Original scientific paper
Plant Remains from an Early Iron Age Well at Hajndl, Slovenia
Renata Šoštarić
; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Antun Alegro
; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Hržak
; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zvjezdana Stančić
; Stjepana Radića 28, HR-49221 Bedekovčina, Croatia
Hansjörg Küster
; Institut für Geobotanik, Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
Abstract
The archaeobotanical samples analysed derive from a well-preserved well dated to the Early Iron Age (Hallstatt) according to pottery found in the sampled layers and on a radiocarbon dating (720–520 cal B.C.) of the wooden construction of the well. Cultivated plants (Panicum miliaceum, Linum usitatissimum, Papaver somniferum and Camelina sativa) were recorded in relatively small numbers whereas primary cereals are lacking. Together with quite a large number of accompanied weeds they suggest agriculture activities, but a mixture of weeds and ruderal plants was probably also growing inside the relatively large settlement complex and could have been included in the assemblages just by chance. The plant species composition indicates local vegetation developed under strong anthropogenic influence and on mainly moist and nitrogen-rich soils. Grassland plants and an almost complete lacking of tree and shrub species characteristic for the climax vegetation (deciduous mesophilous mixed forests) of the region also indicate at least local human activity.
Keywords
plant macro-remains; cultivated plants; human influence; early Iron Age; Slovenia
Hrčak ID:
51517
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2009.
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