Oberleiserberg - a late antique hilltop settlement

Oberleiserberg, dominating the landscape with an elevation of 457 m. above sea level, lies in the "Weinviertel" region of Lower Austria in the centre of the Leiserberge, approximately 40 km. north of Vienna near the town of Ernstbrunn. Oberleiserberg constitutes one of the most well-known and important sites for Austrian early historical research in the middle Danube region. Systematic excavations have taken place there for years, and their results have produced important additional information regarding the Roman Imperial period and the period of migration in the middle Danube region. Based on the evidence of Roman buildings and settlement structures, the site was already recognised at the beginning of the 20th century as a nerve center in the framework of romano-german conflicts and relationships. For a long time, Oberleiserberg was described in the scientific literature as a Roman "station", and was viewed as a base of military support during the time of the Marcomanni wars. Research carried out during the past few years, however, has revealed that Oberleiserberg is a late-antique hilltop settlement with representative structures which are symbolic of an important ruling center of the migration period in the middle Danube region. The objectives of the project is the late antique hilltop settlement on Oberleiserberg. Through research carried out on the hill, and with reference also to the historical sources, the character and function of the hilltop settlement will be studied, as well as its overall structure and inner development, and the function and interior arrangement of the buildings. The chronology and economic basis of the hilltop settlement, the acculturation- and romanization processes there, and the ethnic and social structures of the late antique society at Oberleiserberg will also be analysed. The area to the north-east of the manor building has been singled out as a focal point of the research of the following project; it is presumed that additional representative buildings, and economic structures belonging to the manor building, are to be found here.

With the support of the FWF Project P19525 "The Oberleiserberg - a Late Antique Hilltop Settlement" the archaeological research at the manorial center on the Oberleiserberg dating to the Migration Period were continued throughout the years 2002 - 2006. The area east and northeast, respectively, of the manor was investigated. Research focused on an elongated post and beam structure with foundation ditches - discovered through geomagnetic methods - and its surrounding areas. In addition, historical building research was conducted in the area of the northeastern corner of the manor. Through these activities, important results for the total Migration Period settlement on the Oberleiserberg could be gathered. Only during the later part of the first half of the fifth century A.D. was the entry area of the manor intensively inhabited and used by establishments of trades and food production. In total, ten baking ovens and ovens, respectively, and three underground post and beam structures were examined. The underground post and beam structures can most likely be associated with textile production as evidenced by loom weights of looms. A finishing smithy had already been brought to light during previous research efforts. This settlement horizon fell most likely victim to a damaging fire around the middle of the fifth century as evidenced by clues derived from discolorations of ovens and underground post and beam structures. Whether this is related to any larger historical event cannot be assessed at this point. However, post and beam structures with foundation beams are especially typical for the youngest part of the Migration Period settlement horizon. Approximately from the middle to the second half of the fifth century A.D. did most likely exist the elongated post and beam structure with the foundation ditches and the foundation beam bolts as well as the open entrance (porticus). It is slightly trapezoid and corresponds axial with the buildings of the manor. It measures 29,70 meters along the northern side, 30,83 meters along the southern side, 8,39 meters along the western side, and 8,34 meters along the eastern side. From the corridor located in the middle both rooms adjacent to each side could be entered. The building is characterized through foundations ditches with negative impressions of posts on the inner and outer walls, which are carved into the rock. On the western side of the post and beam structure and about 3 to 3,25 meters distant from the building are post holes of an open entrance (porticus). Throughout the Roman provinces, buildings with similar layouts were used as grain storage facilities. The post and beam structures indicate the intensive relations of the inhabitants of the Oberleiserberg to the late Roman Empire on the one hand and their high level of Romanization on the other. The Migration Period settlement ends during the second half of the fifth century.