Mittelneolithische Kreisgrabenanlagen in Niederösterreich

In the middle Neolithic period (4850/4800–4600/4550 BC), all over Central Europe beyond the cultural boundaries, archeology has shown that monumental buildings were erected. These so called circular ditch constructions consisted of up to four circular, deep ditches creating an interior space fenced off by palisade walls. In 2003–2004 the central area of distribution in Lower Austria was examined by systematic geophysical – archaeological prospection. Based on the standardised plans now, for the first time a detailed examination of the Austrian circular ditch construction is possible. By combining all available information in a geographic information system, special and statistical analysis can be carried out and compared with known constructions in the complete distribtution area. The database also offers the opportunity for virtual reconstruction of the circular ditch constructions and faciltiatesexamination of the astronomic aspects of the lavishly constructed buildings which were erected and used by the settlers of the Moravian-East Austrian Group of the Lengyelculture in Austria within a short period. The result shows the various forms of the monuments and their common features, and leads to new evidence on the interpretation of the function of the first monumental buildings in Central Europe.