Das Jungpaläolithikum von Krems-Wachtberg

The site of Krems-Wachtberg is one of the most important Palaeolithic open-air sites in Central Europe. Particularly noteworthy are the unique infant burials, a double burial of newborn twins and a single burial, as well as a centrally located, multiphase hearth and various pits that characterise the well-preserved occupation horizon. These features are part of an in situ horizon within the multi-layered main find horizon, the Archaeological Horizon AH 4, and can be dated to the older Gravettian with an age of c. 33,000 years. The first volume of the final publication on the Gravettian site Krems-Wachtberg 2005–2015 presents the results of the examination of more than 44,000 lithic artefacts, which includes both the “chipped” and the “unchipped stone industry”. This book focuses on the characterisation of the raw materials and their provenance, as well as techno-morphological analyses of the blanks (e.g. cores, blades, flakes and preparations) and the modified tools (e.g. scrapers, burins and backed bladelets). The lithic assemblage is evaluated according to its relevance for Krems-Wachtberg itself and correlated with materials from the wider archaeological landscape, i.e. other Palaeolithic sites. Selected refittings and the spatial distribution of various stone artefacts are the foundation for reconstructing settlement structures, activities and formation processes of particular layers. A comprehensive plate section supports these explanations with numerous drawings and photos of the artefacts as well as selected refittings. Microscopic photos of the raw materials present complete this overall template. The results of this study will enable future comparative investigations with other Upper Palaeolithic lithic assemblages.