The Hierarchy of Alamannic Settlements in the Former Limes Region of South-Western Germany to AD 500
Heiko Steuer
The author summarises recent research undertaken at Freiburg University on settlement in southwestern Germany during the Roman and Merovingian periods. Following Germanic conquest of Agri decumates retreat limes to Rhine Danube (AD 260), hillfort settlements appeared. They were pinnacle Alamannic hierarchy, forming counterpoint late castellae along Rhein, which also garrisoned by Alamanni warriors. New research, however, suggests an otherwise strong continuity pattern (particularly established villae rusticae), a major shift only occurred around AD 500 when hilltop disappeared village-like replaced scattered farmsteads.
Journal of European archaeology|FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg)