Elisabeth I. FAULSTICH
(FIAK Cottbus, Germany)
Outline: Archaeological monitoring seems to be necessary during laying small cables through villages. Examples will be shown.
Abstract: Utility trenches through villages as archaeological prospection Is archaeological monitoring of small linear projects worthwhile? Villages are generally less well researched than towns. Their history often begins only with their first documentary reference. Does this conform to the archaeological findings or are the villages older? Prehistoric remains are often found under settlement-advantageous medieval sites.
Many examples from the south of the German Federal State of Brandenburg show that the history of the villages stretches much further back in time. Archaeological interventions continue to turn up prehistoric and early historical sites. In many cases the villages’ histories go much further back than their first mention in a foundation charter. This can often be shown by archaeological interventions and projects monitoring the narrowest of trenches for the smallest cables.
The basis of this contribution is provided by over 200 archaeological interventions by an excavation company in the last 10 years in southern Brandenberg, including trenches for electricity cables usually no more than 30 cm wide and 60 – 80 cm deep. They give us a glimpse of the structure of the layers in the soil. Archaeological findings are truncated or even completely destroyed by them. Larger projects such as drains for rain water and sewage or gas pipes also enjoy archaological monitoring. They usually provide a complete overview of the historical stratigraphy of the settlement.
Completely unexpected findings will be presented. A statistical analysis of trenches for water and electricity will show the necessity of archaeological monitoring of small linear projects.
Keywords: urban archeology, prospection