Marta, Liviu: The Late Bronze Age Settlements of Petea-Csengersima (Satu Mare, 2009)

III. Habitation of te Suciu de Sus Archaeological Culture

southern regions of the culture115 and also in the sites of the Lăpuş group116 when the majority of coarse vessels become decorated. The difference in the application of brushed decoration seems to emerge during the Middle Bronze Age. Brushed decoration is widely used117 even in the western region during a primary stage, contemporary with the Otomani I and II phases, but during the phase that corresponds with that of the Otomani II it becomes rarer118 as compared to its frequent employment in the eastern region where it is considered a characteristic element of the culture119 120. This situation might be ascribed to the influence manifested by the Otomani culture from the Crasna area upon the Middle Bronze Age communities in the Someş Plain. It probably reflects the extensive phenomenon of regionalization and separation which has as a result the development of the Suciu de Sus culture129. Type 2 pots comprise examples with arched bodies, no outlined neck and more or less out curving rim. The volume of these vessels varies, the diameter of the mouth ranging between 12-27 cm and the height between 12-30 cm. Type 2 is well represented by the category of pots from the settlement (43,94 %). Subtype 2A has a more elongated body (PI. 11/7, 14/1-2, 15/12, 44/2, 46/8, 48/10, 50/4,8, 51/13, 52/2, 55/5,7, 57/8, 60/13, 93/7,10, 99/9), while subtype 2B has a shorter and round body (PI. 3/1, 30/7, 31/2, 44/8, 46/4,6, 44/4,6, 48/1, 51/12, 53/8, 55/1, 58/5, 59/4, 63/6, 65/1,4,8, 70/8, 92/6-7, 93/3,6,9). The vessels of both subtypes have two handles under the rim. Compared with type 1, type 2 is more frequently made of the semi fine or fine clay, especially in the case of the subtype with round body (2B). Pots with curved bodies are present in great numbers in the sites of the Suciu de Sus culture121. Type 2 pots are sometimes adorned with knobs or arched gadrooned decoration under the rim. They are rarely decorated with brushed decoration or vertical channelled decoration and never with thumb-impressed appliqué belt. Thus in what concerns decoration, as in the case of type 1 pots (with straight walls), type 2 pots of the two sites differ from similar forms present in the eastern and southern regions of the Suciu culture. Compared to the pots from the Berkesz group, they differ by lack of examples with horizontal protuberances modelled on the edge of the rim122. Type 3 pots have an out curving rim, arched neck, longer than that of type 2, prominent shoulder and conical body (PI. 34/7,

115 Brushed decoradon is present on the majority of the published pots with straight walls (but also on other vessels of coarse clay) from Sáncfaiul Silvaniei, Bulgari, Oarţa de Sus — Oul Făgetului, Ariniş (Kacsó 1980), Baia Mare, Cuceu -Pe lab, Cuceu - Cuceul sec, Jibou, Mesteacăn (Kacsó 1987), Rus, Podişu, Rogna, Negreni, Ileanda, Letca, Ciocmani (Bajusz - Tamba 1988), Căşeiu (Gogâltan - Isac 1995, taf. 11/2,3,4, V/1,2,3,5; Gogâltan 2001, p. 192 ), Someş—Uileac (Pop 2003), Bozânta Mare, Ciolt, Corni, Giurtelecu Hododului, Lăpuşel, Oarţa de Sus — Dealul Stremţului, Săsar, Seini (Kacsó 2003). Brushing was used as decoration for the majority of pottery fragments discovered at Aluniş Gârcei, Muncel, Nadiş, Tihău, Vădurele and are also present on pottery fragments found at Bezded, Popeni, Racâş, Rus (Bejinariu 2003).

116 Brushed decoration is extensively used for coarse potter)' in the necropolis at Lăpuş (Kacsó 1975, p. 59) and it is the most frequent ornament on pottery found at Libotin (Kacsó 1990, p. 91), Suciu de Sus — Pe şes (Kacsó 1993, p. 30) and Lăpuş — Graiul Târgului (Kacsó 1994a, p.12). Brushing was used for the decoration of the majority of published vessel fragments made from coarse clay from the settlements at Groşii Ţibleşului (Kacsó 1993), Lăpuş — La arini, Oarţa de Sus — Făget and from a few sites (destroyed settlements or mound burials) in the proximity of village of Lăpuş (Kacsó 2003). The presence of brushed decoration is also mentioned in the case of pottery fragments found at the surface in the villages of Rogoz and Rohia (Kacsó 2003, p. 116).

117 At Medieşu Aurit — Ciuncaş (Bader — Dumitraşcu 1970, p.130-131; Kacsó 1995, p.97) and even in the Middle Bronze Age settlement at Petea—Csengersima

118 In the settlement at Halmeu — Vamă (Marta 2004, p. 41) and especially in the one at Medieşu Aurit - Tagul lui Schweitzer, well dated due to the presence of several Otomani III and Wietenberg III type vessels.

n<) Kacsó 1995, p. 95; Vasiliev et al. 2002, p. 93.

120 Roman - Németi 1990, p.40.

121 Bader 1978, pi. LIII/ 6,9; Kacsó 1980, fig. 2/29; Kacsó 2003 pl. 1/10,11/10, XXI/14-16,18, XXXIII/15-18, XXIV/2-7; XXVIII/ 4,7, XXIX/1, XXXI/11,17, XXXII/1-4; Balahuri 2001, ris. 70a/19; Pop 2003, fig. 1/2, 2/4-7,11, 3/2,3,6-8, 4/2,4,6,9; Kacsó 2005 pl. 3/7-9, 9/1,3-4,6-10; Kacsó 2006, fig. 5/8,9, 10/7,12,18-19,20, 11/1,10,11,13,14.

122 Kovács 1967, fig. 11/19,20, 13/10.

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