The medieval croft plužina field system in a mountain region of central Europe: The interdisciplinary record of the earthen field boundaries in Debrné, Czechia

Abstract

The integration of archaeological, historical and geoarchaeological records represents a significant contribution to research into the medieval landscape. This studyfocuses on the medieval field system in the deserted village of Debrné, located innortheastern Bohemia, Czechia. The village features a well‐preserved croftplužinafield system, a typical historical landscape of central Europe. The main and mostvisible elements of the field system are the earthen field boundaries, which were thefocus of the geoarchaeological investigations. Archaeological excavations in trenchS1 revealed a collection of larger stones at a depth of 1 m, potentially serving adrainage function akin to the observedplužina. Additionally, a boulder paving,identified as a remnant of a path between fields, provided insights into the historicaluse of the area. In trench S2, positioned closer to the village's core, layers withincreasing stone content were recorded at a depth of 130 cm. However, thedrainage structure observed in trench S1 was not replicated. The dating of earthenfield boundaries indicated the creation of the terrace in the second half of the 16thcentury in trench S1. In trench S2, radiocarbon dating at a depth of 70 to 80 cmranged from 1025 to 1175 A.D., predating the first written source about Debrné.Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating in trench S2 suggested exposure tosunlight during the third century A.D. Archaeobotanical analysis of charredmacroremains from trench S1 revealed 236 plant macroremains belonging toapproximately 20 taxa, showcasing wild‐growing, collected useful species such asraspberry, blackberry and elderberry. Trench S2 yielded 23 plant macroremainsbelonging to 11 taxa, with similar species as trench S1. Pedological andmicromorphological examinations displayed distinct layering in both trenches,showing up to six layers. Micromorphological analysis unveiled vuggy microstruc-tures, varying grain sizes and elemental patterns, shedding light on different periodsof occupation. Multidisciplinary investigations of the buried soils forming the earthen field boundaries discovered that the original soil cover comprisedautomorphic lixisols and cambisols, which also form under present conditions.These results underscore the importance of integrating pedological, geoarchaeolo-gical, archaeobotanical and physical data to comprehend the intricate nature ofanthropogenic landscape changes.