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Objective classification of settlement deposits is a prerequisite for understanding human-environment interactions at habitation sites. This paper presents a novel approach combining a relatively fine-scale sampling strategy, a multimethod geoarchaeological investigation of cores and multivariate statistics to aid in the classification and interpretation of complex and intricately stratified archaeological deposits. Heterogeneous settlement deposits, buried soils, colluvial, fluvial, and fluvioglacial sediments from cores retrieved in the Viking settlement Hedeby were investigated using six cost-effectively measurable geoecological parameters: loss on ignition at 550°C, magnetic susceptibility, contents of stones, artifacts, bones, and charcoal with wood. Principal component analysis allowed identifying variables that would sufficiently describe data and cluster analysis enabled the classification of the materials. As a result, 13 classes were distinguished with a detailed and reliable differentiation of materials of natural and cultural genesis. Based on spatial distribution patterns of the classes, hypotheses regarding land use in the adjacent areas were made: Waste disposal in the valley of Hedeby-brook and metallurgic activities north of it. This approach is valuable for coring-based research at settlements, in particular at tightly managed heritage sites, and for surveys to identify potential excavation sites, whereas the set of variables must be adjusted according to local conditions.

The idea of open landscapes around prehistoric burial mounds is founded on their topographical position and findings of plaggen clots within the hills at some sites. We have investigated the surroundings of four Bronze Age burial mounds at Bornhöved (northern Germany) to test whether this assumed landscape openness enabled soil erosion and colluviation or not. The soils and colluvia within a watershed below the burial mounds were investigated in six large exposures and additional auger cores. The chronology is based on 21 AMS-radiocarbon dates, complemented by charcoal analysis and the content of selected heavy metals in the sediments. Colluvia were deposited in the Late Neolithic (~2500—2200 cal. BC), Roman Emperor Times (~ 250—400 cal. AD), Mediaeval Times (~ AD 600—1400) and Modern Times (~ AD 1800—2000). Our findings indicate that the soil surfaces were protected against soil erosion during the phase of Bronze Age funeral use (~ cal. 1800—600 BC). Either the prehistoric gravediggers practised a well suited form of pasturing to keep the scenery open or the surroundings of the burial mounds were forested at the time of funeral use. The results of charcoal analysis reflect the known succession of woody taxa in the region and underline the great potential of anthracology on colluvial layers for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions apart from traditional archives such as lakes or mires. Bulk radiocarbon dating of organic matter overestimated the time of burial of a buried soil as well as the time of deposition of colluvial layers considerably.