New data to the cognition of the Baden Culture settlement in Prešov (north-eastern Slovakia, Šariš) (original) (raw)

The fortified settlement of the Baden culture in Prešov-Solivar, Chmeľové-Tichá dolina, is of great importance for the research of this culture in the northern Tisza region. Its exceptionality lies in the fact that, by means of geophysical measuring, we have managed to document an almost complete line of fortification, including the settlement entrance. Geophysical and terrain investigation running both at the same time have proved the regularity of the settlement’s construction system. Destructions of fireplaces/ovens with strorage pits were significantly concentrated in two almost regular lines within the inner part of the settlement. Between those and the ditch, there was an empty area. We suppose that, originally, there was an earthen rampart. Its destruction in the form of an extremely burned layer of clay was detected in the ditch fill only. Clusters of river pebbles and beams of charred wood were found within the rampart destruction as well as around it. Shallow oval pits with regularly sloping and burned bottoms were found almost evenly spaced along the outer fortification line. We have not found any analogies to these finds, at least not in the northern Tisza region. In regard to the radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples found in the fill of features 10/2009 and 18/2009, we can say that the fortified settlement in Prešov-Solivar was built in the earlier phase of the classical stage of the Baden culture. We suppose that, in a certain stage of settlement, there were some other contemporary settlements located in its surroundings. Sources of the halite are found in these locations. The extent to which this fact could have influenced growth of the prehistoric population in such a small area cannot be responsibly judged today.