Traditionally in Austria the Mesolithic belongs to the least explored prehistoric periods in Austria. This situation has been slowly improved with the discovery of the late neolithic mummy 'Ötzi' in the Tyrolean Alps followed by the foundation of the research institute for Alpine Prehistory at the University of Innsbruck. Restricted sondages as well as elaborated systematic excavations brought new insights into the early Holocene settlement of the Tyrolean Alps.
The most important locality is the old mesolithic site 'Ullafelsen' at 1860 m above sea level (Fotscher valley, near Sellrain, northern Stubai Alps). Complex excavations were carried out here during the years 1993-1997, 1999, 2003 and 2004. They were combined with specific investigations regarding landscape history, sedimentology, soil
science, botanical and other natural scientific analyses. The varieties of silex (hornstone, radiolarite) used during the Mesolithic at the Ullafelsen site mostly proof long distance transports: Most of them have their primary
geological sources in the Southern Alps, in the Northern Limestone Alps (Nördliche Kalkalpen), and in the area of Kelheim at the Danube (Bavaria). The exavation technique applied at the Ullafelsen was complex and very time consuming because of the extreme microlithic dimensions of most artefacts, their high number and the complexity of the features itself (espec. fire places, lateral erosion) .
These investigations yielded many detailed informations (e.g. about the lithic raw material and the artefacts) but are far from being completed. Not yet finished are the studies regarding the aspects of landscape history
(sedimentations processes, soil science) at the Ullafelsen and the Fotscher valley.
Therefore in the proposed study we plan:
A) Sedimentological/soil scientific investigations of the late Pleistocene/Early Holocene landscape history of the Fotscher valley; B) Palaeobotanical investigations of the Early Holocene tree line; C) Continuation and completion of archaeological surveys on the orographically left side of the Fotscher valley; D) Retrieval of charcoal remains for C14 dating of several mesolithic and other prehistoric sites which were found years ago, but have not been dated yet; E) Prospecting/searching for those varieties of silex that were used during the mesolithic at the Ullafelsen site, but with unknown geological sources.
The most comprehensive work has to be invest for F) continuation of the archaeological analysis and interpretation at the Ullafelsen with special reference to
- refitting the artefacts (especially on the basis of the modified objects/tools);
- analysis of post-depositional processes (reference sedimentation processes - artefact features);
- analysis/evaluation of the horizontal and vertical stratigraphic features (plana/profiles);
- comparison of the Ullafelsen inventory with other main reference sites in the circumalpine area.
- D. Schäfer, online: www.hochgebirgsarchaeologie.info
