RiBeck Raum: The Rinteln Basin as a Micro-Region: Human-Environment Interaction in Transition. Interdisciplinary research on the transformation of a region from the Bronze Age to the High Middle Ages

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Wiebke Bebermeier; Privatdozent Dr. Markus C. Blaich
• Subject Area: Physical Geography ; Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 566818882

The RiBeck Raum project analyses the transformation of the Rintelner Basin as micro-region from the Bronze Age to the High Middle Ages using a diachronic, landscape archaeological approach. Landscape- and geoarchaeological as well as settlement archaeological investigations represent a research gap for the North-West German Uplands, which will be specifically investigated within the framework of the project. The Rintelner Basin is situated at the upper reach of the Weser River and comprises a valley widening in the surroundings the town of Rinteln (Lower Saxony). The study area is characterized by a typical settlement history, which is considered to be representative of the North West German Uplands. Its proximity to the Porta Westfalica and its importance as a cultural contact zone emphasis the geographical and economically strategic relevance of this region. Preliminary work in preparation for this project has documented the excellent archaeological record, as well as the presence of informative sedimentary archives for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions. In summary, the Rintelner Basin offers ideal conditions for improving our understanding of the complex relationships between human societies and their physical environment from a diachronic perspective in a region that has received little attention, yet. The project focusses on four major objectives: a) the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions and landscape history, b) the characterisation of the Rintelner Basin as micro-region within the surrounding area, c) the diachronic reconstruction of settlement history and d) the reconstruction of human-environment interactions between the Bronze Age and the High Middle Ages. For this purpose, the project integrates methodological approaches from geosciences and archaeology as well as three spatial scales: a) supra-regional: the Rintelner Basin and its surroundings, b) regional: the western Rintelner Basin and c) local: the settlement structure and pattern of the monastic landscape of Möllenbeck Monastery (early to late Middle Ages). Overall, the results of the project will make a significant contribution to a better understanding of the driving agents / factors and processes of environmental and landscape changes as well as settlement history and complex human-environment interactions in a region that has received limited research attention to date.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants