Marta, Liviu: The Late Bronze Age Settlements of Petea-Csengersima (Satu Mare, 2009)
IV. Habitation of the Lăpuş II-Gáva I Archaeological Culture
the two pits were to be found also in pit 154 of the Late Bronze Age setdement of Lazuri (Typ. pl. 8). It had a ritual character related to the deposition of the objects used for consumption and making of drinks and food used within ceremonies370. 3. Amorphous pits. S34 complex 3 at Petea—Csengersima (Fig. 11, 13) was only partially excavated, even though it was large (6,70 x 5,80 m). Its amorphous shape was determined by. the irregular outline, irregular walls or base, which was so unlike the image of a deepened dwelling. S34 complex 3 deepened into the ground only 13—17 cm. The use of large, amorphous pits to extract the clay used in construction prevailed in the settlement at Jánoshida371. 4. Post holes, small pits. The areas of the Lăpuş II—Gáva I setdement at Petea— Csengersima revealed smaller pits less in number than in the areas of the Suciu de Sus archaeological culture. Most of them could be post holes. This was likely in the case of the pits situated inside or at the margins of some constructions372. The small pits at the margins of some large-sized pits373 were probably post holes of a light roof. A special case was represented by the post holes that occurred in the middle of the short side of a rectangular pit that might be a particular type of annex374. Ethnographic examples and the results of the experimental archaeology offered enough illustrations for these holes that might originate from the poles of some upraised platforms of the type hay or straw barns375. IV.3. Surface management in the settlement The Lăpuş II-Gáva I settlement covers a surface of 1,5 ha in the eastern part of the archaeological site at Petea—Csengersima. The surface of the settlement was estimated to have at least 3-3,75 ha. The western area of the Lăpuş II—Gáva I settlement overlaps a part of the Suciu de Sus settlement. At Petea—Csengersima, six dwellings had been examined, of which 5 were surface dwellings and one semi-subterranean. In their area were traces of three other surface dwellings that contained relevant archaeological material which, given their position, is likely that they belonged to this cultural horizon. The dwellings, for which the orientation could be determined, had their long axis on a north-south and east-west direction. In the case of the Lăpuş II-Gáva I habitation at Petea—Csengersima a concentration of the dwellings within a certain area (Zone 1, Fig. 2, 3) is observable. Only dwelling SI5 complex 1 has a more isolated position, situated at a distance of more than 100 m from the group of dwellings in area 1, placed on the northern edge of the settlement (Zone 4, Fig. 2, 11). However, it was observed that the two ritual pits belonging to the Lăpuş II-Gáva I habitation were found at the margin of the settlement (SI4 complex 5) and outside it (complex 589). The marginal position of the ritual deposits in relation to the dwelling areas of the settlements was documented also at Nagykálló376, Cărei377, Bicaz378 and Kvasovo379, outlining a possible regional custom concerning deposits. 370 Marta 2008, p. 111-129. 371 V. Szábó 2004, p. 139-140. 372 In the case of dwellings S9 complex 4 (Fig. 5), S15 complex 1 (Fig. 13). 373 S36 complex 2, S36 complex 4, S36 complex 5 (Fig. 14), S36 complex 14a, S36 complex 19, S36 complex 23, S 36 complex 24, S36 complex 38 (Fig. 11, 15). 374 S6 complex 2 (Fig. 4). 375 Reynolds 1979, p. 80-82. 376 The bronze deposit from Nagykálló was discovered by A. Mozsolics close to a vessel deposited with the mouth downward. The archaeological research was undertaken in an area where during the construction works of a road two whole amphorae had been uncovered, a fact that might indicate these had been ritually 59
