Jens W. Johannsen, Lotte Reedtz Sparrevohn, Tobias Torfing, Sascha Krüger

Vinge and Jasonsminde – Two East Danish Settlements from the Second Half of the Late Neolithic

Introduction

Vinge and jasonsminde – two east danish settlements from the second half of the late neolithic. Explore Vinge & Jasonsminde, two Late Neolithic settlements in East Denmark. Discover excavated houses, graves, intensive farming, and cultural influences from Sweden & Early Bronze Age.

Abstract

This paper presents two settlements from the second half of the Late Neolithic. Both are from the northeastern part of the island of Zealand in east Denmark. Six and thirteen houses, respectively, were excavated at the sites. Remains of contemporary graves have been excavated close to both settlements. Based on analyses of the landscape, pollen data and grain finds, it is suggested that the subsistence of the two settlements was based on intensive cereal cultivation and stock farming. We suggest that two or three houses on each site may have been inhabited contemporarneously. The houses, their date and the contemporary graves indicate that East Denmark was influenced by Southwest Sweden and the Early Bronze Age societies on the Continent during the second half of the Late Neolithic.

Review

This paper presents a significant contribution to our understanding of the Late Neolithic period in East Denmark, specifically focusing on two settlements, Vinge and Jasonsminde, located in northeastern Zealand. The study's main strength lies in its presentation of new primary archaeological data from a crucial, yet often less explored, transitional phase leading into the Early Bronze Age. By offering evidence from multiple excavated houses at both sites, alongside insights into contemporary burial practices, the authors lay a solid foundation for re-evaluating settlement patterns and societal organization during the second half of the Late Neolithic. The methodological approach, integrating landscape analysis, pollen data, and grain finds, allows for a comprehensive reconstruction of the subsistence economy, positing an intensive reliance on cereal cultivation and stock farming. This interdisciplinary approach enhances the robustness of the interpretations regarding daily life and economic strategies. Particularly noteworthy is the hypothesis concerning the contemporaneity of only two to three houses at each site, which offers a valuable perspective on the scale and nature of these settlements. Furthermore, the paper's assertion of distinct cultural influences from Southwest Sweden and Continental Early Bronze Age societies, inferred from house types, dating, and grave evidence, provides a compelling argument for the region's interconnectedness within broader Northern European networks. While the abstract effectively highlights the key findings and their implications, a full review would benefit from more granular details regarding the specific archaeological indicators underpinning some of the broader claims. For instance, a clearer articulation of what constitutes "intensive" cereal cultivation based on the environmental and grain data, and the precise characteristics of the houses and graves that demonstrate influence from Southwest Sweden and Continental Early Bronze Age societies, would strengthen the arguments further. Nevertheless, this paper promises to be an essential reference for researchers of the Late Neolithic and early Bronze Age, offering vital new empirical data and stimulating interpretations that significantly advance our understanding of cultural dynamics in East Denmark.

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