Vadas Ferenc (szerk.): A Szekszárdi Béri Balogh Ádám Múzeum Évkönyve 13. (Szekszárd, 1986)

Dieter Kaufmann: Der Spätlengyel-Horizont im älteren Mittelneolithikum des Elbe-Saale-Gebietes

Dnester flint suggests links with the Tiszapolgár culture which in Western Slovakia was supplemented by Dnester raw materials to a large extent (Kaczanowska 1976b). It should be stressed that taxonomic examination has revealed total correspondence of basic ceramic types between the Pleszów and Modlnica groups (Pl.1.2) within the general stylistics of the Unpainted Lengyel phase in Transcarpathian territories (the so-called Brodzany-Nitra phase in Western Slovakia - A. Tocik 1969). The evolution of the „Unpainted Lengyel Ware" in Little Poland covers a fairly long time-span during which relatively few stylistic changes occurred. We have evidence, on the other hand, of intensive economic progress manifested in salt springs exploitation, in the Wieliczka-Bochnia area, and flint mining in the southern part of the Kraków-Czcstochowa Jurassic Plateau. The discovery by M. Godlowska (1976) of remains of facilities for salt springs exploitation in Barycz, the presence in Pleszów and on other sites of ceramics produced specially for brine evaporation: these all point to the importance of salt exploitation for the Pleszów group community. During the evolution of the Pleszów group flint mining started in S^spów, of which we have the evidence of radiocarbon dates for shafts 3 and 7 (3750±135 and 3625±75). Exploitation continued during the Modlnica phase (shafts 1 and 6, workshops 2/70 and 3/70 - with the dates: 3375±60, 3375±90, 3345+60, 3096±102 Lech 1981). As an outcome of mining, a system of workshops was set up which manufactured standardized blanks with measurable attributes different from those of Neolithic blades, related to the new big blade technology. The development of the Modlnica group at the end of the IV millenium BC was interrupted by the outburst of the Funnel Beaker culture which frequently superseded the Modlnica group settlements, although the main zones of penetration of this settlement extended to the areas inland on the loess uplands. Dates for the early phase of the Funnel Beaker settlement in Bronocice correspond to the end of the IV millenium BC (3110±110, 2990±125 b.c.) that is to the period when the Modlnica settlement must have declined (Kruk, Milisauskas 1981 a, b). There is a certain gap between the Modlnica group and the later units in Western Little Poland which are linked with the Polgár tradition (to a lesser extent with that of Lengyel) and dated to the III millenium BC. These groups are represented by materials from the Wyciaze-Zlotniki group formed in the Nowa Huta area after an episodic appearance of the Funnel Beaker settlement (Kaczanowska 1976 c). In Zlotniki, on the other hand, this group is dated to 2860±200 years b.c. (pit 51). The taxonomic position of this group has been variously estimated: J. K Kozlowski 1969 and P. Patay 1963 suggested its affiliation with the Bodrogkeresztúr culture, while other researchers link it with the Late Lengyel background (J. Lichardus, J. Vladar 1964.) As far as pottery is concerned 55% of all types of vessels are distinctly related to the Bodrogkeresztúr culture, only 22% to the Ludanice group and 13% to the Male Zaluzice-Lazöiany group (PI. 3,4). Between the Wyciaze - Zlotniki and the Modlnica group there is a distinct typological hiatus concerning ceramics. These facts as well as the limited distribution of this cultural group (over the loess Vistula terrace between the mouth of the Dlubnia and Zlotniki, some of the caves in the southern part of the Kraków-Czcstochowa Jurassic Plateau, and possibly the neighbourhood of Wieliczka) support the interpretation of this taxonomic unit as remains of a sojourn of a small population group from the Transcarpathian territories (Western Hungary via Slovakia). 297