Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 28. (2006)
Arheologie
DOUÄ TOPOARE DE PIATRÄ DIN JUDETUL SÄLAJ 9 IOAN BEJINARIU Two Stone Axes from Sälaj (Abstract) This article deals with two stone axes that have been discovered in Sälaj county. Specifically, one cylindrical headed axe, made of tough rock (granodyorith) that has been discovered by chance in Prodäne§ti (Pl. I / 1a-b). It is very well finished and has a collar like bolded part close to the transversal hole of gloving. The longitudinal profile of the tool is slightly curved. On the superior and the inferior side on can notice two nervures. Therefore, this axe closely imitates similar pieces made of metal. The second piece was discovered from Doh, in a certain place called "La izvoare". We are reffe ring to a fragment from an axe made of grey dyorith, that is very well finished as well. The axe has ashort cylindric head with edges shaped as a semisphere. "La izvoare" is the place where much archaeologic materials has been discovered and dates back in many ages: Neolithic, Middle - and Late Bronze age, IIIrd - IVth centuries B.C., respectively Xth-Xr centuries. Both pieces may be ranged in the cylindric headed axes category. The one from Prodäne§ti belong to the В type (typology of. AI. Vulpe). Some of the pieces of this type (as some of Borodino thesaurus) show a wideningand rounding tendency of the edge of the head that makes it look similar to pieces discovered within a large area , from Caucasian region and Northern Pontic one up to Central Europe. The earliest pieces (type A) have a straight longitudinal profile and were frequently used during Eneolithic age when similar copper made pieces have been also used. Items that belong to В type have a curved longitidinal profile and the blade is often vaulted, half moon like. The axe from Prodäne§ti, has many analogies within the teritory of Romania. Among pieces we are aware of the circumstances in which they have been discovered we mention: the axe from a grave that dates back in the Early Bronze age discovered at Räcäciuni (Bacäu county), as well as other three items discovered in settlements that belong to the Noua culture from Late Bronze age. Similar axes to the one from Doh have been discovered at Vär§and and Giri§u de Cri§ in Otomani culture settlements. Cylindric shaped stone axes have been used in different cultural environments throughout the entire Bronze age. Outside the archaeologic context of the discovery one can hardly range a certain item within one culture or another. It is likely that the axe from Doh can be connected to the settlements that belongs to Wietenberg culture. Being discovered within such a large area is not to be explained by the long distance trade with general goods, we believe. This phaenomenon is better connected to elites communication that led the tribal aristocracy of the time, at the certain moment in the Bronze age, towards the adoption of some signs of social prestige originally used in other more developed areas. Muzeul Judetean de Istorie §i Artä din Zaläu detine о bogatä colectie de piese confectionate din piaträ §lefuitä. Din päcate nu dispunem pentru toate piesele, de date referitoare la locul §i contextui descoperirii. Numeroase artefacte de acest tip au ajuns Tn inventarul muzeului odatä cu achizitionarea unor colectii particulare ( colectia Silviu Papiriu Pop din Buciumi), Tn lipsa unor date minimale necesare identificärii locului de provenientä al pieselor. О parte a utilajului litic §lefuit detinut de muzeu a fost publicat de cätre É. Lakó.1 1 Lakó 1981,p.37-119. 33
