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Marek Nowak

Jagiellonian University, Institute of Archeology, Faculty Member

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Address: 11 Gołębia St., 31-007 Kraków, Poland

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Jarosław Wilczyński

Polish Academy of Sciences

Aldona Mueller-Bieniek

University of Warsaw

Agnieszka Brzeska-Zastawna

Jagiellonian University

Albert Zastawny

Muzeum Archeologiczne w Krakowie

Anna Zakościelna

Maria Curie - Skłodowska University

Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences

Stanisław Wilk

Jagiellonian University

Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences

Irena Pieróg-Wójcik

Muzeum Archeologiczne w Krakowie

Damian Stefański

Muzeum Archeologiczne w Krakowie

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Papers by Marek Nowak

Unexpected discovery of the Funnel Beaker culture feature at the Kraków Spadzista (Kraków-Zwierzyniec 4) site

Folia Quaternaria, 2019

The paper presents a Neolithic feature discovered in trench G of the widely-known Paleolithic Gra... more The paper presents a Neolithic feature discovered in trench G of the widely-known Paleolithic Gravettian site at Kraków Spadzista. Pottery and lithic artefacts as well as archaeobotanical data and radiocarbon dates demonstrate the existence of a stable human occupation with an agricultural economy. Due to the small number of distinctive fragments of pottery, both the Wyciąże-złotniki group and the Funnel Beaker culture have to be taken into account in the discussion on the cultural attribution of the feature. The obtained absolute dates make a connection with the latter unit more probable.

The influence of archaeological discoveries in Nowa Huta on synthetic presentations of the early and middle Neolithic period in Poland : achievements, dilemmas and perspectives

The late copper age cemetery at Pilismarót-Basaharc : István Torma’s excavations (1967, 1969-1972)

communities of the Körös region. For example, to claim that soilscapes played a role in the creat... more communities of the Körös region. For example, to claim that soilscapes played a role in the creation of memory and identity of Late Neolithic and Early Copper Age communities does seem reasonable on a general level, but at the same time it is quite vague in its empirical content. It would be unfair to say that the discussion of these issues does not add to the book, it is just that what is written about these issues is only distantly related to the empirical results. However, this objection does not change the overall impression of a successful and complete research project. The novelty and significance of both the empirical results and the methodological framework for soil analysis make this book important and relevant to researchers interested in the Neolithic and Copper Age archaeology of Southeastern Europe. In addition to the original contribution to the knowledge of the past, the research presented in the book is suitable to be used as illustrative material (case study) for university courses in geoarchaeology and environmental archaeology.

Do We Finally Know What the Neolithic Is?

Open Archaeology

Over 20 years ago, an inspiring text by Lech Czerniak (The Neolithic – What’s That?) on understan... more Over 20 years ago, an inspiring text by Lech Czerniak (The Neolithic – What’s That?) on understanding the concept of the Neolithic was published. For the present author, the Lech Czerniak’s discourse on the Neolithic was for many years and, to a large extent still is, a conceptual basis for understanding and presenting this issue. This contribution is an examination of the current relevance of Lech Czerniak’s theses. Furthermore, starting from this basis, a subjective attempt will be made to put the topic in some order, since a lack of clarity as to what the Neolithic is and what is not hampers and complicates research activities. Particularly, perhaps a fundamental issue will be assessed whether the concept of Neolithic in any measure reflects the past reality or reflects only our perceptions of that past. Conclusions resulted of the argumentation assume that there were indeed different and real Neolithics in the past. However, these Neolithics had a common denominator, in the form...

Terrestrial diet in prehistoric human groups from southern Poland based on human, faunal and botanical stable isotope evidence

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020

We present stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of animal and human bones from southeaster... more We present stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of animal and human bones from southeastern Poland, dated to the Neolithic and the Bronze Ages. The analyses are discussed against the background of archaeobotanical data from the studied sites from Miechów and Mozgawa. The mean values of δ 13 C and δ 15 N obtained from wheat grains from southeastern Poland were used to model human palaeodiet. Our results show high levels of plant proteins in the diet, taking into account crop grain enriched in heavy nitrogen instead of the δ 15 N values for plants estimated from herbivore collagen. Dental abrasion analyses suggests the contribution of a highly abrasive food component in the diet (e.g. from plants). As the number of samples was limited and there were no statistically significant differences between chronological and gender groups, we conclude that despite some small differences in carbon isotopic composition between genders, Miechów site societies were egalitarian in this respect. Despite the presence of millet in the studied area in the Bronze Age no evidence of C4 plant consumption was noted in the δ 13 C of human and animal bones.

Different Paths of Neolithisation of the North-Eastern Part of Central Europe

Open Archaeology, 2021

Origins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrati... more Origins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Pottery culture after the mid-sixth millennium BC, as in other parts of Central Europe. During these migrations, a careful selection of settlement regions took place, in terms of the ecological conditions most favourable for agriculture. The enclave-like pattern of the Neolithic settlement persisted into the fifth millennium BC when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. The remaining areas, inhabited by hunter-gatherers, were not subject to direct Neolithisation. However, there are some indications of contact between farmers and hunter-gatherers. This situation changed from c. 4000 BC onwards because of the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). This archaeological unit for the first time covered in a relatively compact way the territory under consideration. The human substratum of this process consis...

The Linear Pottery culture face vessel from the site Biskupice 18, southern Poland

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 2021

This paper presents the stylistic analysis of a unique face vessel fragment, found at a recently ... more This paper presents the stylistic analysis of a unique face vessel fragment, found at a recently excavated settlement of the Linear Pottery culture near Biskupice, located in the Carpathian foothill region in southern Poland. The evaluation is based on a multivariate analysis of the stylistic features of 130 human face vessels from 91 Central European Neolithic sites of the Linear Pottery culture and the Alföld Linear Pottery culture, and is conducted with the help of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The main objective of the research is to find the closest analogies of the Biskupice by tracking similarities between the manner of execution of the combination of facial elements and accompanying motifs appearing on the Biskupice vessel and on other depictions of the human face. This investigation also aims to make inferences about the chrono-cultural connections of the first agrarian societies in the area of the Carpathian foothills with other regions of the Linear Pottery world.

Obsidian Source Use Within the Alföld Linear Pottery culture in Slovakia

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 2021

This paper reports the results of non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) an... more This paper reports the results of non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of 186 obsidian artifacts from eight archaeological sites attributable to the Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (c. 5600-4900 cal BC). This is the largest instrument-based study yet conducted and reported for Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (ALPC) artifacts from Slovakia, where ALPC chipped lithic assemblages are almost entirely composed of obsidian items. Results show that all obsidian artifacts analyzed were manufactured exclusively from a volcanic glass of the Carpathian 1 chemical type, the source of which has been localised in Slovakia. This chemical variety of obsidian appears to have been the most important volcanic glass used by prehistoric communities in East-Central Europe during the Neolithic.

The Funnel Beaker Culture in Western Lesser Poland: Yesterday and Today

Archaeologia Polona, 2019

Although Jan Kowalczyk's work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to we... more Although Jan Kowalczyk's work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to western Lesser Poland, many of his general and detailed reflections on Neolithic archaeology can be utilized to better characterise this culture in this territory. The TRB appeared there c. 3750/3700 BC and existed until c. 2800 BC. "Funnel Beaker" acculturation of the late Lengyel-Polgár populations could play a large part in the origins of the local branch of this culture. For many years, the TRB seemed to be scarcely represented. This notion has changed since early 1970s onwards, due to more and more intensive investigations. Currently, western Lesser Poland is perceived as an equally important region of the TRB development as other the most important ones both in Lowland and Upland zones. The local TRB communities were characterised by varied patterns of settlement and economic behaviours. These patterns were correlated with ecological differences.

The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third?)

Documenta Praehistorica, 2019

The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of th... more The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) after the mid-6th millennium BC. Communities of this culture only settled in enclaves distinguished by ecological conditions favourable to farming (‘LBK neolithisation’). This situation persisted into the 5th millennium BC, when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. This state of affairs changed from c. 4000 BC onwards due to the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). In the territories under consideration this expansion covered the areas previously inhabited by both hunter-gatherers (‘TRB neolithisation’) and farmers. Some of the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers did not accept TRB patterns. They successfully carried on their traditional lifestyle until the Early Bronze Age although some changes in their material culture are visible (including ‘ceramisation’).

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology? The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

Documenta Praehistorica, 2018

In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in w... more In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect.

Benefits and weaknesses of radiocarbon dating of plant material as reflected by Neolithic archaeological sites from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary

Geochronometria, 2017

Radiocarbon dating of the plant material is important for chronology of archaeological sites. The... more Radiocarbon dating of the plant material is important for chronology of archaeological sites. Therefore, a selection of suitable plant samples is an important task. The contribution emphasizes the necessity of taxonomical identification prior to radiocarbon dating as a crucial element of such selection. The benefits and weaknesses of dating of taxonomically undetermined and identified samples will be analysed based on several case studies referring to Neolithic sites from Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. These examples better illustrate the significance of the taxonomical identification since plant materials of the Neolithic age include only a limited number of cultivated species (e.g. hulled wheats) and typically do not contain remains of late arrived plants (e.g. Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica). For more accurate dating results cereal grains, fruits and seeds, which reflect a single vegetative season, are preferred. Among charred wood, fragments of twigs, branches and external ...

Natural and Anthropogenic Changes in the environment in the Middle Ondava Basin (Eastern Slovakia) during the Neolithic Period

Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica - Natural Sciences in Archaeology, 2014

Plant remains from an early Neolithic settlement at Moravany (eastern Slovakia)

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2008

This paper presents the results of the investigation of macroscopic plant remains from the early ... more This paper presents the results of the investigation of macroscopic plant remains from the early Neolithic site of Moravany, Slovakia, dated to the third quarter of the 6th millennium cal B.C., from which 141 samples of burnt clay were examined. The most abundant remains belonged to Triticum dicoccon. Two other cereals were found, T. monococcum and Hordeum vulgare. Fiftyfive soil samples contained a few specimens of charred grains of T. dicoccon and diaspores of the wild plants Chenopodium album, Saponaria officinalis, Solanum nigrum and Bromus sp. Over 2,000 pieces of charcoal were examined, among which 14 plant taxa belonging to gymnosperms and angiosperms have been recognized. The most common were Quercus (oak), Fraxinus (ash) and Ulmus (elm). Archaeobotanical and chronological data demonstrate that a farming economy was practised in eastern Slovakia as early as the mid 6th millennium B.C. The trees identified from the charcoals reveal that typical early Atlantic woodland communities with a predominance of deciduous trees and shrubs constituted the environmental context of the first Neolithic settlers there. Wood of these taxa was used for construction and as fuel. Keywords Early Neolithic Á Eastern Slovakia Á Archaeobotany Á Cultivated plants Á Charcoal analysis Communicated by M. Latałowa.

Neolithisation in Polish Territories: Different Patterns, Different Perspectives, and Marek Zvelebil’s Ideas

Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica - Natural Sciences in Archaeology, 2013

Animal Husbandry of Funnel Beaker Culture Case Study of Mozgawa Site Poland Lesser Poland

by Jarosław Wilczyński, Marta Korczyńska-Cappenberg, and Marek Nowak

The Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) site in Mozgawa is situated in the Nida Basin, on the eastern out... more The Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) site in Mozgawa is situated in the Nida Basin, on the eastern outskirts of the western Lesser Poland (Poland). During three archaeological campaigns more than seven thousand remains of animals were found. The bones and teeth of amphibians and rodents undoubtedly can be considered as a recent admixture, in contrast to remains of freshwater mussels and turtle, collected by humans. In turn, small and partly deformed fish bones were discovered at the Mozgawa site presumably coming from the storage of fermented fish. Among bird bones we identified remains of a probably domesticated goose. The most numerous animal remains belong to mammals, representing both domestic and wild mammals. The domestic mammals represent the typical spectrum of species usually found, among which cattle remains significantly prevail. Archaeozoological analysis indicate that animal were slaughtered, processed and consumed directly at the site. The wild animal bone assemblage is very diversified and represent species that inhabited a variety of different environments (aquatic, forest, open areas) thus indicating the presence of a mixed landscape in the close surroundings of the settlement.

Addressing the issue of the Early Neolithic pottery exchange through a combined petrographic and geochemical approach: a case study on LBK ware from Dzielnica (Upper Silesia, southern Poland)

by Michał Borowski, Mark Golitko, and Marek Nowak

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 13: 5, 2021

UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ACCESSIBLE... more UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ACCESSIBLE HERE. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PAPER. The article presents the results of petrographic and geochemical analyses on Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) ceramic materials from the Dzielnica site (Upper Silesia, southern Poland). The study area, situated in the northern foreland of the Moravian Gate, can be considered a melting pot for various cultural influences. This peculiar location resulted in multidirectional entanglements of the Early Neolithic inhabitants of the site. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the importance of pottery exchange in these foreign connections. The sherds ornamented in Alföld styles prove to be consistent with local geochemical and petrographic signature and, therefore, may be regarded as a result of implementation of exogenous decorative patterns. On the other hand, at least some of the vessels decorated in Šárka style should be considered to have been produced elsewhere. The archaeometric results indicate that the long-distance exchange of pottery was probably largely confined to occasional importation of vessels from the adjacent areas of Lower Silesia and northern Moravia. In addition, it may be tentatively suggested that some mundane, stylistically inconspicuous ceramics could have been passed through intra-regional circulation within the Upper Odra River basin.

The Funnel Beaker Culture in Western Lesser Poland: Yesterday and Today

Archaeologia Polona 57: 79-101, 2019

Although Jan Kowalczyk’s work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to we... more Although Jan Kowalczyk’s work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to western Lesser Poland, many of his general and detailed reflections on Neolithic archaeology can be utilized to better characterise this culture in this territory. The TRB appeared there
c. 3750/3700 BC and existed until c. 2800 BC. “Funnel Beaker” acculturation of the late Lengyel-Polgár populations could play a large part in the origins of the local branch of this culture. For many years, the TRB seemed to be scarcely represented. This notion has changed since early 1970s onwards, due to more and more intensive investigations. Currently, western Lesser Poland is perceived as an equally important region of the TRB development as other the most important ones both in Lowland and Upland zones. The local TRB communities were characterised by varied patterns of settlement and economic behaviours. These patterns were correlated withecological differences.

The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third?)

Documenta Praehistorica, 2019

The present-day territory of Poland (Fig. 1) was and is situated in the borderland of different e... more The present-day territory of Poland (Fig. 1) was and is situated in the borderland of different environmental (Rdzany 2014) but also different cultural, prehistoric, and historic formations (Davies 2005). In the period discussed here this resulted in different types of Neolithic culture, and different faces of neolithisation. These variants of the Neolithic and neolithisation developed in parallel for a relatively long time, coming into various interactions in the process. This situation is fairly unique for the entire European continent. As in other parts of Central Europe, the origins of the Neolithic in the region in question are associated with the appearance of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) (Fig. 2) after the mid-6 th millennium The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third|) ABSTRACT-The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) after the mid-6 th millennium BC. Communities of this culture only settled in enclaves distinguished by ecological conditions favourable to farming ('LBK neo-lithisation'). This situation persisted into the 5 th millennium BC, when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. This state of affairs changed from c. 4000 BC onwards due to the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). In the territories under consideration this expansion covered the areas previously inhabited by both hunter-gatherers ('TRB neolithisation') and farmers. Some of the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers did not accept TRB patterns. They successfully carried on their traditional lifestyle until the Early Bronze Age although some changes in their material culture are visible (including 'ceramisation').

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology| The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

In the late 5 th , 4 th , and early 3 rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible... more In the late 5 th , 4 th , and early 3 rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect. IZVLE∞EK -V obdobju poznega 5., 4. in zgodnjega 3. tiso≠letja pr. n. ∏t. lahko na obmo≠ju zahodne Malopoljske prepoznamo razli≠ne arheolo∏ke enote. Glede na tradicionalne poglede se v tem ≠asu kronolo∏ko prekrivajo enote poznega kompleksa Lengyel-Polgár, kulture zvon≠astih ≠as in badenskega fenomena. Novi radiokarbonski datumi ka∫ejo, da je v nekaterih primerih potreben diskreten pristop z linearnimi kulturnimi spremembami. V ≠lanku poka∫emo, da so ekstremni pristopi, pri katerih uporabimo oz. izklju≠imo bodisi tiste datume, ki sodijo v na∏e koncepte, bodisi vse datume brez zadr∫kov, pri razlagah datumov nepravilni.

Unexpected discovery of the Funnel Beaker culture feature at the Kraków Spadzista (Kraków-Zwierzyniec 4) site

Folia Quaternaria, 2019

The paper presents a Neolithic feature discovered in trench G of the widely-known Paleolithic Gra... more The paper presents a Neolithic feature discovered in trench G of the widely-known Paleolithic Gravettian site at Kraków Spadzista. Pottery and lithic artefacts as well as archaeobotanical data and radiocarbon dates demonstrate the existence of a stable human occupation with an agricultural economy. Due to the small number of distinctive fragments of pottery, both the Wyciąże-złotniki group and the Funnel Beaker culture have to be taken into account in the discussion on the cultural attribution of the feature. The obtained absolute dates make a connection with the latter unit more probable.

The influence of archaeological discoveries in Nowa Huta on synthetic presentations of the early and middle Neolithic period in Poland : achievements, dilemmas and perspectives

The late copper age cemetery at Pilismarót-Basaharc : István Torma’s excavations (1967, 1969-1972)

communities of the Körös region. For example, to claim that soilscapes played a role in the creat... more communities of the Körös region. For example, to claim that soilscapes played a role in the creation of memory and identity of Late Neolithic and Early Copper Age communities does seem reasonable on a general level, but at the same time it is quite vague in its empirical content. It would be unfair to say that the discussion of these issues does not add to the book, it is just that what is written about these issues is only distantly related to the empirical results. However, this objection does not change the overall impression of a successful and complete research project. The novelty and significance of both the empirical results and the methodological framework for soil analysis make this book important and relevant to researchers interested in the Neolithic and Copper Age archaeology of Southeastern Europe. In addition to the original contribution to the knowledge of the past, the research presented in the book is suitable to be used as illustrative material (case study) for university courses in geoarchaeology and environmental archaeology.

Do We Finally Know What the Neolithic Is?

Open Archaeology

Over 20 years ago, an inspiring text by Lech Czerniak (The Neolithic – What’s That?) on understan... more Over 20 years ago, an inspiring text by Lech Czerniak (The Neolithic – What’s That?) on understanding the concept of the Neolithic was published. For the present author, the Lech Czerniak’s discourse on the Neolithic was for many years and, to a large extent still is, a conceptual basis for understanding and presenting this issue. This contribution is an examination of the current relevance of Lech Czerniak’s theses. Furthermore, starting from this basis, a subjective attempt will be made to put the topic in some order, since a lack of clarity as to what the Neolithic is and what is not hampers and complicates research activities. Particularly, perhaps a fundamental issue will be assessed whether the concept of Neolithic in any measure reflects the past reality or reflects only our perceptions of that past. Conclusions resulted of the argumentation assume that there were indeed different and real Neolithics in the past. However, these Neolithics had a common denominator, in the form...

Terrestrial diet in prehistoric human groups from southern Poland based on human, faunal and botanical stable isotope evidence

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020

We present stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of animal and human bones from southeaster... more We present stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of animal and human bones from southeastern Poland, dated to the Neolithic and the Bronze Ages. The analyses are discussed against the background of archaeobotanical data from the studied sites from Miechów and Mozgawa. The mean values of δ 13 C and δ 15 N obtained from wheat grains from southeastern Poland were used to model human palaeodiet. Our results show high levels of plant proteins in the diet, taking into account crop grain enriched in heavy nitrogen instead of the δ 15 N values for plants estimated from herbivore collagen. Dental abrasion analyses suggests the contribution of a highly abrasive food component in the diet (e.g. from plants). As the number of samples was limited and there were no statistically significant differences between chronological and gender groups, we conclude that despite some small differences in carbon isotopic composition between genders, Miechów site societies were egalitarian in this respect. Despite the presence of millet in the studied area in the Bronze Age no evidence of C4 plant consumption was noted in the δ 13 C of human and animal bones.

Different Paths of Neolithisation of the North-Eastern Part of Central Europe

Open Archaeology, 2021

Origins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrati... more Origins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Pottery culture after the mid-sixth millennium BC, as in other parts of Central Europe. During these migrations, a careful selection of settlement regions took place, in terms of the ecological conditions most favourable for agriculture. The enclave-like pattern of the Neolithic settlement persisted into the fifth millennium BC when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. The remaining areas, inhabited by hunter-gatherers, were not subject to direct Neolithisation. However, there are some indications of contact between farmers and hunter-gatherers. This situation changed from c. 4000 BC onwards because of the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). This archaeological unit for the first time covered in a relatively compact way the territory under consideration. The human substratum of this process consis...

The Linear Pottery culture face vessel from the site Biskupice 18, southern Poland

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 2021

This paper presents the stylistic analysis of a unique face vessel fragment, found at a recently ... more This paper presents the stylistic analysis of a unique face vessel fragment, found at a recently excavated settlement of the Linear Pottery culture near Biskupice, located in the Carpathian foothill region in southern Poland. The evaluation is based on a multivariate analysis of the stylistic features of 130 human face vessels from 91 Central European Neolithic sites of the Linear Pottery culture and the Alföld Linear Pottery culture, and is conducted with the help of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The main objective of the research is to find the closest analogies of the Biskupice by tracking similarities between the manner of execution of the combination of facial elements and accompanying motifs appearing on the Biskupice vessel and on other depictions of the human face. This investigation also aims to make inferences about the chrono-cultural connections of the first agrarian societies in the area of the Carpathian foothills with other regions of the Linear Pottery world.

Obsidian Source Use Within the Alföld Linear Pottery culture in Slovakia

Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 2021

This paper reports the results of non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) an... more This paper reports the results of non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of 186 obsidian artifacts from eight archaeological sites attributable to the Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (c. 5600-4900 cal BC). This is the largest instrument-based study yet conducted and reported for Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (ALPC) artifacts from Slovakia, where ALPC chipped lithic assemblages are almost entirely composed of obsidian items. Results show that all obsidian artifacts analyzed were manufactured exclusively from a volcanic glass of the Carpathian 1 chemical type, the source of which has been localised in Slovakia. This chemical variety of obsidian appears to have been the most important volcanic glass used by prehistoric communities in East-Central Europe during the Neolithic.

The Funnel Beaker Culture in Western Lesser Poland: Yesterday and Today

Archaeologia Polona, 2019

Although Jan Kowalczyk's work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to we... more Although Jan Kowalczyk's work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to western Lesser Poland, many of his general and detailed reflections on Neolithic archaeology can be utilized to better characterise this culture in this territory. The TRB appeared there c. 3750/3700 BC and existed until c. 2800 BC. "Funnel Beaker" acculturation of the late Lengyel-Polgár populations could play a large part in the origins of the local branch of this culture. For many years, the TRB seemed to be scarcely represented. This notion has changed since early 1970s onwards, due to more and more intensive investigations. Currently, western Lesser Poland is perceived as an equally important region of the TRB development as other the most important ones both in Lowland and Upland zones. The local TRB communities were characterised by varied patterns of settlement and economic behaviours. These patterns were correlated with ecological differences.

The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third?)

Documenta Praehistorica, 2019

The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of th... more The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) after the mid-6th millennium BC. Communities of this culture only settled in enclaves distinguished by ecological conditions favourable to farming (‘LBK neolithisation’). This situation persisted into the 5th millennium BC, when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. This state of affairs changed from c. 4000 BC onwards due to the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). In the territories under consideration this expansion covered the areas previously inhabited by both hunter-gatherers (‘TRB neolithisation’) and farmers. Some of the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers did not accept TRB patterns. They successfully carried on their traditional lifestyle until the Early Bronze Age although some changes in their material culture are visible (including ‘ceramisation’).

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology? The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

Documenta Praehistorica, 2018

In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in w... more In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect.

Benefits and weaknesses of radiocarbon dating of plant material as reflected by Neolithic archaeological sites from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary

Geochronometria, 2017

Radiocarbon dating of the plant material is important for chronology of archaeological sites. The... more Radiocarbon dating of the plant material is important for chronology of archaeological sites. Therefore, a selection of suitable plant samples is an important task. The contribution emphasizes the necessity of taxonomical identification prior to radiocarbon dating as a crucial element of such selection. The benefits and weaknesses of dating of taxonomically undetermined and identified samples will be analysed based on several case studies referring to Neolithic sites from Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. These examples better illustrate the significance of the taxonomical identification since plant materials of the Neolithic age include only a limited number of cultivated species (e.g. hulled wheats) and typically do not contain remains of late arrived plants (e.g. Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica). For more accurate dating results cereal grains, fruits and seeds, which reflect a single vegetative season, are preferred. Among charred wood, fragments of twigs, branches and external ...

Natural and Anthropogenic Changes in the environment in the Middle Ondava Basin (Eastern Slovakia) during the Neolithic Period

Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica - Natural Sciences in Archaeology, 2014

Plant remains from an early Neolithic settlement at Moravany (eastern Slovakia)

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2008

This paper presents the results of the investigation of macroscopic plant remains from the early ... more This paper presents the results of the investigation of macroscopic plant remains from the early Neolithic site of Moravany, Slovakia, dated to the third quarter of the 6th millennium cal B.C., from which 141 samples of burnt clay were examined. The most abundant remains belonged to Triticum dicoccon. Two other cereals were found, T. monococcum and Hordeum vulgare. Fiftyfive soil samples contained a few specimens of charred grains of T. dicoccon and diaspores of the wild plants Chenopodium album, Saponaria officinalis, Solanum nigrum and Bromus sp. Over 2,000 pieces of charcoal were examined, among which 14 plant taxa belonging to gymnosperms and angiosperms have been recognized. The most common were Quercus (oak), Fraxinus (ash) and Ulmus (elm). Archaeobotanical and chronological data demonstrate that a farming economy was practised in eastern Slovakia as early as the mid 6th millennium B.C. The trees identified from the charcoals reveal that typical early Atlantic woodland communities with a predominance of deciduous trees and shrubs constituted the environmental context of the first Neolithic settlers there. Wood of these taxa was used for construction and as fuel. Keywords Early Neolithic Á Eastern Slovakia Á Archaeobotany Á Cultivated plants Á Charcoal analysis Communicated by M. Latałowa.

Neolithisation in Polish Territories: Different Patterns, Different Perspectives, and Marek Zvelebil’s Ideas

Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica - Natural Sciences in Archaeology, 2013

Animal Husbandry of Funnel Beaker Culture Case Study of Mozgawa Site Poland Lesser Poland

by Jarosław Wilczyński, Marta Korczyńska-Cappenberg, and Marek Nowak

The Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) site in Mozgawa is situated in the Nida Basin, on the eastern out... more The Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) site in Mozgawa is situated in the Nida Basin, on the eastern outskirts of the western Lesser Poland (Poland). During three archaeological campaigns more than seven thousand remains of animals were found. The bones and teeth of amphibians and rodents undoubtedly can be considered as a recent admixture, in contrast to remains of freshwater mussels and turtle, collected by humans. In turn, small and partly deformed fish bones were discovered at the Mozgawa site presumably coming from the storage of fermented fish. Among bird bones we identified remains of a probably domesticated goose. The most numerous animal remains belong to mammals, representing both domestic and wild mammals. The domestic mammals represent the typical spectrum of species usually found, among which cattle remains significantly prevail. Archaeozoological analysis indicate that animal were slaughtered, processed and consumed directly at the site. The wild animal bone assemblage is very diversified and represent species that inhabited a variety of different environments (aquatic, forest, open areas) thus indicating the presence of a mixed landscape in the close surroundings of the settlement.

Addressing the issue of the Early Neolithic pottery exchange through a combined petrographic and geochemical approach: a case study on LBK ware from Dzielnica (Upper Silesia, southern Poland)

by Michał Borowski, Mark Golitko, and Marek Nowak

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 13: 5, 2021

UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ACCESSIBLE... more UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ACCESSIBLE HERE. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PAPER. The article presents the results of petrographic and geochemical analyses on Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) ceramic materials from the Dzielnica site (Upper Silesia, southern Poland). The study area, situated in the northern foreland of the Moravian Gate, can be considered a melting pot for various cultural influences. This peculiar location resulted in multidirectional entanglements of the Early Neolithic inhabitants of the site. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the importance of pottery exchange in these foreign connections. The sherds ornamented in Alföld styles prove to be consistent with local geochemical and petrographic signature and, therefore, may be regarded as a result of implementation of exogenous decorative patterns. On the other hand, at least some of the vessels decorated in Šárka style should be considered to have been produced elsewhere. The archaeometric results indicate that the long-distance exchange of pottery was probably largely confined to occasional importation of vessels from the adjacent areas of Lower Silesia and northern Moravia. In addition, it may be tentatively suggested that some mundane, stylistically inconspicuous ceramics could have been passed through intra-regional circulation within the Upper Odra River basin.

The Funnel Beaker Culture in Western Lesser Poland: Yesterday and Today

Archaeologia Polona 57: 79-101, 2019

Although Jan Kowalczyk’s work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to we... more Although Jan Kowalczyk’s work on the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) did not particularly refer to western Lesser Poland, many of his general and detailed reflections on Neolithic archaeology can be utilized to better characterise this culture in this territory. The TRB appeared there
c. 3750/3700 BC and existed until c. 2800 BC. “Funnel Beaker” acculturation of the late Lengyel-Polgár populations could play a large part in the origins of the local branch of this culture. For many years, the TRB seemed to be scarcely represented. This notion has changed since early 1970s onwards, due to more and more intensive investigations. Currently, western Lesser Poland is perceived as an equally important region of the TRB development as other the most important ones both in Lowland and Upland zones. The local TRB communities were characterised by varied patterns of settlement and economic behaviours. These patterns were correlated withecological differences.

The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third?)

Documenta Praehistorica, 2019

The present-day territory of Poland (Fig. 1) was and is situated in the borderland of different e... more The present-day territory of Poland (Fig. 1) was and is situated in the borderland of different environmental (Rdzany 2014) but also different cultural, prehistoric, and historic formations (Davies 2005). In the period discussed here this resulted in different types of Neolithic culture, and different faces of neolithisation. These variants of the Neolithic and neolithisation developed in parallel for a relatively long time, coming into various interactions in the process. This situation is fairly unique for the entire European continent. As in other parts of Central Europe, the origins of the Neolithic in the region in question are associated with the appearance of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) (Fig. 2) after the mid-6 th millennium The first vs. second stage of neolithisation in Polish territories (to say nothing of the third|) ABSTRACT-The origins of the Neolithic in Polish territories are associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Band Pottery culture (LBK) after the mid-6 th millennium BC. Communities of this culture only settled in enclaves distinguished by ecological conditions favourable to farming ('LBK neo-lithisation'). This situation persisted into the 5 th millennium BC, when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. This state of affairs changed from c. 4000 BC onwards due to the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). In the territories under consideration this expansion covered the areas previously inhabited by both hunter-gatherers ('TRB neolithisation') and farmers. Some of the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers did not accept TRB patterns. They successfully carried on their traditional lifestyle until the Early Bronze Age although some changes in their material culture are visible (including 'ceramisation').

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology| The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

In the late 5 th , 4 th , and early 3 rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible... more In the late 5 th , 4 th , and early 3 rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect. IZVLE∞EK -V obdobju poznega 5., 4. in zgodnjega 3. tiso≠letja pr. n. ∏t. lahko na obmo≠ju zahodne Malopoljske prepoznamo razli≠ne arheolo∏ke enote. Glede na tradicionalne poglede se v tem ≠asu kronolo∏ko prekrivajo enote poznega kompleksa Lengyel-Polgár, kulture zvon≠astih ≠as in badenskega fenomena. Novi radiokarbonski datumi ka∫ejo, da je v nekaterih primerih potreben diskreten pristop z linearnimi kulturnimi spremembami. V ≠lanku poka∫emo, da so ekstremni pristopi, pri katerih uporabimo oz. izklju≠imo bodisi tiste datume, ki sodijo v na∏e koncepte, bodisi vse datume brez zadr∫kov, pri razlagah datumov nepravilni.

DRUGI ETAP NEOLITYZACJI ZIEM POLSKICH (The second phase of Neolithisation in Polish territories)

EARLY FARMERS OF THE EASTERN SLOVAK LOWLAND: THE SETTLEMENT OF THE EASTERN LINEAR POTTERY CULTURE AT MORAVANY

by Marek Nowak and Marek Vizdal

Osady z epoki kamienia oraz wczesnej epoki brązu na stanowiskach 9 i 10 w Stanisławicach, pow. bocheński

by Marek Nowak and Tomasz Rodak

Challenges in evaluating the role of the environment in neolithization processes. The case of South-East Europe

F. Djindjian (ed.), Les Sociétés Humaines Face Aux Changements Climatiques, Volume 2: La Protohistoire, Des Débuts De L’holocène Au Début Des Temps Historiques: 89-124. Oxford: Archaeopress., 2022

Neolithization processes have frequently been investigated from the environmental perspective. Ho... more Neolithization processes have frequently been investigated from the environmental perspective. However, there are many ambiguities inherent in palaeoenvironmental data, especially when confronted with archaeological ones. There are also very different visions as to the role of environmental factors in development of human societies. In the contribution the most urgent problems induced by the application of an environmental approach to explain prehistoric processes, including those of neolithization, were characterised. Then, the potential role of environmental (particularly climatic) proxies in the modelling the appearance and spread of the First Neolithic in SouthEast Europe was demonstrated. In particular, the issue of the extent to which the Neolithic diffusions and possible adaptations were triggered or slowed down by Holocene global climate events was analysed. It was hypothesised, as one of possible scenarios, that the speed of neolithization of SouthEast Europe was not uniform and regular. In a measure, in some areas, this was due to the necessity to adapt to 'new' environmental conditions. However, first and foremost, these processes were evoked by the occurrence of favourable conditions ('occasions') created by global and local environmental transformations ('opportunistic colonisation').

Pollen indications of human activity in the Polish Western Carpathians during the Neolithic period

People in the Mountains. Current Approaches to the Archaeology of Mountainous Landscapes, 2018

The paper examines pollen indicators of human activity in the region of the Polish Western Carpat... more The paper examines pollen indicators of human activity in the region of the Polish Western Carpathians which can be referred to the Neolithic period (in the broad sense, i.e. c. 5500-2300 BC). They will be confronted with local archaeological data as well as with that from the territories situated to the north and south of the Western Carpathians. As a result, model constructions will be developed which will describe land use patterns followed by the Neolithic communities in this region. In particular, these models will attempt to elucidate when were the Western Carpathians only used passively, as the area of people’s movement along the south-north axis (and vice versa), and when were they purposefully and autonomously exploited by Neolithic farmers and herders. The issue of the importance of human behaviours for the general environmental transformations in the Western Carpathians in this period will also be discussed.

The contribution of finds from feature no. 1/12 at Ražňany (distr. Sabinov, Slovakia) for the problem of foreign influences in the area of the Bükk culture

Identity of FBC societies in the Upper Vistula River basin

Anthropogenic features of the Eastern Linear Pottery culture at Moravany

Absolute chronology of the settlement of the Eastern Linear Pottery culture at Moravany

Osadnictwo prehistoryczne w dolinie Podłężanki w świetle wyników badań wykopaliskowych na st. 22 w Podłężu, pow. wielicki / Prehistoric occupation of the Podłężanka valley in light of the results of excavations conducted at site 22 in Podłęże, Wieliczka district (with M. Nowak and M. Dzięgielewska)

by Karol Dzięgielewski and Marek Nowak

The exploration of site 22 in Podłęże (southern Poland, east of Cracow) produced materials which,... more The exploration of site 22 in Podłęże (southern Poland, east of Cracow) produced materials which, though modest in terms of number, proved very important for the history of the human occupation of the Podłężanka river valley (sub-Carpathian Vistula tributary). They enrich the picture of settlement transformations in the region obtained thanks the excavations conducted at site 17 (see other papers by Dzięgielewski et al. at Academia). This applies in particular to the reconstruction of the paleoenvironment and the settlement history in Late Bronze Age. The permanent occupation of the northern slopes of the Podlężanka valley was most likely limited to the Late Bronze Age (ca 1000–850 BC) and might have been interrupted by the deteriorating hydrographical conditions (evidenced by the fallen oaks and flood deposits) at the dawn of the Subatlantic period. The sporadic occurrence of ceramic and lithic artefacts representing earlier periods may be indicative of periodic infiltration of the area in the Final Paleolithic, Mesolithic, in several Neolithic episodes, and then in the Early and Late Bronze Age. Such episodes are also evidenced for several periods during the Iron Age. In the Roman Period they were connected with economic activity (hearths). Another possibility is that all these artefacts (except for those connected with the periods for which the occupation is attested by non-portable features, i.e. from the Late Bronze Age) were moved to the site as a result of slope processes from the higher parts of the elevation. Starting from the Middle Ages, the investigated area was part of the lands belonging to the village of Podłęże and this resulted in permanent deforestation and the increased “inflow” of artefacts due to the soil run-off from the higher parts of the slope.