The Chiemgau meteorite impact signature of the Stöttham archaeological site (southeast Germany)

Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.12, No.2, 2012, pages 249-259

Issue:
Pages:
249-259
Section Title:
Articles
Author:
Abstract:
Archaeological excavation at Chieming-Stφttham in the Chiemgau region of Southeast Germany revealed a diamictic (breccia) layer sandwiched between a Neolithic and a Roman occupation layer. This exotic layer bears evidence of its deposition in a catastrophic event that is attributed to the Chiemgau meteorite impact. In the extended crater strewn field produced by the impact, geological excavations have uncovered comparable horizons with an anomalous geological inventory intermixed with archaeological material. Evidences of extreme destruction, temperatures and pressures including impact shock effects suggest that the current views on its being an undisturbed colluvial depositional sequence as postulated by archaeologists and pedologists/geomorphologists is untenable
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Bavaria, Chiemgau, Meteorite Impact, Bronze Age, Minerology
Notes:
Corresponding author: Kord Ernstson (kernstson@ernstson.de), We thank A. Dufter, T. Ernstson, R. Leitermann, H.-P. Matheisl, W. Mayer, E. Neugebauer, B. Rappenglόck, H. Steiner and D. Sudhaus for manifold support, and we greatly appreciate the constructive reviews of Prof. A.K. Singhvi and Prof. V. Perdikatsis.
References (1):
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