Middle Neolithic Subsistence Strategies in Southwest Germany: The Site Reichenau-B33 at Lake Constance in Regional Context

Abstract

The archaeological sequence at western Lake Constance is famous for the high-density of Late Neolithic lakeshore settlements. Recent excavations uncovered Middle Neolithic (MN) sites near the prehistoric lakeshore, with the site Reichenau-B33 providing a bioarchaeological assemblage. Anthracological, carpological, and archaeozoological results from Reichenau-B33, embedded in the analysis of a large bioarchaeological dataset, covering Early Neolithic (Linearbandkeramik) and MN (Hinkelstein, Grossgartach, Rössen) assemblages from southwest Germany allow elucidating subsistence adaptations of these first farmers. Wood exploitation targeted the site’s hinterland, relying mainly on oak, beech and ash. The charred carpological assemblage reveals typical MN crops with naked barley, emmer, and einkorn, while pulses and oil crops are very rare. Two Chenopodium album seeds concentrations reflect the routine exploitation of wild plants also mirrored at several other MN sites. The faunal assemblage of Reichenau-B33 is dominated by red deer (>70%) and includes low proportions of domestic pig and sheep/goat. Thus, the first farmers at Lake Constance adapted to a forested landscape, in which clearings for settlements and fields likely attracted wild herbivores that were routinely hunted. This focus on red deer hunting may have been an opportunistic response, allowing obtaining animal resources while conserving the small herds of livestock and protecting crop fields.