Papers by Ladislav Nejman
Přehled výzkumů
Archaeological evidence shows that Paleolithic hunters occasionally used the difficult-to-access ... more Archaeological evidence shows that Paleolithic hunters occasionally used the difficult-to-access Pod Hradem Cave for short-term visits. The small collection of artefacts spanning a c. 15,000-year period were made from a range of different raw materials collected from known sources in the surrounding regions up to 120 km away. In this paper, we interpret the sum of the archaeological evidence associated with artefacts from Pod Hradem Cave against an updated chronology, and report a previously unpublished stone artefact. Combined, this information suggests variable cave use throughout the site history. During the Early-Upper Paleolithic this likely involved visits by small, mobile bands using Pod Hradem Cave as a short stop over while passing through the Pustý Žleb valley.
Studie shrnuje výsledky archeologickeho výzkumu mladopaleodlitických kamenných struktur interpret... more Studie shrnuje výsledky archeologickeho výzkumu mladopaleodlitických kamenných struktur interpretovaných jako obydli.
V ramci dokumentace paleolitickeho osidle-ni středniho Pojihlavi (Skrdla 2012) a Mohelenska (Skrd... more V ramci dokumentace paleolitickeho osidle-ni středniho Pojihlavi (Skrdla 2012) a Mohelenska (Skrdla et al. 2012) sledujeme lokalitu Mohelno-Ple-vovce od roku 2011 (Skrdla et al. 2012). Na lokalitě již bylo zachyceno několik poloh s artefakty dosud lpicimi v intaktnich sedimentech (Skrdla et al. 2014). Zatim posledni výzkum proběhl v dubnu 2014. Byla odkryta kamenna struktura B, jejiž bližsi popis je předmětem tohoto přispěvku.
Antiquity, 2015
This article presents a brief examination of a recently discovered Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) sit... more This article presents a brief examination of a recently discovered Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) site in Moravia.
The Mohelno-Plevovce site is located in the valley of the Jihlava River, which is deeply incised ... more The Mohelno-Plevovce site is located in the valley of the Jihlava River, which is deeply incised into the BohemianMoravian Highland, ca. 30 km to the west of the present city of Brno. Due to its close proximity to a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, the site is continually eroded by water level fluctuations on a daily basis, and thus regularly monitored by archaeologists. Until now, rescue excavations have uncovered two spatially separated paved areas - stone structures labeled A and B. These stone structures are associated with a peculiar lithic industry characterized by tiny microliths, produced on atypical carinated end scrapers/cores, and splintered tools/bipolar anvil cores. The artefacts were made from both local and exogenous rocks. The spatial distribution of finds follows the boundary of the pavement, suggesting a barrier effect. The structures are therefore interpreted as interior floor features of sheltered constructions - possibly huts.
Ořechov IV je lokalita bohunicienu ležici vBobravske vrchovině, přibližně 7 km jihozapadně od Boh... more Ořechov IV je lokalita bohunicienu ležici vBobravske vrchovině, přibližně 7 km jihozapadně od Bohunic,tedy již mimo vlastni brněnskou kotlinu. Po mnoho let( od objevu na pocatku 20. stoleti)byla znama jako povrchova lokalita, vprůběhu několika poslednich let na ni vsak byla objevena dvě mista sintaktnimi situa-cemi. Poloha byla zřejmě opakovaně osidlovana na pocatku mladeho paleolitu, apředstavuje tak palimpsest.Předběžne analýzy naznacuji přitomnost mladeho bohunicienu, který se chronologicky itechnologicky odli-suje od dosud znamých lokalit bohunicienu vBohunicich ana Stranske skale.
A new Late Upper Palaeolithic site that documents repeated human penetration into Central Europe ... more A new Late Upper Palaeolithic site that documents repeated human penetration into Central Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM from here) and the Last Glacial periods, was recently discovered and excavated in Moravia. The terminal LGM occupation (characterized by tiny microlithic tools produced on carenoidal blanks) in combination with a Last Glacial Epigravettien industry (bladey industry reduced from biderectional cores including straight truncated backed microblades) have been identified at Mohelno-Plevovce to date.Mohelno-Plevovce is located on the Jihlava River in the Czech Moravian Highlands. In the 1970s the area was deforested for the construction of the Mohelno water reservoir, which is a part of Dalesice pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant. Since then the location has been continuously disturbed by erosion caused by fluctuating water levels, which rise and fall by up to 11 m, often on a daily basis. Archaeological field work is possible only during scheduled ma...
This thesis applies a materialist approach to the analysis of stone artefacts excavated from four... more This thesis applies a materialist approach to the analysis of stone artefacts excavated from four stratified sites dating to the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in Moravia, Czech Republic. Between 50,000 and 30,000 thousand BP two distinct groups of hominids, the Neanderthals and anatomically modem humans, occupied this territory. The data presented in this thesis are used to analyse the differences between and within the sites. The documented lithic patterns indicate that the two hominid groups had distinctly different ways of using the landscape. In addition, relatively sm_all differences in lithic patterning over time at one of the sites Stranska Skala suggest a shift in mobility patterns as a response to climatic change. Although much of the inter-site lithic variability can be explained by proximal factors such as mobility regime, technological organization and subsistence patterns, some of the variability is more difficult to link to proximal factors and could potentially...
Přehled výzkumů, 2020
A salvage excavation was conducted in harsh conditions to recover stone structure E (KSE). In spi... more A salvage excavation was conducted in harsh conditions to recover stone structure E (KSE). In spite of a very short time window available for digging, an area of 20 m2 was completely excavated and the entire structure (KSE) was carefully documented. Spatial distribution of artifacts closely follows the boundary of the paved area. The raw material spectrum is characterized by prevailing rock crystal, supplemented by quartz, plasma, erratic flint, radiolarite, smoky quartz and Krumlovský les-type chert. The artifacts are similar to those recovered from KSA and KSB, including carinated atypical endscraper-cores, bipolar anvil cores, and Sagaidak-Muralovka-type microliths. A detailed analysis of granulite used to construct the pavement structure indicates smoothing, abrasion, pounding marks, and flake removals – they probably served as pads for activities that we have not identified as yet.
Přehled výzkumů, 2020
Švédův Stůl Cave in the Moravian Karst has been excavated several times since Martin Kříž started... more Švédův Stůl Cave in the Moravian Karst has been excavated several times since Martin Kříž started the first excavation in 1886. Two parts of the site were re-excavated in 2019. The primary aim was to conduct classical as well as innovative and experimental sedimentological and geoarchaeological investigations of sediments from the discarded spoil heap outside the cave entrance (trench C–D). Intact sediments with a small number of lithic artefacts and a large number of animal bones were also excavated during the 2019 excavation (trench A–B) located under the trench excavated by Bohuslav Klíma’s team in the 1950s. An attempt is being made using pXRF, benchtop ED-XRF and ITRAX techniques to link some of the sedimentary material in the spoil heap (C–D) with the stratified sediments in trench A–B. Animal bones and lithic artefacts were found in both trenches. Numerous samples were collected for geoarchaeological, palaeoenvironmental and dating analyses and the results will be published i...
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2016
There are several hundred recorded Early Upper Palaeolithic sites in Moravia, most of which are s... more There are several hundred recorded Early Upper Palaeolithic sites in Moravia, most of which are surface sites. The majority were exposed by agricultural plowing and subsequently discovered by pedestrian surveys whereas most of the stratified sites were found accidentally. Numerous unsystematic attempts in the past to find stratified remnants of sites disturbed by plowing have been unsuccessful. Here we present a methodology for locating stratified Early Upper Palaeolithic cultural contexts based on distribution of surface scatters. This involves pedestrian surveys guided by background research. All Palaeolithic artifacts were recorded using a handheld GPS with particular attention to calcium carbonate crust on artifact surfaces, which can be indicators of nearby stratified deposits. Exploratory test pits were then excavated followed by systematic excavations if the potential for stratified cultural deposits was deemed high. Using this technique, we have discovered 11 new stratified Early Upper Palaeolithic sites.
On selecting a constituent part of MU the" Overview of publishing activities" page will... more On selecting a constituent part of MU the" Overview of publishing activities" page will be displayed with information relevant to the selected constituent part. The" Overview of publishing activities" page is not available for non-activated items.
Antiquity, 2014
Personal ornaments are a notable feature of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in Europe and an importa... more Personal ornaments are a notable feature of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in Europe and an important expression of modern human identity. The tubular bone rod from Pod Hradem Cave in the Czech Republic is the first example of its kind from Central Europe. Laboratory examination reveals the techniques used in its manufacture and underlines the skill of its maker. AMS dates and Bayesian modelling suggest a cultural association with the Early Aurignacian period. It illustrates the cultural links across large areas of Europe at this time, although it is unique in its specific combination of size, raw material and decorative features.
Forgotten times and spaces: New perspectives in paleoanthropological, paleoetnological and archeological studies., 2015
The site of Mohelno‐Plevovce is situated below the water line of the Mohelno reservoir (lower par... more The site of Mohelno‐Plevovce is situated below the water line of the Mohelno reservoir (lower part of the Dalesice pumped‐storage hydroelectric power plant). During a short term excavation in September 2013, we documented a hexagonal flat stone pavement 3.0 m in diameter. Within the paved area the artifact density was relatively high. Outside the paved area the density of finds decreased rapidly, which indicates a strong barrier‐effect along the pavement boundary. The industry has been dated to terminal LGM and is characterized by steeply retouched end scrapers and distinct tiny backed microliths with the closest analogy in the North Black Sea Region.
Human fingerprints on archaeological or historical facts have been regarded rare and unimportant ... more Human fingerprints on archaeological or historical facts have been regarded rare and unimportant from the view-point of archaeological methodology. In fact, ancient fingerprints can be found on a variety of different media and among them ceramics is the most prominent. Advantages and disadvantages of various media of ancient fingerprints are discussed.
The Szeletian site Želešice-Hoynerhügel, located within Bobrava River valley on the southwestern ... more The Szeletian site Želešice-Hoynerhügel, located within Bobrava River valley on the southwestern outskirts of the city of Brno, has been known as a surface site since the 1950s. Intensive georeferenced surveys conducted over the last several years identified artifacts within intact sediments in some areas of the site. Subsequently a limited scale excavation was conducted, which yields three important contributions: a collection of lithics made from a variety of siliceous rocks, Jerzmanowice-type points, and a series of AMS dates that extend the known Szeletian occupation in Moravia to GI 12.
Quaternary International, 2016
Mohelno-Plevovce is a recently discovered Epigravettian site in the Czech-Moravian Highlands date... more Mohelno-Plevovce is a recently discovered Epigravettian site in the Czech-Moravian Highlands dated to the Last Glacial Maximum. The site is located on the shores of a water reservoir and remains of human habitation are continually eroding due to constantly fluctuating water levels. Several aspects of this site are notably unique in this region, including two stone structures interpreted as floor pavements of dwelling structures and microlithic implements. These particular microliths are previously unknown in this region, but they are very similar to other assemblages in distant parts of Europe. Raw materials for lithic artifacts associated with the stone structures were obtained locally as well as from distant sources up to 300 km from the site. Ochre, faunal remains and charcoal were also recovered and analyses of these remains indicate a cold, dry climate in an almost treeless landscape. Mohelno-Plevovce represents a rare insight into human habitation of a very sparsely populated central Europe during the LGM.
Figure 1. Location of Pod Hradem Cave. Click to enlarge.
PLoS ONE, 2014
A multi proxy approach was applied in the reconstruction of the architecture of Medieval horse st... more A multi proxy approach was applied in the reconstruction of the architecture of Medieval horse stable architecture, the maintenance practices associated with that structure as well as horse alimentation at the beginning of 13 th century in Central Europe. Finally, an interpretation of the local vegetation structure along Morava River, Czech Republic is presented. The investigated stable experienced two construction phases. The infill was well preserved and its composition reflects maintenance practices. The uppermost part of the infill was composed of fresh stabling, which accumulated within a few months at the end of summer. Horses from different backgrounds were kept in the stable and this is reflected in the results of isotope analyses. Horses were fed meadow grasses as well as woody vegetation, millet, oat, and less commonly hemp, wheat and rye. Three possible explanations of stable usage are suggested. The stable was probably used on a temporary basis for horses of workers employed at the castle, courier horses and horses used in battle.
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Papers by Ladislav Nejman