Revealing the internal organization of a Middle Bronze Age fortified settlement in Kakucs-Turján through geoarchaeological means: Magnetometric survey and sedimentological verification of a housing structure

Abstract

Kakucs – Turján is a multi – layered fortified settlement from the Middle Bronze Age located in Central Hungary. The site was subjected to a non – invasive prospection using the magnetometry method. The magnetic anomalies provided insight into the horizontal plan of the site, revealing a tri-partite structure encircled and divided internally by ditches. In one of the so-defined zones, an agglomeration of a house – like anomalies were detected indicating the location of the housing area. One of these features was subjected to archaeological excavations which revealed the remains of two houses built on top of each other (tell – like deposition). In addition to excavations, sedimentological and geochemical sampling provided data on the functional aspects of the house. The spatial distribution of chemical elements and grain – size parameters showed that the house witnessed heavy anthropogenic activity. The distribution of phosphorous, copper and zinc indicated that a large part of activities could have taken place outside of the house, in the area where a suspected entrance was registered during the excavations. Geoarchaeological analysis at Kakucs – Turján thus resulted in a delimitation of the site's internal organization and a clarification of one of the house's chronology and functionality.