Fortification, mining, and charcoal production: landscape history at the abandoned medieval settlement of Hohenwalde at the Faule Pfutze (Saxony, Eastern Ore Mountains)

Warning

This publication doesn't include Faculty of Arts. It includes Faculty of Science. Official publication website can be found on muni.cz.
Authors

TOLKSDORF Johann Friedrich SCHUBERT Matthias SCHRÖDER Frank PETR Libor HERBIG Christoph KOČÁR Petr BERTUCH Mathias HEMKER Christiane

Year of publication 2019
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source E & G Quaternary Science Journal
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-67-73-2019
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-67-73-2019
Keywords Hohenwalde; Faule Pfutze; geoarchaeological studies; landscape history; medieval settlement
Description Geoarchaeological reconstructions of land-use changes may help to reveal driving cultural factors and incentives behind these processes and relate them to supra-regional economic and political developments. This is particularly true in the context of complete abandonment of a settlement. Here we present a case study from the site of Faule Pfutze, a small catchment in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony). The historical record of this site is confined to the report of a settlement called Hohenwalde in 1404 CE and two later references to the then-abandoned settlement in 1492 and 1524 CE in this area. Combined geoarchaeological studies allowed for the reconstruction of several phases of land use. While a first phase of alluvial sedimentation occurred during the late 12th century, archaeological evidence for a permanent settlement is absent during this period. The onset of settlement activity is identified during the late 14th century and included a hitherto unknown massive stone building. Mining features are present nearby and are dated to the early 15th century. The local palynological record shows evidence for reforestation during the mid 15th century and thereby corroborates the time of abandonment indicated by written sources. These processes are discussed in the context of a local political conflict (Dohna Feud) leading to the redistribution of properties and the development of a mining economy during this time. Later land use from the mid 16th century onwards appears restricted to charcoal production, probably in the context of smelting works operating in nearby Schmiedeberg as indicated by rising lead concentrations in the alluvial record.

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.