Nordostniedersachsen während der jüngeren Bronze- bis älteren Eisenzeit

This monograph offers a settlement topographical study of the later Bronze Age and earlier Iron Age of the Hanoverian Wendland and the Lüneburg Heath. In contrast to the cemetery-based studies available so far, the starting point is the first systematic collection of settlement sites and surface finds. A relative chronology is built up by studying the material itself and is additionally verified through a comparison with the well-known and partly eponymous cemetery sites of the region, such as Jastorf. This allows the chronological classification of many settlement sites. Following this pattern, the features from the settlements are analysed and the few known house plan are placed in an inter-regional context. Amongst the other kinds of site, cemeteries continue to play a crucial role. In addition, the spatial relationship of hoards and hearth clusters to settlement sites is discussed with reference to several models. The numerous, but generally neglected surface finds are of considerable importance, but can only be interpreted on the basis of the material culture itself. Having presented the datable sites, the next question concerns aspects of settlement history. The main aim is to reveal repeated patterns of topographical and natural factors, as well as regional peculiarities. These results are incorporated into an analysis of potential settlement areas. For undated sites in these potential areas, we then discuss the possibility of dating on the basis of topographical and natural factors. The volume also contains a catalogue of 841 definitely and 74 tentatively dated, as well as 109 undated entries, alongside an extensive set of 121 plates.