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

Domboróczki László: Radiokarbon adatok Heves megye újkőkori régészeti lelőhelyeiről

The Dating of the Körös-ALP Transition - The Way Forward The dates analysed support the thesis, put forward some time ago based on comparative typologies, that the development of the ALP and the TLP, as well as the appearance of the protovinca data, are all for the most part of one period, possibly corresponding with the final phase of the Körös and Starcevo Cultures.

71 Starting from the assumption that these settlements were inhabited over a longer period, it becomes more probable that there is a chronological overlap and partial simultaneity between the ALP and the Körös settlements. Although one cannot add much we can but suspect that the development of the ALP Culture perhaps preceded the development of TLP and Vinca Cultures and that the whole transregional transformation process took place along the already much-heralded S-N and E-W axes, having an effect on our region in the form of an influence with a north to southerly aspect to it as well.

72 The Mezolithic dates we have are currently distant from the presumed Körös-ALP transition and there is currently very little evidence of sites with a mixture of Mezolithic and Neolithic finds in our region.

73 Hence, our understanding of the Neolithisation process will be best served by turning our attention primarily to the ALPKörös relationship. It is precisely the thorough examination of this transitional period which is the main task lying ahead. The development of the ALP Culture as well as the suggested chronological overlap could theoretically have led to a mixture of the archaeological material. Indeed, with more sensitive datings we would be able to calculate the extent of the mixing. Mixed finds could have come about in one of two ways. The first alternative is that during development of the ALP Culture a stylistic change took place as part of an evolutionary process during which Körös-type finds gradually made way for the ALP style.

74 The second alternative is that mixture took place through more or less mature ALPtype finds and unmistakably Körös-type objects being circulated between settlements through goods exchange or the receiving of guests, after which they used the forms and patterns on their own objects. Bearing in mind that the Szatmár Group was once believed, on account of the transitionary nature of its finds, to lie between the Körös and the ALP Culture, the Szatmár Group finds would also fit perfectly into the context of mixed find sites. At the same time, however, the history of research shows that the Szatmár Group disappeared very gradually over a long period. In the case of the Szatmár Group, first the initial phase was questioned and the earlier sites attributed to the Körös Culture, then the second phase was questioned, being deemed ALP 1. With what has happened it now looks 71 KALICZ Nándor 1995. 53-56., MAKKAY János 2001. 68. 72 Here we are thinking only about the spread of the ALP Culture in a southerly direction, although we also find the idea that the development of the ALP Culture and its spread southwards had a role in the development of the Vinca Culture interesting. In relation to this topic see: MAKKAY János 1982a. 28-29., TROGMAYER Ottó 1991. 75-76. 73 Jászberény and Jásztelek: KERTÉSZ Róbert ET AL. 1994. 33., KERTÉSZ Róbert 1996. 23., Maroslele-Pana, Lepenski Vir, Padina: WHITTLE, Alasdair ET AL. 2002. 113-116. 74 The ALP Culture can be traced back to the Körös finds, in a way similar to that suggested during the course of the definition of the Szatmár Group: KALICZ Nándor-MAKKAY János 1972., KALICZ Nándor-MAKKAY János 1977. 18-27. The theory survived in tact despite the publication of C14 data. 25