Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
LBK Pottery: Fashionably Late to the Neolithic Party?
Excavations at Gwoździec site 2 revealed a building complex and other features from the early Linear Pottery Culture (LBK). The pottery analysis shows a mix of Gniechowice (Ia) and Zofipole (Ib) styles, but radiocarbon dates suggest a later occupation than expected, possibly indicating developmental backwardness in the region.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Weaknesses
Discrepancy between Radiocarbon Dates and Pottery Stylistics
The study acknowledges that the early LBK settlement in Gwoździec might represent a case of stylistic and technological backwardness compared to other regions. The radiocarbon dates obtained suggest the settlement was occupied between 5350/5300 and 5100/5050 BC, corresponding to the Music Note phase (II), while the pottery stylistics and building complex align with the earlier Zofipole phase (Ib). This discrepancy raises questions about the specific development of LBK culture in this region and whether this "archaization" was influenced by the site's location or other factors.
Limited Generalizability Due to Single-Site Focus
The analysis primarily focuses on a single site, Gwoździec 2, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other LBK settlements. While the study mentions other sites like Stary Zamek and Targowisko, detailed comparisons and regional analyses are lacking. This restricts the broader understanding of early LBK development and its variations across different areas.
Need for Further Research to Confirm Backwardness Hypothesis
The study's conclusion about the potential developmental backwardness of Gwoździec is based on a limited number of radiocarbon dates and stylistic comparisons. Further research, including more extensive dating and analysis of other early LBK sites in the region, is needed to confirm this hypothesis and understand the factors contributing to regional variations in LBK culture.
Rating Explanation
This study provides valuable insights into the early LBK settlement in Gwoździec, including detailed analyses of pottery, flint artefacts, plant remains, and radiocarbon dating. The interdisciplinary approach strengthens the research. However, the discrepancy between the dating and stylistic analysis raises questions that require further investigation, and the single-site focus limits generalizability. Overall, it is a strong study with some limitations, thus a rating of 4.
Good to know
This is our free standard analysis. Paperzilla Pro fact-checks every citation, researches author backgrounds and funding sources, and uses advanced AI reasoning for more thorough insights.
File Information
Original Title:
The earliest farming communities north of the Carpathians: The settlement at Gwoździec site 2
Uploaded:
July 14, 2025 at 06:48 AM
© 2025 Paperzilla. All rights reserved.