Wood from prehistoric pile dwellings at Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia, and its research potential

Katarina Čufar and Anton Velušček (2012) Wood from prehistoric pile dwellings at Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia, and its research potential. Les = Wood: revija o lesu in pohištvu, 64 (3-4). pp. 49-56. ISSN 0024-1067

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Abstract

We present results of investigations of archaeological wood from prehistoric pile dwellings at the Ljubljansko barje near Ljubljana, Slovenia. They were systematically conducted since 1995. Dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating enabled us to accurately determine the periods when the dwellings were settled. The oldest Resnikov prekop was already inhabited around 4600 BC. In addition we dated eight settlements from the 4th millennium, and five from the 3rd millennium BC. On the youngest one occupation ceased around 2400 BC, at the time when the Eneolithic period in Slovenia ended. Most archaeological wood originated from the piles on which the dwellings were built. The most commonly used wood species were oak, ash and alder. Among the most valuable prehistoric wooden objects found in the recent years are: approximately 5600 years old bow made of yew wood, the wooden wheel with axis aged approximately 5150 years and two logboats approximately 5150 and 5120 years old. All items show that the pile dwellers knew how to properly select, process and use the wood.

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