Pásztor Emília (szerk.): Sámánizmus és természethit régen és ma - Bajai dolgozatok 23. (Baja, 2019)

Peter Toth: Rituális tevékenység Szlovákiában a neolitikum és rézkor idején

Ritual practices in the Neolithic and Eneolithic in Slovakia

animals and could represent symbolic sacrifice (Malcek 2013, 84; Novotna - Soják 2013,141). Unusual rim decoration had a bowl from Zlkovce. Six animal statues were regularly distributed along the perimeter. They might represent a dog or a horse, while horse representation might be more likely (Némejcová- Pavúková 1984,117). Several jug types in the Postbaden cultural complex have a specific handle ending called ansa lunata. The upper part of the handle is formed into a horn shape. According to some parallels from Bohemia3 these jugs might be connected with the cult of bull (Vokolek - Zápotocky 1990, 46).

Other artifacts with possible relations to ritual and cult

Here will be mentioned finds which could not be assigned to any of the categories above. During the Lengyel culture can be observed an increase of ritual items made of inorganic material. Fascinating artifacts are cubic boxes with holes which are quite often adapted for hanging. In cylindrical hole might have been kept a substance which needed to be hidden (i.e., spices, herbs, cereals) and thus was no longer intended for the common purpose. It is thought they could be miniatures of real cult objects, house content, altarpieces or even a cult place. Quadratic plates with drilled holes in edges are even rarer. With their dimensions, they correspond with cubic boxes.

Therefore they might have served as lids (Bánffy 1997,

53ff; Pavúk 1997 66-69,75).

House models made of clay are connected with sacred belief, as well. Standalone model from Kocin, a model on a lid from Horná Sec or roof model from Branc

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Fig. 16. Bull figurine from Zvolen, dated to the Baden culture (after Paulik 1980, obr. 70).

16. kép. Bika figura, Zvolen, Báden kultúra (Paulik 1980, obr. 70).