Frühmittelalterliche Siedlungen und Gräberfelder in der Gemarkung von Neuwied-Gladbach – Forschungsgeschichte, Quellenbestand und Auswertung einer Altgrabung

Abstract

In 1937/1938, an early medieval settlement and several neighbouring cemeteries were excavated near Neuwied-Gladbach. The excavations, caused by pumice quarrying, had an important impact on German medieval archaeology, as for the first time archaeologists gained insights in an early medieval settlement. For the first time, pit-houses for instance were recognised and named. Despite the publication of some preliminary reports, these important excavations and a detailed analysis of them have not yet been published. The present paper summarises the state of research 75 years after the excavation. It shows the particular importance and the outstanding potential of a modern analysis regarding for example settlement organisation, pottery distribution and the relation between settlement and cemeteries. The paper also outlines a new settlement history in the area of Neuwied-Gladbach from the 6th to the 10th century.