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

Josyp Kobal' of typologically different vessels from this layer. These are hand-made and are characterized by a fine black, and sometimes brown polish on both sides. This technique is reminiscent of the polish from Hallstatt times. A biconical amphora (Pi. XII.

1) to this group belongs as do, a small dish with a well profiled rib on its body (Pl. XII.6), a bomb-shaped vessel (Pi. XIII.

2), some dippers (PI. XIV.3, XVA.2) as well as some other types (PI. IXA.8,XA.l). Thus, on the basis of the typological analyses of the ceramic finds from the lower layer of the Dacián horizon at the fortified settlement of „Chitattia" near Solotvino, we came to the conclusion that ceramic finds from this layer are Late Iron Age and can be compared from a chronological point of view to sites of Middle La Téne times from North-West Roumania. The latest horizon of the Solotvino fortified settlement is represented by finds from the Early Middle Ages. On the basis of test excavations, V.G. Kotigoroshko placed these finds to the Slavic period of the 9th-10th centuries (KOTIGOROSHKO 198923.). Our 1991-1993 excavation made it possible to clarify the character and chronology of the Early Medieval finds at the fortified settlement. Sporadic ceramic fragments from this time were encountered in the upper levels of the cultural layer both in trench I and in test pit I (Pi. VII.10-13,XVII1.1112). However, in an undisturbed situation, in situ, they were documented only at the edge of squares 17 and 18 in trench I. Here, directly under the grass-plot, we found a concentration of large pebbles. After cleaning, it could be shown that the ground plan of the concentration was round with a 1 m diameter. It consisted of large pebbles (up to 20 cm in diameter) that formed 2-3 levels. The upper level consisted of exclusively big pebbles. The next level differed from the previous one, because the large pebbles stood on their side along the perimeter of the concentration while the middle part was composed of smaller pebbles. On the southern and northern side of the concentration there was a concentration of Early Medieval ceramics: fragments of bases, rims and walls of pot like vessels and an iron object. Directly to the east of the concentration was observed a yellow subsoil deposit probably thrown out of the pit and situated under the concentration of pebbles. During the cleaning of the stone level, we started to find calcinated bones and pieces of charcoal in its centre. The outline of the pit appeared under the concentration, it had diameter of 0.6 m. Its fill contained remains of a cremation: ash coloured soil, burnt bones, pieces of charcoal, stone and ceramic products. We should note that in the upper part of the fill the calcinated bones and charcoal were small and accompanied by small, shapeless burnt pieces of clay and some ceramic fragments. In the lower part of the pit and at its bottom, the quantity and sizes of calcinated bones and charcoal significantly increased. Most of the charcoal was found at the bottom of the pit. Many wheel-made Medieval ceramics were found on their sides or with their rims down at this level in the pit (Pi. XXI,XXII) as well as a whetstone broken into two pieces and fragments of two others. The 0.4 m deep (from the original surface) pit narrowed toward the bottom. Its fill consisted of the remains of a cremation: ashes, burnt, shapeless pieces of clay, calcinated bones, pieces of charcoal, ceramic fragments and a whetstone. On the basis of the colour and firing of the ceramics, it is clear that the ceramic fragments had been also put into fire. In one case (Pi. XXI. 1), some of the fragments from a big pot were bright yellow, whereas the surrounding fragments were black. No doubt, this phenomenon represents cremation at another place. After the cremation, the remains were collected and poured into the pit. First the large pieces of charcoal, large burnt bones, large ceramic fragments, ashes as well as fragments of whetstones, two of which once made one piece and was broken most likely in the course of ritual acts. After that small bones, pieces of charcoal, pieces of clay, ceramic fragments mixed with ash were put into the pit. Finally, the pit was surrounded by large pebbles and the space between them was filled by smaller pebbles. This layer was then covered by another consisting of only large pebbles. From the southern and northern sides this structure was surrounded by ceramic fragments some of which came from vessels found at the bottom of the pit and an iron ring or horse-shoe (Pi. XXII. 14). Unfortunately, the osteological material of this interesting burial has not yet been analyzed by specialists, so we can not say anything definite on this subject. According to István Vörös (Hungarian National Museum) these are animal bones. However, it is noteworthy that some of the bones were burnt at a relatively low temperature. The majority of the bones are limb fragments, among them an epiphisis with spongoid inner side preserved and fragments of ribs. The other part of the osteological material consists of small, more strongly burnt bones. The burial from Solotvino is significant because of the chronology of the ceramics that accompanied it. The whole ceramic complex of the burial consists of 65 fragments from about 32 vessels. All were made on a wheel. Ground quartz and/or sand were used as temper. Most of the vessels are grayish brown or more rarely black or reddish. They were well fired and some vessels were even fired twice. From a typological point of view this complex is quite homogeneous: these are pots with a sometimes profiled strongly everted rim. The bodies are convex in its upper third while the bases are flat (Pi. XXL, XXII.

1-10). The ornamentation shows a little more variety. In most of the cases these are parallel, rather dense lines running completely around the bodies of the vessels (Pl. XXI.XXII.

1,4,10), sometimes in combination with a rather dense line on the neck of the vessel (Pi. XXI.1,3,XXIL10). On one of the pots, the ornament consists only of a wide wavy line (Pl. XXII.5). Besides the above-mentioned motives, we encountered an ornament produced by paired nails (Pi. XXII.

3) and cuneiform impressed motives (PI. XXII.

2). On the basis of all these features - the composition of the clay, technology, firing, ornamentation and form - the ceramic complex of the burial belongs to Early Middle Ages. Analogous finds are known from many territories, mainly from neighbouring regions. Thus, parallels to pots ornamented with wavy and parallel lines may be found in the post-Great Moravian and Early Medieval features of Trebisov/Tőketerebes (SLIVKA 1977.222.,224. Obr.11.2-5.,5.6,8,9.,

17.4-6,8,11.,18.3-11), an 11th century 124 A Jósa András Múzeum Évkönyve 1997