Abstract (eng)
This dissertation deals with the practical use of fingerprint methods in the context of archeological topics and shows its potential for the Archaeology. For the first time the grave goods of burials in a graveyard have been examined, particularly in regard to fingerprints. The attempt to examine patterns of papillary lines on archeological artifacts requires acquisition methods and procedures. While criminological methods of collecting papillary patterns are mainly focused on latent imprints, the majority of fingerprints encountered by archaeologists are on clay. Although the procedures for classifying patterns are similar in both disciplines, there are significant differences
The Austrian graveyard Franzhausen from the Early until the Late Bronze Age, is the biggest in Central Europe so far. Within the grave goods many clay vessels of different qualities have been discovered. It is not clear why vessels with different qualities have been added to the graves of different persons. However, fingerprints provide information about the age, gender, productionprocess and other aspects of their owner. This information can help us to understand more about the social structure and the process of production of clay objects in prehistoric times. The evaluation considers the effect of the shrinkage of clay during the drying and burning process.