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

Öcsöd-Kováshalom (P. Raczky)

P. RACZKY Fragment of a small face pot. Early Tisza culture. H: 5.5 cm [38] of these objects were votaries and which the paraphernalia of ritual activities (RENFREW 1985, 11-26). This uncertainty extends not only to the finds from Öcsöd, but also to similar finds of the South-East European Neolithic and Copper Ages. The inconsistent use of various terms and the lack of a coherent theoretical framework also hinders a better understanding of these issues (for a discussion of these problems, see BANNER 1959, 14-35; CSALOG 1957, 8-38; HÖCKMANN 1966, 1-29; MAKKAY 1964, 3-64; 1978, 164-183; KAUCZ 1970, 38-42; GIMBUTAS 1974, passim; MÜLLER-KARPE 1968, 345-348, 392-395; GOLDMAN 1978, 13-60; HODDER 1982C, 159-172; BÁNFFY 1986, 152-157). Another aspect of sacred beliefs is represented by the burials. A total of 46 graves were uncovered in the main excavation area and the two smaller soundings, with some burials forming smaller clusters. These definitely indicate a pronounced relationship between settlement and cemetery, especially since the deceased were interred in the temporarily unoccupied parts of the settlement. Most burials were northwestsoutheast oriented, with the deceased deposited in a contracted position, laid either on the right or on the left side. The back part of the skull, the lower arm and legs were generously sprinkled with red ochre. It would appear that with the exception of the face only the body parts not covered by the dress were painted red. Lumps of ochre were occasionally also placed into the grave and in one case a small vessel filled with ochre was recovered (RACZKY 1985, 105-106). A very unusual burial rite was observed: two scattered cremation burials powdered with ochre. Unfortunately, no grave goods were found beside these burials, but even so, these two graves can definitely be assigned to the Tisza culture and represent a hitherto unknown burial rite that has no known local antecedents in the Neolithic of the Tisza region. The fact that cremation burials occur in greater number on the Aszód site of the early Lengyel culture and in the Luzianky group during this period perhaps indicates external influences, as does the fact that inhumation burials sprinkled with red ochre also occur at Lower part of a standing female figurine with exaggerated pubic triangles on both sides. Classical Tisza culture. H: 3.2 cm [39] Aszód (NOVOTNY 1962, 221; KAUCZ-KALICZ-SCHREIBER 1983-84, 314). The uniform burial mode observed at Öcsöd reflects the growing emphasis on the expression and reinforcement of communal identity also in the burial rite at the beginning of the Tisza period (CHAPMAN 1983,18-19). This phenomenon correlates well with tendencies noted in settlement aggregation and pottery ornamentation, and is yet another expression of internal, cultural transformation. The primary source for reconstructing the economy of the Öcsöd settlement is the sample of 10 000 animal bones that has been analysed by S. Bökönyi (RACZKY et al. 1985, 270-274). Stockbreeding appears to have played a cardinal role in the subsistence; the ratio of hunted animals is fairly low (72.94:27.06). This ratio sets Öcsöd apart from other Tisza sites, but matches that of Battonya-Gödrösök (GOLDMAN 1984, 119-150). This is perhaps chronologically diagnostic since both settlements can be assigned to the early Tisza period. However, local ecologic factors must undoubtedly have influenced this unusual ratio and is perhaps reflected by the fact that roe deer appears to have been the main quarry rather than aurochs that dominate in samples from other sites of the Tisza culture (BÖKÖNYI 1985a, 271). On the testimony of harpoons and hooks, fishing was an imortant complementary source of the diet, even though little material evidence of this has survived. It is at the same time possible that fish and shells were only consumed on special occasions and under special circumstances, a possibility suggested by the fish bones found in the sacrificial pit described in the above. The internal ratio of domestic animals corresponds to that of other Tisza sites, with the dominance of cattle. The importance of stockbreeding is amply illustrated by the presence of a corral at Öcsöd. This in 80