Abstract
We have been trying to link geochemical soil analysis with the agrarian history. We believe that field systems can be seen as an artefact that can be described and understood through the local institutions.
We selected four deserted medieval villages: a) Kří with lowland sandy soils, district Nymburk b) Hol in Klánovický Forest situated in the flat upland area with Cambisols, the Capital City of Prague c) Lovětín in hilly area with Cambisols, district Jihlava d) Spindelbach in foothills with Podzols, district Chomutov Generally, the case studies show that the spatial geochemical/pedological analyses can bring results interpretable in terms of agricultural strategies of medieval society, but they also reveal the necessity of putting emphasis on local context - i.e. no general trends were found. We have found the presented methods have potential for research of the past spatial structures.
It could reveal not only direct human activities and their impact on landscape, but also the knowledge and perception of the environment of the past people.