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The iconic Dupljaja chariot model from the Carpathian Basin informs us on cosmologies and technologies of Bronze Age societies in Europe between 1600 and 1200 BC. It communicates key elements of religious imagery and ritual practice alongside technical features of working chariots. Through a detailed reappraisal employing use-wear, compositional, and iconographic analyses as well as 3D modelling of the chariot model, the authors explore the social context of its creation and use. Integrating functional wheels with four spokes and iconographic depictions of the similar cross-in-circle symbol, the Dupljaja chariot combines and cross-references motifs with pan-European relevance in the Bronze Age. The study aims to better understand the interplay between the local and regional context of the Dupljaja chariot and how its distinct features arose from the material and ideological networks defining later Bronze Age Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular multi-ring enclosure of Pommelte- Zackmunde, Central Germany, is one of the few sanctuaries dated to the Final Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age in Central Europe. Its architectural design, features and finds suggest that it served as a place for various social practices, including ritual performances. This paper focuses on variations in the fragmentation of ceramics from deliberate depositions, i. e. offerings or discarded paraphernalia, and ‘non-depositional’ contexts. To statistically evaluate the degree of fragmentation of pottery finds, a measure of the relative size of sherds, the sherd size index (SSI), was calculated. The results of the SSI analysis and the completeness of the vessels combined with contextual information elucidate the disparity between deliberately fragmented vessels and ‘non-deliberate’ fragmentation for the Pommelte enclosure. On the one hand, there are intentional deposits - i. e. structured deposits with evidence of ritual meaning - of mainly complete or nearly complete vessels broken into large pieces (high SSI). They indicate moderate destruction that probably had symbolic meaning. Refitting suggests that in most cases the vessels were either broken at the place of deposition or that most vessel fragments were laid down together. The processes of breaking and depositing likely reflect performative ritual activities. On the other hand, the material from ‘non-depositional’ contexts - i. e. structured deposits with no apparent evidence of ritual meaning - was subjected to conditions (e. g. weathering, trampling) which resulted in a high degree of fragmentation. This is indicated by the small sherd sizes (low SSI) and the poor state of preservation, i. e. the incompleteness of the vessels represented. These ceramic finds, however, show material culture patterning suggesting zones of high and low activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper The Cow Feast, which the group of Mülkiyeli celebrates approximately 70 years, is discussed. Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences, other name Mekteb-i Mülkiye, which is one of the educational institutions notices strength of tradition, exhibits a unique position with adherence to tradition and multi-hued structure. It is seen that in the formation of Mülkiyeli identity, which students, graduates and academic staff of Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences carries, The Cow Feast has an important role. The Cow Feast is celebrated with the participation of students to continue their education, at first graduates to finish the university forty years ago and the other graduates and academic staff. The Feast consists of some parts like opening speeches, the pray, the cow walking, the decree, the fender and the others.The Cow Feast has a symbolic language and a distinctive image world. For the Mülkiyelies, the feast is beyond being an ordinary student festival, considered as a criticism festival. This article discusses history of Faculty of Political Sciences; ritual characteristics, structure, parts and functions of The Cow Feast, using the use of humor in the feast and its influence on the Mülkiyeli identity formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]