Recent publications by Thomas Terberger
Âge du Bronze âge de guerre ? , 2023
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PLOS One 18, 2023
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D. Groß/ M. Rothstein (eds.), Changing Identity in a Changing World. Current Studies on the Stone Age around 4000 BCE , 2023
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Prähistorische Zeitschrift, 2022
Zusammenfassung: Das Tollensetal in Nordostdeutschland ist bekannt für die Zeugnisse eines Gewalt... more Zusammenfassung: Das Tollensetal in Nordostdeutschland ist bekannt für die Zeugnisse eines Gewaltkonfliktes aus dem frühen 13 Jh. v. Chr. (Nordische Bronzezeit, Periode III). In diesem Aufsatz wird ein Neufund aus der jüngeren Bronzezeit vorgestellt, den Ronald Borgwardt im Sommer 2020 im Fluss an einer bereits bekannten bronzezeitlichen Talquerung (Fpl. Weltzin 13) entdeckt hat. Die Bronzefigur (Länge 14,7 cm) zeigt u. a. einen eiförmigen Kopf mit prominent geformter Nase, geschwungene Arme, einen Halsring, zwei Knubben für die Brüste, einen Gürtel, eine Markierung des weiblichen Geschlechts und zwei leicht unterschiedlich geformte Beine. Im 19. Jh. wurde eine ähnliche weibliche Statuette einige Kilometer entfernt bei Klein Zastrow entdeckt, aber die meisten Figuren dieser Art sind von Seeland und aus Schonen bekannt. Nur Statuetten der Insel Seeland und aus Vorpommern haben einen Gürtel und dies spricht für eine enge Verbindung der Figuren aus diesen Gebieten. Typologische Argumente datieren die Statuette aus der Tollense in die späte Bronzezeit (Periode V-VI). Vor einigen Jahren wurden die Figuren als mögliche Gewichte diskutiert, aber ihre
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Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2021
While there is substantial evidence for art and symbolic behaviour in early Homo sapiens across A... more While there is substantial evidence for art and symbolic behaviour in early Homo sapiens across Africa and Eurasia, similar evidence connected to Neanderthals is sparse and often contested in scientific debates. Each new discovery is thus crucial for our understanding of Neanderthals’ cognitive capacity. Here we report on the discovery of an at least 51,000-year-old engraved giant deer phalanx found at the former cave entrance of Einhornhöhle, northern Germany. The find comes from an apparent Middle Palaeolithic context that is linked to Neanderthals. The engraved bone demonstrates that conceptual imagination, as a prerequisite to compose individual lines into a coherent design, was present in Neanderthals. Therefore, Neanderthal’s awareness of symbolic meaning is very likely. Our findings show that Neanderthals were capable of creating symbolic expressions before H. sapiens arrived in Central Europe.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01487-z
A 3D video of the engraved giant deer bone is available online. It is free to view at: https://denkmalpflege.niedersachsen.de/live/institution/mediadb/mand_45/psfile/bild/57/CC_BY_SA_3606c7d7aad00b.mp4
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Antiquity, 2019
A decade ago, archaeologists discovered the site of a Bronze Age battlefield in the Tollense Vall... more A decade ago, archaeologists discovered the site of a Bronze Age battlefield in the Tollense Valley in north-eastern Germany. Dated to the early thirteenth century BC, the remains of over 140 individuals have been documented, along with many associated bronze objects. Here, the authors present a new assemblage of 31 objects from the site, including three bronze cylinders that may be the fastenings of an organic container. The objects are similar to those found in Bronze Age burials of southern Central Europe, and may represent the personal equipment of awarrior from that region who died on the battlefield in Northern Europe.
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Journal of Archaeological Science 99, 2018
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Bronze Age by Thomas Terberger
Although the Bronze Age is best known for its remarkable metal weapons, there is little evidence ... more Although the Bronze Age is best known for its remarkable metal weapons, there is little evidence of conflict. Traumatic wounds in human skeletal remains are rare, and there have been few recognized scenes of warfare such as those known from later periods. Recent discoveries, however, have revealed evidence of a major battle in a small valley in the northeast of Germany, some 3250 years ago. Both military equipment and human and animal remains have been encountered in surveys and excavations along almost 3 km of the Tollense Valley. More than 130 human individuals have been recovered in the investigations, for the most, part young men between 20 and 40 years of age. In addition, horse bones have been found among the human remains in the riverbed and banks. This study reports on the isotopic proveniencing of the excavated remains utilizing strontium, lead, oxygen, and carbon isotopes to learn about place of origin and past diet. Two major groups can be distinguished in the isotope data, along with evidence for different homelands for some of the individuals who died in the Tollense Valley.
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S. Hansen/ R. Krause (Hrsg.), Bronzezeitliche Burgen zwischen Taunus und Karpaten/Bronze Age Hillforts between Taunus and Carpathian Mountains. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie 319
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Materialisierung von Konflikten/Materialisation of Conflicts, 2019
Discussion session of LOEWE meeting at Fulda, 2018
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Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (PAST), 2018
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Prähistorische Zeitschrift 87(1), S. 29-43, 2012
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Neolithisation by Thomas Terberger
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Archäologie in Deutschland, Sonderheft , 2014
With the beginning of agriculture, the history of humankind experienced a quantum leap: sedentism... more With the beginning of agriculture, the history of humankind experienced a quantum leap: sedentism and regular harvests led to population growth and more complex forms of political organisation. However, this transition did not proceed as abruptly as is often thought. Rather, this complex process in Central Europe took place over many centuries, between 6500 and 3500 BC. This milestone in the history of civilization is vividly explained in this richly illustrated volume with a focus on the German-speaking part of Europe. Well-known experts present the latest research results using meaningful and exciting examples (Cover text by the publisher).
Mit dem Beginn der Landwirtschaft erlebte die Geschichte der Menschheit einen Quantensprung: Sesshaftigkeit und regelmäßige Ernten zogen ein Bevölkerungswachstum nach sich und es kam zu komplexeren gesellschaftlichen Strukturen. Allerdings verlief dieser Übergang nicht so abrupt wie immer wieder dargestellt. Vielmehr vollzog sich jener vielschichtige Prozess in Mitteleuropa über viele Jahrhunderte zwischen ca. 6500 und 3500 v.Chr. Dieser Meilenstein in der Zivilisationsgeschichte wird in dem reich bebilderten Band mit Fokus auf dem deutschsprachigen Raum anschaulich erläutert. Renommierte Fachleute präsentieren die neuesten Forschungsergebnisse anhand von aussagekräftigen und spannenden Beispielen (Umschlagtext des Verlages).
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Recent publications by Thomas Terberger
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01487-z
A 3D video of the engraved giant deer bone is available online. It is free to view at: https://denkmalpflege.niedersachsen.de/live/institution/mediadb/mand_45/psfile/bild/57/CC_BY_SA_3606c7d7aad00b.mp4
Bronze Age by Thomas Terberger
Find full text here: http://www.prehistoricsociety.org/files/PAST_90_for_web.pdf
Neolithisation by Thomas Terberger
Mit dem Beginn der Landwirtschaft erlebte die Geschichte der Menschheit einen Quantensprung: Sesshaftigkeit und regelmäßige Ernten zogen ein Bevölkerungswachstum nach sich und es kam zu komplexeren gesellschaftlichen Strukturen. Allerdings verlief dieser Übergang nicht so abrupt wie immer wieder dargestellt. Vielmehr vollzog sich jener vielschichtige Prozess in Mitteleuropa über viele Jahrhunderte zwischen ca. 6500 und 3500 v.Chr. Dieser Meilenstein in der Zivilisationsgeschichte wird in dem reich bebilderten Band mit Fokus auf dem deutschsprachigen Raum anschaulich erläutert. Renommierte Fachleute präsentieren die neuesten Forschungsergebnisse anhand von aussagekräftigen und spannenden Beispielen (Umschlagtext des Verlages).
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01487-z
A 3D video of the engraved giant deer bone is available online. It is free to view at: https://denkmalpflege.niedersachsen.de/live/institution/mediadb/mand_45/psfile/bild/57/CC_BY_SA_3606c7d7aad00b.mp4
Find full text here: http://www.prehistoricsociety.org/files/PAST_90_for_web.pdf
Mit dem Beginn der Landwirtschaft erlebte die Geschichte der Menschheit einen Quantensprung: Sesshaftigkeit und regelmäßige Ernten zogen ein Bevölkerungswachstum nach sich und es kam zu komplexeren gesellschaftlichen Strukturen. Allerdings verlief dieser Übergang nicht so abrupt wie immer wieder dargestellt. Vielmehr vollzog sich jener vielschichtige Prozess in Mitteleuropa über viele Jahrhunderte zwischen ca. 6500 und 3500 v.Chr. Dieser Meilenstein in der Zivilisationsgeschichte wird in dem reich bebilderten Band mit Fokus auf dem deutschsprachigen Raum anschaulich erläutert. Renommierte Fachleute präsentieren die neuesten Forschungsergebnisse anhand von aussagekräftigen und spannenden Beispielen (Umschlagtext des Verlages).
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the situation of the poorly documented rescue excavation in 1962 and identified six individuals from at least two separate burials. The new excavations uncovered more burials and Groß Fredenwalde stands
out as the largest Mesolithic cemetery in North Central Europe and the oldest cemetery in Germany. In this paper the known burial evidence from this site is presented and the location of the cemetery,
mortuary practices, and grave goods are discussed in a broader European context. Northern and Eastern connections appear especially tangible in Groß Fredenwalde and it is suggested that the community
associated with the Groß Fredenwalde Mesolithic cemetery was integrated into wider cultural networks connected to the North and East.
Sakhtysh 2a, Ozerki 5, and Ozerki 17 in the Upper Volga region. The aim is to contribute to a better understanding of the
emergence and dispersal of early ceramic traditions in northern Eurasia and their connection to the Baltic. With 1 exception,
all dates were obtained from charred residue adhering to the sherd. A possible reservoir effect was tested on 1 piece of pottery
from Sakhtysh 2a by taking 1 sample from charred residue, and another sample from plant fiber remains. Although a reservoir
effect was able to be ruled out in this particular case, 4 other dates from Sakhtysh 2a and Ozerki 5 seem too old on typological
grounds and might have been affected by freshwater reservoir effects. Considering all other reliable dates, the Early Neolithic
Upper Volga culture, and with it the adoption of ceramics, in the forest zone of European Russia started around 6000 cal BC.
popular. One application of individual diet reconstruction is the detection and quantification of dietary radiocarbon reservoir effects, which are correlated with the importance of aquatic
products as foodstuffs, an important research question in itself. Even at a societal level, the archaeological record does not resolve this question, as the function of simple and barbed bone
points, in particular, as hunting weapons or fishing equipment has long been debated. Recent investigations, however, have shown that archaeozoological assemblages from early Mesolithic
sites contain more fish remains than previously suspected.
Here we present new archaeozoological and stable isotopic data for a range of herbivores (auroch, elk, red and roe deer, beaver) and freshwater fish (northern pike, European perch,
European eel and Wels catfish) species, together with radiocarbon and stable isotope data from eight prehistoric humans, from the renowned Early Mesolithic to Early Neolithic site of Friesack
IV. The availability of local reference data for herbivores and fish allows the amount of fish consumed by each individual to be quantified. Using modern values for local freshwater
reservoir effects, we can then calibrate the human radiocarbon ages.
Although the number of human samples is small, it is possible to infer a decline in the dietary importance of fish from the Preboreal to the Boreal Mesolithic, and an increase in aquatic
resource consumption from the Early Neolithic onwards. Finally, we will compare these data with comparable prehistoric sites in Northern Germany, including Groß Fredenwalde and
Ostorf-Tannenwerder.
been radiocarbon dated (61 conventional and accelerator mass spectrometry [AMS] dates from various natural and artifact
samples). For the first time, a detailed chronology o f Early to Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic occupation for this region
has been obtained, and a paleoenvironmental history reconstructed. Based on these results, we propose that the Mesolithic settlement
of the Middle Urals region started in the early Holocene, at the same time as in central and eastern Europe.
New Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates of previous finds leave little reliably dated evidence for anatomically modern humans (AMH) in Europe before 30,000 BP; the remains from Hahnöfersand, Binshof-Speyer, Paderborn-Sande, and Vogelherd are now of Holocene age. Thus, a correlation of AMH with the Aurignacian remains to be proven, and the general idea of a long coexistence of Neandertals and AMH in Europe may be questioned. In western Central Europe, evidence of Gravettian human fossils is also very limited, although a new double grave from lower Austria may be relevant. The only dated burial from the German Upper Paleolithic (from Mittlere Klause) falls into a time period (circa 18,600 BP) represented by only a few occupation sites in western Central Europe. A number of human remains at Magdalenian sites appear to result from variable (secondary) burial practices. In contrast, the Final Paleolithic (circa 12,000–9600 cal. BC) yields an increase of hominin finds, including multiple burials (Bonn-Oberkassel, Neuwied-Irlich), similar to the situation in western and southern Europe.
Kürzlich wurde in der AiD (6/2020, S. 55) ein »Quarzitstein« vom steinzeitlichen Oberflächenfundplatz »Birket«, einer Kuppe am Ortsrand des nordhessischen Oberaula-Hausen, vorgestellt. Die Form des Steins erinnere an ein Gesicht, eine Assoziation, die noch »durch Bearbeitung betont« werde, so Lutz Fiedler, ehemaliger Bodendenkmalpfleger der Außenstelle Marburg in Hessen. Ihm zufolge sei der Stein aufgrund seiner Patinierung einer Serie von Faustkeilen des Fundplatzes zuzuordnen und in das Acheuléen einzustufen, ein Abschnitt des Altpaläolithikums, der »vor 150000 Jahren endete«. Dem entsprechend habe dieser Fund »das Potential zu einer der ältesten menschlichen Darstellungen Europas«. Es muss nicht verwundern, wenn der Betrachter in dem fraglichen Stein ein Gesicht erkennt. Was wie eine wissenschaftliche Sensation anmutet und Gedankenspiele über die evolutionäre Entwicklung der kognitiven Fähigkeiten des Menschen entfesselt, gründet in dem bekannten Phänomen der Pareidolie.
Recently, in the “Archäologie in Deutschland” (6/2020, p. 55) a "quartzite stone" from the Palaeolithic surface site "Birket", a knoll on the outskirts of Oberaula-Hausen in northern Hesse (Western Germany), was presented. The shape of the stone is reminiscent of a face, an association that is still "emphasized by processing", according to Lutz Fiedler, former curator of the Hesse Archaeological Heritage Service in Marburg. According to him, due to its patination, the stone can be assigned to a series of hand axes from the site and classified as the Acheulianb, a section of the Early Paleolithic which "ended 150,000 years ago". Accordingly, the presented lithic find has "the potential to become one of the oldest human representations in Europe". It does not come as a surprise when the viewer recognizes a face in the stone in question. What seems like a scientific sensation and unleashes mind games about the evolutionary development of human cognitive abilities is based on the well-known phenomenon of pareidolia.
Literatur / References:
Bahn, P. G. (1999): Face to face with the earliest ‘art object’. In: M. Strecker & P. G. Bahn (Hrsg.): Dating and the earliest known rock art. SIARB Congress, Cochabamba, Bolivia 1997. Oxford, 75-77.
Conard, N. J. & Kieselbach, P. (2009): Eindeutig männlich. Ein Phallus aus dem Hohle Fels. In: Eiszeit – Kunst und Kultur. Begleitband zur großen Landesausstellung Stuttgart. Ostfildern, 282-286.
Matthes, W. (1969): Eiszeitkunst im Nordseeraum. Geschichte und Kultur der Deutschen Bucht 6. Otterndorf.
Taubert, J. u. a. (2017): Face Pareidolia in the Rhesus Monkey. Current Biology 27, 2505-2509.
14C ages for remains of the latest Neanderthals will regularly date to older than 38.0 ka 14C BP. While at present the oldest direct dates for remains of Anatomically Modern Humans are < ca. 35.0 ka 14C BP, AMH possibly appear in Europe as early as ca. 38.0 ka 14C BP.
14C will date Final Middle Palaeolithic “transitional” industries (leaf-point industries, Chatelperronian, Uluzzian) to between ca. 41.0 and 38.0 ka 14C BP, and possibly as young as 35.0/34.0 ka 14C BP.
Initial and Early Upper Palaeolithic “transitional” industries (Bachokirian, Bohunician, Protoaurignacian, Kostenki 14, level IVb) will date to between ca. 39.0 and 35.0 ka 14C BP.
The earliest Aurignacian (I) will not significantly pre-date ca. 35.0 ka 14C BP, whereas the earliest appearance of Aurignacian figurative art will not date earlier than 32.5 ka 14C BP.
based chronometric record for the period between ca.
40.0 and 30.0 ka 14C BP with reference to the stratigraphic
evidence. The following testable hypotheses are proposed:
14C ages for remains of the latest Neanderthals will regularly
date to older than 38.0 ka 14C BP. While at present the
oldest direct dates for remains of Anatomically Modern
Humans are < ca. 35.0 ka 14C BP, AMH possibly appear
in Europe as early as ca. 38.0 ka 14C BP.
14C will date Final Middle Palaeolithic “transitional” industries
(leaf-point industries, Chatelperronian, Uluzzian) to
between ca. 41.0 and 38.0 ka 14C BP, and possibly as
young as 35.0/34.0 ka 14C BP.
Initial and Early Upper Palaeolithic “transitional” industries
(Bachokirian, Bohunician, Protoaurignacian, Kostenki
14, level IVb) will date to between ca. 39.0 and 35.0 ka
evidence. The following testable hypotheses are proposed:
(1) 14C ages for remains of the latest Neanderthals will regularly
date to older than 38.0 ka 14C BP.
(2) While at present the oldest direct dates for remains of Anatomically Modern
Humans are <ca. 35.0 ka 14C BP, AMH possibly appear in Europe as early as ca. 38.0 ka 14C BP. 14C will date Final Middle Palaeolithic “transitional” industries (leaf-point industries, Chatelperronian, Uluzzian) to between ca. 41.0 and 38.0 ka 14C BP, and possibly as young as 35.0/34.0 ka 14C BP.
(3) Initial and Early Upper Palaeolithic “transitional” industries (Bachokirian, Bohunician, Protoaurignacian, Kostenki 14, level IVb) will date to between ca. 39.0 and 35.0 ka 14C BP.
(4) The earliest Aurignacian (I) will not significantly pre-date ca. 35.0 ka 14C BP, whereas the earliest appearance of Aurignacian figurative art will not date earlier than 32.5 ka 14C BP.