Geophysical prospection and soil chemistry at the Early Copper Age settlement of Vésztó-Bikeri, Southeastern Hungary

Abstract Geophysical prospection and soil chemical analyses were conducted at the Early Copper Age (ECA, ca. 4500–3900 cal BC [Antiquity 76 (2002) 619, Journal of Field Archaeology (2004) in press] site of Veszto-Bikeri as part of the Koros Regional Archaeological Project investigations of the Neolithic–Copper Age transition on the Great Hungarian Plain. The goal of these investigations was to locate and map subsurface features and activity areas at the settlement. Vertical magnetic gradient measurements defined the extent and layout of the structures and features across the settlement and revealed that previously unidentified concentric ditches enclosed the site. Excavations confirmed the locations of most of the wall trenches, postholes, ditches, and pits detected in the geophysical survey. The soil chemical survey recorded high concentrations of phosphate around the perimeter of the site, some of which were associated with a midden. With the geophysical survey, details of the plan and organization of the Early Copper Age settlement were revealed that could not be discerned from surface artifact distribution patterns and test excavations. The soil chemistry survey results showed a contrast between the “cleaner” center of the site (near the structures) and the ring of debris at the edge of the site (near the circular enclosures). The continuation of such nondestructive investigations at other ECA sites will help improve models of settlement organization during the Neolithic–Copper Age transition.

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