2026/01/01 by L. Lisá, Martin Janovský, Ivan Čižmář +1 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Building materials and conservation #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/gea.70043
openalex publication_date 2026/01/01 · openalex created_date 2026/01/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
ABSTRACT The floors of sunken houses can provide important insights into how these spaces were used and into the processes that shaped them, thereby contributing to broader interpretation at an archaeological site. When the floors are homogeneous, and the palimpsest of individual occupational horizons is difficult to distinguish, a combination of analytical methods is required. The infill of the La Tène sunken house at Němčice, Czech Republic, was analysed using a combination of sedimentology, micromorphology, geochemical analyses and frequency‐dependent magnetic susceptibility. The sediment is interpreted as an organic‐rich, homogeneous and bioturbated former floor. Its uniform character likely resulted from moisture, the availability of suitable elements for microfauna and the absence of regular maintenance. Homogenisation processes probably took place during the occupation of the house. Occasional precipitation percolating through the roof increased moisture in the sediment, while the low light conditions inside the house prevented vegetation from growing. Based on our data, we suggest that the NE quadrant served as a storage area and that the entrance to the house was located on the SW side. Interpretation of special use depends strongly on the sampling strategy applied to the floor. They must always consider the geological substrate and its topographical position in the landscape, local climatic conditions and the formation processes associated with both the use and abandonment of the floor.