Evaluation of Phosphate Analysis and the Brongers Method of Detecting Decomposed Wood, Human Tissue and Organic Goods in a Bell Beaker Grave at Těšetice-Kyjovice, Czech Republic

Michal Hlavica,Klára Šabatová,Lubomír Prokeš,Jan Petřík

doi:10.24916/iansa.2011.2.1

Abstract

Investigations of a Bell Beaker grave were conducted at Těsetice-Kyjovice in Moravia, and included a trial of a geochemical phosphate analysis and Brongers method for detecting decomposed wood. The grave was well-equipped, comprising a chamber, skeleton and surrounded by a trough. The aim of this paper is to provide an interpretation of anthropogenic phosphates in the grave, their relation to the skeleton, a description of an application of Brongers method and comments on the outcomes. Through the use of the GIS approach, the geochemical methods have a more logical structure which improves burial rite research. The authors are of the opinion that the body was deposited into the grave chamber before soft tissue decomposition due to phosphate accumulation recognized under the skeleton. A second accumulation of phosphates is in all probability related to organic grave goods. Brongers method identified the features at the 40 cm level and provided a more complete picture of the features identified at 110 cm and 140 cm. The features recorded are thought to be the remains of a wood structure along the chamber wall, a divider wall or a top cover. The authors tested this method, which had only been sporadically used in the Czech Republic. The geochemical approach provided relevant results for a thorough interpretation of an archaeological context which is not recognizable through the naked eye.

Highlights

The research at Těšetice-Kyjovice in south-west Moravia (Figure 1) is currently focused on the methodology and the systematic recording of the archaeological context
4.2.3 Recording level 140 cm An unclear organic structure has been detected in the eastern part of the chamber just above the floor level
The organic structure became more obvious after the application of Brongers method

Summary

Introduction

The research at Těšetice-Kyjovice in south-west Moravia (Figure 1) is currently focused on the methodology and the systematic recording of the archaeological context. The excavation of Bell Beaker grave H27 was carried out at the “Sutny II” site in 2010–2011. The grave is comprised of a chamber, surrounded by a trough, containing a well-equipped skeleton (Kuča et al in print). The skeleton was identified as male, and was found oriented with its head to the north, lying on its side, on the bottom of the grave pit (Figure 2). During the analysis of the chamber certain experimental methods were used including a geochemical phosphate analysis to identify soft tissue decomposition, and the J. A. Brongers method for depicting organic structures

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Results

Conclusion