The spatial and functional structure of the settlement from the Early Iron Ag e in Milejowice, site 19, district Wrocław, in the social aspect

In this paper the authors present the results of spatial analyses performed using GIS tools which were used to recognize the spatial and functional structure of the settlement in Milejowice, site 19, dating back to the Early Iron Age. The aim of the study was to more precisely define the function of the discovered complexes with pole construction buildings arranged around an empty area and to make another attempt at gaining insight into the structure of the society that lived in the settlement. The acquired results allowed a discussion on the earlier interpretations of the settlement in Milejowice, according to which a part of the site functioned as a seat of the elite who distinguished their place of residence with circular fences. The results of GIS analyses did not make it possible to precisely determine the character of the society that inhabited the site. However, in the opinion of the authors, the specific organization of spatial development in Milejowice, taking into account the distribution of different kinds of artifacts within its area, may indicate social stratification among the inhabitants. The basis of the stratification was, above all, access to prestige goods and the division of social roles connected with particular economic or professional activity.