Beyond Technology : Pottery Reveals Translocal Social Relations at a Bell Beaker Monumental Site in Central Europe

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Authors

GAŠPAR Adam PETŘÍK Jan FOJTÍK Pavel TSOUPRA Anna MIR-MAKHAMAD Basira CARDOSO Ana BELTRAME Massimo MIRAO José SCHIAVON Nick KOLÁŘ Jan

Year of publication 2023
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source European Journal of Archaeology
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Web https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-journal-of-archaeology/article/beyond-technology-pottery-reveals-translocal-social-relations-at-a-bell-beaker-monumental-site-in-central-europe/27A1EB4125AA8F580871121A5F7C09E9
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2022.46
Keywords Bell Beakers; ritual deposits; ceramic; provenance; translocality; Czechia
Description The Bell Beaker site near Brodek u Prostějova (Czechia) has yielded remains of a large timber construction accompanied by four symmetrical ritual deposits with numerous artefacts, including more than fifty ceramic vessels. Their decoration consists of incised patterns, in nineteen cases with preserved white inlaid incrustations. To investigate the social relations at this extraordinary site, a multi-analytical and micro-destructive approach was employed to determine the provenance and technology of the pottery and the composition of the white incrustations. The results indicate various origins for the pottery within the region and the presence of extra-regional fabrics and graphitic temper. The main raw materials for the white inlays were calcium carbonate (calcite), hydroxyapatite (bone), and bright clay. The mixing of decorative motifs and the variation in the shape and size of the beakers suggest unique manufacturing processes. These results lend support to the monumental site of Brodek serving as a ritual place for several communities from both local and wider areas.
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