Tárnoki Judit szerk.: Tisicum - A Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Megyei Múzeumok Évkönyve 19. (2009)

Régészettudomány - Magdolna Vicze - Nagyrév symbolism revisited: Three decorated vessels from Százhalombatta and Dunaújváros

Régészettudomány Magdolna VI

CZE Nagyrév symbolism revisited: Three decorated vessels from Százhalombatta and Dunaújváros There is a special group of remains that could in major part be assigned to the so-called Nagyrév social unit of the Hungarian Early Bronze Age. These are the geometrical ornaments appearing in a relatively limited number but quite regularly, on different materials and objects in varying techniques characteristically on Nagyrév find materials. The aim of this paper, on the occasion of publishing three of these specific artefacts, is to consider some of the possible social inferences imbedded in the diverse application of these geometric ornaments. Most elements of the material culture, whether they are style, form, decoration or specific symbols are all parts of a multilevel communication by which individuals and social groups define relationships and associations.

1 We must not forget that dresses, body ornamentations, and other aspects of decoration express not just group identity but a compliance with its rules and customs.

2 To follow this line of thought these specially decorated artefacts seem to offer good ground for studying possible social implications within Nagyrév society. Fig. 1.: Vessel from the Százhalombatta Museum's collection. / Edény a százhalombattai múzeum gyűjteményéből. It was Rózsa Schreiber who for the first time has attempted to collect, at the time all published Early Bronze Age vessels with the above mentioned decorations.

3 This comprehensive study grouped and analysed incised decorations found on primarily Nagyrév vessels. Selected and/or individual motifs had been evaluated before'' but an approach with the aim of a complete collection and comparative examination of all the decorations as a whole was initiated by her. She limited her own surmise by a time frame, stating to study early Nagyrév finds only. This was the reason why motifs appearing on vessels from Kulcs

5 was left out from the collection of symbols.

6 At the same time she included some rather later vessels, like the one from Tököl or from Dunaújváros.

7 The purpose of her work was to give some insight into the re1 EARLE, Thimothy 1990. 73; SCHIFFER, B. Michael 1999.; WOBST, H. Martin 1977.; HODDER, Ian 1992,1990. 2 Clearly exemplified by HODDER, Ian 1982.18-23. 3 SCHREIBER Rózsa 1984. 4 BANNER János 1958; CSÁNYI Marietta 1982-83. 5 BÓNA István 1960. Pis. 111.10; IX.2. 6 SCHREIBER Rózsa 1984. Fig. 12. 7 Both vessels belonging to the subsequent Vatya cultural group. See VICZE Magdolna 2000. SCHREIBER Rózsa 1984. Figs. 8.5; and 10. 309 |