Amt für Archäologie

Waterlogged archaeological wood can be preserved for many years in the absence of air, as decomposition is substantially slowed down. After excavation, conservation is necessary to prevent damage of objects due to uncontrolled drying. In this study, the following conservation methods were tested to investigate their ability to stabilise the objects: alcohol-ether resin, melamine-formaldehyde (Kauramin 800), lactitol/trehalose, saccharose, polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000 with air-drying and PEG 2000 or 400 and 4000 with subsequent freeze-drying). In order to precisely understand the changes caused by conservation and drying, 40 samples each of pine wood and oak wood were documented using magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray micro-computed tomography before and after conservation. This imaging made it possible to quantitatively record changes in the wood structure, for example due to shrinkage, collapse and cracks, which could not be prevented by conservation. The alcohol-ether-resin method with solvent drying had the best stabilizing effect and no damage of the wood structure was visible. The two PEG treatments followed by freeze drying showed effective volume stabilisation. In both cases, however, the treatment led to cracks in the wood structure, which occurred less frequently when the cryoprotectant PEG 400 was used. In comparison, the other methods with air drying did not show consistently good results in stabilizing the volume or wood structure.

Well-dated and well-preserved Later Stone Age sites are unfortunately scarce in West Africa. The few known ones exhibit significant typo-technical variability, reflecting diverse socio-cultural behaviors that remain poorly understood. The Ravin Blanc X (RBX) site in eastern Senegal provides new insights into this period. Excavations at one of the sectors of the site (RBX-1) have revealed a well-preserved Early Holocene occupation, featuring a quartz knapping workshop associated with a fireplace. This site is the latest known LSA occupation in the Falémé valley and bridges a critical gap in the region’s prehistoric sequence. The lithic industry at RBX-1 is dominated by a very homogeneous quartz, which was specifically selected for its high-quality knapping properties. Two main categories of sought blanks were produced: broad, thick, and rectilinear blanks, and elongated, thin and narrow blanks with an oblique distal termination forming a natural asymmetric point. The strong investment in blank standardization from the extraction stage significantly reduced the need for subsequent retouching, which was rarely observed in the RBX-1 lithic assemblage. Comparisons with other LSA sites in West Africa suggest that RBX-1 shares technological similarities with the sites of Fatandi V (Falémé valley, Senegal) and Damatoumou 1 (Ounjougou, Mali), possibly indicating a West African Late LSA Sahelo-Sudanian facies. In contrast, sites located in Guineo-Congolian forest contexts exhibit different knapping strategies and typological choices. The discovery of RBX-1 enhances our understanding of the LSA in West Africa by providing a rare, well-dated stratigraphic context (around 9100 calBP/7100 calBCE) which highlights the complexity of regional lithic traditions and raises new hypotheses about cultural transitions during the Pleistocene-Holocene shift.

The European Final Palaeolithic witnessed marked changes in almost all societal domains. Despite a rich body of evidence, our knowledge of human palaeodemographic processes and regional population dynamics still needs to be improved. In this study, we present regionally differentiated population estimates for the Greenland Interstadial 1d-a (GI-1d-a; 14-12.7 ka cal BP) and the Greenland Stadial 1 (GS-1; 12.7-11.6 ka cal BP) for Southern, Western, Northern and Central Europe. The data were obtained by applying the Cologne Protocol, a geostatistical approach for estimating prehistoric population size and density, to a newly compiled dataset of Final Palaeolithic sites. On a large spatio-temporal scale and compared to preceding Upper Palaeolithic phases, areas north of the Alps become the dominant demographic growth area for the first time since the dispersal of anatomically modern humans into Europe. At smaller scales, we observe divergent regional trends, with a conspicuous lack of archaeological evidence appearing in previously occupied areas of central France and Germany. Our study also shows that during the Final Palaeolithic, the climatic cooling of GS-1 coincides with a pronounced population decline in most parts of the study area. An apparent increase in population density occurs only in north-eastern Central Europe and north-eastern Italy. Our estimates suggest that the total population was reduced by half. Similar results, with a relationship between decreasing temperatures and decreasing populations, have already been observed for the late phase of the Gravettian, when populations were reduced to only one third of those estimated for the early phase. Yet, in contrast to the collapse of local populations during the late Gravettian, the increase in population densities in Central Europe during GS-1 indicates population movements eastwards, possibly in response to deteriorating climatic conditions, particularly in western regions during the Younger Dryas.

Abstract This paper synthesises returned-to terms, concepts and themes used throughout the book. Building on how the authors of the book have utilized central terms and concepts, we discuss six of the dominant terms (resilience, vulnerability, disasters, hazards, sustainability, and hunter-gatherers/small-scale societies). Through this, a need for continued inter-disciplinary conversations and acknowledgement of these terms’ origins and research histories are emphasised. The multiple stories that this book has given voice to are also addressed, rooted in the various sources and methods used in the case studies that span a wide geographical scene (from Scandinavia to Japan), and offer a truly deep-time perspective (ranging from recent disasters to challenges with climate change in the Epi-Palaeolithic). The chapter closes with some future aspirations and lessons for working with human-environment interactions on different scales and more general implications for the possible role of small-scale decision-making for living well with environmental and climate change.

Abstract Alarmist narratives of the present climate crisis, coupled with poorly framed histories of past societal collapse, are generating an increasing sense of climate doomism. The deep time perspectives archaeology brings to understanding human–environment relations has potential to influence actionable solutions, yet archaeologists need to take more proactive measures to communicate this, in curricula and public engagement. Hunter-gatherer histories present challenges for educators to positively communicate the survival, resilience, and adaptive successes of humans, owing to perceived differences in lifeways. To understand these perceptions, archaeology students and trainee history teachers in Germany were surveyed. The results show that whilst few knew about specific climate-related events and human responses beforehand, many retained this knowledge two years later. Additionally, analysis of climate change and archaeology topics on social media indicates a lack of serious archaeological content on platforms where climate change is debated. We consider how storytelling, specifically through transformative narratives, has the power to capture the imagination, make the past relatable, and provide positive frames for change. In education and wider science communication, such frames could inspire hope and activism necessary for a future positive and equitable existence. We conclude by recommending mechanisms for the implementation of transformative narratives by the archaeological community.

This key aim of this project is to provide information that is sufficiently detailed so that informed decisions to protect and manage the heritage resource within the Site may be taken on the basis of the contents. Recommendations for future management and conservation of the Site is included within the report, with the aim of enabling the removal of the monument from the Heritage at Risk Register. The project also aims to enable a clearer understanding of the extent and condition of both visible and potential buried remains within the Site, and to enhance understanding of the evolution of the Site through time. Wherever possible the assessment elucidates the character, distribution, extent and importance of archaeological remains which exist within the Site, including those from a landscape perspective. It has not been the aim to re-record previously documented and well understood earthworks, but to identify new archaeological features, so that conservation and management recommendations can be based on an assessment of the overall heritage resource within the Site. Conservation Philosophy Conservation management planning for important elements of the historic environment is now a well-established process, and where relevant, this assessment has been undertaken in accordance with Conservation Plan Guidance, produced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (2017), and on their online resource3, as well as the approaches laid out in Informed Conservation: Understanding Historic Buildings and Their Landscapes for Conservation (Clark 2001). These documents are now widely accepted as best practise in Conservation Management processes. Conservation, as defined by Historic England under Principle 4.2 of Conservation Principles (2008), is the process of managing change in ways that best sustain the heritage values of an asset whilst identifying opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values and ensure its ongoing survival for future generations. A 'heritage asset' refers to all elements of the historic environment which have heritage values and includes archaeological monuments, built remains, and landscape characters. 3 Conservation planning good practice guidance | The National Lottery Heritage Fund Conservation management aims to respond to the need for conservation, by providing 'a sound framework for the management of significant places, particularly those in responsible long-term ownership' (2008, p48). Constructive Conservation is a conservation approach which focuses on actively managing change and is based on the principal that conservation strategy should first identify the heritage values of an assets, and then aim to sustain, or where feasible reinforce, those values. This approach is pragmatic and notes that in order for effective management, some elements of loss may be required to ensure that the key heritage values, or the elements of an asset with the highest significance, are retained. This approach is used to inform the management plan presented in Section 6. Data collection, analysis and presentation Key sources consulted as part of the desk-based research include the Devon Historic Environment Record, the Historic England Archive, historic cartographic and documentary sources, and Lidar imagery (Table 1). Source Data National Heritage List for England (NHLE) Current information relating to designated heritage assets, and heritage assets considered to be 'at risk'. Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register (HARR) Current information on the condition and risks to heritage assets considered to be 'at risk'. Devon Historic Environment Record (HER) Heritage sites and events records, Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) data, and other spatial data supplied in digital format (shapefiles) and hardcopy.

The proposed works comprised the excavation of c.sixteen drill pits along the pipeline route. Of these, seven were required to be archaeologically monitored. As stated within the WSI: the archaeological monitoring of the directional drill pits were to be within the areas of known archaeological potential. This included pits through the Iron Age to Roman cropmarks to the north (Drill pits 12 - 15) and area of medieval settlement earthworks (Drill pits 2 - 4). The other drill pits excavated across the scheme fell out of the scope of works and did not require archaeological monitoring. Initially, Drill Pits 2 - 4 were to be excavated by hand, as vehicle movement was restricted. However; track matting was utilised by the contractors to minimise impact on the ground surface from the machine movements, and therefore the monitored drill pits in this area were excavated by machine. Drill Pit 3, in this area, was not excavated as the contractor was able to extend the distance of the drill shot between Drill Pits 2 and 4. Modern land drains were identified in Drill Pit 13 so the contractors excavated an additional drill pit directly adjacent. The drill pits were excavated by the contractors using a mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless bucket. Excavation was conducted under archaeological supervision down to the top of the underlying natural surface geology, which was also the top of the archaeological horizon. A narrow bucket was then utilised to excavate below the natural surface geology to a depth of c.1.5m below ground level. Metal detector searches (non-discriminating against iron) took place throughout the project. This included prior to the drill pits being dug, during the machine excavation and the subsequent hand-excavation phase as well as scanning the upcast spoil. The upcast spoil was also examined visually for the presence of artefactual evidence. In February 2025, Cotswold Archaeology carried out Archaeological Monitoring and Recording during groundworks associated with the installation of a replacement water pipeline by directional drilling in Caldecote, Cambridgeshire. Despite the limitations of the works, the monitoring revealed an undated ditch in Drill Pit 15 and a ditch dated to the Roman period in Drill Pit 13.

The evaluation fieldwork comprised the excavation of four trenches, each measuring 20m in length and 1.8m in width, in the location shown on the attached plan. The trenches were located to target the footprint of the proposed buildings and access roads within the site, as specified by Mr Harvard's consultation response, representing a 4% sample of the proposed 0.4ha development area. During the course of the evaluation, the location of Trench 1 was moved southwards from that shown within the WSI to avoid a root protection area at the northern end of the trench. In October 2025, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Burytown Lane, Blunsdon, Swindon. A total of four trenches were excavated. With the exception of an undated tree-throw pit, recorded in the northern part of the site, no archaeological features or deposits were recorded within the excavated trenches, and no artefactual material was recovered.