Neolithic (4850–4500 BCE) rondel enclosures in Central Europe: A curated geospatial and structural dataset

Built in the first half of the 5th millennium BCE, Neolithic rondel enclosures (NRE) mark the inception of monumental building traditions in Central Europe. The steep rise in newly identified sites in recent years makes it difficult to analyse and understand this phenomenon to the full extent.

This repository contains data set submitted to the Journal of Open Archaeology Data. The data set covers all currently known 261 NREs dispersed on the territory of Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Excerpted from literature and supplemented with recent discoveries, the data set describes precise geospatial position, key construction elements, and the state of research for each NRE. Comparable contemporary enclosures and structures previously misinterpreted as NREs are also presented. The data set offers a foundation for detailed spatial analyses and supports deeper investigation into the development, distribution, and significance of NREs.

The dataset consists of the following files:

• 1_NREs.csv - Main dataset of all currently known Neolithic rondel enclosures (NREs).
• 2_NRE_like_and_potential.csv - Register of enclosures that cannot currently be confidently classified as NREs because they do not meet the key diagnostic     criteria, but may represent NRE-like or potential examples.
• 3_non_NREs.csv - Register of enclosures previously identified in the literature as NREs but subsequently reinterpreted and/or redated, and therefore no longer considered NREs.
• References.pdf - List of referred literature.

Dataset variables:

• ID
  Primary numerical key assigned by the authors; not derived from the literature or any other source.
• State
  Localisation of the NRE according to the state.
• Region
  Localisation of the NRE according to the historical or geographical regions of Central Europe.
• Name
  The name of the NRE following the site name established in archaeological literature. When a single site features multiple enclosures, Arabic numerals were added to distinguish between them.
• District 
  Localisation of the NRE according to the district, county, or similar administrative unit applied in the respective state.
• Culture
  Cultural affiliation of the NRE. In cases when cultural affiliation was not verified by excavation or at least by surface survey at the site, the affiliation is stated with a question mark, being typically based on the regional context. Abbreviations: GG – Grossgartach; LGK – Lengyel; MOG – Moravian Painted Ware; PF – Planig-Friedberg; ROS – Rössen; SBK – Stichbandkeramik; SOB – Südostbayerisches Mittelneolithikum/Oberlauterbach; SOP – Sopot.
• Ditch_number
  The number of rondel ditches.
• Ditch_number_note
  Qualifier indicating uncertainty in the number of ditches.
• Diameter_max
  The diameter of the largest ditch. Measured at the central point of a ditch width and given in meters. Note that this figure may be only approximate in the case of unexcavated rondels.
• Diameter_max_note
  Qualifier indicating uncertainty in the diameter of the largest ditch.
• Trench_in_number 
  The number of circular trenches inside the central area of the NRE.
• Trench_in_number_note
  Qualifier indicating uncertainty in the number of inner trenches.
• Trench_out_number
  The number of circular trenches on the outer side or between the ditches.
• Trench_out_number_note
  Qualifier indicating uncertainty in the number of outer trenches.
• Entrance_number
  The number of entrances.
• Entrance_number_note
  Qualifier indicating uncertainty in the number of entrances.
• Outer_enclosure 
  An additional ditch/trench enclosure surrounds the NRE. Y – yes, N – no, ? – unknown or uncertain.
• Remote_sensing
  The NRE can be identified by aerial survey, satellite imagery, LiDAR or other remote sensing methods. Y – yes, N – no, ? – unknown.
• Geophysics 
  The NRE was examined by geophysical methods. Y – yes, N – no, ? – unknown.
• Excavation_trenching 
  The NRE was excavated or at least verified by limited trenching. Y – yes, N – no, ? – unknown.
• Preserved 
  Most of the NRE area is currently preserved and has not been significantly disturbed by modern infrastructure. Completely or largely archaeologically excavated rondels are considered preserved. Y – yes, N – no, ? – unknown.
• Reference 
  Reference to the literature giving the most comprehensive information on the NRE.
• WGS_N; WGS_E 
  Geographical coordinates of the centre of the NRE in the World Geodetic System (WGS) 1984 (EPSG: 4326) given in the decimal degrees format [XX.XXXXX].
• Note
  Additional information about the NRE.