A Nyíregyházi Jósa András Múzeum évkönyve 37-38. - 1995-1996 (Nyíregyháza, 1997)
Régészet - Josyp Kobal’: Preliminary report on the results of archaeological research on the multi-level fortified settlement of „Chitattia” (near Solotvino/Aknaszlatina, Transcarpathian region, Ukraine) by the Expedition of the Transcarpathian Museum of Local History
Preliminary report on the results... Suciu de Sus Culture at Diakovo/Nevetlenfalva (BALAHURI 1974. ris.8). The arrow-head and many of the ceramic forms have direct analogies in the first phase of a settlement of the same culture in Kvasovo/ Kovászó (KOBAL'1992.54-55.ris. 3.1,8,12; 4,6). Ceramic finds from Jánkmajtis (Hungary) may be contemporary (ISTVÁNOVITS-KURUCZ 1990.T. XXXVII-XLII.). Thus, the Bronze Age horizon at the fortified settlement of „Chitattia" in Solotvino is represented by materials of the early phase of the Suciu de Sus Culture. At the present stage of research, this can be dated to the end of the Middle Bronze Age, that is, period BB1 (after Reinecke). The next habitation of the settlement is represented by materials from the Late Iron Age and Early Roman Period. As a matter of fact, this is the chief horizon of the fortified settlement of „Chitattia". In trench I it dominates. Finds from other periods were encountered here only sporadically. The thickness of the cultural deposits from this period is not the same in different parts of the trench: it is about 0.2 m in the southern sectors (21,20) and about 0.6-0.7 m in the northern ones (12,11). There is a tendency for the cultural deposits to gradually thicken in a south-north direction. In average the layer is 0.5 m thick. On the basis of our observations concerning the character of the cultural layer, the situation of different features and the archaeological material, we were able to divide the horizon into two levels that belong to different chronological periods, but at the same time to the single culture of the local Dacián population. The upper Dacián 4 level begins immediately under the grass-plot. On the larger part of the trench its lower border could be picked up at a depth of about 0.2 m. Only in sectors 12 and 11 did it reach a depth of 0.4 m. This can be explained by the fact that in these sectors the bulldozer did not destroy the upper part of the cultural layers as was observed in sectors 19-13. So, the level in question originally could have had an actual thickness of about 0.3-0.4 m. Its structure sharply differs from the deeper layers of the Late Iron Age. It is characterized by a black colour, many small pieces of burnt clay and a great number of large river pebbles (diameter: 15-20 cm) spread over almost the whole territory of the trench. Sometimes they form round concentrations. It is difficult to determine the function of these concentrated and dispersed pebbles: the size of the trench does not permit us to say anything definite about them. However, we may suggest that they have something to do with the building system of those constructions (dwellings?) remains of which can be traced in other finds. In connection with this we should mention an interesting fact: in sector 13, the pebbles were almost completely missing. Perhaps, this absence is not accidental and shows the border between different constructions. The existence of such constructions is demonstrated by finds of the remains of open fireplaces: dense, pounded deposits of burnt clay 0.1-0.15 m thick, round in shape (the diameter shows similarity with the large, smooth plates of sand' The term „Dacián" is conditional, although under it we refer certain ethn the material culture found at Solotvino with the Dacián ethnos the Rom stone, that, by the way, were found at the same level and always in a horizontal position). The remains of the wall of a fire-place with branch impressions, and concentrations of archaeological finds (pottery), including spindle-whorls must have belonged to the constructions. In all cases these are surface constructions. They may have been dwellings with fire-places, walls made out of twigs (their average diameter is about 2-3.5 cm), and their fundament or part of it was covered by sandstone plates. Some role was also played by large pebbles. The remains of two such constructions were observed in sectors 17-14 and 12-11, but there may have been more (Fig. 7). A deepened feature may also be connected to the upper Dacián level: a big pit in sectors 21-18 (pit 1). Only a part of it was picked up in the trench. Pit 1 has an elongated form (from northwest to southeast) with slooping walls and a flat bottom. A little north from its centre and parallel to the walls, we found a layer of large pebbles (diameter 0.2-0.4 m): the remains of the wall. The pit was filled homogeneously both in horizontal and vertical directions: a black humus with little pieces of burnt clay and small pieces of charcoal. The archaeological material consists of Bronze Age and Dacián ceramic fragments. The function of the feature remains unknown (Fig. 7). We collected a rich archaeological material from the cultural layer and features, mainly consisting of ceramics. It is interesting that the latter began to appear in large number directly under the grass-plot. There were also many sherds above the pebbles and among them while under the pebbles the quantity of ceramic finds sharply decreased. As we have already mentioned, ceramic fragments were the most numerous finds in die settlement and in the described layer. Ceramic material consists of many fragments (sometimes relatively large) and some broken vessels. There are a total of 307 ceramic fragments connected to the upper Dacián layer (1st spit: 0-0.2 m deep, in sectors 12-11: 0-0.4 m). Handmade ceramic dominates: 263 pieces or 86 %, wheelmade vessels or pieces corrected on a wheel are very rare: 44 fragments or 14% of the total number of ceramic fragments. Hand-made vessels were made of clay tempered by adding chamot of different sizes or more rarely: fired limestone and quartz. In most cases, vessels are reddish, brown or black. They were fired differently, but usually heavily. The spectrum of the ceramic forms is relatively poor. Most are big pots with elongated proportions and clearly marked necks (Pi. XVB.3,XVIII.5) with slightly everted straight or profiled rims (Pi. XVI1. 3,XVI. 2-5). As a rule, they have thick walls. The surfaces are smoothed. The ornamentation of this group consists of buttons in the shape of a pig chap (Pi. XVB.3,XVIII.2), sometimes with one or two impressions (Pi. XVI.9); nipple-like knobs in pairs (Pi. XVIII. 1), bands (attached or made directly from the clay of the pot) ornamented by finger impressions (Pi. XVB.3,XVIII.6) or alveoli (Pi. XVIII. 10). Frequently, the ornamentation of buttons and ribbons are employed ic contents. By using it. I would like to underline the close relationship of an period. A Jósa András Múzeum Évkönyve 1997 121
