Interdisciplinary Investigations of the Neolithic Circular Ditch Enclosure of Velm (Lower Austria)

Middle Neolithic circular enclosures, known as Kreisgrabenanlage (KGA), are the oldest monumental sites in Central Europe, dating roughly to 4850–4600/4500 BC. These large prehistoric monuments mainly discovered by aerial archaeology and have been investigated geophysical prospection archaeological excavations since 1960s. The site of Velm (Lower Austria) was photographs 2001. Due its unusual location on a flat gravel plateau, enclosure has become object intensive interdisciplinary research recent years. In 2016, two motorized ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were conducted, resulting detailed three-dimensional dataset visualizing ditches, palisades dwellings an adjacent settlement. high contrast between sediments humic earthen backfill individual postholes resulted highly visualization monument. Based this survey, selected structures targeted evaluate GPR results take samples for radiocarbon dating. This paper presents synopsis all methods used. An integrated interpretation photo information, magnetometry is it shown what extent these could be verified excavation. By analysis applied methods, now possible interpret monument entirety confirm Lengyel cultural complex.