Research Project

Studies on the dynamics of Neolithic societies

Empirical observation and mathematical modelling

Summary

The Neolithic is one of the most important transitional periods in human history, one that saw not only the emergence and spread of agriculture and a largely sedentary lifestyle, but also the establishment of the first complex socio-political systems. At the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), the dynamics of this transitional period are investigated in a working area located near Mainz (Middle Rhine, Northern Upper Rhine, Wetterau, Lahn Valley). Special attention is paid to periods of crisis in which collapses and reconstitutions occur.

The research is based on the hypothesis that phases of cultural stasis alternate with phases of accelerated development in the development of Neolithic societies, and that ultimately Neolithic societies are subject to cycles. They oscillate between ideal types of economic orientation, social structure and political organisation. These lines of development are interrupted or accelerated by periods of crisis, sometimes internal to society, but also external. The former category includes socio-political dynamics and the latter climatically induced environmental crises.

At the same time, however, we see basic behavioural patterns in early peasant societies that can be transferred to all sedentary societies from small village communities to modern states.

Together with our external partners, we are also investigating the dynamics of these early peasant societies on a supra-regional level. Mathematical modelling and simulation are also applied.

The research focus is accompanied by field research in the Rhine-Main area, currently on the Michelsberg Culture (long-term project Kapellenberg) and the Linear Pottery Culture (long-term project Kilianstädten). GIS-based modelling of the environmental use and environmental balance of early farming societies in temperate woodland is also part of the project.

The basic research consists of archaeological fieldwork and material analysis, carried out in close cooperation with the heritage authorities. In this way, the working area is successively covered in a spatially and temporally comprehensive manner. These data are entered into the dASIS database. The research focus also includes qualifying theses at the Department of Prehistory and Early History of the Institute of Classical Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

  •  Share
  •  Copy link
  •  Print article

Contact

Prof. Dr. Detlef Gronenborn
+49 6131 8885-129
Kontakt

Project Period

Since 01.2010

Support

LEIZA, INTERACT

  • D. Gronenborn/H.-C. Strien/S. Dietrich/F. Sirocko, ‘Adaptive cycles’ and climate fluctuations. A case study from Linear Pottery Culture in western Central Europe. Journal of Archaeological Science 51/November, 2014, 73–83.
  • D. Gronenborn, Some thoughts on political differentiation in early to Young Neolithic societies in western central Europe. In: H. Meller/H.-P. Hahn/R. Jung/R. Risch (Hrsg.), Arm und Reich - Zur Ressourcenverteilung in prähistorischen Gesellschaften. 8. Mitteldeutscher Archäologentag vom 22. bis 24. Oktober 2015 in Halle. Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichte Halle (2016) 61–76.
  • D. Gronenborn/H.-C. Strien/C. Lemmen, Population dynamics, social resilience strategies, and Adaptive Cycles in early farming societies of SW Central Europe. Quaternary International 446/2 August 2017, 2017, 54–65.
  • C. Lemmen/D. Gronenborn, The Diffusion of Humans and Cultures in the Course of the Spread of Farming. In: A. Bunde/J. Caro/J. Kärger/G. Vogl (Hrsg.), Diffusive Spreading in Nature, Technology and Society (Cham 2018) 333–350.
  • D. Gronenborn/H.-C. Strien/R. van Dick/P. Turchin, Social diversity, social identity, and the emergence of surplus in the western central European Neolithic. In: H. Meller/D. Gronenborn/R. Risch (Hrsg.), Überschuss ohne Staat / Surplus without the State. Politische Formen in der Vorgeschichte / Political Forms in Prehistory. Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichte Halle 181 (Halle 2018) 201–220.
  • D. Gronenborn/H.-C. Strien/K. W. Wirtz/P. Turchin/C. Zielhofer/R. van Dick, Inherent Collapse? Social Dynamics and External Forcing in Early Neolithic and modern SW Germany. In: F. Riede/P. D. Sheets (Hrsg.), Going Forward By Looking Back. Archaeological perspectives on socio-ecological crisis, response, and collapse. Catastrophes in Context volume 3 (New York, Oxford 2020) 333-366.
  • C. Lemmen/D. Gronenborn/K. Wirtz, A simulation of the Neolithic transition in Western Eurasia. Journal of Archaeological Science 38, 2011, 3459–3470.

  • Projektseite: Der Kapellenberg bei Hofheim am Taunus vor 6000 Jahren
  • Projektseite Kilianstädten

current

Dissertations

  • Julia Hahn »Die Spät- und Endneolithischen Gräberfelder von Haunau-Mittelbuchen und $$«.
  • Frauke Jacobi »Archäologisch-anthropologische Studien zum Endneolithikum in Sachsen-Anhalt (Tagebau Profen)«.

completet

Dissertations:

  • Christian Lohr „Bandkeramische Erdwerke in Hessen.“ (2020).
  • Sandra Fetsch »Die Michelsberger Kultur zwischen Main und Eder« (2018).
  • Sabine Kuhlmann »Die Michelsberger Kultur im Mittelrheingebiet und im Trierer Land – Wirtschaftsgeographische Studien zu jungneolithischen Gesellschaften« (2016).
  • Wiebke Hoppe »Studien zur Phase II (‚Flomborn’) der Bandkeramischen Kultur« (Oktober 2011).
  • Nadine Richter »Der michelsbergzeitliche Höhenfundplatz Kapellenberg bei Hofheim a. T.« (November 2010).
  • Niels Bleicher »Altes Holz in neuem Licht. Archäologische und dendrochronologische Untersuchungen an spätneolithischen Feuchtbodensiedlungen Oberschwabens« (November 2007).

MA:

  • Christian Lohr »Das bandkeramische Massengrab bei Schöneck-Kilianstädten«.
  • Johanna Ritter »B3a km 119 - Ein linienbandkeramischer Fundplatz bei Friedberg, Wetteraukreis«.
  • Ilia Heit »Die neolithische Muschelperlenwerkstatt von Fundstelle MPS 4 (Mil Plain Survey, Aserbaidschan): Archäologische und technologische Untersuchungen«. 
  • Verena Fox »Die mittelneolithischen Fundplätze Frankfurt-Harheim und Friedberg Gewerbegebiet West« (2013).
  • Bettina Hünerfauth »Impflingen und Orensberg – Studien zur Michelsberger Kultur in der Südpfalz« (2012).
  • Thomas Engel »GIS-basierte Auswertung altneolithischer Besiedlungsstrukturen am Beispiel der Landkreise Limburg-Weilburg und Rheingau-Taunus« (2012).
  • Ann-Katrin Leonhardt »Der mittelneolithische Fundplatz Bad Homburg, Klinikum, Hessen« (2012).
  • Daniela Braetz »Geschichte  sozialarchäologischer Ansätze in der Erforschung des Neolithikums im deutschsprachigen Raum« (2010).
  • Sabine Kuhlmann »Bischheimer Fundstellen im Frankfurter Stadtgebiet« (Dezember 2008).
  • Sandra Fetsch »Linienbandkeramische Fundplätze der Gemarkung Herxheim, Kr. Südliche Weinstraße« (2009).
  • Frauke Jacobi »Zwei Gräberfelder der Baalberger Gruppe aus dem Landkreis Quedlinburg – Ein interdisziplinärer Vergleich« (2008).
  • Christina Dear »Eine Siedlung der jüngeren und jüngsten Bandkeramik mit Grabenwerk an der B 49, bei Wetzlar-Dahlheim« (2008).
  • Birgit Regner-Kamlah »Die Befunde des michelsbergzeitlichen Grabenwerks von Bruchsal–Aue« (2006).

Stay informed!

Regular LEIZA updates in your inbox:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Yes, I agree to the use of the personal data I have provided. For more information, please see our privacy policy.


We use Sendinblue as our marketing platform. By completing and submitting the form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to Sendinblue for processing in accordance with the Terms of Use.