Marta, Livius et al.: The Late Bronze Age Settlement of Nyíregyháza-Oros „Úr Csere” (Satu Mare, 2010)

III. Dan V. Sana: Archaeological Complexes and Surface Management int he Settlement

We believe that the pits with no inventory, found in the vicinity of the complexes with offerings deposits, are part of this same category, forming together a number of groups apparently arranged chaotically, without forming a visible structure. Their association cannot be a random one. Through an exclusively archeological approach, the symbolism of the inventory-free pits appears to be inapproachable. Related, however, to a series of ancient texts that mention a number of practices to dig pits and use them for libations with liquids (wine, water, honey, milk, animal blood, etc.)35, such symbolism could provide a different picture on the bareness of the archaeological documents.

The complexes with a specific character are well known in the area of the Hajdúbagos-Cehăluţ group. Another settlement with a large number of pits is that of Biharea36. Complexes similar to those of Oros, containing cups placed with the mouth upwards, or lying on one side, were discovered in pit 4/1974 of Pişcolt „Nisipărie” (Sand Pit)37. Two pits were researched at Suplacu de Barcău „Lapiş” (no. 1 and 3), the first one with a mug and other poor archaeological material and the second one with a cup. Three pits burnt in the inside and with no archaeological inventory were also discovered on this settlement38. A complete cup, deposited in a pit, along with other pottery, originates from Cehei „Mesig”39. A pit which used to have in its inventory a Hajdúbagos type mug and a ladle was discovered in the settlement of the Suciu de Sus Culture of Petea-Csengersima40.

Surface Management in the Settlement

The north area of the site, outside the enclosure delimited by the ditch, seems to have had a special character. Most of the complexes with deposits of complete vessels or of other materials can be found here. That is the case of the complexes 9, 13, 32, 33, 34, the last of them really closely grouped near the entry to the fortified enclosure. Complex 245 was in a similar situation, its single piece of inventory being a complete cup, placed at the bottom of the pit, in normal position, with the mouth upwards. Another

35 Bejinariu 2003, p. 155-156 with the bibliography.

36 Dumitraşcu 1994, p. 106-107.

37 Németi 1978, p. 109.

38 Ignat 1984, p. 11.

39 Bejinariu 2003, p. 156.

40 Marta 2009, p. 154, PI. 19, 49/6,9.

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