Dolní Věstonice – Vysoká zahrada: an Integrated Geophysical Survey of an Early Medieval Fortified Settlement

Abstract

The fortified settlement at Dolní Věstonice – Vysoká zahrada belongs to the important Early Medieval centres connected with the establishment of the Přemyslid domain in Moravia. The site functioned as a local administrative and economic centre from about the middle of the 11th century to the end of the 12th century. In written historical sources it was known as Strachotíngrad (“Castrum Strachotín”). Between 1948 and 1986, several minor archaeological excavations were made at this site. Our work’s purpose was to gain new knowledge by deploying proven geophysical prospecting methods in archaeology. The first two of these methods, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Groundpenetrating radar (GPR) focused on the rampart. Within the third used method – magnetometry, we focused on the prospection of the inner area of the hillfort. Based on the results, it was possible to identify some of the construction features of the fortification and locate the course of the no longer existing rampart and several settlement structures. At the same time, the geophysical survey also made clear the overall plan of past archaeological excavations.