Tálas László szerk.: The late neolithic of the Tisza region (1987)

The Late Neolithic of the Tisza region: A survey of recent archaeological research (N. Kalicz and P. Raczky)

A SURVEY OF RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH multi-twisted. Flat stone armrings were also worn, but less frequently. Rings were generally made from bone and, sometimes, from copper wire or sheet. One characteristic variant is the multiple ring with 2 to 5 rings, and it has been suggested for these rings that they had perhaps signalled their wearer's rank or status, for anyone sporting a ring of this kind could hardly have engaged in practical work (VAJDA 1955, 33-51). Some of these multiple rings were recovered from burials (BANNER-KOREK 1949, 22, 25; BANNER 1960, 34). Copper rings of multiple twists often terminate in a spiral. Noteworthy among the pendants are the large Spondylus discs perforated in their centre and provided with two additional smaller perforations for suspension. These large-size Spondylus pendants had their greatest distribution in the later phase of the Middle Neolithic over the entire Carpathian Basin. No such pendants have yet been recovered from sites of the Herpály culture. Smaller pendants carved from 'marine shells, bone and, rarely, of stone were also quite popular, and broken Spondylus armrings were occasionally perforated and worn as pendants. Small pendants split and polished from boar tusk with perforations were also worn. Flat bone combs have to date only come to light on Tisza sites. There is also evidence for the use of bone hairpins (CSALOC 1959a, 7-9, and Pis 4-5). A unique artefact with one end curved, perforated and the other terminating in a hook, interpreted as a bone clasp, has been found on the Herpály site. CULTURAL AND TRADE CONNECTIONS The extensive cultural and trade connections of the Late Neolithic cultures of the Tisza region are best documented by the abundance and wide range of lithics used in the manufacture of stone tools and implements, whose sources often lay outside the Carpathian Basin such as Volhynian flint and chocolate flint from the same area (KACZANOWSKA 1985, 124-125). Since stone artefacts have only recently begun to be analysed with a view to determining their provenance, very little can be said about the source area of other flint types. Marble was most probably procured from the south, whilst one hard limestone bracelet found at Herpály was probably imported from Bohemia (ZAPOTOCKA 1984, 50-132). The widespread distribution of obsidian from the Zemplén Mts of Northern Hungary too indicates an extensive interregional trade network extending to the Northern Balkans, involving the participation of several Late Neolithic cultures (WILLMS 1983, 327-351; TAKÁCS-BÍRÓ 1986, 183-188). At the same time, regional variations can be definitely perceived in the use of lithics, inasmuch certain cultures appear to have had a predilection towards specific types. The stone industry of the Herpály culture, for example, definitely specialised in obsidian and Polish flint. This specialisation probably reflects deeper economic and cultural ties. Relations with the Aegean are evidenced by the amplitude of Spondylus and other marine shells in the Carpathian Basin (RENFREW-SHACKLETON 1979, 183-189), whose possible local fossile origins has been rejected by most prehistorians (WILLMS 1985, 331-343). The Late Neolithic distribution and frequency of Spondylus ornaments suggest that this commodity had not reached the Tisza region along the 'traditional' Vardar-Morava valley route, since relatively few Spondylus items have been recovered from Vinca, whereas they occur in great number in the Eastern Banat and to the north of the Tisza confluence. The source of the popular red paint of the Late Neolithic, haematite, can obviously be localised to an upland area. The bitumen used in coating the vessels of the early Tisza period was probably obtained from Transylvania. Balkanic and Transylvanian sources provided the copper used in the manufacture of trinkets and personal ornaments. Copper was in this period used exclusively for the manufacture of jewellery and ornaments, i.e. items that were not necessary for day to day work (BOGNÁR-KUTZIÁN 1976, 70-76; KALICZRACZKY 1984,128-139). Copper, Spondylus, as well as other artefacts of non-local raw material fall into the category of prestige items. This is most clearly illustrated by the Csóka hoards that, beside indicating the value of these 'accumulated' prestige items, also underscore their 'trade' value (CHAPMAN 1981, 58-60). The archaeologically most diagnostic evidence for contacts between the Tisza, Herpály and Csőszhalom cultures is the presence of import vessels and sherds, that also enable a synchronisation between various culture provinces. The wares of these cultures occur mutually on each other's sites, even if in differing proportions. The nature and direction of these interregional contacts is in part indicated by the fact that Tisza sherds occur far more frequently on Herpály and Csőszhalom sites than vice versa. The only notable exception appears to be Corzsa that yielded numerous Herpály imports. The most important links appear to have been with the south, with the Vinca culture. That these connections were reciprocal is suggested by sites such as Csóka, that indicates some sort of symbiosis between these two cultures. Another aspect of these interconnections is reflected in the similarities between the Tisza pottery and the ceramic wares of the Bucovat group of the Banat. Imports from the Petresti culture and Iclod group mostly occur in Herpály contexts, and also in the geographic frontier zone of the Tisza culture. The Lengyel culture maintained especially strong ties with the Tisza culture as attested by sites from Western Slovakia to southern Transdanubia. One major and focal 'port' in the trade network appears to have been Aszód, lying at the intersection of various 21