At the end of the world? Settlement in the Šumava mountains and foothills in later prehistory

• DOI: 10.1515/pz-2020-0025
• Publication Date: 2020-10-14T19:47:35Z
• Authors: Dagmar Dreslerová; Dušan Romportl; Čeněk Čišecký; Jiří Fröhlich; Jan Michálek; Milan Metlička; Marek Parkman; Martin Pták
• Keywords: Foothills; Settlement (finance); Human settlement

Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore and define the boundary zone inland, mainly agricultural settlement in southern western Bohemia, Czech Republic later prehistory, try determine why such appears not have spread further into Šumava foothills mountains. With help predictive MaxEnt modelling – used ecology degree uncertainty geographic distribution species using a comparison with data on soil productivity, we whether prehistory was limited by unsuitable natural conditions or other factors. boundaries territory suitable for agropastoral farming most probably moved time technological advances, increases population density, changing preferences inhabitants Bronze Iron Ages. margin describes line beyond which agriculture had become unprofitable; similar existed throughout Early Middle At same time, there good deal contact across mountains Bavaria Upper Austria, as shown archaeology both form similarities between prehistoric typo-chronological complexes finds bronze iron items along presumed routes access. There were also montane sites (whose function still unknown) situated zone, recently discovered settlements Křemelná river. Apart from prospection, wide range activities could taken place, including those connected communication access formed common group.