A03_P13

Stone-paved cellars in the Danish Stone Age? Research potential and strategies for radiocarbon dating at rescue excavations

Brinch M¹, Philippsen B¹, Groß D¹, Kanstrup M²

¹Museum Lolland-Falster, Nykøbing F, Denmark, ²Aarhus AMS Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

We present the excavation results from a Middle Neolithic site associated with the Funnel Beaker Culture. During a rescue excavation, a recessed area was recorded within two overlaying house features which was constructed using different sized pebbles. The arrangement and form of the feature clearly indicated anthropogenic origin and is understood as belonging to one of the house structures. Consequently, it is interpreted as a paved cellar – a feature yet unknown from Danish Stone Age archaeology. Additional features at the site were several pits and postholes that indicated the presence of a palisade or fence structure with up to seven different parallel lines. Indirect dating of the features through associated organic material has shown that the fence or palisade has existed contemporaneously with the houses and can, hence, be interpreted as belonging to the same settlement. We present the results from the excavation and integrate the site in its regional archaeological landscape.

Finally, we discuss the radiocarbon dating strategies for rescue excavations both on the scale of individual features as well as for entire development projects. We show how targeted sampling and analysis can preserve the research potential of those sites for future research.