A complex subsistence regime revealed for Cucuteni–Trypillia sites in Chalcolithic eastern Europe based on new and old macrobotanical data

• DOI: 10.1007/s00334-023-00936-y
• Publication Date: 2023-07-18T09:02:16Z
• Authors: Wiebke Kirleis; Marta Dal Corso; Galyna Pashkevych; Frank Schlütz; Robert Hofmann; Andreea Terna; Stefan Dreibrodt; Vitalii Rud; Mykhailo Y. Videiko; Johannes Müller
• Keywords: Chalcolithic; Steppe; Ecotone; Human settlement; Overexploitation; Subsistence economy; Animal Husbandry

Abstract We present a comprehensive data-based characterization of the subsistence economy Chalcolithic Cucuteni–Trypillia societies (CTS) on Moldovian and Suceava plateaus Podolian Dnieper uplands. This study is based quantitative evaluation archaeobotanical samples from 34 settlement sites, with focus Trypillia mega-sites stable isotopic analysis ancient crop residues. The allows us to identify specific cultivation strategies, which show close relationship animal husbandry for manure. describe as having been an elaborate agricultural system, in inhabitants knew how grow crops that could withstand ecological constraints growth, especially along forest steppe ecotone. also argue agglomeration greater population densities at these contributed landscape change woodland open grassland steppe. Following this, we suggest practices CTS were important establishment present-day cultural this region.