Archaeologia Polona

Archaeology and palynology - archaeological perspective. The casus of Lake Gościąż

Andrzej Pelisiak, Małgorzata Rybicka and Magdalena Ralska-Jasiewiczowa

This report discusses prehistoric settlement and economic issues on the basis of natural (mainly palynological) evidence and data related to the geographic and social sciences. It is focused primarily on palynology or, more generally, on the role of the natural sciences in prehistoric research. An attempt will be made to prove that palynological evidence is of the paramount importance in studies of the type. Persuaded that palynological observation should be regarded as evidence of virtually objective character, we believe it cannot be overestimated in prehistoric studies, especially those targeted on the economy of prehistoric man and its influence on the natural environment. A case in point is provided by the palynological examination of laminated sediments from Lake Gościąż (Gostynin Lake District) confronted with the results of archaeological research carried out on Neolithic-period sites in the immediate vicinity of the lake.

Keywords: archaeology, economy, natural environment, Neolithic, palynology, settlement

Language: English