Archaeological excavation

The departments of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Classical Archaeology have extensive experience in different excavation techniques. Ongoing projects at different sites in Germany and other European countries cover different periods of human prehistory, different ecological zones, preservational conditions and types of sites. Thus, researchers have access to abundant data and also have the opportunity to obtain experience in archaeological fieldwork in all its facets, the implementation of up to date techniques of excavation, surveying, recording, preservation, and data management systems. State-of-the-art technical equipment is available at the participating archaeological institutes.
The Ecology Centre of CAU Kiel has equipment to core peat, lake sediments and soil profiles. Together with the archaeobotanical section of the Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology, coring expertise and equipment at CAU Kiel is exceptional compared to other universities.

(photos by: U. Lungerhausen and F. Bauer).
Among the analytical equipment of the ROOTS Cluster in this research area is a NitonXL3t portable XRF scanner to provide non-destructive, on-site analysis of the main elements – down to magnesium – in archaeological artefacts, such as ceramics and metal objects, and in the soil, in which these were found.
Additional technical support includes non-invasive prospection methods on sites, for example, with Sensys 8-probe geomagnetic equipment, which can be pulled by manpower or by a car/quad. During excavations, the use of susceptibility measurements provides more information about stratigraphy.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Rabbel

Applied Geophysics
+49 431 880-3916
wrabbel@geophysik.uni-kiel.de

Prof. Dr. Hans-Rudolf Bork

Institute of Ecosystem Research
+49 431 880.3953
hrbork@ecology.uni-kiel.de

Prof. Dr. Lorenz Kienle

Institute for Material Science
+49 431 880 6196
lk@tf.uni-kiel.de

Dr. Jutta Kneisel, ArchaeoFields

Cluster of Excellence ROOTS
+49 431 880.5925
jutta.kneisel@ufg.uni-kiel.de

Dr. Christoph Rinne

Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology
+49 431 880.3378
crinne@ufg.uni-kiel.de

Hendrik Raese

Cluster of Excellence ROOTS
+49 431 880.5922
h.raese@roots.uni-kiel.de
 

Near surface geophysics

The Department of Geophysics of the Institute of Geosciences has an extensive array of state-of-the-art equipment, such as ground-penetrating radar with antennas from 20 MHz to 1 GHz, instruments for electromagnetic induction measurements, magnetometers, geo-electrical direct current measurements, and portable gamma-ray spectrometers, for the detection and study of near surface geological structures and archaeological sites. Surveys of subsurfaces are of great help to plan projects of the ROOTS Cluster and to efficiently use field time.

Geomagnetic prospections in Zauschwitz und Bredenbek (photos: F. Bauer and S. Bergemann).

Surveying equipment, such as tachymeter and differential GPS systems, are available for use before and during excavations. A multi-method approach is applied, where several techniques, together with more traditional soundings, are used at a single site. The digital integration of the results of geophysical mapping, excavations/soundings, and archaeological finds allows the creation of 3D site representations by GIS or other 3D visualisation techniques.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Rabbel

Applied Geophysics
+49 431 880-3916
wrabbel@geophysik.uni-kiel.de

Scientific diving

Scientific diving at CAU Kiel and diving training are organised by the Working Group for Maritime and Limnic Archaeology (AMLA) and the Scientific Diving Centre at CAU, respectively. The education programme matches the requirements of the European standard AESD (Advanced European Scientific Diver).

(photos: AMLA, CAU Kiel).

Although modern marine science uses manned and unmanned submersibles for many purposes, scientific scuba diving is essential for the accomplishment of several tasks. Local conditions, such as the occurrence of shoals, surf conditions, or shallow waters, as well as the complexity of some underwater operations sometimes prevent the use of submersibles or highly sophisticated remote operated vehicles (ROV’s) and make scientific divers indispensable. The depth limit for scientific diving of 50 m allows the investigation of most underwater archaeological sites where the majority of the operations are carried out in shallow waters less than 10 m deep.
Because of their highly specialised equipment, the divers of the Scientific Diving Centre of CAU Kiel can work regardless of water temperature and light conditions, therefore, year-round, and its operations can be carried out from artic to tropical areas and from oceans to fresh water lakes.

Contact

PD Dr. Oliver Nakoinz

Cluster of Excellence ROOTS
Phone: +49 431 880-5465
Telefax: +49 431 880-5498
oliver.nakoinz@ufg.uni-kiel.de

For more information:
www.amla-kiel.de/cms2