Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 30/1. (2010)

Articles

The Bronze Hoard from Sämbria$ (Muref County)

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of the Gyermely type.48 It is argued by some researchers that this type of socketed axe is a totally separate type, because based on its proportions, on the form of the socket and on its decoration it shows fundamental difference in contrast with the classic Räsesti, Negresti and Ruginoasa forms, which appear as late as HaA2.49 At the same time the more evolved forms (C5-10 in M. Rusu's typology) are considered in fact natural evolutions in the local areas of Transylvania and the lower Danube River, which continue in fact eastern prototypes.50 The most detailed typological system was carried out by V. Dergacev, who believes that the socketed axes with one attachment loop and with the sides decorated with arches in relief represent a unique and a homogeneous group-category. The two artefacts from Sämbria§ can be placed in the Telna type of his typology, which appears as a local form, its development being based on Eastern Carpathian traditions. The chronological bracket for the appearance and the existence of these axes is HaBl-HaB3.51 Although she accepts M. Rusu's typology, A. Hänsel sustains that these kind of socketed axes cannot be precisely dated, because they are present in bronze hoards beginning with HaAl and ending with HaB2.52 In C. Metzner-Nebelsick's system they are typical for the period V.53

Similar to the above mentioned axes, I could find analogies in the hoards of the HaBl period as well as in those from HaB2. From the first period the hoards from Bancu and Telna54 can be mentioned, and from the second one the finds from Borsa, Fizesul Gherlii II, Hida, Hunedoara, Sängeorgiu de Pädure and Turia III.55 Similar forms can be found also in the Hungarian hoards from Karcag56 and Szentes57 dated to HaBl and from Tarhos58 dated to HaB2. From Ukraine we can mention the socketed axe from the hoard of Olesnik.59 Similar to the pieces nr. 1-2, also in the case of the Eastern form of the Transylvanian type socketed axes close analogies can be identified in the hoard from Priigy, dated to HaB3.60

The socketed axes with concave rim (Pi. 3/5) have also a long presence in the hoards, from Bz.D until HaB, being named repeatedly the most numerous and diverse type. The socketed axes with symmetrical concave rim and those with asymmetrical concave rim were distinguished,61 but the typological systems elaborated for this type of artefact are based mainly on the crosssection of the pieces, which can be either rectangular or oval.62 The size of the axe is also an important reference in its typological classification. Strengthening the rim of the socket with sometimes massive ribs is more frequent in the case of this type of socketed axe.63 M. Novotná

48 Mozsolics 1985, 35.

49 Dergacev 1997, 144.

50 Dergacev 2002, 138.

51 Dergacev 2010, 111-114 (regarding the chronological synchronisation of the different types and the evolution of the forms see also fig. 92 and fig. 95).

52 Hänsel 2005, 294.

53 Metzner-Nebelsick 2005, fig. 3.

54 Petrescu-Dimbovita 1977, pi. 298/7 (Bancu); 332/5 (Telna).

55 Petrescu-Dimbovita 1977, pi. 343/9 (Bor$a); 345/13 (Fizesul Gherlii II); 348/17 (Hida); 350/7 (Hunedoara); 351/4 (Sängeorgiu de Pädure I); 356/16 (Turia III).

56 Mozsolics 2000, Taf. 44/19.

57 Kemenczei 1996a, Abb. 28/2, 4-5, 7; 29/1, 3.

58 Mozsolics 2000, Taf. 102/1, 3.

55 Kobal 2000, Taf. 88/15-16.

60 Mozsolics 2000, Taf. 76/3-4.

61 Hansen 1994, 180.

62 Regarding the typology of the socketed axes with concave rim from the hoards of Uriu-Opályi type see Kacsó 2007 with earlier literature. It is widely accepted the idea that their typological highest point is reached in Bz.DHaAl, after which their use becomes common, losing their chronological significance.

63 Bejinariu 2008, 80.63