Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 34-35. (2014-2015)
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112 A. A. Rusu while its opposed end had a circular section (Fig. 2/f). The iron on both ends of the stilus was exposed to heavy corrosion. For such reason, caution in handling the central parts could be explained. Another piece comes from the Kladruby monastery (Czech Republic).43 In the middle of this tool classification one can find an iron object from Baia (Suceava County).44 Although it has a twisted center, its ends indicate another special group of objects. Even though it resembles a medical tool (spatula) it has to be mentioned that such tools were finely made from bronze or bone, just as in the Roman period, and was probably known that in this way after surgical interventions infection was more easily avoided. Finally, we mention a find from Enisala fortress, which was anything else but a ‘drill’ as it had been published.45 Going even further, specialized literature helps us to safely delimitate the objects and the writing tools (stili). The analogies come from a part of Germany, which was never part of the Roman Empire, so that there is no ambiguity. These are finds coming from Lübeck.46 ‘Penholders’ from iron were found at Novgorod (Russia) and dated to the 12th century47 or the 14th century at Konstanz48 (Switzerland). The similarities of some with the ‘Romanian finds are very striking, so that all doubt can be eliminated. Strikingly similar are the forms from iron dating as early as the 9th and 10th century, from the Czech Republic.49 The iron finds from Berzovia, Frumu$eni and Sibiu are identical with a find from Poznan50 (Poland), with a dating for the 13th and 14th century. These are evidence that shows the persistence of the form throughout centuries. We found only one chronological classification, which evaluated the existence of spatula-shaped ends between the 8th and 14th centuries.51 Until recently, the existence of medieval stili made from bone was unimaginable, at least at Alba Iulia.52 Meanwhile, the fortress of Oradea provided such a 10,5 cm length piece (Fig. 1/a). The material used for its production has imposed certain differences compared to the ones made 43 Novácek 2010, 125, fig. 125/33. 44 Neampi et al. 1984,194, fig. 42/10. 45 Dragomir 1972/1973, p. fig. 5/5, fig. 6/2. 46 Lüdecke - Drenkhahn 2002,65. 47 Rybina 1992a, 165. 48 Oberrhein 2001, 241, nr. 479b. 49 Beranová - Lutovsky 2009, 264, fig. 291. 50 Solton-Koscielecka 2002, 124, fig. 1/b. 51 Bitterli-Waldvogel 2006,131. 52 Their supposition: Rusu - Rusu-BolindeJ 2007, 91. from metal. The execution of the handle continued to facilitate an easy grip. Such decorations can still be found53 but not at the scale of the pieces from Cri§. From the small spatula for erasing only a small fragment was conserved. The bone pieces had the best rounding of the ends. For a more efficient use some of the bone sockets were equipped with iron tips from the beginning.54 Probably the find from Oradea had such a tip, and it is one of the most beautiful bone objects found in our area of material culture. We find ourselves in a situation, where we could reinterpret a large number of fragments, which have been identified as needles. At Sänmicläu§ (Alba County) a fragmentary needle was found without a clear dating, but based on the context the latest would be the 12th century.55 Without any precise dating a tip was found at Alba Iulia (Apor Palace, Alba County).56 Other such fragments come from Vornicenii Mari (Suceava County) interpreted as awl57 and from Baia (Suceava County) dated to the 15th century.58 Then, other finds from the Grädefului fortress (Mehedinji County) with a 13th century dating.59 Another tip was found in the donjon of Dábáca fortress (Cluj County) from the 13th and 14th centuries,60 another one from Bärlad-Prodana (Vaslui County) dated to the 13th century and the middle of the 14th century.61 Chronologically, further finds come from Coconi (Cälära$i County)62 and Bacäu (Bacäu County).63 Such sharp tips could theoretically come from writing tools from Ra^nov64 (Brasov County) (14th and 15th century) and $iria (Arad County) (16th century).65 The broken bone finds preserved without their sharp end can be easily confused with other groups of objects, such as: comb tooth, buckle axes, hairpins, and handles for other tools with metal tips. Even in the case of complete tools it would be unwise to draw any conclusions on 53 Krüger 2002, pl. 10/2. 54 See: Rybina 1992b, 200, fig. VI. 2/6. 55 Anghel - Bläjan 1977, 292, 293, fig. 6/5. 56 Unpublished. Research by Adrian A. Rusu. 57 Matei - Emandi 1982, 177, fig. 9/2. 58 Neampi et al. 1984, 9-95, 203, fig. 51/4. 59 Davidescu 1978, 120, 122, pi. 2/4. 60 lambor 1984, 208, pl. IV/5. 61 Spinei 1982, fig. 41. 62 Constantinescu 1972, 79, 80/12-14. 63 Artimon 1998, 219, fig. 39/10. 64 Unpublished. Found in S 41, d4, -2,54 m, fragmentary state (L = 5 cm). 65 Greffner 1976, 24.
