Ilon Gábor: Szombathely őskori településtörténetének vázlata (Szombathely, 2004)

Őskorunk 2. When taking a glance at the city map and locating the prehistoric settlements, we should not forget the above detailes described in short: the current hydrogeological conditions did not exist long ago! The current situation partly refers to the preceding one. Moreover, this may not be considered constant either, since not only the climatic conditions have altered (see, for instance, the precipitation quantity fluctuation), but man's force shaping the landscape had a heavy impact on this aspect, as well. I should, hence, find it essential to note the followings: (i) In prehistoric times, till the beginning of the Celtic era, this land must have abounded in huge and dense forests. This fact is confirmed by the brownish forest soil covering as much as twothird of the area (as a reminder of the forests cut down). In order to compile a much more accurate historical and ecological reconstruction, samples have been being collected since 1996. However, data processing is not in a state that further details could be published in this book; (ii) The broad, shallow and floodplained valley of the Gyöngyös, Arany, and Perint Creeks had provided outstandingly optimal conditions to settle here; (iii) The aforementioned water streams and their side creeks once abounding in water quantities may have served as perfect channels for transportation and trade; (iv) In scope of the topographical locations of the prehistoric excavation sites, the unconditional identity of the Gyöngyös-Perint-Sorok Creeks, i.e. one creek bed at a time, is absolutely inconceivable. My presumption is that the water streams may have flown simultaneously in several different beds, yet under peculiar circumstances - in case of low water output, or under dry climatic conditions - they may have turned into stagnant waters lying in dead beds. Inhabitants, facilitated their own settlements either on the terraces, or on the shores of such streams and lakes. Major guideline of the research activity Thanks to Vilmos Lipp (1835-1888), both the preliminary prehistoric data and brief theories in respect to the city have been known since his publication was issued in 1876. It discusses, inter alia, the migration of the first neolithic man ranging from the Ság Hill via Zala County to the area of Szombathely. This, of course, was a genuine and apt statement at his time, which has been testified by relevant archaeological research completed to date in regard to Zala County. As we know, the wave of "neolithization" deluged the Carpathian Basin from the South, thus reaching our county and the city of Szombathely. Vilmos Lipp was the one focusing attention on the appearance of flint stone from Szentgál (a village in the nest of the Bakony Mountains) and its importance in trade. The foundation for the above idea may have conspicuously been provided by the obsidian collection of Flóris Römer, "The Father of Hungarian archaeology" and organizer of the Archaeological World Congress held in 1876 in Hungary, published in the official conference issue (Compte Rendu...). He also pointed out the significance of amber as a trade item and its transportation through this area in the Bronze Age. As per the homogeneous international standpoint, the bronze artifacts collected by him from the bed of the Perint Creek in 1876 may be perceived as sacrificial items to the "God of waters" worshipped in the Bronze Age. This information bears extreme importance as the beds of these creeks have been swept a wan several times by the artificial river adjustments, thus reducing the possibility nearly to zero to observe such scenes. Naturally, in a fortunate situation, sacrificial artifacts may be recovered close to water, as it occurred in case of the bronze depot of the cemetery located at Jaki Street near the Perint Creek. 95