CIPA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey
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ploughed out prehistoric and Early medieval hillforts near
Veprek and Bosynë, both in district Melnik. The example of
results of systematic magnetometric survey (approx. 2,5 ha)
of Early medieval/Iron age hillfort near Bosynë (Krivanek
2003) we can use as for separation of the whole fortified site
as for identification of different subsurface archaeological
situations (fig. 1). Magnetometric survey on very long and
narrow headland separate different transverse systems of
fortification (outer single ditch, inner ploughed out main
fortification system ditch-rampart-ditch) and also very
probable entrance to the hillfort. Inside of fortified area were
then identified groups with larger subrectangular sunken
settlement features approx. 5x3 m (probable houses), smaller
sunken features (probable pits) and relics of line of ploughed
out probable perimeter fortification.
Pristoupim (11 ha).
The first systematically implemented geophysical surveys of
hillforts applicable for needs of archaeology and also better
protection of archeological monuments were carried out in
the archaeogeophysical project "Identification of destroyed
fortifications and internal structures of settlement of hillforts"
(Krivanek 1999-2000, Grant Agency of Ministry of Culture
of the Czech Republic - PK99P040PP007). The results of
application of similar geophysical survey methods on areas of
previous known and documented hillforts showed we can use
geophysical data as another independent base map for exact
separation of fortified archaeological site. The example of
large area magnetometric survey (approx. 11 ha) of Early
medieval hillfort Pristoupim, district Kolin (Krivanek 2001)
confirmed presence of many various surface unvisible
archaeological situations, their different state of subsurface
preservation depending on intensity of ploughing and
landscape changes (fig. 2). Magnetometric survey in outer
part of Slavic hillfort changed previous archaeological ideas
about the real extent (fortified approx. 20 ha) and structure of
site. New non-destructive results showed hillfort had 3
different fortified parts, but outer fortifications, remains of
another larger features and inner settlement are not visible at
present time on the surface and they were damaged by
ploughing of site.
Different way of use of geophysical measurements represents
the project “Prehistoric hillfort Plesivec” (Korenÿ-Kfivânek-
Kuna 2001-2004, Grant Agency of Ministry of Culture of the
Czech republic - PK01P040PP011) where combination of
non-destructive and destructive methods (magnetometric
survey, field surface survey, GPS, small archaeological
trenches and test pits) should help to systematic study of
important prehistoric hillfort endangered by illegal use of
metal detectors. Particular use of geophysical survey methods
on choosen strategic or important and endangered areas
(gates, platforms, communications,...) of very large forested
Bronze age/iron age hillfort (approx. 100 ha) it is here
combined also with detailed metal detector survey and
verification of all modern destructions'of surface (illegal pits,
afforestation, ...).
The scientific aim of the newest project “The geophysical
surveys in archaeologically non-excavated areas of Czech
oppids” (Krivanek et al. 2003-2007, Grant Agency of
Academy of Sciences of the Czech republic - A8002301) is
in complexed area geophysical survey of choosen parts of 5
large and very important bohemian La Tène hillforts -
oppids: Zâvist, district Praha-Zâpad, Stradonice, district
Beroun, Trisov, district Ceskÿ Krumlov, Hrazany, district
Pribram and Nevëzice, district Pisek). The extensive and aslo
intensive systematic non-destructive survey methods of
project should bring a lot of new archeological information
about the structures and intensity of use of different areas of
large Celtic oppids outside of limited areas of previous
archaeological excavations. The example of new
magnetometric survey in outer forested part of oppidum
Zâvist represents one from the first results of project where
we can demonstrate a new identified only subsurface remains
of another (previous unknown, only supposed) gate in outer
systems of rampart-ditch fortification of oppidum (fig. 3).
Two short parallel across ditches in place of interrupted
perimeter ditch fortification identified place of abandoned
entrance, probably in poor quality of (only subsurface)
preservation.
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Figure 3. Magnetometric survey in outer forested part of
oppidum Zavist (approx. 1 ha).
