Eine prähistorische Almhütte auf dem Schwarzboden im Maneidtal, Südtirol/Vinschgau

Abstract

A Prehistoric Alpine Cabin On Schwarzboden In Maneidtal, South Tyrol/Vinschgau. The area examined in the project “The Neolithic Agricultural Regime in the Inner Alps” is one of the major valleys in the South Tyrol (Italy) called the Vinschgau. The goal of the project is to date the chronological beginning of the transhumance pastoralism in the Inner Alps through archaeo­ botanical studies and archeological excavations. For this purpose we started the project in Schlandrauntal, a small valley that stretches from Vinschgau into the Otztaler Alps. At the altitude of 2.150 m it was possible to excavate structures used for pastoral­ ism, maybe for a pasture. In the excavated area three different structures have been found, all of them were in use during the Iron Age. The oldest one belongs in the Early Iron Age (8th century BC); it was possible to find postholes and two cavities laid out with stones. The second phase persists in the remains of a wall and a brash floor. Findings from this archeological level date in the 5th century BC. The last phase is obviously the best preserved. It was possible to excavate a part of a rectangular house whose walls have been build of slabs. The house had more than one room and so we think that the building could have been used for pasture activities, for which a room for stocking milk products is needed. The building was in use during the 2th century BC. In the Schlan draun Valley it was not possible to find verification for pastoralism older than the Iron Age. The Project will go on for another two years. The research is not limited to this part of Vinschgau, and we will also do surveys in Schnals Valley, where the iceman was found.