Abstract
Within this project, funded by the Excellence Cluster Topoi, we intend to expand a previous research project that dealt with the spatial and visual characteristics of circular enclosures of the early 5th millennium BC in Germany. Based on high-resolution digital elevation models, areas possibly orientated towards topographical and astronomical features were systematically investigated using GIS-based viewsheds and computed skyscapes and a self-developed Python based routine that incorporates the visible horizon as seen from the enclosure.
Description
The here presented ever-expanding repository comprises a database of all circular enclosures under investigation. The database entries include the coordinates and a thorough description of each enclosure. Additionally, several resources like skyline and viewshed maps, files of input parameters and plots of astronomical features are deposited.
The following abbreviation are used:
Ri = Rising
Se = Setting
WiSo = Winter Solstice
SuSo = Summer Solstice
Ss = Sunset
Sr = Sunrise
AutEq = Autumnal Equinox
SpEq = Spring Equinox
asl = above sea level
Further information
LITERSKI/NEBELSICK 2012: N. Literski u. L. D. Nebelsick, Katalog der Kreisgrabenanlagen und verwandten Tells der ersten Hälfte des 5. Jt. v. Chr. in Mittel- und Südosteuropa. In: F. Bertemes u. H. Meller (Hrsg.), Neolithische Kreisgrabenanlagen in Europa. Internationale Arbeitstagung vom 7. bis 9. Mai in Goseck. Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichte Halle 8 (2012) 433-532.
MICHEL/HOFMANN/SCHIER 2016: C. Michel, S. M. Hofmann and W. Schier, Built Knowledge-Spatial Patterns and Viewsheds of Middle Neolithic circular enclosures in the Northern Foreland of the Harz Mountains, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In: Bridging the Gap – Integrated Approaches in Landscape Archaeology, eTopoi. Journal for Ancient Studies, Special Volume 4, 2015 (2016), 139–161.
SCHIER/SCHMIDT-KALER 2008: W. Schier (mit einem Beitrag von Th. Schmidt-Kaler), Zur astronomischen Orientierung der mittelneolithischen Kreisgrabenanlage von Ippesheim, Mittelfranken. Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica 40, 2008, 45-55.
Research Group
Gordon Fischer, Gerd Graßhoff, Christina Michel, Wolfram Schier
