Duvensee WP 10 – an Early Mesolithic Site at Ancient Lake Duvensee, Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACT Archaeological research at ancient Lake Duvensee began almost 100 years ago and has recently revealed another early Holocene site, Duvensee WP 10, which was excavated from 2016 to 2020. Here, we will present the first results of the investigations. The site shows several characteristics known from other sites within the area. However, it is noteworthy that, in comparison to the other local campsites, several discarded animal bones were found – an archaeological find group that is almost lacking in the micro-region. Dense scatters of flint artefacts and hazelnuts represent the majority of the find spectrum and indicate a mainly undisturbed, single-phased site as corroborated by the radiocarbon dating and the stratigraphy. Furthermore, the results show that the lake level at ancient lake Duvensee must have dropped significantly shortly after the occupation of Duvensee WP 10 and that people used the site for processing hunted animals, artefact production, and hazelnut roasting.