Budapest Régiségei 32. (1998)

TANULMÁNYOK - Endrődi Anna: Késő rézkori leletek Óbudáról 105-122

ANNA ENDRŐDI LATE COPPER AGE FINDS FROM ÓBUDA In 1996, Late Copper Age and Roman Period features were brought to light during the course of excavations that preceded construction work at lots 38-42 Bécsi Street in the 3rd District of Budapest (Budaújlak, at the comer defined by the intersection of Szépvölgyi and Bécsi Streets, Lot No. 14 785). An area measuring 1655 m2, disturbed in some places by modem buildings and public works, was uncovered in three squares (Figure 1). This Óbuda site is located by the rolling eastern foothills of Újlak hill, a dolomite elevation that stood out in the former floodplain around the main branch of Holocene Danube River. Rescue excavations have, in recent years, revealed a chain of settlements by the Late Copper Age Baden culture in this area suitable for human habitation. During the course of rescue excavations 26 Late Copper Age refuse pits, and the remains of three plastered fireplaces were uncovered (Figure 2). The majority of features at this Óbuda site yielded artifacts from the late phase of the Baden culture. The Kostolac culture was represented by finds in three pits (Figures 3 to 13). Thus, the find material recovered from this site is dated to the older phase of the Kostolac culture that coexisted with the late phase of the Baden culture. This publication is also complemented by identification of tree species (Figures 14 and 15) and archaeobotanical studies (Figure 16, Table 1) which contribute, for the first time, data on the reconstruction of Late Copper Age plant cultivation and environment. On the basis of research by Károly Babos it could be ascertained that the material of charcoal fragments from Features 2 and 26 had a spongy year ring structure. This is typical of the remains of deciduous trees, durmast oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Lieblein) and European oak (Quercus robur L.) respectively. The narrow and broader year rings observed on these two charcoal samples show that they represent different times within the Copper Age. Narrow year rings develop in a drier climate when low precipitation is accompanied by cooler temperatures. Broad year rings, on the other hand, are indicative of a warmer and more humid climate. Archaeobotanical studies by Ferenc Gyulai showed that plant remains (carbonized seeds and fruits) in the samples taken from archaeological features were undoubtedly coeval with the culture bearing layer. They consisted mostly of carbonized grain and cereal weeds. Their burnt surfaces with a matte gloss were often spongious as a result of corrosion. Most of the grain were fragmented. It seems likely that major quantities of grain were destroyed and their remains were deposited in this pit. During the course of burning, the uppermost layer of grain must have completely oxidized. Grain in deeper strata became carbonized in a reduction environment, in an indirect way due to the lack of air and as a result of moderate heat. Only a low number of species were found in these samples. The material clearly shows, however, that six row barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. hexastichum) was already cultivated during this period. Seeds of fat hen (Chenopodium album) may equally have originated from the fields or from nitrogen rich, trampled surfaces (e. g. around houses, roads etc.). 109