Frederic Bernd Ebel (Köln, Germany)
The Bronze Age tell settlement of Toboliu Dâmbu Zănăcanului is located in the eastern part of the Carpathian Basin, in Bihor County, Romania. The settlement, which spans approximately 84 hectares, has been investigated in recent years using a variety of non-invasive research techniques, including systematic surface surveys, geophysical prospections, core drilling, and aerial photography. Based on the data collected, five excavation sections were opened between 2019 and 2024 at potential structures on the outskirts of the settlement.
During the first excavation in 2019 (Trench 4), it was observed that the preservation of the structure within the trench was poor. This was surprising, as the geophysical evaluation of the structure had appeared very promising. Core drilling in subsequent years revealed that the preservation of structures within the outer settlement varied significantly, despite consistently good results from the geophysical images. The causes of this fluctuating preservation remain unclear. Potential factors include prehistoric anthropogenic influences (e.g., displacement or destruction), modern anthropogenic influences (e.g., agriculture), erosion by wind or water, or poor soil conservation conditions (e.g., alkaline soils). However, due to the clear signals detected in the geophysical prospection, it is likely that residues of chemical and physical elements have been preserved in the soil. This is because chemical elements are less susceptible to displacement or destruction. Even in cases where structures are largely displaced or destroyed, the chemical substances in the sediment can remain intact and may still be analyzed.
This is where my work comes into play. As demonstrated at other sites, XRF analysis can precisely break down the chemical composition of sediments. The chemical elements found in the soil are the result of activities that took place during the settlement period. Different activities leave behind distinct chemical signatures, which can be revealed through XRF analysis. This allows for the systematic examination of structures and their chemical compositions to identify potential activity zones both within the structures themselves and throughout the broader settlement. These activity zones can then offer valuable insights into the social organization of the households and the settlement as a whole. Some of the central research questions of my work are:
In addition to these central questions regarding the organization of the outer settlement and individual structures, the results from features with varying degrees of preservation are also part of the evaluation. Due to the often poor preservation of certain structures, it is not possible to reconstruct their internal structure and function based solely on archaeological excavations. By conducting targeted sampling of these structures, I hope to obtain information that could not be acquired through traditional excavation methods. Therefore, the following research questions are also central to my work:
Funding period: 2025
© 2021 Foundation for the STUDY and PRESERVATION of TELLS in the Prehistoric Old World
© Font Profondo by Elmar Lixenfeld