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

Öcsöd-Kováshalom (P. Raczky)

P. RACZKY Reconstruction of the settlement showing substantial buildings and other settlement features from the early phase. Early Tisza culture [5] tions erected over the remains of the houses of the lower levels, or merely the renewal of their floors involving the spreading of a fresh layer of clay without altering the architecture of the building. This too argues in favour of some sort of settlement planning and the continuity of the settlement. Conversely, the pottery forms and ornamentations of phase A underwent various changes by phase B: while stylistic traits characteristic of the Szakáihát group dominated in phase A, a dominance of features diagnostic of the classical Tisza culture could be noted in phase B. This phenomenon allowed the distinction of two phases within the Tisza culture (I and II) and also a new definition of the concept of the Tisza culture (RACZKY 1985, 103-108). The transformation of the material culture could be especially well observed during the use-life of house 4 belonging to phase A. Vessels found on the floor of this house were mostly ornamented with Szakáihát-type continuous spirals or concentric circles. The floor was replastered after some time in the inner areas of the house and the vessels found on this renewed floor were predominantly decorated with textile patterns set within panels. This period can be correlated with phase B of the settlement and in order to distinguish the renewed house from the lower one, the latter was designated as house 4, whilst the upper as house 1. It is nonetheless obvious that in terms of construction this is one 66