The timbers of the Bronze Age mining on the Kelchalm near Kitzbuhel - documentation and first results of the dendrochronological analysis

This is the first study which presents systematic dendrochronological analyses of prehistoric and would-be prehistoric timbers for a prehistoric mining area in the Tyrolean region (Kelchalm near Kitzbuhel). The analysed artefacts come from archaeological excavations (1931-1953). The final ring dates of the tree-ring series from the spruce and fir timbers accumulate around the middle of the 1311 century, and the latest detected tree-ring marks the year 1237 BC. The context in which the dated timbers were found, the so-called Scheidehalde 32, partly embedded in or on top of the cultural layer, attest to the copper mining in the early Late Bronze Age. The vast find material consisting of pottery, stone and bronze objects confirms the date of the wooden artefacts. On the other hand, the five modern timbers indicate activities from the middle of the 16(th) century AD. The dendrochronological analysis of the timbers from the Kelchalm mine which were retrieved 50 years ago is meant to contribute to the chronological development of prehistoric mining in the Eastern Alps. Further studies and results from this mining area and others in the central Eastern Alps are expected.