Folia archeologica 23.

Tibor Kovács: Askoi, Bird-Shaped Vessels, Bird-Shaped Rattles in Bronze Age Hungary

ASKOI, BIRD-SIIAPED VESSELS 23 if we accept that the askoi were sacrificial vessels in the private sanctuary (?) of a family of a prehistoric culture, then objects which owing to some sort of contact were taken over to the territory of another one, could not have filled the same function, because there may not have been a private sanctuary, or if there was, it must have followed a different cult and, last but not least, the bird-cultwas not of a sacrificial nature but was connected with witchcraft. It is more likely that in these ceremonies were used the richly decorated bird-shaped rattles made in the Transdanubian part with good workmanship: these were also buried with their owners ("Wizards") (there were 3 rattles both in grave 12 of Királyszentistván and grave 6. Veszprém-Bajcsy Zsilinszky street). However, in the possession of scanty data, it is difficult to trace it down that owing to the different ethnic make-up and different social structures of ethnic groups (for instance, in the relationship of late Hatvan culture and the people of incrusted pottery) to what extent and within what length of time had a cult transformed, in order to be able in a recipient society —with a possibly changed content

—to assume an active role.

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6 3. As we have said at the outset, the objects of figurative in art Hungary during the Bronze Age has not been sufficiently dealt with. There is no doubt that without a thourough knowledge of it, it does not seem possible to give a full, extensive account of the bird-shaped objects. We wish to enlarge on it, however, in the second part of this paper, so at this juncture we only want to call attention to some essential connections. In every group of the Zók culture there existed stylized anthropomorphic figures, similar to the so called "violin idols" of the Mediterranean, and femal figurines, in close contact with the former.

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7 The same figures of the Hatvan culture are partly undecorated (Tibolddaróc, Benczurfalva, Patvarc, Körösladány,

78 Ózd

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9), but a rich ornamentation on some, reflects more the local taste and wear (Barca,

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0 Szurdokpüspöki,

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1 Aszód

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2). It has been confirmed by Nándor Kalicz unambiguously that an organic connection between the idols of the Zók and Hatvan cultures is evident. This is for us extremely important, because it proves by way of objects that the two cultures, in genetic relation with each other, had their continuity not only in the material field but also in their world of belief. The same is indicated by the characteristic animal figurines of the Hatvan culture, in spite of the fact that as antecedents of their emergence other cultures may also be considered beside the Zók and other cognate cultures (e. g. the Mondsee culture).

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6 N. b., the different shapes of larger and smaller rattles with encrusted decoration were very frequent in the Transdanubian region. Some of them were toys, supposed by. G. Bándi based on the results of Zs. K. Zoffmann's anthropological researches. (Bándi

, G., J PME 1971. -In the press.) To this may be added as further data the bird-shaped rattle found in a child's grave at Gelej. (Cf. Note 65.) 7

7 Kalicx,, N., Die Frühbronzezeit ... 98. -with full bibliography.; Cf. also Müller, V., Frühe Plastik in Griechenland und Kleinasien. (Augsburg 1929) 9fr. Kalicz, N., Die Frühbronzezeit

. . . 159., Pl. CXIIÎ. nos. 1-4, 7. 7

9 Herman Ottó Múzeum, Miskolc. Inv. no.: 68.3.7. 8

0 Hájek, L., Hlinèné lidské plastiky z doby bronzové v Barci u Kosic. SA 5(1957) 323 ff. 8

1 Dobó István Múzeum, Eger. Inv. no.: 69.4.1. 8

2 Petőfi Múzeum, Aszód. Inv. no.: 69.1.1-3.-These idols will be described by its founder, Mátyás Szőke. 8

3 Makkay,]., op. cit. г збАГ.—Among the miniature figurines, there is one which is difficult to determine, it can eventually be considered as a bird-statuette. Ibid. 124., Pl. XXIV. no. 5.