Celts in the hinterland of Carnuntum

An intensive knowledge of the Iron Age settlement structures and their interaction with their respective surroundings is necessary for the comprehension of the historical, settlement-genetic and economic proceedings that are connected with the founding of Carnuntum, and their effect on the population. To gain this knowledge systematic archaeological prospection is needed besides the collection of data from all material in archives, museums and public offices. Aerial reconnaissance has proved to be the most efficient method at low costs. But it is known from long-time experience that the identification of underground sites is being influenced by many factors, and systematic investigation is only possible by repeated usage of this method. Prehistoric and early medieval, respectively Roman sites can be documented by photography and their geological positions can be mapped and judged. For the aim of the project, the relevant Iron Age sites have to be singled out from the structures discovered by aerial reconnaissance. Then an autopsy (field inspection, extensive survey) has to be carried out on the spot together with the collection of surface finds. By these means we can achieve the verification of the identified sites and, by interpretation of the finds, the possibility to narrow down the range of time. Field survey need not be carried out throughout the whole surroundings, but purposefully by employment of aerial reconnaissance. The aim is to establish a GIS-based map of all archaeological sites of this area to show the spatial distribution and concentration in the course of the different archaeological phases. In the course of the project, systematic data collections of all sites will be carried out in a 10 kilometres corridor along the river Leitha between Wiener Neustadt and Bruck an der Leitha (Lower Austria). On this basis the Iron Ages sites will be singled out by purposeful field survey. The data are the basis for the assessment of settlement and economic-geographical conditions that were substantial for the Romanization of the Carnuntum area. Parallel to the collection of data, models are to be drawn up that help to explain the dependency on settlement and traffic patterns. The project "Celts in the hinterland of Carnuntum" will establish a new basis for a better comprehension of the historical process in the Danube-Leitha area. Furthermore, a bibliography will be established from the collected data, as well as a catalogue of selected finds.

The research project "Celts in the Hinterland of Carnuntum" was financed by the Austrian Science Fund. Its aim was to archaeologically investigate the region along the river Leitha between Wr. Neustadt and Bruck an der Leitha. In the course of the project, a detailed archaeological map of the 600 km 2 large area was produced, which was used as a basis for the historical interpretation of the late Iron Age settlement pattern. The production of the map was a co-operation between the Austrian federal commission on historical monuments, department for archaeology and the aerial archive of the department for prehistoric and early medieval archaeology of the University of Vienna. Between 2003 and 2005 several reconnaissance flights (altogether 35 hours) were carried out. Additionally, more than 2.000 vertical aerial photographs, made by the Austrian air force in Langenlebarn, were archaeologically interpreted. Altogether 1.300 archaeological sites located on 641 places were identified. All of the newly discovered sites (more than 350) were fieldwalked during autumn and winter 2004/2005. The collected artefacts and ecofacts were typologically and chronologically analyzed. From each site all of the relevant aerial photographs were rectified. The resulting georeferenced photomaps with an accuracy of less than 2 m were consequently interpreted and mapped in detail using GIS. In that way, more than 30.000 archaeological objects (houses, pits, graves, ditches) and landscape features (drains, palaeochannels etc.) were compiled into a detailed archaeological map of the 600 km 2 large area. The resulting data was used as a basis to show the spatial distribution of the single archaeological phases and to analyse in detail the late iron age settlement patterns. After publication the results will be made available to the archaeological community. We hope that the project will establish a new basis for a better comprehension of the historical processes in the Danube-Leitha area and will function as a stimulus for further archaeological investigation.