Im Rahmen des mehrjährigen Prospektionsprogramms der Universität Leipzig im Bereich des römischen vicus Belginum (OT Wederath, Gde. Morbach, Kr. Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rheinland Pfalz) wurde im November 2007 der Bereich von Tempelbezirk 3 und seiner Umgebung begangen. Dieser Tempelbezirk liegt im Westen des vicus und ist bislang nur durch eine geophysikalische Prospektion bekannt. Die Begehungen erbrachten eine perfekte Übereinstimmung mit dem Magnetometerbild mit Konzentrationen im Bereich des gallorömischen Umgangstempels und der Temenosmauer. Die Funde ermöglichen eine Datierung in das 1. bis 2. und vielleicht das frühe 3. Jh. n. Chr. Bemerkenswert ist die Entdeckung mittel- und spätlatènezeitlicher Scherben des 3.-1. Jh. v. Chr. Sie weisen entweder auf eine ältere Besiedlung oder eine frühe Kulttätigkeit. / Since several years, the University of Leipzig is carrying out archaeological prospections in the Roman vicus Belginum and its surroundings (OT Wederath, Gde. Morbach, Kr. Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rhenania-Palatinate, Germany). In November 2007 the temple area 3 was prospected. This site is located at the western periphery of the vicus. It was until yet only known by geophysical prospection. The actual prospection showed a perfect coincidence of findings and the magnetometer plot. High frequencies of finds, mostly brick fragments, were found at the Temenos walls and the site of the Gallo-Roman temple. The few ceramic sherds are dating from the 1st to the 2nd, probably the early 3rd cent. AD. Remarkable was the find of hand-made pottery, dating into the middle and late Latène period (approx. 3rd-1st cent. BC).

The aim of this thesis has been to investigate the benefits, pitfalls and possibilities of using geophysical methods in archaeological projects. This is exemplified by surveys carried out at archaeological sites in different geographical and chronological contexts. The thesis also aims at investigating the cause for the under-use of the methods in Swedish archaeology by looking at previously conducted surveys. The methods used during these surveys have been Ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometer, slingram and a kappameter. The surveys in the mountain tundra region of Lapland show that magnetic susceptibility surveys is a valuable aid in discovering heaps of fire-cracked stones and when combined with magnetometry, also hearths. GPR and magnetometer surveys within the Migration Period ringfort Sandbyborg provided the spatial layout of the fort and indicated, along with results from recent excavations and metal detections, many similarities with the ringfort Eketorp II. The non-magnetic character of the sedimentary bedrock on Öland and Gotland is suitable for magnetometer surveys and the method is also highly appropriate for the detection of the remains of high-temperature crafts. GPR surveys at St. Mary’s Dominican convent in Sigtuna produced the spatial layout of the central cloister area. The investigations also show that the geology, pedology, land use and the character of commonly occurring prehistoric remains in Sweden, in certain circumstances and in certain areas, have restricted the possibility of successfully carrying out geophysical surveys. Care must therefore be taken to choose the right instrument for the survey and to tailor the sampling density of each geophysical survey, according to the character and size of the expected archaeological remains, in order to maximize their information return. To increase the use of geophysical methods in Sweden the educational opportunities, both for surveyors and professional archaeologists, need to improve. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Submitted. Paper 3: Manuscript.</p>

Prospektionen der Universität Leipzig im Umkreis des römischen vicus Belginum weisen bei Wederath, Flur Kleinicher Berg (Gde. Morbach, Kr. Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rheinland Pfalz) eine mutmaßliche villa rustica hin. Diese lag auf einem kleinen Plateau außerhalb der Begehungsfläche. Das Fundmaterial besteht vorwiegend aus Ziegeln (Dach- und Fußbodenziegel) und relativ wenig Keramik. Die bestimmbare römische Keramik datiert in das 2. bis 4. Jh. n. Chr. Bemerkenswert ist der Fund mehrerer Scherben der Hunsrück-Eifel-Kultur. Sie könnten einen Hinweis auf eine Besiedlung des Plateaus seit der Mitte des 1. Jahrtausends v. Chr. darstellen. Nur wenige hundert Meter entfernt befindet sich das große Hügelgräberfeld „Götzeroth“ der Hunsrück- Eifel-Kultur. / Archaeological prospections by the University of Leipzig in the surroundings of the Roman vicus Belginum revealed near Wederath (Rhenania-Palatinate, Germany) a probable villa rustica. Mostly bricks (tegulae, imbrices and floor tiles) and only a small amount of ceramics were found. The Roman ceramics are dating mostly into the 2nd to 4th cent. AD. Remarkable are the finds of some ceramic sherds of the Hunsrück-Eifel-Culture. They could indicate settlement activity at the site since the mid of the first millennium BC. The extended tumulus cemetery “Götzeroth” is located some hundred meters to the east.