Formation processes
Natural and anthropogenic formation processes are decisive for the interpretation of the archaeological findings. These are analysed using fine stratigraphic excavation methods.
Excavations in the city centre
A detailed investigation of the formation processes took place in the more recent excavations at the macellum and merchants' forum.
The results, particularly with regard to the natural processes, can be applied to the entire city. For example, the removal of the post-antique flood layers, which reached a maximum thickness of three metres above the ancient ruins, revealed that this flooding of Aguntum was caused by various flood events.
Contrary to previous assumptions, gravitational mass movements ("mudflows") are not solely responsible for the flooding of the city. The layered structure near the city centre has shown that, on the one hand, there are different streams, some of which cut through all the ancient layers and, on the other hand, successive massive layers of sand and gravel bear witness to several flooding events. The natural formation of the terrain thus indicates a post-antique "alluvial landscape" characterised by constantly changing streams of varying depths and periodic flooding. The latter are sometimes so severe that regular mudslides have led to severe destruction of the ancient features. According to the current state of research, this mainly affects the eastern part of the city in the area of the city wall north of the decumanus maximus and the suburb.
Durch Bachläufe verursachte Einschnitte im Bereich des Macellum
In addition to these natural formation processes, anthropogenic deposition processes were analysed at the forum. Extensive site preparation was already necessary during the construction of the building, which led to the terracing of the building ground. The use of the building in its main phase is difficult to determine from the finds in the rooms themselves, as most of them were empty at the time of the fire in the building (mid 3rd century AD). However, the forum square allows certain conclusions to be drawn about the use of the central square from the finds scattered here and buried in the gravelly-humic subsoil. This can be regarded as the centre of the building's history of use - also because the square occupies the largest area of the building. Detailed documentation of the exact location of all small and very small finds makes it possible to reconstruct the use of the eastern quarter of the square. In the first and second centuries, fragments of rock crystal in particular accumulated on the site alongside pottery. These indicate the importance of the rock crystal trade during this phase. During the third and especially the fourth century, however, there was an accumulation of bronze and copper fragments and, in some areas, slagged glass fragments. These are associated with non-ferrous metal and glass processing, which can be regarded as late antique recycling processes in the area of the city centre.
Grabungsarbeiten am Forumsplatz
Literature
M. Auer / F. Bleibinhaus / M. Tschurtschenthaler / M. Unterwurzacher, Municipium Claudium Aguntum. Geophysical prospection on geologically difficult terrain, Jahreshefte des Österreichischen Archäologischen Instituts 82, 2013 (2014), 7-21.
M. Auer, Municipium Claudium Aguntum. The macellum, Ager Aguntinus. Historical-archaeological research 6 (Wiesbaden 2025).
Archaeozoological investigations into lost finds from the atrium house at Aguntum
In the course of analysing the finds in the atrium house at Aguntum (FWF P20846-G02), it was observed that very fragmented find types could be recovered from the garden area of the building that did not occur in the other find material from the building. These artefacts, interpreted as lost finds, therefore allow a diachronic insight into the material culture of the occupants of the atrium house, while the preservation of finds in the house itself is very much dependent on reconstruction measures and fill layers. For example, there are hardly any materials from the 3rd century AD in the atrium house, which can probably be explained by the fact that no significant structural changes were made during this period and therefore no waste could accumulate. Based on this premise, the animal bone material from the kitchen garden was also analysed for special features in its composition by Dr Sabine Deschler-Erb.
Westlicher Garten des Atriumhauses
In general, there was a broad correspondence with the animal remains recovered from other waste layers. The presence of ibex, bear and hare, which are rather rare in other finds from the atrium house, was striking. However, it also became apparent that hardly any larger bone remains were disposed of in the garden, which was therefore kept largely clean. Like the other finds from the garden area, the animal bones were heavily fragmented. One particularly interesting detail is the discovery of a foetal bovine, which indicates that cattle were kept in the garden area.
Literature
S. Deschler-Erb / M. Auer, In cibo veritas - Zur wechselhaften Geschichte des Atriumhauses von Aguntum/Tirol (1.-4. Jh. A.D.) im Spiegel der Speisesitten, Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien, Serie A, Band 120, 2018, 321-333.