Authors:Attila Péntek, Norbert Faragó Pages: 5 - 24 Abstract: With the following short review, we would like to remember our departed German friend and archaeologist Peter Nierling. He conducted several field trips in North Africa, Algeria, Lybia, and Tunisia, and on two occasions, in 1997 and 1998, one of us (A. P.) accompanied him. During these travels, field surveys were carried out mainly in the region of Gafsa. In the wider vicinity of the classical Paleolithic/Mesolithic sites of El Mekta (de Gafsa) and Lalla (de Gafsa), several unknown archaeological sites and find spots were localized. After these trips, one of the authors (A. P.) received a relatively great assemblage of various content from Peter Nierling to enrich the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic collections of the Hungarian stone tool research. Although the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of North Africa is not our specialization, below we give a brief review of the assemblages. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.5
Authors:Attila Péntek, Norbert Faragó Pages: 25 - 40 Abstract: András Marton has recently come into the possession of a small, chipped stone assemblage from the legacy of a German amateur mineral collector from Hamburg. Unfortunately, very little is known about the deceased and his collection. A part of the finds, including tools, was donated to the Institute of Archaeology of the Eötvös Loránd University. The lithic assemblage contains a total of 27 chipped stone artefacts made exclusively of Baltic flint. Concerning the raw material used, these flint varieties with the banded structure are rather unusual in Schleswig-Holstein. They are much more likely to originate from Lower Saxony or perhaps Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Apart from the general technological description of the assemblage, some pieces from these non-formal tools have been selected for a detailed description. The application of the “direct percussion with a hard hammer” technique and the presence of the thick artefacts contradict the Palaeolithic or Mesolithic origin of the assemblage, except for the flint axe (“Kernbeil”), which has a possible Mesolithic association. Alternatively, if the edges of the artefacts are not worn out or rolled, then along the edges of all artefacts traces of some kind of “cryoturbation retouch” are observable. In this case, the Palaeolithic dating of the finds is more plausible. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.25
Authors:László Gucsi Pages: 41 - 100 Abstract: The observations of the present paper, following the footsteps of previous studies, provide researchers with a rich set of data that shed more light on the pottery manufacturing techniques of Late Copper Age potters. The investigated assemblage belongs to the Baden culture, excavated at Hódmezővásárhely-Kopáncs-Olasz-tanya I in 2009. So far, four studies have been published on other sites from the heritage of Baden culture, which have been examined in a similar way, focusing on pottery technology. Therefore, the Baden culture is currently the most researched in this respect because the same macroscopic methods were used. In this state of research, we have an opportunity to compare these five assemblages, which allows us to identify similarities and differences in certain details of the technology of potting tradition of different regions in one extended cultural complex. In order to clarify the terminology and certain procedures of handbuilding techniques and possible tool usage in burnishing I make corrections on earlier statements. In addition to observations of potting technology also documenting the use-traces, the secondarily used sherds and any noticeable phenomena, such as grain imprints on ceramics. For the question of intentional or accidental occurrence of grain imprints on ceramics, I share the potter’s viewpoint, to shed more light on this topic. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss a wide range of phenomena that can be used for the chaîne opératoire of pottery production and object-biographical studies. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.41
Authors:János Gábor Tarbay Pages: 101 - 120 Abstract: The study discusses a metal-hilted sword from Tornyospálca-Sírkútgaz (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary). This find is an “old debt” of local Bronze Age research since it was left unpublished in the prehistoric collection of the Hungarian National Museum for more than half a century following its accidental discovery in 1956. The Tornyospálca-Sírkútgaz sword is a unique weapon compared to other Middle Bronze Age (Koszider Period, Br B1) Carpathian weapons. The Valsømagle swords have a few related finds from this area and from the wider territory of Europe. This study introduces the weapon to the scientific public with a brief discussion of related finds and their relative chronological position. The production technology, use-wear traces, and the deposition condition of the Tornyospálca-Sírkútgaz sword have been studied by metalwork production and use-wear analysis, and the results are also compared to the swords and the dagger of the eponymous Zajta hoard (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary). PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.101
Authors:Ábel Garczik Pages: 121 - 134 Abstract: The excavations carried out by the Hungarian National Museum in Perkáta-Nyúli-dűlő have revealed the remains of a Late Iron Age settlement. Two large ceramic storage containers found in a house of this settlement, dating from the La Tène C1–C2 period, are in the focus of the present study. These two large pots, known as dolia, have very few parallels in the entire Carpathian Basin, especially the decorated specimen. Before analysing these vessels, a brief preliminary description of the site and the feature is given. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.121
Authors:Lajos Juhász Pages: 135 - 141 Abstract: An exceptional find of a so-called Sarmatian coin imitation in the form of a lead amulet came to light at Martfű. The obverse is decorated with a bust facing left, the reverse with the usual crescent and star motif. The piece is cast with a loop and an elaborate frame decoration with segmented rims resembling Roman disc fibulae that were popular with the Sarmatians. These types of coins have so far been known only as pierced or looped copper alloy coins primarily from in the Middle Tisza region, although finds outside the Carpathian Basin have also been recently discovered. This new elaborate piece sheds new light on the role and significance of the Sarmatian coin imitations in their society. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.135
Authors:Gabriella G. Delbó Pages: 143 - 154 Abstract: The casseroles with relief decoration handles are one of the typical groups of Pannonian glazed pottery in the 2nd century AD. The 44 relief decorated handles made in clay molds are mostly known from Aquincum, Brigetio, and Mursa, while – up until recently – only two molds have been found in Aquincum and Mursa. The new clay mold with Amor decoration, discovered in Brigetio in 2008, expands our knowledge about the production of early Roman glazed potteries. It is unique that besides this mold, a glazed casserole – made with this specific mold – was also found in Brigetio. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.143
Authors:Csilla Sáró Pages: 155 - 175 Abstract: This article continues the author’s paper The fibula production of Brigetio: clay moulds published in Dissertationes Archaeologicae 3.8 (2020). The main aim of this paper is the presentation of a model plus several semi-finished and waste fibulae from Brigetio, adding to our knowledge about the fibula production of this archaeological site. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.155
Authors:Anita Benes Pages: 177 - 187 Abstract: The aim of the present study is to summarize new results concerning the capacity of the Roman aqueduct of Brigetio (Komárom/Szőny). Hydrological formulae used for calculations on the capacity of aqueducts are described and used to determine the daily discharge of the Roman aqueduct of Brigetio. The results presented are hypothetical, but it is hoped that they reflect the performance of the aqueduct. Calculations on per capita daily water supply and related problems are also addressed. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.177
Authors:Melinda Szabó Pages: 189 - 195 Abstract: The social structure of the Roman Empire had its own strict rules and legal restrictions, which defined one’s possibilities in society. Despite these rules, on some occasions, people had the opportunity to obtain a higher role than their social status, or on the contrary, they never reached the role they were legally allowed. The fluctuation between social groups could be vertical, but in the case of military personnel, it was rather horizontal. In all instances, money was an important component during changes in status, but personal influence was also non-negligible. In this paper, a few examples are presented of this phenomenon from the provincial context of the civil town of Brigetio. Higher social groups are represented by the two equestrians and decurions, while an Augustalis and a slave are introduced from the lower social strata. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.189
Authors:Krisztina Hoppál Pages: 197 - 223 Abstract: In recent years our understanding of ancient maritime networks has evolved significantly. Extensive international joint excavations and a heightened interest in collecting ancient objects among local people have altogether yielded a significant number of Roman artefacts both from Mainland and Island Southeast Asia. Regarding the types of these Roman objects, a quantity of engraved gems bearing western characteristics emerges from the collected materials thereby suggesting recognition and possibly even some degree of appreciation by the local cultures. This paper examines the categories and distribution of Roman engraved gems discovered in Southeast Asia, and aims to show possible imprints on forming evaluation/acceptance of these non-local goods by the receiving cultures. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.197
Authors:Bence Simon, Ferenc Barna Pages: 225 - 235 Abstract: As in 1929 and 2007, an excavation was conducted in the close south-eastern neighbourhood of the legionary fortress of Brigetio unearthing similar archaeological features, graves of the late Roman cemetery and a barrel-lined well. The trial excavation also uncovered a pair of ditches, most likely belonging to a dirt road. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.225
Authors:Rita Rakonczay Pages: 237 - 251 Abstract: In 2021 the Department of the Migration Period and Medieval Archaeology of Eötvös Loránd University participated in excavations at nine mediaeval (or seemingly mediaeval) churches in Nógrád county in collaboration with the Dornyay Béla Museum, Salgótarján commissioned by the Diocese of Vác. This short report presents four excavations of the churches of Kishartyán, Kisterenye, Mátranovák and Szuha where the research was led by the author. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.237
Authors:Tamás Keszi Pages: 253 - 311 Abstract: Review article of PhD thesis submitted in 2021 to the Archaeology Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest under the supervision of Gábor V. Szabó. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.253
Authors:Linda Dobosi Pages: 313 - 335 Abstract: Review article of PhD thesis submitted in 2020 to the Archaeological Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest under the supervision of László Borhy. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.313
Authors:Csilla Sáró Pages: 337 - 357 Abstract: Review article of PhD thesis submitted in 2020 to the Archaeological Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest under the supervision of Miklós Szabó. PubDate: 2022-03-02 DOI: 10.17204/dissarch.2021.337
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