 2020
Bericht über ein Projekt , in dem geophysikalische Methoden zur archäologischen Prospektion auf d... more Bericht über ein Projekt , in dem geophysikalische Methoden zur archäologischen Prospektion auf dem Areal einer villa rustica der Römischen Kaiserzeit in Mitterpullendorf, Burgenland, angewendet wurden. Neben dieser wurden auch weitere (urgeschichtliche?) Siedlungsbefunde und Hinweise auf Eisenerzeugung (Rennöfen) festgestellt.
New Insights into a Romanesque Basilica Church in the Deserted Town of Corvey, Germany, Based on a High-Resolution GPR Survey
ArcheoSciences 45-1, 2021
Located in a bend of the river Weser near Höxter in eastern Westphalia (Germany), Corvey is one o... more Located in a bend of the river Weser near Höxter in eastern Westphalia (Germany), Corvey is one of the largest abandoned medieval towns in Central Europe. Excavations led by Hans-Georg Stephan between the 1970s and early 2000s revealed stone-walled cellars, a paved road and remains of a large church with cemetery (Stephan, 2000). Despite his seminal work, the geography and development of the urban settlement are still poorly understood. Therefore, the archaeology department of the regional association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro) initiated a high-resolution GPR and magnetometry surtentative parish church, which was partially excavated in 1988 (Coolen et al., 2020). Combining the results of the GPR survey with evidence from the excavation, we can reconstruct the building in great detail and draw further conclusions on its chronology and architectural context.
The ‘Archpro Carnuntum’ Project – Integrated Archaeological Interpretation of Combined Prospection Data, Carnuntum (Austria)
Épités - Épitészettudomány, Feb 16, 2021
The potential of large-scale, non-invasive prospection methods has been widely recognized in arch... more The potential of large-scale, non-invasive prospection methods has been widely recognized in archaeology in recent years. Their outstanding possibilities for the exploration of urban centres have been realised early on and applied at selected sites. The ‘ArchPro Carnuntum’ project stands out for its extensive investigation of a Roman provincial capital by the combined application of a wide variety of survey methods (aerial archaeology, magnetometry, ground penetrating radar, extensive field survey) resulting in detailed information on the ancient infrastructure of the Roman metropolis. Within the project, it was not only possible to discover new settlement areas, but in some cases even to deduce their former purpose. As a result, the military administrative centre, newly built residential areas, and temporary military camps could be detected in the archaeological landscape of Carnuntum. This paper presents an overview of the results of this internationally unique prospection project.
Zerstörungsfreie archäologische Prospektion des römischen Carnuntum – erste Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts „ArchPro Carnuntum“
Carnuntum Jahrbuch
Over the course of four years (2012–2015) the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prosp... more Over the course of four years (2012–2015) the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro), in collaboration with the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) and on behalf of the provincial government of Lower Austria, has conducted the comprehensive, non-invasive archaeological prospection project entitled “ArchPro Carnuntum”. The purpose of this project has been to generate a basis for future archaeological research and the sustainable spatial planning and cultural heritage management in the area. By combining new information on buried archaeology using different aerial and ground-based archaeological prospection methods and a thorough archaeological interpretation of the combined data within the framework of a GIS environment, it was possible to document Carnuntum’s archaeological heritage, which is threatened by a dramatic increase in erosion and destruction through ploughing, infrastructure development and looting by treasure hunters. In total, an area covering eight square kilometres was explored at very high sampling resolution using magnetic prospection methods, while 2.5 square kilometres were mapped with ultra-high resolution ground-penetrating radar measurements. The results of the project and the spatio-temporal analysis and interpretation of the prospection data are presented here as a preliminary report.
Remote Sensing
Large parts of the urban layout of the abandoned Roman town of Bassianae (in present-day Serbia) ... more Large parts of the urban layout of the abandoned Roman town of Bassianae (in present-day Serbia) are still discernible on the surface today due to the deliberate and targeted quarrying of the Roman foundations. In 2014, all of the town’s intramural (and some extramural) areas were surveyed using aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar, and magnetometry to analyze the site’s topography and to map remaining buried structures. The surveys showed a strong agreement between the digital surface model derived from the aerial photographs and the geophysical prospection data. However, many structures could only be detected by one method, underlining the benefits of a complementary archaeological prospection approach using multiple methods. This article presents the results of the extensive surveys and their comprehensive integrative interpretation, discussing Bassianae’s ground plan and urban infrastructure. Starting with an overview of this Roman town’s research history, we present the...
Since 2010 the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project (SHLP) has undertaken extensive archaeologica... more Since 2010 the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project (SHLP) has undertaken extensive archaeological prospection across much of the landscape surrounding Stonehenge. These remote sensing and geophysical surveys have revealed a significant number of new sites and landscape features whilst providing new information on many previously known monuments. The project goal to integrate multimethod mapping over large areas of the landscape has also provided opportunities to re‐interpret the landscape context of individual monuments and, in the case of the major henge at Durrington Walls, to generate novel insights into the structure and sequence of a monument which has attracted considerable research attention over many decades. This article outlines the recent work of the SHLP and the results of the survey at Durrington Walls that shed new light on this enigmatic monument including a site 'hidden' within the monument.
New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection, 13th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, 2019
Lebenswelten zwischen Archäologie und Geschichte - Festschrift für Falko Daim zu seinem 65. Geburtstag, 2018
Durrington walls and the Stonehenge Hidden Landscape Project 2010-2016
Archaeological Prospection 25 (3), 2018
Zerstörungsfreie archäologische Prospektion des römischen Carnuntum – erste Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts „ArchPro Carnuntum“
Carnuntum Jahrbuch, 2018
Over the course of four years (2012–2015) the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prosp... more Over the course of four years (2012–2015) the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro), in collaboration with the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) and on behalf of the provincial government of Lower Austria, has conducted the comprehensive, non-invasive archaeological prospection project entitled “ArchPro Carnuntum”. The purpose of this project has been to generate a basis for future archaeological research and the sustainable spatial planning and cultural heritage management in the area. By combining new information on buried archaeology using different aerial and ground-based archaeological prospection methods and a thorough archaeological interpretation of the combined data within the framework of a GIS environment, it was possible to document Carnuntum’s archaeological heritage, which is threatened by a dramatic increase in erosion and destruction through ploughing, infrastructure development and looting by treasure hunters. In total, an area covering eight square kilometres was explored at very high sampling resolution using magnetic prospection methods, while 2.5 square kilometres were mapped with ultra-high resolution ground-penetrating radar measurements. The results of the project and the spatio-temporal analysis and interpretation of the prospection data are presented here as a preliminary report.
In Raimund Karl & Jutta Leskovar, Interpretierte Eisenzeiten 7. Fallstudien, Methoden, Theorie. Tagungsbeiträge der 7. Linzer Gespräche zur interpretativen Eisenzeitarchäologie, Studien zur Kulturgeschichte von Oberösterreich, Folge 47, Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum, p. 243-254, Linz 2017., 2017
Das konventionelle Bild von Archäologen über eisenzeitliche Ernährung wird hauptsächlich durch di... more Das konventionelle Bild von Archäologen über eisenzeitliche Ernährung wird hauptsächlich durch die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse aus archäologischen Funden, sowie durch archäobotanische und archäozoologische Analysen geprägt. Per Definition werden Nahrungsmittel jedoch in der Regel gegessen und sind daher nicht in ihrer ursprünglichen Form erhalten. Somit und aufgrund der generell schwierigen Erhaltungsbedingungen von organischen Materialien ist die Aussagekraft des herkömmlichen archäologischen Methodenkanons, bezüglich einer umfassenden Darstellung der prähistorischen Ernährung, in gewissem Sinne eingeschränkt. Zusätzlich werden in den meisten wissenschaftlichen Publikationen der Archäobotanik und Archäozoologie meist nur unbearbeitete bzw. ungekochte Zutaten in der jeweils aufgefundenen und/oder hochgerechneten Quantität aufgelistet und beschrieben. Da wir jedoch nicht explizit davon ausgehen sollten, dass die eisenzeitliche Bevölkerung ihre Lebensmittel ausschließlich ungekocht, roh oder nicht zubereitet verzehrte, sind wir aufgrund der fehlenden schriftlichen Überlieferungen von Kochrezepten im zentraleuropäischen Raum der Eisenzeit gezwungen, das Spektrum der zur Verfügung stehenden Quellen grundlegend zu erweitern. Abstract The conventional archaeological view of Iron Age diet has mostly been determined by the results of the analysis of archaeological, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological finds. Yet, per definition, food is normally consumed and thus does not survive in its original form. Thus, and also due to the generally poor preservation of organic materials, traditional archaeological methods are rather badly suited to create a holistic picture of prehistoric diet. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that most archaeobotanical and archaeozoological publications normally only list and describe unprepared and uncooked ingredients, either in quantities found, or extrapolated. However, since we cannot reasonably assume that Iron Age populations consumed their diet exclusively raw, uncooked and unprepared, the lack of extant manuscripts of cooking recipes from Iron Age central Europe necessitates a significant expansion of the range of examined sources. R. Karl, J. Leskovar [Hrsg.] (2017), Interpretierte Eisenzeiten. Fallstudien, Methoden, Theorie. Tagungsbeiträge der 7. Linzer Gespräche zur interpretativen Eisenzeitarchäologie. Studien zur Kulturgeschichte von Oberösterreich, Folge 47, Linz, 243-254.
Due to the large scale geophysical prospection in the small town of Rechnitz in Burgenland, Austr... more Due to the large scale geophysical prospection in the small town of Rechnitz in Burgenland, Austria three circular ditch structures, so called Kreisgrabenanlagen (KGA's) as well as plenty of early neolithic house structures have been discovered.
Since 2010 the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project (SHLP) has undertaken extensive arch... more Since 2010 the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project (SHLP) has undertaken extensive archaeological prospection across much of the landscape
surrounding Stonehenge. The sheer scale, resolution and complexity of the data produced are unprecedented. The results range from discoveries of new prehistoric monuments to the very detailed mapping of extensive multi-period field-systems and modern complexes such as Royal Air Force Stonehenge. Inevitably, there is particular interest in the landscape context of Stonehenge itself from the 3rd millennium BC, our knowledge of which has greatly increased as a result of the project. In this interpretative context, the significance of the Durrington Walls ‘super-henge ́, located c. 3 km to the north-east of Stonehenge, cannot be overrated.
The roughly circular henge enclosure consists of an internal ditch up to 5.5m deep and 18m wide, and an external chalk rubble bank surviving up to 1.5m high and up to c. 32m wide, with an overall diameter of c. 480 metres. It encloses a number of other structures, including two timber circles excavated by Wainwright on the east side of the enclosure (Wainwright and Longworth 1971, 204-34).
The ‘Stonehenge Riverside Project’ investigations have significantly changed our understanding of the monument. It is now clear that a settlement existed prior to the henge construction, dated to c. 2525-2440 BC, and it has been suggested that it was inhabited by up to 4000 people (Parker Pearson 2012, 109-111), although this extrapolation of the excavated south-east entrance area data is conjectural and direct evidence for wider occupation is limited.
surrounding Stonehenge. The sheer scale, resolution and complexity of the data produced are unprecedented. The results range from discoveries of new prehistoric monuments to the very detailed mapping of extensive multi-period field-systems and modern complexes such as Royal Air Force Stonehenge. Inevitably, there is particular interest in the landscape context of Stonehenge itself from the 3rd millennium BC, our knowledge of which has greatly increased as a result of the project. In this interpretative context, the significance of the Durrington Walls ‘super-henge ́, located c. 3 km to the north-east of Stonehenge, cannot be overrated.
The roughly circular henge enclosure consists of an internal ditch up to 5.5m deep and 18m wide, and an external chalk rubble bank surviving up to 1.5m high and up to c. 32m wide, with an overall diameter of c. 480 metres. It encloses a number of other structures, including two timber circles excavated by Wainwright on the east side of the enclosure (Wainwright and Longworth 1971, 204-34).
The ‘Stonehenge Riverside Project’ investigations have significantly changed our understanding of the monument. It is now clear that a settlement existed prior to the henge construction, dated to c. 2525-2440 BC, and it has been suggested that it was inhabited by up to 4000 people (Parker Pearson 2012, 109-111), although this extrapolation of the excavated south-east entrance area data is conjectural and direct evidence for wider occupation is limited.
Modern archaeology is nowadays widely understood as a multi-methodological discipline, ... more Modern archaeology is nowadays widely understood as a multi-methodological discipline, which, as an interdisciplinary approach, often produces a large amount of mostly non-uniform information.
This melange of data generates new challenges concerning its joint interpretation; the generated information has to be understood, interpreted and interlinked within its given archaeological setting. In particular, non-invasive high-resolution archaeological prospection projects, offer a great potential for the detailed investigation of archaeological sites. The combination of remote sensing and nearsurface geophysical survey methods is a specifically
useful approach as the methods complement each other without damaging the archaeological heritage.
One of the LBI ArchPro case studies is to investigate the phenomenon of Neolithic circular enclosures (Kreisgrabenanlagen) in eastern Austria. These monuments are usually built on loess, a soil type that is favourable for magnetometry but provides no or only very limited penetration for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) pulses. Therefore, these prehistoric monuments were overwhelmingly discovered and investigated using aerial photography and magnetic prospection. Both methods are well suited to detect and map these sites. However, three-dimensional depth information could only be gathered through cost intensive and destructive excavations.
The presented site of the circular ring ditch system of Velm (parish of Himberg in Lower Austria) is situated on gravel, deposited as river sediments. Discovered by aerial photography in 2000 and re-photographed in 2001 (Fig. 1), it offered itself as an ideal candidate for a multi-methodological prospection approach. Due to the unique ground conditions, several non-invasive archaeological prospection methods, including GPR, could be successfully applied and generated spectacular results.
This melange of data generates new challenges concerning its joint interpretation; the generated information has to be understood, interpreted and interlinked within its given archaeological setting. In particular, non-invasive high-resolution archaeological prospection projects, offer a great potential for the detailed investigation of archaeological sites. The combination of remote sensing and nearsurface geophysical survey methods is a specifically
useful approach as the methods complement each other without damaging the archaeological heritage.
One of the LBI ArchPro case studies is to investigate the phenomenon of Neolithic circular enclosures (Kreisgrabenanlagen) in eastern Austria. These monuments are usually built on loess, a soil type that is favourable for magnetometry but provides no or only very limited penetration for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) pulses. Therefore, these prehistoric monuments were overwhelmingly discovered and investigated using aerial photography and magnetic prospection. Both methods are well suited to detect and map these sites. However, three-dimensional depth information could only be gathered through cost intensive and destructive excavations.
The presented site of the circular ring ditch system of Velm (parish of Himberg in Lower Austria) is situated on gravel, deposited as river sediments. Discovered by aerial photography in 2000 and re-photographed in 2001 (Fig. 1), it offered itself as an ideal candidate for a multi-methodological prospection approach. Due to the unique ground conditions, several non-invasive archaeological prospection methods, including GPR, could be successfully applied and generated spectacular results.
Im Sommer 2009 führte die Bangor University in Zusammenarbeit mit dem “Heather and Hillforts”-Pro... more Im Sommer 2009 führte die Bangor University in Zusammenarbeit mit dem “Heather and Hillforts”-Projekt des Denbighshire County Council und der Universität Wien Grabungen in der früheisenzeitlichen Höhensiedlung Moel y Gaer in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd in Nordostwales durch (Abb. 1). Die Grabung, die auch als Lehrgrabung für StudentInnen der beteiligten Universitäten durchgeführt wurde, verfolgte dabei primär das Ziel Daten zu Aufbau und Datierung der inneren Wallanlage dieser mehrfach umwallten Höhensiedlung zu gewinnen. Zu diesem Zweck wurde auf Basis vorhergegangener geophysikalischer Untersuchungen durch EAS Ltd. (Brooks & Laws 2007; 2008) ein Schnitt durch den inneren Wall sowie ein zweiter, kleinerer Schnitt an der Innenseite des inneren Walls angelegt.
Abstract
In 2009, geophysical surveys were conducted in Rathcroghan, the place described as the r... more Abstract
In 2009, geophysical surveys were conducted in Rathcroghan, the place described as the royal seat of Ailill and Medb in medieval Irish texts. This article discusses whether the medieval descriptions of the royal residence ’Cruachan Aí‘ can be related to the results of this geophysical surveys and to other, excavated archaeological structures similar to features discovered at Rathcroghan. It is argued that the archaeological information can successfully be used as an additional interpretational aid for previously somewhat confusing or difficult to translate passages of the Old- and Middle-Irish narratives, and vice versa the texts be used to help interpreting the archaeological record.
In 2009, geophysical surveys were conducted in Rathcroghan, the place described as the royal seat of Ailill and Medb in medieval Irish texts. This article discusses whether the medieval descriptions of the royal residence ’Cruachan Aí‘ can be related to the results of this geophysical surveys and to other, excavated archaeological structures similar to features discovered at Rathcroghan. It is argued that the archaeological information can successfully be used as an additional interpretational aid for previously somewhat confusing or difficult to translate passages of the Old- and Middle-Irish narratives, and vice versa the texts be used to help interpreting the archaeological record.
The figurative representations of Early Iron Age Situlae Art (5th and 4th century BC) provide a p... more The figurative representations of Early Iron Age Situlae Art (5th and 4th century BC) provide a priceless treasure of archaeological information. While the main focus of the research so far was paid mainly to the elaborated depictions of garments, the weapons of warriors or the hand position of pugilists, in this article less prominent figures should stay in the foreground. Also the representations of birds, despite their small size, show their species-specific characteristics and contain therefore much yet hidden archaeological evidence. In this article an attempt was made to systematically describe the different representations of the shown birds and the images were compared with current avifauna. In this way, it was not only possible to demonstrate again the realistic performance of the images of the Situlae Art. It was also managed to draw, by comparing the current habitats of the depicted birds with the archaeological site of the find of their Situla, conclusions about one of the Iron Age production areas of Situlae. In this way it was possible to underpin the so far purely archaeological considerations of a manufacturing center in the Iron Age Krain.
Abstract
This article presents a cost-effective and user-friendly method for three-dimensional do... more Abstract
This article presents a cost-effective and user-friendly method for three-dimensional documentation of excavations on the example of several years of research at Meillionydd (Wales). Documentation is one of the most important activities during an archaeological dig. Because deposits, which are destroyed by the progressive excavation activities may be held only by a careful record for future scientific work. For this reason, the three-dimensional digital documentation of individual surfaces is the minimum requirement for ‘state of the art’ excavation-documentation. Therefore ‘Structure from motion’ creates digital, textured surface models, that allows future scientists to perform
interactive observations inside the virtual 3d-model.
This article presents a cost-effective and user-friendly method for three-dimensional documentation of excavations on the example of several years of research at Meillionydd (Wales). Documentation is one of the most important activities during an archaeological dig. Because deposits, which are destroyed by the progressive excavation activities may be held only by a careful record for future scientific work. For this reason, the three-dimensional digital documentation of individual surfaces is the minimum requirement for ‘state of the art’ excavation-documentation. Therefore ‘Structure from motion’ creates digital, textured surface models, that allows future scientists to perform
interactive observations inside the virtual 3d-model.
Archaeology is important. The Archaeological Interests of the Austrians
This contribution present... more Archaeology is important. The Archaeological Interests of the Austrians
This contribution presents the results of an opinion poll aimed at discovering the archaeological interests of the Austrian population. A randomly selected total of 500 people were interviewed between November 2013 and January 2014. The results are very satisfactory. 61 % of those questioned were somewhat interested, interested or very interested in archaeology and 85 % think that the archaeology is important or very important. The interviewees defined monuments primarily as objects which are particularly important
for research into the past. They also saw the absolute age of an object as playing an important role in the definition of a monument. The interviewees were also much more
selective than the current interpretation of the law and did not regard all archaeological finds or features as monuments, but only those which are of particular importance for research into the past. A majority of 59 % is in favour of public ownership of archaeological monuments. There is also considerable interest in active public involvement in archaeology – 58 % of those questioned would like or very much like to take part in archaeological activities. A right to participate in archaeological decisions is sought after by only a minority of 20 %, but this is a clear majority of those who are interested or very interested in archaeology. Bearing in mind that Austria has recently signed the Faro Convention, it seems appropriate to consider how the strong public interest in active participation in archaeological activity can – with professional supervision and coordination – be satisfied.
This contribution presents the results of an opinion poll aimed at discovering the archaeological interests of the Austrian population. A randomly selected total of 500 people were interviewed between November 2013 and January 2014. The results are very satisfactory. 61 % of those questioned were somewhat interested, interested or very interested in archaeology and 85 % think that the archaeology is important or very important. The interviewees defined monuments primarily as objects which are particularly important
for research into the past. They also saw the absolute age of an object as playing an important role in the definition of a monument. The interviewees were also much more
selective than the current interpretation of the law and did not regard all archaeological finds or features as monuments, but only those which are of particular importance for research into the past. A majority of 59 % is in favour of public ownership of archaeological monuments. There is also considerable interest in active public involvement in archaeology – 58 % of those questioned would like or very much like to take part in archaeological activities. A right to participate in archaeological decisions is sought after by only a minority of 20 %, but this is a clear majority of those who are interested or very interested in archaeology. Bearing in mind that Austria has recently signed the Faro Convention, it seems appropriate to consider how the strong public interest in active participation in archaeological activity can – with professional supervision and coordination – be satisfied.