DOI chapter:
Changing Worlds – The Spread of the Neolithic Way of Life in the North
DOI chapter:Philippi, Alexandra: The Schöningen group and the cultural development around 4,000 calBC
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.66745#0406
Alexandra Philippi
405
complexes already mentioned by R. Maier (Beran
1993, 44; see also Beran 1998, 74-78; 2009, 84;
2012). D. Kaufmann (1994, 88) criticised the term
Schoningen group and, on the basis of a personal
review of the finds of Schoningen 9 (features 31 and
74), he referred to differences to the ceramic of Salz-
miinde-Schiepzig without explaining these differences
in detail. Kaufmann also pointed out that the middle
Elbe-Saale region was located on the periphery of
archaeological and cultural centres in the south-east
and south-west and that therefore pottery sometimes
cannot be clearly assigned to a specific archaeologi-
cal unit. He favoured a connection with a horizon
of ‘Epi-Rdssen/Lengyel of middle German impact’
(Kaufmann 1994, 89-90) and introduced the new
term ‘Schiepzig group’ (Kaufmann 2007). In recent
years, T. Schunke and P Viol published further ma-
terial of this pottery-type and suggested an absolute
dating around 4,000 calBC on the basis of radiocarbon
dates (Schunke / Viol 2014, 121; see also Damrau
et al. 2014; Moser 2014). A chronological reference
to Rossen is therefore no longer given. Pottery from
the Schoningen group was thereafter also excavated at
Hundisburg-Olbetal, distr. Bbrdekreis. On the basis of
the evaluation of these finds, K. Schmiitz formulated
the hypothesis that the deviations in the pottery spec-
trum of Schoningen 9 and Salzmiinde-Schiepzig could
be explained by a Michelsberg influence of varying
strength (Schmutz 2017, 136), which led to different
local variants (see also Kaufmann 1994, 88-91).
Features
During the excavations in Schoningen an area of
22,000 m2 was archaeologically examined. Two fea-
tures (no. 31 and no. 74) provided finds of a new type
of pottery.
Feature 31 is situated in the western part of the
excavation area. The pit was almost circular in shape
and had a diameter of about 2.5 m and a depth of
about 0.6 m (Fig. 2). The pit appeared trough-shaped
in profile. From the black-brown humous filling 1,305
fragments of pottery have been uncovered, together
with cattle bones as well as an adze.
In the planum, feature 74 was irregularly black-
brown humous, and greasy discoloration became
apparent. It had an extension of approximately
4.5 x 3.6 m and a max. depth of approximately 0.65 m
(Fig. 2). Particularly noteworthy is a layer of charred
feather grass about 0.3 m below the excavation level.
Finds
The material discussed in this article encompasses
the finds from Schoningen 9, features 31 and 74.
Pottery
Nearly 2,200 fragments of pottery have been uncov-
ered. Some vessels were already reconstructed in the
1990s. All vessels were flat-bottomed. The surface of
the pottery is usually well-preserved and has been
carefully spread or smoothed; in rare cases it is lightly
polished. The Schoningen vessels are mostly tempered
with crushed granite and white and red feldspar.
The most characteristic vessel shape is the dec-
orated funnel-shaped bowl of the Schoningen type
(Fig. 3.1,3), which is represented by 16 specimens. An
assignment to this vessel type is probable for a further
twelve decorated wall sherds. The vessels have an S-
shaped profile. Immediately on the shoulder they are
decorated with an all-round ornament, which usually
consists of one to three rows of an indented decora-
tion. In rare cases, this is supplemented by a further,
parallel band on the neck of the vessel. In a few cases,
an indented decoration is added at the base (Fig. 3.6).
From feature 31 ten vessels can be assigned to this
type with certainty. Three specimens, which resemble
the Schoningen bowls in their decoration, were re-
covered in feature 74. One piece is decorated with at
least two circular rows of rounded punctures on the
neck of the vessel. In addition, the pottery contains
undecorated funnel-shaped bowls that resemble the
Schoningen type. The complete profile of a small, un-
decorated vessel could be reconstructed. Some further
vessels have an arcade rim (Fig. 3.2). Altogether 21
arcade rims could be detected among the finds of both
features. These could be assigned to storage vessels.
The material includes also 18 perforated lugs. Seven
such specimens are from feature 31 and eleven from
feature 74. The perforated lugs from both features
are rounded and have a horizontal perforation with
a max. diameter of 1.0 cm. Furthermore there are 19
knobs (Fig. 3.5), all from feature 31. They are mostly
round in profile. Within feature 74 one handle frag-
ment was obtained. To complete the interesting pot-
tery sequence of Schoningen a fragment of a clay disc
has to be mentioned as well (Fig. 3.7). The fragment
has a fingertip impressed decoration at its rim and on
one side a mat impression.
Most interesting are five wall sherds with re-
mains of (black) painting from feature 31 (Fig. 4).
405
complexes already mentioned by R. Maier (Beran
1993, 44; see also Beran 1998, 74-78; 2009, 84;
2012). D. Kaufmann (1994, 88) criticised the term
Schoningen group and, on the basis of a personal
review of the finds of Schoningen 9 (features 31 and
74), he referred to differences to the ceramic of Salz-
miinde-Schiepzig without explaining these differences
in detail. Kaufmann also pointed out that the middle
Elbe-Saale region was located on the periphery of
archaeological and cultural centres in the south-east
and south-west and that therefore pottery sometimes
cannot be clearly assigned to a specific archaeologi-
cal unit. He favoured a connection with a horizon
of ‘Epi-Rdssen/Lengyel of middle German impact’
(Kaufmann 1994, 89-90) and introduced the new
term ‘Schiepzig group’ (Kaufmann 2007). In recent
years, T. Schunke and P Viol published further ma-
terial of this pottery-type and suggested an absolute
dating around 4,000 calBC on the basis of radiocarbon
dates (Schunke / Viol 2014, 121; see also Damrau
et al. 2014; Moser 2014). A chronological reference
to Rossen is therefore no longer given. Pottery from
the Schoningen group was thereafter also excavated at
Hundisburg-Olbetal, distr. Bbrdekreis. On the basis of
the evaluation of these finds, K. Schmiitz formulated
the hypothesis that the deviations in the pottery spec-
trum of Schoningen 9 and Salzmiinde-Schiepzig could
be explained by a Michelsberg influence of varying
strength (Schmutz 2017, 136), which led to different
local variants (see also Kaufmann 1994, 88-91).
Features
During the excavations in Schoningen an area of
22,000 m2 was archaeologically examined. Two fea-
tures (no. 31 and no. 74) provided finds of a new type
of pottery.
Feature 31 is situated in the western part of the
excavation area. The pit was almost circular in shape
and had a diameter of about 2.5 m and a depth of
about 0.6 m (Fig. 2). The pit appeared trough-shaped
in profile. From the black-brown humous filling 1,305
fragments of pottery have been uncovered, together
with cattle bones as well as an adze.
In the planum, feature 74 was irregularly black-
brown humous, and greasy discoloration became
apparent. It had an extension of approximately
4.5 x 3.6 m and a max. depth of approximately 0.65 m
(Fig. 2). Particularly noteworthy is a layer of charred
feather grass about 0.3 m below the excavation level.
Finds
The material discussed in this article encompasses
the finds from Schoningen 9, features 31 and 74.
Pottery
Nearly 2,200 fragments of pottery have been uncov-
ered. Some vessels were already reconstructed in the
1990s. All vessels were flat-bottomed. The surface of
the pottery is usually well-preserved and has been
carefully spread or smoothed; in rare cases it is lightly
polished. The Schoningen vessels are mostly tempered
with crushed granite and white and red feldspar.
The most characteristic vessel shape is the dec-
orated funnel-shaped bowl of the Schoningen type
(Fig. 3.1,3), which is represented by 16 specimens. An
assignment to this vessel type is probable for a further
twelve decorated wall sherds. The vessels have an S-
shaped profile. Immediately on the shoulder they are
decorated with an all-round ornament, which usually
consists of one to three rows of an indented decora-
tion. In rare cases, this is supplemented by a further,
parallel band on the neck of the vessel. In a few cases,
an indented decoration is added at the base (Fig. 3.6).
From feature 31 ten vessels can be assigned to this
type with certainty. Three specimens, which resemble
the Schoningen bowls in their decoration, were re-
covered in feature 74. One piece is decorated with at
least two circular rows of rounded punctures on the
neck of the vessel. In addition, the pottery contains
undecorated funnel-shaped bowls that resemble the
Schoningen type. The complete profile of a small, un-
decorated vessel could be reconstructed. Some further
vessels have an arcade rim (Fig. 3.2). Altogether 21
arcade rims could be detected among the finds of both
features. These could be assigned to storage vessels.
The material includes also 18 perforated lugs. Seven
such specimens are from feature 31 and eleven from
feature 74. The perforated lugs from both features
are rounded and have a horizontal perforation with
a max. diameter of 1.0 cm. Furthermore there are 19
knobs (Fig. 3.5), all from feature 31. They are mostly
round in profile. Within feature 74 one handle frag-
ment was obtained. To complete the interesting pot-
tery sequence of Schoningen a fragment of a clay disc
has to be mentioned as well (Fig. 3.7). The fragment
has a fingertip impressed decoration at its rim and on
one side a mat impression.
Most interesting are five wall sherds with re-
mains of (black) painting from feature 31 (Fig. 4).