The soil micromorphology of enigmatic Early Neolithic pit-features at Măgura, southern Romania
The soil micromorphology of enigmatic Early Neolithic pit-features at Măgura, southern Romania

Summary/Abstract: The site of Măgura-Buduiasca on the left bank of the River Teleorman in southern Romania is composed of pit complexes dating to the Early and Middle Neolithic Period (Starčevo-Criş, Dudeşti and Vădastra cultures, the 6th millennium BC). An integrated archaeological and palaeo-environmental study was carried out. Local soils are Mollisols formed in middle-upper Pleistocene loess that is present over similarly dated freshwater marls. A detailed soil micromorphology investigation of twenty-six thin sections (including microprobe analysis) was carried out in order to attempt to understand these pit complexes in terms of their exact origins, function and abandonment history. The combined study found that pits were dug through the loess into the underlying marl, and that fire was employed as a landscape management tool. Human activities included the processing of monocotyledonous plants, including probable wetland plants, the ashed waste of which became part of the pit fills; burned daub, unburned daub, melted phytoliths, aggregates of possible burned dung origin, bone, coprolites and strongly burned soil, all became incorporated into the fills. Pits were re-excavated and back-filled, rather than simply becoming mixed by biological processes, which implies re-visiting and re-use of the pit-complexes. The exact original function and suggested re-use of these pit complexes (pit houses, quarry/storage pits) remains enigmatic, however.

• Details
• Contents