What the Middle Neolithic Alvastra pile dwelling in Östergötland, Sweden, was used for has been discussed since the site was discovered in early 20th century. The interpretation by Mats Malmer of the pile dwelling as a ceremonial settlement is until today the most widely accepted. How the word 'settlement' (swe. 'boplats') has been defined and used in the interpretations of the pile dwelling is however something to consider. Hence, from definitions of the word 'settlement' this essay aims to investigate different researchers’ interpretation in the context of Alvastra pile dwelling. Using secondary sources both the interpretations of the definition and the archaeological material found at the pile dwelling will be studied. The interpretations of the pile dwelling have been, and still are, varied. This study is therefore of importance for the understanding of what a settlement is as well as for how it is, and has been, interpreted.

This paper deals with the ceramics of Alvastra pile dwelling. The main question are what the ceramics represent, what it was used for, if it was manufactured in the pile dwelling and if there is any resemblance to other places of interest. The essay uses ceramic material from shaft F and the Western shaft. The result shows four different ceramic groups, a few probably made in the pile dwelling and the purpose was food storage and offering.

This paper deals with the question of with witch tools the Alvastra pile dwelling was built. To reach a result I calculate the curvature on 29 stone axes, 8 double-edged axes and 21 simple-edged axes, used in the middle-neolithic in what today is Sweden. These results are then compared with two jams (the point in the pole where the axes edged stopped and left a mark) on two piles from Alvastra pile dwelling.

Yes / The first archaeobotanical studies of the Middle Bronze Age lakeshore settlement demonstrate the enormous potential of this site for appropriate analyses. On the basis of the well-preserved layers a multitude of plant remains and wide diversity of species are present at this site. Evidence of emmer, spelt, tetraploid naked wheat, hulled barley, peas and broad beans conforms to the basic cultural crop spectrum of the Middle Bronze Age. The wild plants originate from various locations in the direct vicinity and allow an insight into the landscape at that time. Numerous wild plants were intentionally used by the settlers. Fruits gathered include cornelian cherries, hazelnuts, crab apples and a diversity of berries. Furthermore, archaeobotanical analyses support observations already made on site that within the settlement there are at least two functionally different areas. While in section 50/51 the layers contain the remains of daily food preparation, section 7 indicates a link to animal fodder. / National Geographic

The study presented deals with the phenomenon of increased hunting activity on the transition of the Neolithic and Eneolithic Age, the reasons of which have been so far investigated only in regard to environmental conditions of locations. The phenomenon is observed on locations of a wide area of Middle Europe. Nevertheless, there exist locations with prevailing agricultural economy. On the basis of a detailed comparative analysis of the material culture of the Western culture circle and Bohemia and Moravia, the study aims to trace the reflection of the phenomenon in archaeological materials - differences between locations with predominant domestic sources, and locations with predominant wild sources. Alongside, the study deals with a possible environmental impact on increasing hunting tendencies. In order to created a database, a detailed catalogue of locations has been compiled. The catalogue holds the most essential information on material culture with regard to expected agricultural manners. The catalogue also serves as a clue for setting particular indicators of the database, the purpose of which is to organise the data in a comparable form. Subsequently, a descriptive database has been compiled. The database traces the reflection of agricultural base of the individual locations. By means of a...