Abstract
Abstract Multidisciplinary research (including magnetic survey, earth resistance survey, geological mapping, detailed archaeological surface survey and geochemical prospection) was undertaken on an area of about 0.7–9.0 hectares (depending on the method) in the close surroundings of the medieval ring-fort relicts in central Poland. The geophysical studies of the vicinity of the Rozprza ring-fort were part of a multi-method complementary non-destructive archaeological survey. The ring-fort is situated in the Luciąża River (Vistula River basin) valley floor and the flood plain morphology is very important for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions of settlement location. Results of aerial photographs and geophysical prospection allowed the discovery of traces of sub-fossil palaeomeanders of different sizes as well as relicts of archaeological features (system of ramparts and moats). It was possible due to the application of high resolution archaeo-geophysical surveys. Both natural structures and also anthropogenic features registered with geophysics have been verified by geological sounding. The surface geology structure of the close vicinity of the ring-fort has been recognised in detail and selected organic deposits of palaeochannel fills and overbank covers have been 14C dated. The Rozprza ring-fort was situated in a defensive location on the surface of a sandy terrace remnant in the central part of a (partly) swampy valley floor. The accumulation of recorded fills of palaeochannels and moats covers the whole Holocene, as documented by 14C data. It gives the possibility for future detailed palaeoenvironmental studies. The results of geophysical studies, due to their known precise location, allow the effective planning of further research activities, both archaeological and palaeoenvironmental.
Highlights
The Rozprza ring-fort settlement complex functioned as a tribal centre from the second half of the 9th to the mid-10th century AD
The study area is characterised by strong local variations of the magnetic field, which may be associated with the fluvial genesis of the area (Fig. 3). This manifests itself in the eastern part of the survey area in the form of narrow, linear, partly wavy, positive anomalies and zones of positive point and point dipolar magnetic anomalies. These are interpreted as a system of multiple narrow sub-fossil palaeomeanders
Subsequent verification of anomalies by means of geological augering or geological test pitting combined with small-scale geoarchaeological excavations will allow the implementation of a time and cost-effective field methodology which will allow a comprehensive identification of the area’s geoarchaeological resources
Summary
The Rozprza ring-fort settlement complex functioned as a tribal centre from the second half of the 9th to the mid-10th century AD. Later in the 10th–13th century AD it played an important role in the Piast state as a centre of local administration. Rozprza was one of the most important medieval strongholds in central Poland, next to Łęczyca, Sieradz and Spicymierz. The complex had been situated in the central part of the Luciąża River valley (Fig. 1). Relics of the defensive system of the ring-fort are badly preserved but still clearly visible in the field as earthworks. The present-day surface of the immediate vicinity of the site is flat and covered by meadows with a dense network of irrigation channels (Fig. 2). The artificial channel of the River Luciąża is situated approximately 200 m to the west of the ring-fort remnants
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