Fossa Carolina: The First Attempt to Bridge the Central European Watershed-A Review, New Findings, and Geoarchaeological Challenges
Eva Leitholdt|Christoph Zielhofer|Stefanie Berg-Hobohm|Katharina Schnabl|Britta Kopecky-Hermanns|Jens Bussmann|Joachim W. Härtling|Klaus Reicherter|Katrin Unger
The Central European watershed passes through the southern Franconian Jura in Bavaria, Germany. This principal divides Rhine/Main catchment and Danube catchment. In early Middle Ages, when ships were an important means of transportation, Charlemagne decided to connect these catchments by construction a canal known as Fossa Carolina. this paper, we present for first time 14C data from Carolina fill document high-resolution stratigraphic record Carolingian post-Carolingian trench infilling. Our results provide clear evidence peat layers different levels infill, suggesting chain ponds. However, majority yield mid-Medieval younger ages. period major growth was during Medieval climatic optimum. Therefore, our preliminary do not prove use times. reconstruction bottom support hypothesis that primarily planned navigable ponds continuous canal. eastern part trench, dam is located postulated former studies be barrage supplying with water. New indicate much ages concept.
Geoarchaeology-An International Journal