Johannes Müller, Theodor Ignat, Valentin Parnic, Adrian Bălășescu, Marta Dal Corso, Stefan Dreibrodt, Sonja Filatova, Eileen Eckmeier, Robert Hofmann, Wiebke Kirleis, Wolfgang Rabbel, Valentin Radu, Mihaela Golea, Andreea Toma, Frank Schlütz, Amelie Schmücker, Adrian Șerbănescu, Yevhenii Sliesariev, Manuel Zolchow, Vlad Ioan Bindea, Cristian Roth, Cristina Covătaru, Ana García-Vázquez, Cătălin Lazăr

Tell Sultana-Malu Roșu: First Results and Interpretation on Site Formation, Absolute Dating, Subsistence Economy and Material Culture from the Excavation in 2021

Introduction

Tell sultana-malu roșu: first results and interpretation on site formation, absolute dating, subsistence economy and material culture from the excavation in 2021. Explore first 2021 excavation results at Tell Sultana-Malu Roșu (Gumelnița culture). Uncover site formation, dating, subsistence, material culture, and food crises leading to abandonment.

Abstract

The Gumelnița/KGK VI tell settlement of Sultana-Malu Roșu is located in the valley of the Mostiștea, a tributary of the Lower Danube. It has been the target of archaeological investigations for 100 years. A new profile section has clarified stratigraphic questions and provided information on dating, environment and economy. It was possible to trace the construction, use and destruction of a fortification and to record settlement horizons and terraces. Documented settlement activities begin around 4450 BCE and end around 4300 BCE. The destruction of the fortification around 4380 BCE is associated with terracing and additional backfilling to extend the tell in order to obtain additional space for buildings. At the end of the occupation, a diversification of the food supply can be demonstrated, in particular the importance of foraging and hunting increased. Similar changes were also observed at other Early Chalcolithic tells on the Lower Danube. This is a typical pattern in subsistence crises, which in this case led to considerable transformative processes. Initial isotope analyses point to increasing warming and desertification, which may have led to food crises and subsequently to the abandonment of the tell.

Review

This paper presents the eagerly awaited first results from the 2021 excavation campaign at the significant Early Chalcolithic tell settlement of Sultana-Malu Roșu, a site with a century-long history of archaeological investigation. The title promises a comprehensive overview, encompassing site formation, absolute dating, subsistence economy, and material culture, and the abstract clearly outlines a significant leap forward in understanding this critical Gumelnița/KGK VI settlement on the Lower Danube. The research appears poised to clarify longstanding stratigraphic questions and offer crucial insights into the dynamics of tell occupation during a pivotal period. The new profile section is central to these findings, providing a robust framework for absolute dating and environmental reconstruction. The chronological sequence, spanning approximately 4450 to 4300 BCE, is well-defined, notably detailing the construction and destruction of a fortification around 4380 BCE, which interestingly correlates with significant tell expansion efforts. A key contribution lies in the detailed analysis of the subsistence economy, demonstrating a shift towards diversified food procurement, with an increased reliance on foraging and hunting towards the end of the occupation. This pattern is astutely identified as characteristic of subsistence crises, a phenomenon observed at comparable Early Chalcolithic tells in the region, suggesting widespread transformative processes. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this preliminary report is the compelling hypothesis linking these subsistence shifts to environmental stressors. The abstract's mention of initial isotope analyses pointing towards increasing warming and desertification provides a powerful explanatory framework for the observed food crises and the eventual abandonment of the tell. While the abstract offers tantalizing insights into site formation, chronology, and economic adaptation in the face of climate change, the full integration of "material culture" as promised in the title will be critical for a holistic understanding of the community's response. This paper sets a high standard for interdisciplinary research and promises to be an essential reference for understanding human-environment interactions and socio-economic resilience during the Chalcolithic in Southeast Europe.

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