Jaeger Mateusz. Bronze Age Fortified Settlements in Central Europe

Poznan-Bonn: Wydawnictwo Nauka i Innowacje - Dr Rudolf Habelt GmbH, 2016. — 178 p.This volume is yet another publication in the Studien zur Archäologie in Ostmitteleuropa/Studia nad Pradziejami Europy Środkowej series. It is based on the author’s doctoral dissertation concerning defensive settlements in Central Europe. The latter is one of the major focus areas in the archaeology of the period around 2000 BCE, encompassing numerous issues relating to the key phenomena of the Early Bronze age, such as social stratifi cation, trade and exchange, warfare and metal production.At the same time, the book contributes to the broader discussion on Bronze Age defensive settlements presented as part of the SAO/SPEŚ series, supplementing general studies (volume 5), aspectual monographs (volume 9) and the fi ndings from research conducted at the site in Bruszczewo (volumes 2, 13 and 14). This publication off ers a comparative study of four areas in Central Europe: the Alpine region, south-western Wielkopolska, the Middle Danube Basin and Upper Tisza Basin, outlining a comprehensive panorama of the phenomenon and demonstrating regional variations. The author delivers a well-ordered disquisition concerning chief aspects of the functioning of settlements in the aforesaid cultural-geographical regions, supported by abundant data. Given the shortage of monographic studies on the addressed issue, this book constitutes a signifi cant building block in our knowledge about Bronze Age settlement forms, and compellingly suggests future directions of research.