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Arheološki vestnik (Arh. vest.) 50, 1999, str. 333-347 333 Settlement Structures in Prekmurje from the Air Branko KERMAN Izvleček Abstract Arheološko zračno rekognosciranje Prekmurja se sistematično Systematic archaeological aerial reconnaissance of the opravlja od leta 1997. Doslej je bilo odkritih 90 arheoloških Prekmurje region is underway since 1997. Ninety archaeo- najdišč. Najdišča so opredeljena po obliki struktur, ki se na logical sites have been reconnoitered up till now. The sites are zemeljskem reliefu kažejo kot vegetacijski znaki. Odkrita so classified according to the shapes of the structures that are bila gomilna grobišča, naselbine, rimska vila in komunikacije, manifested on the geographic surface as cropmarks. Tumulus ki sodijo v različna arheološka obdobja. Največ arheoloških necropoli, settlements, Roman villae and communications zapisov je bilo zabeleženih na območju med Muro in Ledavo; routes, all attributed to various archaeological periods, have največja koncentracija je ob potoku Doblu, ki teče v bližini been discovered. The majority of archaeological records were Murske Sobote. documented in the region between the Mura river and Ledava; the largest concentration lies along the Dobel stream that flows near Murska Sobota. INTRODUCTION The most merit should by all means be awarded to O. G. S. Crawford, also known as “the father of The aerial archaeology training week held aerial archaeology” by the English. Published in between June 15 and June 22, 1996, near Sió- 1920, his book, “Wessex from the Air”, was a revo- fok, Lake Balaton, was rudimental and provided lutionary accomplishment in the field of English competent schooling for the comprehension and archaeology as, for the first time, archaeologists development of aerial archaeology in Slovenia could view an archaeological site in its entirety (Beweley, Braasch, Palmer 1996, 745-750). Aerial (Bewely 1997, 10-21). archaeology is acknowledged as equal to other Aerial photo archives did not augment in archaeological and research methods throughout countries of the former communist and social- western Europe. It represents the basis for re- ist social system (eastern European countries) searching the settlement of and the protection of where the airspace was closed. Aerial photos historical, natural, as well as archaeological regional that were filed as strictly confidential were also monuments. Its origins reach back to the time of difficult to access. Thus aerial archaeology failed the first balloons. The first airplanes, above all, to assert itself. had a strong effect on the development of aerial Aerial archaeology, today, is supported by highly archaeology. Photographs of regions that were developed research groups in the United Kingdom captured during military operations throughout from within the framework of the RCHME. The the First and Second World Wars composed a Aerial Archaeological Research Group (AARG) valuable database of archaeological information is a very active and independent group of aerial and it enabled archaeologists to analyze, by in- archaeologists that unite members from various terpreting the snapshots of Europe as well as the countries and publish the AARGnews (The Newsletter Near East, the archaeological monuments that of the Aerial Archaeology Research Group). Likewise, disappeared or were only recently discovered. numerous centers and groups that deal with aerial 334 Branko KERMAN archaeology are established in France, Belgium ing upon the type of vegetation. The best results and Germany. Following the aerial archaeology are attained in grassland and in fields sown with training held near Siófok, an aerial archaeology cereals. Structures are much less visible in fields group, led by Martin Gojda (Gojda 1997), was sown with beet sugar or corn, as these two cultures established within the complex of the Institute are sown at larger spatial intervals than cereals, for Archaeology in the Czech Republic, as well as for which dense growth is characteristic. a very active group of aerial archaeologists from Inclined photos are shot from the air through Slovakia (Kuzma 1995, 251-258) and Hungary, an open window of a two-seater or four-seater where it is mainly the French who fly (Gougey, airplane by the archaeologist using the customary Szabó 1995). films (black and white and diapositive films) and Slovene archaeologists also learned impressive a handheld camera. The airplane can be rented amounts on the subject of aerial archaeology dur- at the local recreational airport. Inclined photos ing the above mentioned training; furthermore, it are the best for registering individual sites or also marks the beginning of the development of regions of historical significance. The advantage this discipline in the Slovene region. lies in the fact that the photographer can choose the most appropriate moment of the day and the type of lighting necessary, a significant factor for WHAT IS AERIAL ARCHAEOLOGY? a good photograph, for the poorly visible contours of archaeological structures to materialize on the Select universal methodological guidelines for surface through crops in the shapes of circular, aerial archaeology in Slovenia have already been semicircular, square or straight ditches that can be presented (Grosman 1996, 47-50), even aerial indicative of cemeteries, enclosures, settlements, archaeological survey, the standard operating pro- encampments or communications. cedure and the publication of aerial photographs from the Prekmurje region, as well as the sensa- tion that the aerial archaeologist experiences in THE EXPERIENCE IN THE PREKMURJE RE- the air, have been described (Kerman 1996, 20; GION - SHAPES OF SETTLEMENT STRUC- Kerman 1998, 46). TURES FROM THE AIR The concept of aerial archaeology ordinarily incorporates aerial survey, photography, photo- The Prekmurje region is geographically divided interpretation and the mapping of archaeological into the level country between the Mura river and features. Ledava, to the first tertiary Goričko terraces, as Aerial archaeology must ultimately be defined well as the hilly world where the ridges are usually as a discipline that includes examinations of the settled and marked with forests, and rivers flow landscape from the air and gathers data conducive through the valleys (Ilešič 1935, 5-12). Numerous for further archaeological and historical studies as factors diminish visibility and the recognition of well as for the protection of historical monuments archaeological structures on the earth’s surface throughout the landscape. Aerial archaeological (fig. 1): the agricultural surfaces that are divided survey is a very efficient and relatively quick and into smaller segments, the diversity of cultures nondestructive manner of documenting archaeo- sown in the fields, the insufficient amount of logical structures (ruins) from the air: they appear grassland, various irrigation and improvements as positive or negative reflections (cropmarks) in of the land, as well as the drainage of old river crops and pastures and they are perceived on the courses. The level country between the Mura and basis of differences in the color of soil (soilmarks) Ledava is assuredly the most favorable for aerial in tilled ground. survey. Archaeological structures in the Goričko Light and shade factors are consequential for region are difficult to investigate from the air the discovery of archaeological sites that are barely because the terrain is so hilly and quite forested, visible on the ground. Aerial archaeologists seek and settlement is only possible along the larger to determine their contours amid extremely low riverbeds, such as in the region between the Mala lighting conditions. Consequently, the best time for Krka and the Velika Krka rivers. such photos is in the early morning and in the late Systematic archaeological aerial survey of the afternoon. These same time intervals are valid also Prekmurje region is underway since 1977. Ninety during winter months. Another significant factor archaeological sites have been discovered up to this in aerial photographs is the amount of total plant time, with a total of 60 hours of flight. Neverthe- cover across the landscape, which varies depend- less, not enough flight hours have accumulated to Settlement Structures in Prekmurje from the Air 335 enable systematic survey of the landscape during The most frequent archaeological cropmarks all four seasons; flights during the winter, when are smaller circles measuring between 20 and results would be quite favorable, are lacking in 25 m in diameter. The width of the ditch in lush particular. Fortunately, an airport is situated near vegetation is up to 2 m (fig. 2). The larger circles Murska Sobota and flights can be arranged at any measure 35 to 40 m in diameter; the width of the time and in any weather, thus enabling the desired ditch in lush vegetation measures up to 1 m (fig. region of the landscape to be flown over at each 4; 6; 7;). Semicircular ditches (ringed) measure change of weather and position of the sun. None 20 m in diameter. The width of the ditch in lush of the more important archaeological institutions vegetation measures up to 2 m (fig. 2; 9-12). in Slovenia (the Department of archaeology on Cropmarks shaped as squares or rectangles are Filozofska fakulteta, the Institute of archaeology very frequent. There are three types: the smaller ZRC SAZU, the Institutes for the Conservation square type measures between 12 and 15 m with of the Natural and Cultural Heritage) embody an a ditch that measures up to 2 m wide in lush veg- aerial archaeology department or group to commis- etation (fig. 9; 10), the square type that measures sion and also direct a register of sites documented up to 30 m with a ditch of up to 3 m wide in lush from the air, and to systematically survey all the vegetation (fig. 8; 13), and the large square type regions as well as to secure the necessary finan- with an opening (an entrance) measuring between cial means for aerial survey. Aerial archaeology 60 and 70 m and with a ditch that is up to 8 m ought to be the prospective objective of Slovene wide in lush vegetation (fig. 19; 20). Another type archaeology.