Settlement archaeology

Settlement archaeology is a branch of archaeology that focuses on the research of human settlement patterns in the past, the way humans used resources, and what kind of interaction they had with their immediate surroundings. It investigates processes that took place on a macro-scale, such as settlement patterns, regional distribution, and communication paths, but also on a micro-scale, focusing on single settlements, households, and structures within settlements. It is centered on questions of reconstruction and interpretation of human-environment interactions, as well as socio-cultural patterns in the past. Within our research group, we are applying methods such as paleodemography, geoarchaeological investigations, paleoenvironment reconstructions, archaeological excavations, etc.

Sub-theme: Paleodemography

Paleodemography deals with the study and reconstruction of population size and structure, as well as population dynamics, based on different classes of archaeological material and data. There are several segments of our paleodemographic research: skeletal paleodemography (based on the application of methods of biological anthropology and osteology in the study of human skeletal remains), settlement paleodemography (reconstruction of population size and population dynamics based on settlement remains), and the method of summed probability distributions of calibrated radiocarbon dates (SCPD).

Sub-theme: Geoarchaeology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction

Geoarchaeological investigations at Biosense institute are focused on geoarchaeological coring, basic sedimentological analyses, and further geochemical investigations on soils and sediments. With these methods, we can determine the presence or the absence of archaeological remains, size of archaeological sites, archaeological structures, geological layers and underlying sediments, ancient walking surfaces, presence of underground water and its influence on settlements in the past, as well as reconstruct basic characteristics of past landscapes, past river flows and movements, and provide general insight into past environments.

Sub-theme: Remote and non – invasive prospection.              

Remote sensing exploration conducted within Institute BioSense relies on application of photogrammetric record over an area using cameras with high spatial or spectral resolution, thermal cameras, use of LiDAR measurements, satellite imagery from scientific and commercial platforms. Archaeological sites – settlements and individual features are frequently visible as geometric change in the field, a particular spectral signal in soil color or changes in vegetation growth, all caused by physical and chemical changes of the sediment caused by presence of structures created through human agency. These methods can be used to extract whole archaeological landscapes, thus preparing them for other methods of analysis – geoarchaeological research, elemental composition mapping, archaeological walkover and excavation.  These activities can be supported by methods of non-invasive prospection, or – geophysical research, based on magnetometric and electromagnetic systems. By measuring changes in local magnetic field (magnetometry) produced by changes in soil composition or inclusions within original substrate, or by recording reflected EM waveform, originating from buried archaeological feature (GPR) it is possible to map whole settlements, with their spatial organization and nearby surroundings. Both venues of prospection offer unique insight in ways that communities in the past structured and used their available space.