Folia archeologica 36.
JEWELRY, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 11 Flute (Fig. 2, 7a—b.) Inv. № Pb 51/20. It was found in 1951 in the upper culture layer (identified by Vértes as belonging to Aurignacian II й) in section IV, at 12 meters' distance from the entrance of the cave in dark brownish grey clay, at a depth of 80—100 cms'. 12 According to I. Vörös this culture layer represents a seasonal (autumn —winter —springtime) settlement with a butchering site as well as meat and fur depots. The Istállóskő hunters hunted those herbivores (Rangifer, Rupicapra) which usually retired to the sheltered valleys of mountains from the Alföld (Great Plain) where there was a continental climate. 1 3 The flute, as a musical instrument of Pleistocene origin, was thoroughly studied by Z. Horusitzky. 1 1 He studied it as an instrument, examined the possibilities to play it, analyzed its tune, pitch and also discussed ethnological analogies. A folk-music expert, B. Sárosi, expressed his opinion that he had not found the recontstruction of the scale given by Horusitzky to be conuincing. Therefore I. Soproni tried to play the instrument again. Her results are to be found in the appendix of this paper. Whistles Inv. № Pb 47/25 (Fig. 2, 2.) knuckle of a cave bear Inv. № Pb 49/26 (Fig. 2, 1.) knuckle of a reindeer Inv. № Pb 51/98 (Fig. 2, 3.) knuckle of a cave bear Inv. № Pb 51/21 (Fig. 2, 4.) knuckle of an ibex This last specimen was originally identified as belonging to a reindeer. Later I. Vörös revised it and also revelaed that he hole on this bone is not artificial but was the result of carnivore gnawing. These whistles may have served as signal or decoy whistles. L. Vértes, who excavated the site, questioned the artificial character of the perforations on some of them; he thought that these holes might actually be the traces of carnivore teeth (e. g. the spongy substance of the object of Inv. № Pb 51/98 was not scraped out — though it would in fact have been impossible through this small hole). 1 5 Amulets , pendants Inv. № Pb 51/23 (Fig. i, lia—b. magnified 2x !) Dimensions: 22,2—9 mms. A carefully carved, slightly irregular, elongated, oval object, divided into three parts. It was found in the lower (Aurignacian I) culture layer of the cave. According to the excavator this object is an imitation of a perforated canine, a favourite kind of jewelry. At the same time, this carved piece of antler may be interpreted as a stylized female figurine as well. 1 0 This latter, highly plausible explanation is especially noteworthy considering the absolute chronological position of the culture layer. 1 7 The perforation in the neck of the amulet was 1 1 Vértes L., Acta Arch. Hung. 5 (1954—55) 124. 1 2 MNM Adattár 30.1.1. 1951. (Manuscript —Documentation department of Hung. Nat. Mus.) 1 3 Vörös, I., FA 35 (1984) 18—20. 1 4 Horusitzky, Z„ Acta Arch. Hung. 5 (1954—55) 133—140. Vértes, t., Acta Arch. Hung. 5 (1954—55) 120. 1 6 Ibid. 119. Tab. XXXVIII, 10. 1 7 Krotopp, E., Földr. Közi. 25 (101) (1977) 230—233.
