Continuation Mesolithic Ullafelsen

Traditionally in Austria the Mesolithic belongs to the least explored prehistoric periods in Austria. This situation has been slowly improved with the discovery of the late neolithic mummy `Ötzi` in the Tyrolean Alps followed by the foundation of the research institute for Alpine Prehistory at the University of Innsbruck. Restricted sondages as well as elaborated systematic excavations brought new insights into the early Holocene settlement of the Tyrolean Alps. The most important locality is the old mesolithic site `Ullafelsen` at 1860 m above sea level (Fotscher valley, near Sellrain, northern Stubai Alps). Complex excavations were carried out here during the years 1993-1997, 1999, 2003 and 2004. They were combined with specific investigations regarding landscape history, sedimentology, soil science, botanical and other natural scientific analyses. The varieties of silex (hornstone, radiolarite) used during the Mesolithic at the Ullafelsen site mostly proof long distance transports: Most of them have their primary geological sources in the Southern Alps, in the Northern Limestone Alps (Nördliche Kalkalpen), and in the area of Kelheim at the Danube (Bavaria). The exavation technique applied at the Ullafelsen was complex and very time consuming because of the extreme microlithic dimensions of most artefacts, their high number and the complexity of the features itself (espec. fire places, lateral erosion) . These investigations yielded many detailed informations (e.g. about the lithic raw material and the artefacts) but are far from being completed. Not yet finished are the studies regarding the aspects of landscape history (sedimentations processes, soil science) at the Ullafelsen and the Fotscher valley. Therefore in the proposed study we plan: A) Sedimentological/soil scientific investigations of the late Pleistocene/Early Holocene landscape history of the Fotscher valley; B) Palaeobotanical investigations of the Early Holocene tree line; C) Continuation and completion of archaeological surveys on the orographically left side of the Fotscher valley; D) Retrieval of charcoal remains for C14 dating of several mesolithic and other prehistoric sites which were found years ago, but have not been dated yet; E) Prospecting/searching for those varieties of silex that were used during the mesolithic at the Ullafelsen site, but with unknown geological sources. The most comprehensive work has to be invest for F) continuation of the archaeological analysis and interpretation at the Ullafelsen with special reference to - refitting the artefacts (especially on the basis of the modified objectsools); - analysis of post-depositional processes (reference sedimentation processes - artefact features); - analysis/evaluation of the horizontal and vertical stratigraphic features (plana/profiles); - comparison of the Ullafelsen inventory with other main reference sites in the circumalpine area. - D. Schäfer, online: www.hochgebirgsarchaeologie.info

The Mesolithic site Ullafelsen (a prominent bedrock at 1869 m asl.) is located at subalpine level in the Stubai Alps (Fotschertal/Fotscher valley, Tyrol, Austria). It was discovered in 1994 and has been investigated across disciplines. Its natural geographical location is characterized by favourable climatic and geomorphological conditions. Abundant sources of water and the diversity of the surrounding landscape have attracted people repeatedly in prehistoric times. According to the results of our research, hunting played a special role: 11,000 years ago, the first hunters of the Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic ) were active at the Ullafelsen and in its vicinity. Our research focuses on the combination of landscape historical and archaeological issues. These include aspects of climate change (transition from last glacial to early postglacial) deduced from glacier , soil and vegetation developments, the role of the geomorphology, occurrence and use of natural resources (rocks for tool making, minerals, timber, etc. ) by the people of that time, etc.With improvements in the environmental conditions and the retreat of the Last Ice Age glaciers it became possible to enter the Fotscher valley. When the first groups of hunters reached the valley, the Ullafelsen was still above the tree line and offered a good view of the surroundings. With increasing forest cover around this advantageous outlook, the strategic advantage of Ullafelsen for the Mesolithic groups of hunters was lost. Around 9,300 years ago they gave up the camp site at Ullafelsen and started hunting at higher grounds in neighbouring valleys. The most striking argument for the provenance of these hunter-gatherer groups are the silex raw materials they brought to the Ullafelsen site. The primary outcrops of these raw materials could be identified in the southern Franconian Alb of Bavaria (ca. 200 km NNE), in the Northern Limestone Alps (eastern Karwendel/Rofan mountains, ca. 50 km ENE), in northern Italy (Val di Non, Trentino), ca. 150 km S) and in other locations. They supply important evidence about the seasonal wanderings and hunting areas of our Mesolithic settlers. In the course of several thousand years, the transalpine paths used by these Mesolithic people followed the treeline and were perfectly adapted to the Alpine geomorphology. Same differences between the Ullafelsen lithic tools point to different traditions in the making of hunting weapons between people living north and those living south of the Alps. In addition, there was evidence of many typical camp site activities in the form of tools like scraper, burins, borers, etc. for leather/hide, wood and bane working. Many of those lithic tools were shafted for better handling and fixed with the help of birch tar. This tar was produced at our Ullafelsen site. This is the first place of discovery in the Alps for these and many other detailed results and we can regard this site as an important reference for the early Holocene in the central part of the Eastern Alps.