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This paper considers the results of the investigations of two prehistoric sites in the southern part of the Blagoevgrad Valley, southwest Bulgaria: Moshtanets–Chukata and Strumsko. Being situated at the highest points of opposing hills on either side of the Struma River, these small, fortified settlements were strategically located in difficult-to-access areas allowing them control over the key routes to the Kresna Gorge and the Aegean coast to the south, the Upper Struma Valley to the north, and the Vardar Valley to the west. Radiocarbon dating of material from the sites suggests that they existed during the first quarter of the fifth millennium BC, at the beginning of the Copper Age. The study focuses on the ceramic repertoire from the sites; the most distinctive shapes and recurring combinations of technological, typological, and decorative characteristics are examined and the common elements and trends in the ceramic production of both settlements are highlighted. Based on the evidence of absolute chronology, ceramic assemblages, stratigraphic sequences, topography, and settlement layout, the author theorizes that both sites might have co-existed as parts of a single community that shared common organizational structure for at least some time of their life-cycles.

This paper investigates the long-debated issue of technological knowledge and potters in the Early Copper Age (4500–4000/3900 cal BC) through the analysis of the forming technology of a typical, small-scale settlement at Polgár-Király-ér-part (Northeastern Hungary). A complex technological know- ledge of forming was identified, in which most of the vessel types have their own forming technique. This technological knowledge presumably originated in the local Neolithic. However, a few smaller technological differences nuance this picture, raising the possibility of distinct learning networks and multiple potters at the settlement.

The contribution describes four rare finds of early Copper Age copper hammer-axes of Pločnik, Szendrő, Handlová and Şiria types, which it evaluates in a broader theoretical context. All originate in the western half of Slovakia and relate to the Epilengyel-Cultural circuit, represented by the Ludanice group, and the adjoining Bajč-Retz group. XRF analysis showed that they were cast from metal with high copper content (>99%) with trace amounts of Sb and Bi. While the presence of silver is usually considered as one of the characteristic features of copper of Slovak provenance, and arsenic is characteristic of Handlová type copper specifically, the presence of neither of these elements has been documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "Obrovac" type of sites is the local name for circular earthen enclosures in free space, protected by wide ditches, recorded half a century ago in north-western Serbia. Several dozens prehistoric sites of this type are grouped together in a relatively small area of Mačva and Pocerina of Šabac. The main goal of this paper is the valorisation of previous studies of prehistoric sites of the "Obrovac" type, especially from the aspect of the methodology of the archaeological research. It deals with two stages in the history of the study of the "Obrovac" type of sites, which saw some very important research questions raised but rarely reliably answered. The state of research is generally not satisfactory since even simple questions remained without an answer in previous papers, such as: who was it that built the "Obrovac" type of sites, when and for what purpose? In the early phase of research, circular earthen enclosures, limited by very wide ditches, were interpreted as a special form of settlements (a kind of a miniature tell) from the Late Neolithic, which were adapted to life in swamps. The first stage of research consisted of modest test trench excavations of only few sites of the "Obrovac" type, while sites with the same or similar characteristics were described quite briefly. The first researchers established two basic variants of the "Obrovac" type of sites, on the basis of the configuration of the terrain and the physical appearance of the sites. One of them includes a smaller, circular area of earth surrounded by an inner rampart, created by the excavation of a peripheral ditch. Another type of the "Obrovac" sites has a circular or oval shape and only a wide ditch surrounds it. In this type, the earth from the ditch was used to level the terrain and fill in the central part of the structure. After a long hiatus in the study of the sites of the "Obrovac" type, the second stage of research began ten years ago and it is still on-going today. The general picture of the phenomenon of the construction and use of the "Obrovac" type of sites is still quite unclear. Short-term test trench excavations in Mačva (Lipolist--Šanac) and multi-year, systematic excavations in Pocerina (Desić--Šančina) provided some more information about this type of sites. Both these belong to the post-Vinča period of the Early Copper Age. The applied methodology of archaeological excavations in Desić enabled the exploration of more than 40% of the inner space of the circular earthen enclosure, which is surrounded by a palisade trench, an inner rampart and an unusually wide ditch. The organisation of the space and the basic elements of the architectural complex of the site of the "Obrovac" type in Desić seem to repeat the construction forms of smaller earthen structures of the Early Eneolithic rondels from the area of the Carpathian Basin, especially from the Upper Tisza Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Budapesten kora rézkori temetkezések csak településekről vagy elszórtan ismertek. Jelenleg egyedülálló a XVII. ker. Rákoscsaba-Majorhegy, észak lelőhelyen előkerült több sírt magában foglaló, önálló temetkezési hely. A temetkezések két területileg is elkülönülő csoportot alkotnak, közöttük a mellékletadásban és a halottakkal való bánásmódban is eltérések mutatkoznak. E jelenség mögött a térség összekötő és közvetítő szerepe, de társadalmi, identitás béli tényezők is meghúzódhatnak. Early Copper Age burials in the territory of Budapest had primarily been known from the contemporary settlements or were discovered as lone graves. The burial ground investigated at Rákoscsaba, Major-hegy north, in Budapest, District XVII., consisting of several inhumations is still unique in this regard. The discovered graves formed two separate groups; this spatial distinction was also reflected by the treatment of the deceased and the variety of grave goods present at the site. The distinction between burials could be explained either by the location and the role the site played in the network of interactions, or by social, economic factors, but it may also be considered as expressions of local identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Investigation into the utilitarian function of mortuary vessels is often a neglected aspect of ceramic examination. Since, in most cases, a direct link can be assumed between the vessels’ size, form, and most optimal utilitarian function, morphometry-based ceramic categories – along with ethnoarchaeological examples – can help to understand the role of these vessels in funerary contexts. This article focuses on the relationship between the utilitarian function of ceramics and their roles in graves through the analysis of eight Early Copper Age (4400/4300–4000/3900 BC) burial sites, associated with Tiszapolgár and Bodrogkeresztúr ceramic styles, from the Upper Tisza Region (Hungary). The deposition of ceramic assemblages in graves became common in this period; however, a systematic analysis of their function has never been carried out before. In this study, a morphometry-based methodology was developed to establish the vessels’ utilitarian function. These functions were considered in the analysis of the composition of mortuary assemblages, and how they may reflect social status or gender roles of the deceased individual. Results indicate that the Tiszapolgár and Bodrogkeresztúr assemblages cannot be unequivocally distinguished from each other based on morphometric and functional criteria, suggesting similar functional roles in the past funerary contexts.

The presented paper shows the preliminary results of an archaeological and geophysical survey carried out in Horná Mičiná - Hájny diel (Central Slovakia). The site documents prehistoric settlement and is located outside the primarily agricultural area of the Zvolen basin. The magnetometric survey showed the existence of positive anomalies, suggesting the presence of settlement structures. The archaeological research revealed the existence of a settlement feature and a furnace pit. Elemental and mineralogical analyses witness the exploitation of local copper ores. On the basis of 14C analysis, the settlement can be dated to early Eneolithic period. Further knowledge about the settlement are provided by archaeobotanical and osteological analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the wooded landscapes on the last northern slopes of the mountain Cer, a very well-preserved palisade ditch enclosure of small dimensions and a regular circular shape was discovered (site of Šančina, Desić village). Over the last few years, archaeological excavations at this site have focused on the inner space, bordered by a massive ring-shaped earthen rampart. An unusually wide and deep ditch surrounds a high earthen embankment of flattened conical shape, bordered on the inside by a palisade ditch, with traces of densely packed and deeply buried wooden posts. The excavations so far have not revealed any interruption in the circular palisade ditch, which could confirm the existence of an entrance, i.e., a passage, clearly bordered by an earthen rampart. In the central part of the circular fortification a deep shaft/well was discovered, which has been explored to the level of underground water. Apart from traces of smaller hearths on the inside of the palisade ditch and several deeply buried conical pits, with traces of charred, vertically placed posts, there are no other architectural remains inside the circular fortification. Traces of a catastrophic fire have been discovered inside the entire fortification and are especially visible above the palisade ditch. According to numerous sherds of secondarily burned ceramic vessels, the circular enclosure in Desić belongs to the post-Vinča culture of the Early Copper Age. According to the shape and basic elements of architecture, we assume that the earthen fortification in Desić belongs to a special form of smaller prehistoric enclosures, characteristic of circular palisade fortifications in the area of the Upper Tisza region, in the north-eastern parts of the Great Hungarian Plain.

A Copper Age settlement and cemetery was fully excavated at Rákóczifalva-Bivaly-tó Site 1/C in 2005-2007, making it possible to compare the use of its material culture in closely related, coeval, but different archaeological contexts. Such a rare set of circumstances allows the authors to highlight methodological issues associated with the distorting effect of archaeological finds made on sites where only settlement or burial data are available, and on the importance of choosing appropriate analytical units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper focuses on the analysis and identification of two prehistoric lamps from Zgornje Radvanje (NE Slovenia). The analysis of the organic residues and experimental archaeology allowed us to characterize the fuel source and the wick remains of oval-formed ceramic artefacts from the Copper Age settlement. Infrared spectroscopy (ATR IR), GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS were used to study organic compounds in two archaeological samples, with comparative composition data yielding experiments with modern wicks, linseed oil and animal fats. ATR IR showed traces of plant fibres in the sample of charred residues from one of the lamps. A comparably higher frequency of straight-chain compounds with odd numbers of carbon atoms provided the extracted lipids from the ceramics of the second oval-formed ceramic artefact. We interpret these to mean that carbonised organic residues from the inner surface of the ceramic object are the result of smouldering, with the identified residues of plant fibres probably associated with the remnants of the wick. The GC-MS analysis showed a higher frequency of straight-chain compounds with odd numbers of carbon atoms (especially C 15:0 fatty acids) together with two double bond positional isomers of C 18:1 in the second oval-formed artefact. The presence of C 18:2 and C 18:3 fatty acids that are typical for linseed oils was also detected. These analysis together with GC-C-IRMS analysis suggest a predominant use of ruminant fat as fuel for lighting possibly in combination with plant oils. Burns similar to those on the original artefact were observed on replicas of the artefact after they were used as lamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the isotopic ratios, radiocarbon datings, and anthropological analyses of five (N = 5) Early Copper Age individuals from two archaeological sites (Arruzafa and Iglesia Antigua de Alcolea) of the Middle Guadalquivir Valley near the city of Córdoba (Spain). Four had been buried in the same grave, possibly in a single event or in a very short time lapse. The collagen residue analyses of the individuals offer δ13C values ranging between −20.08 and −18.4 and δ15N values between 8.57 and 11.15. The findings indicate that the infant and the elderly had, respectively, the richest and poorest animal protein diets, the first likely as a result of nursing. The combined study of these five individuals offers an interesting approach to a small segment of population of the farming communities occupying this territory at the beginning of the Copper Age (3200–3000 cal BC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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EarlyCopperAge pottery sherds discovered in a cave within the crystalline dolomites of the Southern Carpathians (Romania)were investigated by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) to obtain information on the pottery production in the Copper Age in the territory of present-day Romania. Microscopically, the clayey matrix of the ceramic body is highly birefringent or consists of low-birefringent and isotropic partsmixed together, containing fragments of quartz, muscovite, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, chlorite, heavy minerals and metamorphic and magmatic rocks, as well as an opaque material. The EMPA data revealed an Fe-rich illite-like matrix and helped to identify the mineral nature of the inclusions. Local pottery production in bonfires or surface clamps is envisaged. Miocene illitic clays may have been used as raw materials, mixed with a small amount of sandy temper. The thermal changes revealed by OM, the modification of the XRPD peaks and the EMPA data suggest firing temperatures of between 800 and 850°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates some techniques and procedures applied by Neolithic groups of Sardinia for the exploitation of osseous materials. The identification of several rods and final objects in the rich collections of two sites, Su Coddu (Canelles, Cagliari) and Cuccuru s'Arriu (Cabras, Oristano), has enabled the individuation of the products potentially obtained by the method of production of blanks by bipartition. The morphological and technical characteristics of these objects suggest they were obtained by the application of a technique of breaking by indirect percussion in a splitting procedure. In order to verify this hypothesis, and to distinguish and characterize the marks on the archaeological remains better, we realized a programme of experimental reconstruction on bones of the type mainly exploited during the Late Neolithic era and the Early Copper Age in Sardinia: sheep and goat metapodials. From our replicative experiments and subsequent research in the faunal assemblages of Su Coddu and Cuccuru s'Arriu, we identified several remains associated with the production of blanks by the bipartition method. Finally, a discussion about the diffusion of this blank production method in Neolithic Sardinia is proposed in order to define its role in the exploitation of osseous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zusammenfassung: Neue AMS Daten der frühen Kupferzeit Südosteuropas (z. B. aus dem Gräberfeld von Varna und aus Fundstellen der Tiszapolgárkultur, etwa Vésztő-Bikeri, Körösladány-Bikeri, Hajdúböszörmény-Ficsori-tó-Dűlő oder Uivar) scheinen das bestehende klassische Chronologieschema zu verändern. Die Gültigkeit dieses Schemas kann mittels der Korrespondenzanalyse (KA) überprüft werden. In chronologischer Hinsicht zeigen die Ergebnisse eine dreistufige Entwicklung der Tiszapolgárkultur. Die geschätzte Dauer dieser archäologischen Kultur (auf der Grundlage eines Bayesischen Modells der bestehenden AMS Daten inklusive neuer Messungen aus Gorzsa) fällt in einen Zeitraum zwischen 4600-4200 cal BC und ist damit also etwa 200 Jahre früher anzusetzen, als bisher angenommen wurde. Résumé: Les nouvelles datations radiocarbone publiées pour le Chalcolithique ancien du sud-est de l'Europe (provenant par exemple de la nécropole de Varna ou de sites tels Vésztő-Bikeri, Körösladány-Bikeri, Hajdúböszörmény-Ficsori-tó-Dűlő ou Uivar) semblent modifier les schémas chronologiques classiques. La validité de ce schéma peut être vérifiée en faisant usage de la méthode de l'analyse des correspondances. Les résultats obtenus démontrent une évolution chronologique de la culture de Tiszapolgár en trois étapes. La période que nous estimons sur la base d'approches Bayésiennes des datations radiocarbone AMS à notre disposition (y compris de nouvelles dates provenant de Gorzsa) place cette culture entre environ 4600 et 4200 cal BC ; elle débute donc à peu près 200 ans avant la date acceptée dans les études antérieures. Abstract: The new AMS dates published from South-Eastern Europe's Early Copper Age (e.g. from the Varna cemetery and from Tiszapolgár culture sites like Vésztő-Bikeri, Körösladány-Bikeri, Hajdúböszörmény-Ficsori-tó-Dűlő or Uivar) seem to change the existing classical chronological scheme. The validity of this scheme can be checked using correspondence analysis (CA). The obtained results show a tripartite evolution of the Tiszapolgár culture from the chronological point of view. The estimated time span (based on a Bayesian model of the existing AMS data, including new ones from Gorzsa) for this archaeological culture is between c. 4600-4200 cal BC, beginning more or less two hundred years earlier than was previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Im Beitrag wird der südtransdanubische Fundplatz Alsónyék-Bátaszék (Ungarn) vorgestellt, auf dem in den Jahren 2006-2009 nahezu 2500 Bestattungen und 60 Langhäuser der spätneolithisch-frühkupferzeitlichen Lengyel-Kultur ergraben und dokumentiert werden konnten. Im Mittelpunkt der Betrachtungen steht das der frühkupferzeitlichen Lengyel-Kultur zuzuweisende Grab 5603/927 mit der Bestattung eines Mannes. Dem Toten waren zahlreiche Beigaben in das Grab gegeben worden, unter anderem eine Steinaxt, ein Steinbeil und Silexmesser aus Importmaterial, ferner Kollektionen von Silexklingen und Trapezen sowie Geweih- und Knochengegenstände/-geräte (Geweihaxt, Schulterblatt und Geweihstab). Die auftretenden Gerätespektren werden gegliedert und ihre Stellung in der sozialen Hierarchie dieser wie auch vergleichbarer Gemeinschaften gedeutet. Für die Bestattung wird der Beleg geführt, dass der hier beigesetzte ältere Mann zu Lebzeiten sowohl auf örtliche und regionale Rohmaterialbezugszonen als auch auf jene des Fernhandels Zugriff hatte und wohl als Person zu deuten ist, die im Gefüge seiner Zeit eine bedeutende soziale Stellung einnahm. 1 This article presents the South Transdanubian site of Alsónyék-Bátaszék (Hungary) where nearly 2500 burials and 60 longhouses of the Late Neolithic-Early Copper Lengyel Culture were excavated and documented from 2006 until 2009. The focus of the article is on grave 5603/927 - the burial of a man attributed to the Early Copper Lengyel Culture. Numerous grave goods were present in his grave, among them a stone axe, a stone adze and silex knife made from imported material, as well as collections of silex blades and trapezes, antler and bone objects/tools (antler axe, scapula and antler staff). The paper categorises the tools and interprets their significance in the social hierarchy of this society and in comparable societies. Evidence is presented that the older man buried here held an important social position during his lifetime, someone who had access to local and regional sources of raw materials and also engaged in long-distance trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]