Csengeri Piroska - Tóth Arnold (szerk.): A Herman Ottó Múzeum évkönyve 54. (Miskolc, 2015)

Régészet - Kósa Polett: Meggyasszó-Halom-oldal dűlő: New data int he Tumulus culture research from North-eastern Hungary

Megyaszó-Halom-oldal dűlő: New data in the Tumulus culture research...

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The relative chronology of the Carpathian Tumulus culture is based on the works of Slovakian researchers. The currently accepted timetable can be divided into four phases (FURMÁNEK et al. 1999, 64; LICHAR- DUS—VLADÁR 1997, 289), which are linked to some dominant sites involving some unique materials. In Hungary, relative chronology was developed by Ke- menczei (KEMENCZEI 1984, 96).

SUMMARY

The excavation of Megyaszó-Halom-oldal dűlő was carried out in a rather small trench, still many interesting features have come to light. The pits were probably the parts of a smaller settlement and the ditch might have been in connection with them. Additionally 10 cremation burials and a feature linked to some burial rite were uncovered.

The pits belonging to the early Tumulus phase, namely to Rei. Br. B2-C period were not in every case fully explored. Neither the completely excavated pit S4, nor the partly uncovered ditch S6 provides enough detailed information, as the small size of the excavation trench is insufficient to understand the exact role of the ditch and the pits. It is not confirmed if a new settlement has been found as there is no data about either the extent, the structure of the settlement, or about the house types. Even so, it could be motivating to prove in the future, whether a potential new settlement with a probable defensive earthwork was found in the North Hungarian region. This would not only add some new information about the region’s occupancy, but perhaps it could form the image of the Tumulus culture a bit, as there is no precedent of settlements surrounded by ditches in this area (SÁNTA 2010, 520).

The cemetery might be younger if feature S8 is defined as a pit. However, since neither the depth nor the edges could have been documented, it is unclear whether it is a pit or not, although finds suggest that it might be. If graves were dug into the pit the cemetery would be younger, which dates to the Rei. Br. C period. Though the adjacent cemetery of Halmaj has similar finds (KEMENCZEI 1968,* 171-176), the limited amount of Megyaszó’s finds do not allow the cemetery to be refined either to the beginning or to the end of the Rei. Br. C phase.

Graves are characterized by simple forms and uniformity and not by rich inclusions. The population of this cemetery expressed themselves mainly by decorating the ceramics and not by bronze wealth. During the earliest Tumulus phase the typical male and female accessories were emphasised, while in the classical period

homogeneity began, perhaps due to a more balanced social division. However, bronze artefacts did not disappear they were merely transferred to the hoards. At the end of the Middle Bronze Age and during the Koszider Horizon the number of hoards was increasing, but still it had no effect on grave inclusions, yet in the classical Tumulus period it had a greater impact (P. FISCHL et al. 2013, 363-364).

Grave ceramics are clear evidence of the different influences between cultures. Rivers have a great role by connecting distinct regions. This is exemplified by the Hernád Valley, which connects the Kosice Basin and the Great Hungarian Plain (FRISNYÁK 2006, 285). In general, ceramics are locally crafted, so the shapes and decorations are copied and further developed by each community (P. FISCHL et al. 2013, 364).

The burial rite is less distinguished by the Tumulus culture. While Middle Bronze Age burials were performed by strict rules, later biritual cemeteries appeared during the Koszider Horizon (P. FISCHL et al. 2013, 362). It can be observed by Tumulus cemeteries that both inhumation and cremation rites were practiced, depending on the particular adjacent area which had an effect on the culture (MARKOVÁ—ILON 2013, 825; CSÁNYI 1980, 154-155).

Cultures should not be interpreted as before, when classification system used a specific pattern. Both ceramics and bronzes were classified based on formal characteristics and cultures were outlined around these types (HANSEN 1996—1998, 9). According to current views, this is no longer tenable. There is often an overlap among types, as intense relationships were between communities which affected their material culture as well (BUSCHKE 2002, 260-271). Settlements and cemeteries are good examples for active connections at the so-called “cultural” borders. The ceramics of Megyaszó show that styles can be mixed, and forms can be taken by neighbouring communities. According to our present knowledge, Megyaszó and Halmaj are Tumulus cemeteries with strong Piliny impacts, while Detek and Zagyvapálfalva are Piliny cemeteries with Tumulus influences, so material cultures are overlapped.

The Koszider “Horizon” and Tumulus “culture” are more like a longer period of time, in which relations between the communities become wider and cultural differences began to fade due to intense communication (P. FISCHL et al. 2013, 357). These broader and vivid relationships can be observed on the few finds of Megyaszó-Halom-oldal dűlő’s burials and pits, which greatly combines the forms of the Tumulus culture with the influence of the Piliny culture.