Selmeczi László szerk.: Szolnok Megyei Múzeumi Évkönyv (1982-83)

Cs. Siklódi: An early Copper Age settlement at Tiszaföldvár

b)The population was more vulnerable to climatic changes (since these could mean smaller yields) Settlements of the Tiszapolgár culture are usually located right beside rivers, mostly on levees or dunes. Surface surveys have revealed that Kőrös and Tiszapolgár sites are frequently very close to each other and even occur together. At Dévaványa, for instance, 33 sites yielded characteristic finds of the Tiszapolgár culture. 17 of these sites also featured Kőrös finds.

63 Palaeoclimatological reconstructions have shown that the prevalent climate of the Carpathian Basin was dry and arid at the beginning of the Aeneolithic Age. Palynological research, based on the diffusion of indicator plants, has been able to reconstruct mean annula temperatures.

64 These data are refined by the distribution of small mammals.

65 The geographical distribution of voles is determined by climatic and environmental factors, and thus mean July temperatures can be estimated. A curve of average July temperature values reflecting a gradual rise in temperature can be traced up to a climatic optimum in 7700 B. P., which was followed by a gradual fall with several oscillations until 4000 B. P. Analyses based on the presence of water voles contribute towards a reconstruction of changes in precipitation. The "Avricola humiditas" gives a maximum between 8500-7000 and 4000-2000 B. P. and a minimum 5000^000 and 1500-1000 B. P. A comparison of the two curves shows that the climate became cooler and drier at the beginning of the Aeneolithic Age. Soil investigations in the Ukraine have demonstratad that Early Cucuteni-Tripolye settlements are located immediately by rivers, often 1-2 m below the present-day level of floods, which also implies that the climate was considerably drier.

66 É. V. Vadász argues the same for Hungary on the basis of the evidence from aruond Kalocsa.

67 She compared the location of settlements of various cultures in relation to river terraces and concluded that climatic conditions at the end of the Neolithic and the beginning of the Aeneolithic were similar to those of the Kőrös culture (i.e. a fairly dry climate). An agricultural system not based on irrigation is seriously affected by climatic changes. In order to meet the minimum requirements of a larger population, it was necessary to find land located in a natural enviroment with enough humidity needed for crop cultivation. The low ground water table of loess plains could not ensure sufficient crop yields during periods of summer drought. Only soils which were suilable for cultivation (i.e. which had a high ground water table and were well supplied with mineral nutrients) and were located near adequate grazing fields could meet these requirements. The soils are located along rivers. Althoug these have a high water holding capacity, they are unsuitable for cultivation since they are usually inundiated. Moreover, crops shown after the early summer or "green flood" do not nature the same year and thus these areas are only expedient for grazing. The most appropriate areas for settlement were levees and elevated grounds above the flood plain. Even if most of the surrounding territory was under water for a part of the year, levee tops and slopes were ideal for crop production, for they had light easily worked soils and favourable drainage conditions. High ground water table during the critical vegetative period would ensure good crops even in periods of drought. Favourable soils were further enhanced by their natural environment. The investigations of K. Kosse have demonstrated that 79% of the Körös sites are found on the loess steppe with shrub vegetation, but is should be pointed out that these settlements are located at the edge of the steppe, next to the floodplain. It is perhaps reasonable to suggest the same percentage in the Tiszapolgár culture, considering the similar climatic conditions and the joint occurrence of sites. Only slash-and-burn agriculture can be practised in gallery woods. Archaeological and ethnographic data have shown that lands cleared in this way is not used repeatedly for crop cultivation for it is exhausted after only a few seasons and has to be followed while new areas are cleared. This would also account for the absence of tells in the Tiszapolgár culture. In the foregoing we have attempted to give a brief survey of the factors influencing or giving rise to the differences in the way of life of the Tiszapolgár culture as compared to the Neolithic. A precise reconstruction of this extremely complex process, however, can only be attempted in the light of more evidence. Historical parallels have proved that changes in flourishing socio-economic system cannot be attributed to one single factor. Changes in one or two factors do not necesserily cause the collapse of an economic system which was well adapted to certain circumstances. Stagnation, the characteristic feature of an economy on the decline, can last for fairly long periods. A basic change reflects the cumulative effect of several negative factors. These were the following during the Final Neolithic Age

: 1. The tell system of the Tisza and Herpály cultures as a socio-economic formation had serious limitations in the Carpathian Basin, since irrigation with prehistoric techniques was impossible. Small scale economic prosperity, however, occured even without the introduction of irrigation. A larger population could only be partially supported, however, before the lack of irrigation had to be substituted by basic modifications in the system. 2. At the end of the Neolithic Age there was a climatic change, with a tendency towards aridity. 3. Changes in the composition of the funeral deposits in the graves of the Basatanya cemetery

69 possibly reflect the appearance of an Eastern population which, however, cannot be regarded as mass-migration. The differing way of life of this new population also accelerated the collapse of the tell system. 4. The influence of man on his environment - the extermination of aurochs in this case - necessitated the artificial replacement of this loss which resulted in the growth of stockbreeding. Other factors, naturally, contributed to this overall change, but more precise understanding of these can only be achieved through new large-scale excavations and the application of an interdisciplinary approach. The rescue excavations at Tiszaföldvár yielded material which has shed new light on certain aspects of the Tiszapolgár culture. 31