At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Jan Waněk, an associate of Josef La... more At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Jan Waněk, an associate of Josef Ladislav Píč, donated various artifacts from the Roman period to the National Museum. The artifacts were found at several locations in Radim (Kolín District), near the burial grounds of Dobřichov-Pičhora and Dobřichov-Třebická, which were part of the settlement network around the river Výrovka. The preserved archaeological finds from the region were examined in order to investigate the development of the settlement network during the Roman Period and to study differences between the sites of Pičhora and Třebická and other burial grounds in the region. The burial grounds at Pičhora and Třebická differed in the number of graves, length of existence, and types of artifacts found.
During the Late La Tène period in the first century BC, Central Europe witnessed significant shif... more During the Late La Tène period in the first century BC, Central Europe witnessed significant shifts in settlement structures and material culture. Understanding these changes necessitates an examination of LT D1b phase settlements, particularly in Bohemia, where such sites are rare. This study extends beyond conventional stylistic analysis of pottery, incorporating material and manufacturing perspectives to reveal production organisation, distribution, and community interactions. Through a comprehensive examination of the settlement pottery from the feature 27/1986 from Křinec using X-ray fluorescence, thin section analysis, and computed tomography, we have gained a better understanding of the settlement’s position in the regional socio-economic network within which ceramic vessels or raw materials were transported over distances of more than 20 km. The presented approach offers a deeper comprehension of the La Tène period’s end in Bohemia and underscores the value of multifaceted pottery research in archaeological studies.
The article deals with the evaluation of Roman period archaeological situations and finds investi... more The article deals with the evaluation of Roman period archaeological situations and finds investigated during a rescue excavation in 2016. The excavation was initiated due to the construction of underground utilities and roads leading to new family houses on the eastern edge of the village. A total of 82 features were investigated, out of which 14 were dated to the Roman period and 6 to the Early Middle Ages, on the basis of recovered finds. The rest of the situation remains undated and is predominantly represented by post holes. Thanks to analysis of the finds, especially the ceramic assemblage, it was possible to outline and define the chronological development of the settlement in question. Its beginnings date back to the 2nd century AD (phase B2 of the Roman period) and it existed until the 3rd century (phase C1). The contents of one feature (no. 49) then correspond to the final Roman period (phase C3). It is quite interesting that the excavated section of the settlement almost exclusively contained features interpretable as storage or exploitation pits but no features that are traditionally considered as residential (sunken floor huts). It is probable that the excavated part of the settlement was used for specific purposes, such as exploitation and storage, and subsequently as a rubbish dump. Analysis of decline processes with the help of studying finds from the features' fills then enabled to discern features that had been intentionally filled up with waste (primary waste) and those whose filling up had been a result of natural processes (erosion, etc.). It is apparent that the site continues in adjacent areas –the determination of its general layout is a task for future excavations. Within this study archaeozoological analysis of animal bones was also carried out and showed a state known from other contemporaneous settlements – i.e. domestic pigs and goats/sheep were outnumbered by cows. A complete skeleton of a domestic dog was discovered, too. Thanks to soil samples which were subsequently floated, a large quantity of material for archaeobotanical analysis was recovered (2611 plant macroremains). Thus almost a complete range of Roman period cereals was documented, which consists especially of archaic species characteristic of earlier agricultural prehistory (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, spelt, barley) and one crop species spreading only at the close of prehistory (oat). It is a mixture characteristic of the Roman period, during which the range of cereals in Central Europe underwent a gradual transformation. The spectrum of tree species, ascertained on the basis of analyzed charcoal samples, conforms to the potential reconstructed vegetation. Tree species of oak-hornbeam forests (oak, hornbeam, maple) prevail in the charcoal assemblage, with an admixture of species typical of acidophilous oak forests (oak, pine, fir, aspen, goat willow, malaceae). Tree species of riparian forests (alder) were only rarely recorded. The study also includes analysis of imported Roman provincial pottery which is relatively abundant on the site, considering the general situation in Bohemia (16 fragments of at least 5 vessels). Three jugs with ovoid bodies belong to undecorated yellow and orange pottery, roughly dating to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A bulky jug with a round body and another smaller vessel can be classified as Pannonian striped painted pottery, which is dateable to the second half of the 2nd to the early 3rd century AD. The final part of the submitted study then deals with the inclusion of the site into the Roman period settlement network in the area along the middle course of the Výrovka River, namely from the beginnings of the Roman period until the Migration period. It seems especially necessary to stress its topographic and chronological relationship to two well-known Roman period cemeteries situated in the cadastral area of the nearby village of Dobřichov – at the locations of Pičhora (1st–2nd century AD) and Třebická (3rd–4th century AD).
In 2006–2009 a part of a Roman period settlement dated to the 2nd – early 5th century AD was exca... more In 2006–2009 a part of a Roman period settlement dated to the 2nd – early 5th century AD was excavated in the cadastral area of Cerekvice nad Loučnou (Pardubice Region, Czech Republic). The recovered material seems to be quite common (barbarian pottery), but it also contains a surprisingly rich collection of imports from Roman provinces (a sword tip, Roman provincial pottery, parts of bronze vessels). Amorphous bronze shapes, prismatic ingots, and a fused fragment of a bronze vessel might be indicative of local re-smelting of bronze objects. The manufacture of crushers is documented as well. In addition to other raw materials, they were manufactured of quartzitic porphyry which had to be transported from central and northwestern Bohemia.
The paper deals with five graves dating from the late Roman period which were discovered in the c... more The paper deals with five graves dating from the late Roman period which were discovered in the courtyard of a sugar factory at Plaňany (Kolin District). The aim of this contribution is to carry out an analysis of the individual grave complexes and to place the site into the context of surrounding settlement of the late Roman period, especially with regard to the proximity of the large necropolis of Dobřichov-Třebicka. At Plaňany, situated about 2.6 km southwest of Třebicka, several disturbed features of prehistoric date were discovered in the courtyard of the local sugar factory in 1921 – among others, also 5 cremation graves. The whole situation was documented by J. Hellich, who consequently deposited the finds, recovered from graves and other excavated features, in the municipal museum in Poděbrady. Most of them can be still found there, along with Hellich's notes. It was also thanks to this that it was possible to carry out an analysis of the individual grave complexes, although some of them are only fragmentarily preserved, due to their recovery circumstances. The individual graves were discovered while digging fluming channels and only one urn survived from grave 5 (Fig. 9:1) which does not enable exact dating. The other graves can be dated to the C1 phase, whereas the main clue for their chronological classification are ceramic urns (Fig. 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1) as well as a crossbow fibula from grave 1 (Fig. 5:2). When comparing the grave goods with those from other cemeteries in Bohemia, among others with Opočno (Louny District), graves 1, 3 and 4 are richly equipped, but they still do not match the richest cremation graves from other cemeteries, namely with their number of grave goods and nature.
At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Jan Waněk, an associate of Josef La... more At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Jan Waněk, an associate of Josef Ladislav Píč, donated various artifacts from the Roman period to the National Museum. The artifacts were found at several locations in Radim (Kolín District), near the burial grounds of Dobřichov-Pičhora and Dobřichov-Třebická, which were part of the settlement network around the river Výrovka. The preserved archaeological finds from the region were examined in order to investigate the development of the settlement network during the Roman Period and to study differences between the sites of Pičhora and Třebická and other burial grounds in the region. The burial grounds at Pičhora and Třebická differed in the number of graves, length of existence, and types of artifacts found.
During the Late La Tène period in the first century BC, Central Europe witnessed significant shif... more During the Late La Tène period in the first century BC, Central Europe witnessed significant shifts in settlement structures and material culture. Understanding these changes necessitates an examination of LT D1b phase settlements, particularly in Bohemia, where such sites are rare. This study extends beyond conventional stylistic analysis of pottery, incorporating material and manufacturing perspectives to reveal production organisation, distribution, and community interactions. Through a comprehensive examination of the settlement pottery from the feature 27/1986 from Křinec using X-ray fluorescence, thin section analysis, and computed tomography, we have gained a better understanding of the settlement’s position in the regional socio-economic network within which ceramic vessels or raw materials were transported over distances of more than 20 km. The presented approach offers a deeper comprehension of the La Tène period’s end in Bohemia and underscores the value of multifaceted pottery research in archaeological studies.
The article deals with the evaluation of Roman period archaeological situations and finds investi... more The article deals with the evaluation of Roman period archaeological situations and finds investigated during a rescue excavation in 2016. The excavation was initiated due to the construction of underground utilities and roads leading to new family houses on the eastern edge of the village. A total of 82 features were investigated, out of which 14 were dated to the Roman period and 6 to the Early Middle Ages, on the basis of recovered finds. The rest of the situation remains undated and is predominantly represented by post holes. Thanks to analysis of the finds, especially the ceramic assemblage, it was possible to outline and define the chronological development of the settlement in question. Its beginnings date back to the 2nd century AD (phase B2 of the Roman period) and it existed until the 3rd century (phase C1). The contents of one feature (no. 49) then correspond to the final Roman period (phase C3). It is quite interesting that the excavated section of the settlement almost exclusively contained features interpretable as storage or exploitation pits but no features that are traditionally considered as residential (sunken floor huts). It is probable that the excavated part of the settlement was used for specific purposes, such as exploitation and storage, and subsequently as a rubbish dump. Analysis of decline processes with the help of studying finds from the features' fills then enabled to discern features that had been intentionally filled up with waste (primary waste) and those whose filling up had been a result of natural processes (erosion, etc.). It is apparent that the site continues in adjacent areas –the determination of its general layout is a task for future excavations. Within this study archaeozoological analysis of animal bones was also carried out and showed a state known from other contemporaneous settlements – i.e. domestic pigs and goats/sheep were outnumbered by cows. A complete skeleton of a domestic dog was discovered, too. Thanks to soil samples which were subsequently floated, a large quantity of material for archaeobotanical analysis was recovered (2611 plant macroremains). Thus almost a complete range of Roman period cereals was documented, which consists especially of archaic species characteristic of earlier agricultural prehistory (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, spelt, barley) and one crop species spreading only at the close of prehistory (oat). It is a mixture characteristic of the Roman period, during which the range of cereals in Central Europe underwent a gradual transformation. The spectrum of tree species, ascertained on the basis of analyzed charcoal samples, conforms to the potential reconstructed vegetation. Tree species of oak-hornbeam forests (oak, hornbeam, maple) prevail in the charcoal assemblage, with an admixture of species typical of acidophilous oak forests (oak, pine, fir, aspen, goat willow, malaceae). Tree species of riparian forests (alder) were only rarely recorded. The study also includes analysis of imported Roman provincial pottery which is relatively abundant on the site, considering the general situation in Bohemia (16 fragments of at least 5 vessels). Three jugs with ovoid bodies belong to undecorated yellow and orange pottery, roughly dating to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A bulky jug with a round body and another smaller vessel can be classified as Pannonian striped painted pottery, which is dateable to the second half of the 2nd to the early 3rd century AD. The final part of the submitted study then deals with the inclusion of the site into the Roman period settlement network in the area along the middle course of the Výrovka River, namely from the beginnings of the Roman period until the Migration period. It seems especially necessary to stress its topographic and chronological relationship to two well-known Roman period cemeteries situated in the cadastral area of the nearby village of Dobřichov – at the locations of Pičhora (1st–2nd century AD) and Třebická (3rd–4th century AD).
In 2006–2009 a part of a Roman period settlement dated to the 2nd – early 5th century AD was exca... more In 2006–2009 a part of a Roman period settlement dated to the 2nd – early 5th century AD was excavated in the cadastral area of Cerekvice nad Loučnou (Pardubice Region, Czech Republic). The recovered material seems to be quite common (barbarian pottery), but it also contains a surprisingly rich collection of imports from Roman provinces (a sword tip, Roman provincial pottery, parts of bronze vessels). Amorphous bronze shapes, prismatic ingots, and a fused fragment of a bronze vessel might be indicative of local re-smelting of bronze objects. The manufacture of crushers is documented as well. In addition to other raw materials, they were manufactured of quartzitic porphyry which had to be transported from central and northwestern Bohemia.
The paper deals with five graves dating from the late Roman period which were discovered in the c... more The paper deals with five graves dating from the late Roman period which were discovered in the courtyard of a sugar factory at Plaňany (Kolin District). The aim of this contribution is to carry out an analysis of the individual grave complexes and to place the site into the context of surrounding settlement of the late Roman period, especially with regard to the proximity of the large necropolis of Dobřichov-Třebicka. At Plaňany, situated about 2.6 km southwest of Třebicka, several disturbed features of prehistoric date were discovered in the courtyard of the local sugar factory in 1921 – among others, also 5 cremation graves. The whole situation was documented by J. Hellich, who consequently deposited the finds, recovered from graves and other excavated features, in the municipal museum in Poděbrady. Most of them can be still found there, along with Hellich's notes. It was also thanks to this that it was possible to carry out an analysis of the individual grave complexes, although some of them are only fragmentarily preserved, due to their recovery circumstances. The individual graves were discovered while digging fluming channels and only one urn survived from grave 5 (Fig. 9:1) which does not enable exact dating. The other graves can be dated to the C1 phase, whereas the main clue for their chronological classification are ceramic urns (Fig. 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1) as well as a crossbow fibula from grave 1 (Fig. 5:2). When comparing the grave goods with those from other cemeteries in Bohemia, among others with Opočno (Louny District), graves 1, 3 and 4 are richly equipped, but they still do not match the richest cremation graves from other cemeteries, namely with their number of grave goods and nature.
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Papers by Jan Volf
Thanks to analysis of the finds, especially the ceramic assemblage, it was possible to outline and define the chronological development of the settlement in question. Its beginnings date back to the 2nd century AD (phase B2 of the Roman period) and it existed until the 3rd century (phase C1). The contents of one feature (no. 49) then correspond to the final Roman period (phase C3). It is quite interesting that the excavated section of the settlement almost exclusively contained features interpretable as storage or exploitation pits but no features that are traditionally considered as residential (sunken floor huts). It is probable that the excavated part of the settlement was used for specific purposes, such as exploitation and storage, and subsequently as a rubbish dump. Analysis of decline processes with the help of studying finds from the features' fills then enabled to discern features that had been intentionally filled up with waste (primary waste) and those whose filling up had been a result of natural processes (erosion, etc.). It is apparent that the site continues in adjacent areas –the determination of its general layout is a task for future excavations.
Within this study archaeozoological analysis of animal bones was also carried out and showed a state known from other contemporaneous settlements – i.e. domestic pigs and goats/sheep were outnumbered by cows. A complete skeleton of a domestic dog was discovered, too. Thanks to soil samples which were subsequently floated, a large quantity of material for archaeobotanical analysis was recovered (2611 plant macroremains). Thus almost a complete range of Roman period cereals was documented, which consists especially of archaic species characteristic of earlier agricultural prehistory (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, spelt, barley) and one crop species spreading only at the close of prehistory (oat). It is a mixture characteristic of the Roman period, during which the range of cereals in Central Europe underwent a gradual transformation. The spectrum of tree species, ascertained on the basis of analyzed charcoal samples, conforms to the potential reconstructed vegetation. Tree species of oak-hornbeam forests (oak, hornbeam, maple) prevail in the charcoal assemblage, with an admixture of species typical of acidophilous oak forests (oak, pine, fir, aspen, goat willow, malaceae). Tree species of riparian forests (alder) were only rarely recorded. The study also includes analysis of imported Roman provincial pottery which is relatively abundant on the site, considering the general situation in Bohemia (16 fragments of at least 5 vessels). Three jugs with ovoid bodies belong to undecorated yellow and orange pottery, roughly dating to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A bulky jug with a round body and another smaller vessel can be classified as Pannonian striped painted pottery, which is dateable to the second half of the 2nd to the early 3rd century AD.
The final part of the submitted study then deals with the inclusion of the site into the Roman period settlement network in the area along the middle course of the Výrovka River, namely from the beginnings of the Roman period until the Migration period. It seems especially necessary to stress its topographic and chronological relationship to two well-known Roman period cemeteries situated in the cadastral area of the nearby village of Dobřichov – at the locations of Pičhora (1st–2nd century AD) and Třebická (3rd–4th century AD).
Thanks to analysis of the finds, especially the ceramic assemblage, it was possible to outline and define the chronological development of the settlement in question. Its beginnings date back to the 2nd century AD (phase B2 of the Roman period) and it existed until the 3rd century (phase C1). The contents of one feature (no. 49) then correspond to the final Roman period (phase C3). It is quite interesting that the excavated section of the settlement almost exclusively contained features interpretable as storage or exploitation pits but no features that are traditionally considered as residential (sunken floor huts). It is probable that the excavated part of the settlement was used for specific purposes, such as exploitation and storage, and subsequently as a rubbish dump. Analysis of decline processes with the help of studying finds from the features' fills then enabled to discern features that had been intentionally filled up with waste (primary waste) and those whose filling up had been a result of natural processes (erosion, etc.). It is apparent that the site continues in adjacent areas –the determination of its general layout is a task for future excavations.
Within this study archaeozoological analysis of animal bones was also carried out and showed a state known from other contemporaneous settlements – i.e. domestic pigs and goats/sheep were outnumbered by cows. A complete skeleton of a domestic dog was discovered, too. Thanks to soil samples which were subsequently floated, a large quantity of material for archaeobotanical analysis was recovered (2611 plant macroremains). Thus almost a complete range of Roman period cereals was documented, which consists especially of archaic species characteristic of earlier agricultural prehistory (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, spelt, barley) and one crop species spreading only at the close of prehistory (oat). It is a mixture characteristic of the Roman period, during which the range of cereals in Central Europe underwent a gradual transformation. The spectrum of tree species, ascertained on the basis of analyzed charcoal samples, conforms to the potential reconstructed vegetation. Tree species of oak-hornbeam forests (oak, hornbeam, maple) prevail in the charcoal assemblage, with an admixture of species typical of acidophilous oak forests (oak, pine, fir, aspen, goat willow, malaceae). Tree species of riparian forests (alder) were only rarely recorded. The study also includes analysis of imported Roman provincial pottery which is relatively abundant on the site, considering the general situation in Bohemia (16 fragments of at least 5 vessels). Three jugs with ovoid bodies belong to undecorated yellow and orange pottery, roughly dating to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A bulky jug with a round body and another smaller vessel can be classified as Pannonian striped painted pottery, which is dateable to the second half of the 2nd to the early 3rd century AD.
The final part of the submitted study then deals with the inclusion of the site into the Roman period settlement network in the area along the middle course of the Výrovka River, namely from the beginnings of the Roman period until the Migration period. It seems especially necessary to stress its topographic and chronological relationship to two well-known Roman period cemeteries situated in the cadastral area of the nearby village of Dobřichov – at the locations of Pičhora (1st–2nd century AD) and Třebická (3rd–4th century AD).