Budapest Régiségei 36. (2002) – In memoriam Rózsa Kalicz-Schreiber (1929-2001)

M. Virág Zsuzsanna: Data on the middle copper age archaeological topography of Budapest environs : sites of the Ludanice Culture = Adatok Budapest középső rézkorának topográfiájához : a Ludanice kultúra lelőhelyei 93-113

ZSUZSANNA M. VIRÁG were found.

52 Grave goods: complete cup with two handles, with omphalos on the bottom, knots perpendicular to the handles. Horizontal bunch of linear ornaments, on the neck under this, bunches of lines incised in triangle, under the rim, simple incised triangles. (Fig. 11. 1). Bowl with two handles. (Fig. 11. 2) BUDAPEST, RÁKOSCSABA -ÚJTELEP. HUNYADI Str. 3. (Fig. 1. site 10., Fig. 12) Several skeletons in contracted position were found during the digging of a cellar here in 1929. In course of the rescue work J. Hillebrand could only collect the grave-goods but no data on the burials as well as the number of graves were given.

53 Grave goods: Bowls with retracted rim

54 (Fig. 12. 3) and in the form of a reverse truncated cone, with handle.

55 (Fig. 12. 4) jugs.

56 (Fig. 12. 1-2) Barrel-shaped vessels.

57 (Fig. 12. 5-7) Copper knife

58 (Fig. 12. 8) II. EVALUATION Settlement features 12 sites are currently known from the first half of the Middle Copper Age on the territory of Budapest.

59 Most of these sites were not surveyed systematically thus the occurrence of finds can only be evaluated from a topographical point of view. According to the recent observations, settlements as well as burials were always found close to living waters, in stream valleys or flood-free elevations. Apart from lower lying settlements close to the river bank, the neighbouring caves along the Ördög-árok valley were also occupied (e.g. Remete-hill caves, Bátori cave). Survey of relatively large areas was only performed at the site Budafoki street and the Békásmegyer sites. On these localities the occurrence of finds and archaeological units was low compared to the site surveyed denoting low settlement intensity and transitional character of the settlements.

60 This feature is also reflectedby the sites close to Budapest where the possibility of opening large surfaces was feasible.

61 Similar phenomenon was encountered at Békásmegyer surveyed on a larger area. The pits found at Budafoki and Pusztadombi streets, respectively, also yielded poor find material though the small surface investiga52CSÂNK 1973/2. 257-258. 53 The finds were first published by J. HILLEBRAND 1934. 328-330. Mentioned several times by TOMPA 1942. 40. Detailed description was given by P Patay: PATAY 1961. 18-19. 54 PATAY 1961. IX. t. 3. 55 PATAY 1961. IX. t. 4. 56 PATAY 1961. IX. 1.

1-2. s? PATAY 1961. IX. t. 5-7. s» PATAY 1961. IX. t. 8. 59 Their number may change by the evaluation of sites found after 1998., e.g. II. Corvin square. 60 In case of the Békásmegyer settlement it is a striking fact that among the large number of finds from the excavations by E ted and the small-size units render this problem hard to decide on adequately A more marked intensity was observed in the case of cave sites where the accumulation of more abundant material could be observed in some cases. It is, however, difficult to decide whether the finds were accumulated during repeated visits to the cave or during a longer period of occupation. The reason for occupying these caves, sometimes difficult to access it, is also not known, yet. Looking at the open-air sites with transitional character and low intensity we can suppose a more mobile way of life and husbandry on this region with repeated returns snugging occasionally in the caves as well. In case of cave settlements aspects of defence might also be considered which can only be decided on after shading light on their connection with the Balaton-Lasinja Culture. Notably it is not known as yet how the factors resulting in the formation of the Balaton-Lasinja Culture were asserted on considerable parts of Transdanubia. It is clear that the Lengyel type of development was replaced by a different culture with reminiscences of the Lengyel precedings. At the same time in the environs of Budapest and the NE parts of Transdanubia the Ludanice Culture carries on local development of the Late Lengyel traditions with some influences of the Balaton-Lasinja Culture. On the basis of these seemingly mutual contacts it is not very likely that the occupation of the caves was motivated by defence aspects. It is more likely that the reason for the emergence of this type of settlement was rooted in the subsistence system. The same image was unfolded in the case of sites which became known from NE Transdanubia. Though open-air sites are known here in majority compared to the cave sites, but according to the topographical surveys and small-scale excavations, only a minor portion of the finds came from these (open-air) settlements.

62 The open-air sites of some elevated plateaux are exceptions from these which show, similar to the cave sites, higher intensity

63 The special significance of cave sites is also stressed by the fact that in a considerable part of the caves (e.g. Remete cave, Bátori cave,

64 Remete-hill Zsomboly-cave), the most intensive period of habitation was just occurring during the treated period of the Middle Copper Age. The interior structure of the settlements and the character of the archaeological features is also inadeTompa, finds from the first half of the Middle Copper Age appear in very small number only The same can be said about the authenticating excavations by V G. Csánk as well. 61 VIRÁG 1992. 23-28. 62 VIRÁG 1992. 23-28. 63 Perőcsény Jancsi-hill: considerable number of finds was found at this locality already during the field survey opposed to the flat low-lying localities. MRT 9. 286. 64VAJNAÏ973.

153. 96