Pásztor Emília (szerk.): Sámánizmus és természethit régen és ma - Bajai dolgozatok 23. (Baja, 2019)

Peter Toth: Rituális tevékenység Szlovákiában a neolitikum és rézkor idején

Ritual practices in the Neolithic and Eneolithic in Slovakia

of an X-motif, which is placed between a pair of breasts (Nevizánsky 2002, 87). Thus this decoration corresponds with the idols. It was suggested that gynekomorphic vessels could be an impersonation of Magna Mater (Kovárník 2000,189).

The last category of human representations on vessels is presented by anthropomorphic vessels, whose distribution is limited only to the Ózd-Piliny culture in Slaná/Sajó valley (fig. 12). They appear almost exclusively as offerings in cremation burials and frequently served as an urn. Their gender is indicated by a pair of breasts (Nevizánsky 2002, 93). It was suggested these vessels could be interpreted similarly as idols.

Thanks to their storage function they were suitable for protection of certain items (cereals, human bones; Bánffy 1999-2000, 234). According to another hypothesis, these vessels could be a representation of the deceased. Face without mouth could symbolize death which silenced the deceased and his soul could travel to a vessel where it continued to live forever (Novotná 2004, 80-81).

Animal figurines and artifacts with animal representation

Animals, which lived near humans, were depicted in clay or other material as standalone figurines or were applied on the vessel walls. Like their human counterparts, these artifacts were used in the cult (Pavúk 1981, 66).

Fig. 11. Anthropomorphic vessel from Svodin, dated to the Lengyel culture (after Némejcová-Pavúková 1998, 65)

11. kép Ember alakú edény, Svodin, Lengyel kultúra (Némejcová-Pavúková 1998, 65).

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