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Neolithic rondels in Central Europe and their builders: an analysis of multi-rondel sites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2022

Václav Vondrovský Open the ORCID record for Václav Vondrovský [Opens in a new window] ,
Lenka Kovačiková Open the ORCID record for Lenka Kovačiková [Opens in a new window]  and
Lubor Smejtek Open the ORCID record for Lubor Smejtek [Opens in a new window]
Václav Vondrovský*
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
Lenka Kovačiková
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Palaeoecology and Archaeobotany, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
Lubor Smejtek
Affiliation:
Central Bohemian Archaeological Heritage Institute, Czech Republic
*
*Author for correspondence ✉ [email protected]
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Abstract

Monumental enclosures are a widespread phenomenon of the European Neolithic. One category of enclosure is the mid-fifth-millennium BC rondel sites of Central Europe. In parts of this region, rondel sites are grouped, drawing attention to notable differences in individual rondel forms. Here, we use Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon dates from the ditches of two rondels at Praha-Krč, Bohemia, to demonstrate their contemporaneity. In turn, this informs interpretations of the role played by multi-rondel sites in symbolic competition between regional communities, who invested in rondels as part of translocal negotiation. The concept of translocality may prove fruitful for the investigation of the monumental architecture of other periods and regions.

Keywords

Central EuropeNeolithicrondel enclosuresradiocarbon datingBayesian modellingsocial organisation
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 96 , Issue 389 , October 2022 , pp. 1105 - 1123
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Antiquity Publications Ltd.

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