Academic CentrePROJECT “SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE BRONZE AGE SOCIETIES OF THE LOWER DAUGAVA RIVER”
Project No.: lzp-2018/2-0127
Implementation period: 1 December 2018 – 1 December 2020
Project costs: EUR 200 000
Principal investigator: Dr. habil. hist. Andrejs Vasks
The aim of the project is to explain the emergence of new cultural elements, changes in socioeconomic processes and the first stages of demographic transition in the Bronze Age on the Lower Daugava River and their impact on the living standards, quality of life and health of the population.
In order to achieve the objective, it is planned to perform the following tasks:
1) to carry out an archaeological assessment and interpretation of changes in the burial traditions, using the 14C method of burial of the two – Reznu and Kivutkalns cemeteries.
2) to evaluate the demographics, dietary habits, population structure, changes in reproductive rates and health of populations depicted in burial places using stable isotopes (δ15 N) and (δ13 C).
3) to conduct a petrographic survey of pottery found in burials in order to explain the origin of pottery containers and the analysis of lipids, use,
4) integrating bio-archaeological data and archaeological evidence of funeral practices in order to provide a basis for new interpretations of the Bronze Age community as a whole,
5) present the results of the project at international and local conferences, as well as in the Latvian media, in the forthcoming expositions of the museums.
The novelty of the project is determined by the new information and understanding of the Bronze Age society, in particular on the role of women and the critical approach to the prevailing androcentrism perspectives so far prevalent in past societies.