Cristian, Virag (szerk.): Neolithic cultural phenomena in the Upper Tisa Basin (Satu Mare, 2015)
Gheorghe Lazarovici - Cornelia-Magda Lazarovici: Chronological and Cultural Correlations between Neolithic and Copper Age Civilizations of Central and North Transylvania and East Alföld Area
Chronological and Cultural Correlations between Neolithic and Copper Age Civilizations of Central and North Transylvania and East Alföld Area Gheorghe LAZAROVICI, Cornelia-Magda LAZAROVICI Keywords: Neolithic, Copper Age, Transylvania, Alföld, correlations Abstract: In this paper are analyzed the correlations between Transylvania and the central and northern Alföld area during the Neolithic and Copper Age. These are related mainly with various raw materials of Transylvania (but also Maramureş: salt, flint, copper, gold, bitumen and maybe obsidian) that attracted several prehistoric communities. We are presenting the spread area of raw materials and the results of analysis that prove their origin and circulation. Salt, one of the important raw materials, seems to play an import role on these correlations and the trade was made along river valleys (Mureş, Criş Rivers, Tisa, Someş); some fortified settlements from Transylvania control these exchanges and the roads leading to the Hungarian area. Starting with the Copper Age, copper and gold also played an important role in the relations between communities of both countries. We have underlined some manners of transporting copper mineral as reflected by menhires’ decorations. The discovery of Cheile Turzii jewels workshop and the presence of a large amount of obsidian artifacts (of Carpathian origin) indicate the intensity of exchanges during the Copper Age too. The analysis of materials and findings of the two areas (Romania and Hungary) demonstrates close links between the Someş Basin and the upper Tisa River. These connections were made through the upper and middle basins of the Someş Rivers (Someşul Mic and Someşul Mare) and their tributaries which comprise a large part of Transylvania. More extensive research and excavations for Neolithic and Copper Age have been made only in the Basin of the Someşul Mic River and its tributaries. Through its western tributaries, there are links with the central and northern areas of the eastern Alföld zone. Determination of relations between the mentioned zones are based on: exchange of raw materials (obsidian, flint, salt, copper, gold); seasonal activities between mountain and plain (pasturing: but they require etnoarchaeological proves), change of animals (sheep, goat), exogamous marriages and others. Flint Sources For flint sources in NW Romania, have been organized several expeditions in Someş rivers basins1. In Oaş area, between Seini - Racşa - Oraşul Nou, there are zones with limnoquarzite, investigated by us in 2007 (through a project between Romanian and Austrian Academies)2. 1 Lazarovici C.-M./Lazarovici Gh./Trnka G. (2002 - 2013), in Cheile Turzii area (2005). 2 Lazarovici C.-M./Lazarovici Gh./Trnka G./Astaloş C. (2007).
