OF SOIL AND SEED: Research on the Linear Bandkeramik and late Iron Age charred botanical remains from the excavation of De Heidekampweg, Stein, The Netherlands.

At De Heidekampweg In Stein, Limburg, The Netherlands, an excavation was performed which yielded remains from both the Neolithic and the late Iron Age. For the Neolithic Bandkeramik (LBK) culture, some special finds were present, which led to a new theory for people living on the borders of the loess. Based on the result of this thesis and current other research, autumn sowing was more likely to have been practiced in Stein. The remains of the late Iron Age showed a large range of low-growing weed species. These are found when crops are reaped very low on the stalk, which was seen as a possible indication for the importance of straw, although we have found no direct evidence for this. Also, almost no pulses were found, which seemed to have been a more general trend in late Iron Age in the surroundings as well. In both periods, it is clear from the weed species found that the soil quality of the fields that were harvested was less than optimal as seen by the presence of acidophilous...Show moreAt De Heidekampweg In Stein, Limburg, The Netherlands, an excavation was performed which yielded remains from both the Neolithic and the late Iron Age. For the Neolithic Bandkeramik (LBK) culture, some special finds were present, which led to a new theory for people living on the borders of the loess. Based on the result of this thesis and current other research, autumn sowing was more likely to have been practiced in Stein. The remains of the late Iron Age showed a large range of low-growing weed species. These are found when crops are reaped very low on the stalk, which was seen as a possible indication for the importance of straw, although we have found no direct evidence for this. Also, almost no pulses were found, which seemed to have been a more general trend in late Iron Age in the surroundings as well. In both periods, it is clear from the weed species found that the soil quality of the fields that were harvested was less than optimal as seen by the presence of acidophilous plants. Because the amount of samples taken in the excavation was (too) little, certain statistical methods could not be employed. For future research, it would be interesting to look at the zoological remains of the site as well to see whether the results agree with this research.Show less

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OF SOIL AND SEED: Research on the Linear Bandkeramik and late Iron Age charred botanical remains from the excavation of De Heidekampweg, Stein, The Netherlands.