The impact of landscape change on the significance of political centres along the lower Elbe River in the 10th century A.D
Jens Schneeweiß|Thomas Schatz
The Höhbeck, an insular elevation in the middle of vast Elbe River floodplain, was a strategically important place Early and High Middle Ages. This is reflected unusually high density strongholds. Meetschow site major importance for several centuries, even when political power changed. Saxons, Franks, Slavs Germans all kept their main fortification at this – obviously because its topographical position, controlling intersection water route land route. significance ended with end 10th c. declining until final abandonment. Lenzen on other bank river took over functions developed into administrative centre region. Geoarchaeological research revealed evidence short phase heavy natural flooding events sometime between 950 ca. 980 A.D. Its impact situation around Höhbeck discussed light situation. paper focuses coincidences history strongholds flood activity 8th–10th Höhbeck. It stressed that documented large scale should be possible to detect wider area northern Europe.
Quaternary International