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The study examines changes in cattle farming between the Iron Age and the Roman period in the Netherlands. There are regional differences in the frequency, management, size, and shape of cattle. The western and northern regions had higher proportions of cattle, while the southern region had the lowest proportions. The size of cattle did not significantly increase until the Roman period, and only in the regions that were part of the Roman Empire. There are also differences in gender ratios and the size of cattle in different regions and time periods. The size of cattle generally increases during the early and middle Roman period. There are also regional differences, with the southern region having the largest cattle, possibly due to intensive agriculture. The use of cow's milk was limited and decreased during the Roman period. Overall, the study shows that Roman occupation had an influence on cattle farming, particularly on the size of the animals and their use as meat suppliers and draft animals. [Extracted from the article]

The essay "Early agricultural settlement of the periphery of the loess uplands and its paleoecological context - a case study of the Iłża Piedmont (southern Poland)" examines the relationship between the settlement of prehistoric agricultural societies and the occurrence of local loess deposits in Central Europe. The results show that there was already a close connection between the settlement of these areas and the fertile soils, favorable geomorphological, and hydrological conditions in the early Neolithic period. The research findings indicate the flexibility and adaptability of early farmers, which allowed them to settle even less fertile areas outside the loess uplands. [Extracted from the article]

The paper examines three sites of the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age Lausitz culture in northeastern Poland, as well as the interaction between humans and the environment. The circular structures of these sites have a uniform location and structure, consisting of a protective area with ditches and ramparts, as well as a central area with a flat space. It is believed that these structures were possibly used as enclosures for livestock grazing and indicate intensive agricultural use of the surrounding area. It is assumed that a stable socio-administrative-religious center for the population of the Lausitz culture developed here. The study was conducted in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The study examines the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age in the Podlasie region. Through the use of laser scanning, 27 settlement structures were discovered, mainly located in the valleys of the Biebrza and Narew rivers. These structures have similarities in terms of location, shape, and size. They consist of a protective and a central area and can be divided into three types with one, two, or three ditches. Archaeological and geoarchaeological investigations were carried out to analyze the environmental contexts, construction, and function of selected settlement sites. The results indicate a dating to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The article describes archaeological investigations at the sites of Jatwieź Duża, Kościuki, and Filipy in Podlasie, Poland. The sites show circular structures with diameters of up to 100 meters. The investigations revealed that the structures likely date from the 7th to late 5th century BC and belong to the local Lusatian culture. The sites are of great importance for the study of settlement patterns and interactions between humans and the environment in the region. Bronze Age settlements have also been discovered near the sites. The study examines the settlement patterns of the Lausitz culture in Podlasie and their interaction with the environment. Two zones with different characteristics are identified: the outer space, consisting of depressions and raised areas, and the flat center, where no settlement traces were found. The function of these sites is difficult to determine, but it is believed that they may have been used as grazing areas for livestock. Anthropogenic deforestation was limited, but locally it may have led to soil erosion and peat sedimentation. The study concludes that the Lausitz culture in Podlasie developed a stable settlement system and utilized the natural environment through the introduction of a production economy. The text contains a list of references to various scientific works and publications dealing with topics such as geomorphology, climate and environmental changes, and prehistoric settlement in Poland. The mentioned authors and works provide information on various aspects of geographical and geological development in the region. Archaeological excavations and geophysical investigations are also mentioned, contributing to the study of landscape history. [Extracted from the article]

The essay "Burying the Heroes: Identifying the Archaeological Background of the Homeric Burial" by Antonis Kourkoulakos discusses the historical and cultural significance of Homeric burial customs. The author argues that Homeric burial customs are the result of a mixture of traditions, contemporary customs, and collective memory. By examining archaeological findings and written sources, possible origins of Homeric burial customs are proposed. It is noted that burial practices in Anatolia show similarities to Homeric traditions, particularly regarding cremation and the use of urns. There are also similarities between the burial tradition in the Iliad and archaeological findings in Greece, the Aegean, and the Balkans. It is speculated that these similarities could indicate a connection between the Mediterranean and Central European regions. The western Balkan region appears to have been the area where the tumulus tradition originated and spread over a large area in the following centuries. Therefore, the epics are not only a marvel of early Greek poetry, but rather an example of the first truly "European" (and indeed Anatolian) literary work. [Extracted from the article]

The paper describes archaeological excavations in the Bandkeramik settlement of Olteni in Transylvania. Remains of early Neolithic longhouses were discovered, which are the first evidence of such structures in Romania. The ceramic finds allow dating the site to the later Notenkopf phase of the Linearbandkeramik. In addition, Olteni yielded the most extensive collection of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic sculptures in the entire Eastern Bandkeramik milieu. The excavations also included traces of the Boian and Precucuteni I cultures, as well as an Iron Age cemetery. [Extracted from the article]

The paper deals with the distribution of painted ceramics in the Upper Silesian-Lesser Poland regional group of the Lusatian culture in the early Iron Age. The focus is on previously unpublished finds of polychrome vessels from the cemetery in Dobrzeń Mały, Opole District. The painted ceramics have been discovered in various archaeological sites in Poland, including Baborów, Kalinowice, Modlniczka, Opole-Groszowice, and Kietrz. The finds provide important information about the tradition of ceramic painting in the region and display various decorative patterns. It is presumed that the painted ceramics were imported from southern areas and often found in graves together with personal jewelry. The painted ceramics from Dobrzeń Mały were likely fired in an open hearth or under a clay dome. The study expands our knowledge about this category of finds and includes a list of sources and references to various archaeological studies and publications. [Extracted from the article]