Agria 39. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2003)

Domboróczki László: Radiokarbon adatok Heves megye újkőkori régészeti lelőhelyeiről

The Analysis of the Füzesabony-Gubakút Data The Model for the Internal Chronology of the Settlement As mentioned earlier, we would like to use the C14 data primarily for analysing settlement structure. By dating individual objects one can trace the origins of the settlement, calculate at any time its size and the number of inhabitants living there, whilst at the same time providing invaluable information concerning the network of settlements once existing in the region. The success in the dating of objects will also complement the stylistic examination of the finds, providing dates for a period's characteristic formal and decorative features. This, however, is something for the future. At first glance the data looks rather uniform (fig. 1 a-d). If we look at the mean values for the calibrated calendar age, the golden age of the settlement might have been in the years preceeding 5200 ВС. We suggest therefore that the settlement came into being towards the beginning of the century following 5500 ВС, or in the years before 5400 ВС, being at its zenith in the period before 5200 ВС for a period of about 100 years, after which it finally became depopulated. The focus of the early settlement must have been in the region of pits 45., 51. and 89. near the 1 st western settlement row, where the pits, and one would assume the houses, were at a greater distance from each another. Along the 2nd eastern settlement row at that time existed pit 135. and the nearby house probably belonging to it. With the passing of a good 100-150 years, the old settlement disappeared and at the end of the century starting 5300 ВС and the beginning of the following century new settlers took over the area and built in each settlement row. The pits were now placed at smaller intervals than earlier, showing that the houses themselves were built closer to one another. Eventually the population either died out or moved on. Although the mean С

14 dates leave us with a rather sketchy chronological picture, statistics suggest that the probability of getting exact datings is not particularly high. In addition other problems also arise. The regularities in the layout of the settlement, for instance, raise doubts as to whether there were two stages of settlement. It is interesting to note that the present author has earlier frequently suggested that the objects of the settlement may belong to the same period, using the perceived regularity and the apparently planned layout of the settlement as the basis of his argument.

20 To the orientation and the positioning of the pits and the structure of the houses as deduced from the postholes, one should add as proof of a deliberate desire for regularity the burial finds found at the ends of the houses. The settlement was made up of regular settlement rows. The pits and houses are positioned equidistant from one another. We believe that such regularities cannot have come about by chance, but by a deliberate plan or scheme which people adhered to. Evidence of previous structures must have been present to help orientate the others. Or could it have been a case of new settlers reminding themselves of once existing buildings and pits? Could they have made a habit of building alongside remains which were already in ruins or which were in a state of decay? When settlements were being enlarged would the placement of new houses have been regulated? Would behaviour have been influenced by a respect for the memories of their ancestors? These are all apposite questions. Having excavated several settlements we are certainly getting closer to reaching the necessary conclusions. In the past we tended to associate regularities with the endeavours of a single age. This was a view strengthened by the fact that on several occasions we found ceramic fragments 20 DOMBORÓCZKI László 1996. 211. note 56., DOMBORÓCZKI László 1997a. 24., DOMBORÓCZKI László 1997c. 75-76., DOMBORÓCZKI László 2001. 31-33. 12