Papers by Zora Miklíková Bielichová
Archaeologia Austriaca, Band 108/2024, 2024
In contrast to the Middle Neolithic, when the importance of subsistence hunting reached its peak,... more In contrast to the Middle Neolithic, when the importance of subsistence hunting reached its peak, the settlements of subsequent periods suggest a greater dependence on domestic animals and cattle. So far, however, scarce Early Copper Age faunal collections show that the development was not uniform and that the relative importance of species depended on the natural environment and the socio-economic status of the sites. This paper provides new insight into the dietary habits and animal husbandry practices of the Bisamberg-Oberpullendorf Group settled in eastern Austria at the end of the 5th millennium BC. The analysed food debris discovered during the 2001–2002 rescue excavation in Rannersdorf (Lower Austria) hints at the pastoral character of the economy, with a reliance on grazing herbivores. A significant proportion of cattle and caprines were slaughtered at an older adult age, showing that these were animals serving multiple functions. Pigs and wild animals were of minor importance, and dogs may have been consumed. The inhabitants hunted red deer, aurochs and beavers, occasionally also birds, small carnivores and wild horses. The presence of the latter speaks against dense forests in the region.
AVANS v roku 2019, 2023
Archaeozoological analysis of worked antlers and bones from the
Pustý hrad Castle in Zvolen.The c... more Archaeozoological analysis of worked antlers and bones from the
Pustý hrad Castle in Zvolen.The contribution summarizes the results of the analysis of worked antler and bone small finds from the Pustý hrad castle in Zvolen (central Slovakia). The analysed collection comes from the investigation at the area of the Horný hrad site of Pustý hrad castle and according to the archaeologists it can be dated to the 13th and the second half of the 14th centuries of the Middle Ages. A total of 163 specimens, classified as finished product (28 pcs.), semi-finished product (12 pcs.), production waste (39 pcs.), and other finds (14 pcs.) were analysed. Of this number, 145 specimens were taxonomically and 143 anatomically identified. Locally available sources were used, mostly the antlers of red deer. In addition to the red deer (121 pcs.), roe deer antlers sporadically occurred (two items).
Slovenská archeológia, 2023
House of the Lame Magpie. Archaeological and Archaeozoological Research of the Deserted Medieval ... more House of the Lame Magpie. Archaeological and Archaeozoological Research of the Deserted Medieval Village of Tomanová. Archaeological research in the cadastre of the village of Rumanová (Nitra dist.) in the location of Tomanov háj was carried out in 2020-2021. The geophysical survey here partially delineated the edges of the medieval settlement, which, based on written sources, existed from the middle of the 12th to the beginning of the 15 th c. A total of 16 housing estates, and relics of the Tomanová (Tomáň) village, were uncovered. Based on the analysis of the ceramic material, it was possible to capture two time horizons of its settlement. An important discovery is a dwelling, perhaps a mansion, from the end of the 14th to the beginning of the 15th c. The examined animal remains prove the importance of domestic animal breeding and the predominant consumption of pork. A remarkable find is the partially preserved skeleton of a magpie (Pica pica), discovered on the floor of the basement area of the investigated dwelling.
Archeologické výskumy a nálezy na Slovensku v roku 2017, 2023
Animal remains from the ritual settlement pit in Spišský Štvrtok.This contribution presents the b... more Animal remains from the ritual settlement pit in Spišský Štvrtok.This contribution presents the basic information from preliminary taxonomic and taphonomic analysis of animal bones from the presumed ritual pit 40/74 from the Early and Middle Bronze Age settlement Spišský Štvrtok-Myšia hôrka. Altogether 254 bone specimens of 16 samples were analysed in 2017. The deposit revealed rich assortment of animal taxa including cattle (Bos tauris), pig (Sus domesticus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), horse (Equus caballus), dog (Canis familiaris), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), hare (Lepus europaeus) and beaver (Castor fiber), representing at least 27 individuals. Human bone was also identified (tab. 1). Both, number of identified specimens (NISP) and minimum number of individuals (MNI) attested the predominance of cattle in the assemblage. The small ruminants and pigs occurred in lesser, but similar numbers. However, the bones of caprines slightly prevail. In general, domestic fauna predominated (73.1% of NISP) and the representation of wild fauna was relatively small (7.1%). Regarding rich species assortment, the analysed collection correspond well to the preliminary information on the site archaeofauna provided by C. Ambros. The bone modifications included cut marks, chop marks, traces of bone marrow exploitation, carnivore gnawing, burning (some specimens were carbonized) and sporadic antler working. Fairly fragmented material also indicate secondary or tertiary origin of the deposit that include mixed food and settlement debris. Therefore, its ritual or cultic origin, cannot be neither excluded nor attested.
Antiquity 2022, 2022
A recent study from Central Europe has changed our perception of the cat's domestication hist... more A recent study from Central Europe has changed our perception of the cat's domestication history. The authors discuss how this has led to the development of an interdisciplinary project combining palaeogenetics, zooarchaeology and radiocarbon dating, with the aim of providing insight into the domestic cat's expansion beyond the Mediterranean.
slovenská archeológia – Supplementum 2. Z. Robak/M. Ruttkay (eds.): Celts – Germans – Slavs. A Tribute Anthology to Karol Pieta., 2021
Archeologické výskumy a nálezy v roku 2015, 2020
Ján B e l j a k-Michal H o l e š č á k (archeologický ústav sav, nitra)-Zuzana K a l i č i a k o ... more Ján B e l j a k-Michal H o l e š č á k (archeologický ústav sav, nitra)-Zuzana K a l i č i a k o v á (Múzeum bábkarskych kultúr a hračiek-hrad Modrý Kameň) Archeologický výskum na Hrade Modrý Kameň .
Archeologické výskumy a nálezy v roku 2015, 2020
Ján B e l j a k-Michal H o l e š č á k (archeologický ústav sav, nitra)-Zuzana K a l i č i a k o ... more Ján B e l j a k-Michal H o l e š č á k (archeologický ústav sav, nitra)-Zuzana K a l i č i a k o v á (Múzeum bábkarskych kultúr a hračiek-hrad Modrý Kameň) Archeologický výskum na Hrade Modrý Kameň .
Slovenská archeológia – Supplementum 1 - Ultra velum temporis (venované Jozefovi Bátorovi k 70. narodeninám), 2020
In 2017, rescue excavation at Zbehy-Dolné lúky (Nitra district, Slovakia) revealed an unconventio... more In 2017, rescue excavation at Zbehy-Dolné lúky (Nitra district, Slovakia) revealed an unconventional burial in an Early Bronze Age storage pit. The skeleton was lying prone at the wall of the bottom of the pit, with an artefact composed of hollow bone shafts of small animals and three copper circles placed on the individual’s face. The present study analyses and attempts to interpret the find by applying multidisciplinary approach. Skeletal remains belonged to a woman, aged 35–45 years, with a body height of about 157 cm. She most probably suffered from a chronic rhinosinusitis associated with deviated nasal septum and massive concha bullosa. The teeth of the woman were in a very bad state as well, possibly being linked with the aforementioned condition. Archaeozoological analysis has revealed that the artefact was made of 29 shafts of tibiotarsi, femurs and humeri with cut-off epiphyses from at least eight individuals of one or more wild bird species (Anatidae or Phasianidae) and a hare (Lepus europaeus). Copper circle with a reverse sling, made of double wire, was the only item pointing to chronological and cultural affiliation of the find, suggesting the period of late Nitra culture and/or Únětice culture. Most intriguing questions arise when it comes to the function of the artefact. The item’s position on the face puts forward a rather bold interpretation that the object may have served as a face mask or a ‘veil’. Such an idea seems to be substantiated by the results of anthropological
analysis, indicating that the woman suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis which is commonly accompanied by runny nose, bad breath, and toothache. The gums of affected person are often also very sensitive, bleeding and/or receding. Hence, the reasons for making and wearing a face cover can be several – from health-related (sneezing, runny nose), through aesthetic (receding gums), to personal (related to,
for example, bad breath). The position of the skeleton, especially the legs, indicate
that the woman had been originally placed on her left side, face close to the wall of the pit. Conical shape of the pit suggests that once it was filled up, a hollow cavity was
created between the body and the wall, into which the body shifted after the decomposition of soft tissues. As a result, the artefact could have moved from its original position, proposing that it may have been used, for instance, as a headband or a necklace. Nonetheless, in Europe, items made of hollow bird bones represent rare archaeological finds, making the object from Zbehy truly unique. Yet, despite its exceptionality, more information about the artefact and the woman who wore it will probably be revealed after the completion of specialized analyses. Due to the lack of archaeological analogies, the interpretation of the function of the artefact from Zbehy remains open for discussion.
Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica, 2020
The flotation of deposits from two recently excavated Kalenderberg Group cremation graves in Deví... more The flotation of deposits from two recently excavated Kalenderberg Group cremation graves in Devín-Záhrady (SW Slovakia) yielded a plethora of archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains, including small, otherwise overlooked, ecofacts. The results of our analysis in the context of contemporary data show that animals clearly constituted an unambiguous part of funerary ritual activities. Pig, fish, red deer, cattle and caprines were all exploited at Devín-Záhrady. These animals represented both food and symbolic offerings, with a preference for pig and fish. Cattle, red deer, pig and caprines astragali found in grave 2 were all associated with one of the urns. The age of perinatal piglets was used to indicate the season when the funerals took place. Plant macro-remains are much less common than bone remains and are not associated with the burial. The results of the analysis change what is known about the array, quantity and way animal and plant offerings from Kalenderberg Group cremation graves were prepared for the burial ritual. Their study also permitted residual and intrusive materials to be detected, allowed reconstruction of the deposit’s formation processes and establishment of the connections (or absence of connections) between these ecofacts to the funeral and/or burial ritual.
Slovenská archeológia LXVIII – 1, 2020
The paper presents results of the dental state analysis in non-adult and adult individuals from t... more The paper presents results of the dental state analysis in non-adult and adult individuals from the Early Bronze Age cemetery in Pata (Diely site), southwestern Slovakia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and periapical inflammatory processes and compare it with the populations living in the territory of Slovakia during the Bronze and Early Middle Ages. Non-adults consisted of individuals both with deciduous and mixed dentition. The children with deciduous dentition had all teeth intact. In group of non-adults with mixed dentition, four individuals had deciduous teeth affected by dental caries (F-CE = 12.5%, I-CE = 5.7%). In adults, the analysis was carried out in 134 individuals (54 males, 69 females and 11 individuals of undetermined sex). The caries frequency (F-CE) reached 53.7%. The caries intensity (I-CE), consisting of the frequency of carious teeth (% C = 5.2%) and ante-mortem tooth loss (% E = 8.1%), reached 13.3%. Both the F-CE and I-CE have positively growing tendency with increasing age. No significant intersexual differences in the caries frequency and the caries intensity were found. Inflammatory periapical processes were examined only in adults. In 28 (20.9%) affected individuals, 62 (3.1%) alveoli were changed by the inflammation. The abscess/osteomyelitis was the most frequent (61.3%), followed by periapical granulomas (24.2%) and radicular cysts (14.5%). The prevalence of caries among Early Bronze Age population groups from Pata, Rumanová, and Melčice was similar, while in Branč and early medieval cemeteries their prevalence was significantly higher. We assume that the observed differences are related to a different lifestyle, especially dietary habits.
Jantarová stezka v proměnách času, 2020
The Púchov culture settlement in Likavka „Predné hony“, was researched in 2008 during test excava... more The Púchov culture settlement in Likavka „Predné hony“, was researched in 2008 during test excavations before the construction of D1 highway in northern Slovakia (Liptov region, stage Hubová – Ivachnová). The settlement known from previous and in between also from consequent
archaeological field works was occupied during the La Tène and Early Roman periods, however, the test excavations yielded only the materials from the Early Roman period. In the paper obtained immovable (sunken settlement dwelling with stake construction and entrance niche) and portable monuments (mostly pottery, rare stone and iron artefacts, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains) were analysed employing not only archaeological, but also archaeozoological and archaeobotanical methods. Thanks to interdisciplinary approach the alternative of traditional interpretation of immovable inventory of the dwelling (burnt area) could have been offered. Investigated settlement has been considered also regarding the prehistoric and protohistoric settlement structure of whole microregion at the confluence of Likavka and Váh watercourses where the sites since the Aeneolithic till the end of the Roman period are present.
Zborník Slovenského národného múzea CXIII, Archeológia 29, 2019
The pottery hoard of the Mid-Danubian tumulus culture from Reyersdorf (Lower Austria). Reyersdorf... more The pottery hoard of the Mid-Danubian tumulus culture from Reyersdorf (Lower Austria). Reyersdorf, where 40 vessels of the Middle Bronze Age Tumulus culture were found during a rescue excavation by the Federal Monuments Authority, is in the centre of the area associated with the Mid-Danubian tradition of pottery deposition. This paper discusses the hoard in relationship to the settlement discovered there and in the light of comparable features, more of which have been discovered in the distribution area in recent years.
Fragmenty Času. Venované Elene Miroššayovej k 70. narodeninám. Študijné zvesti Archeologického ústavu SAV – Supplementum 1, 2019
What´s (old)new below Rohačka? Fragments of knowledge of prehistoric and early historic settlemen... more What´s (old)new below Rohačka? Fragments of knowledge of prehistoric and early historic settlement area in Liptovský Mikuláš and Demänovská dolina the article presents the history of the research of the settlement area in cadastres of Liptovský Mikuláš-Ploštín, Liptovský Mikuláš-Iľanovo and Demänovská Dolina with hillfort Rohačka, settlement Pod Rohačkou, and refuge place on Demänovská hora, as well as the materials, including the archaeobotanical and archaeozoological sources, from archaeological and geophysical activities of the Institute of archaeology at the settlement Pod Rohačkou in 2006 and 2008. The microregion was most importantly occupied in the late and final Bronze age, Hallstatt, La Tène and early Roman periods. The site known and investigated since the mid-18th century has been recently intensively excavated and systematically surveyed during 2010s and new picture of the site, settlement area including settlement, hillfort and a refuge place, opening also new questions about the Iron Age communities on mountain parts of Slovakia is to be expected.
Ľudia a hory - archeologická perspektíva, 2019
The La Tène period in Western and Central Slovakia from the archaeozoological perspective. The st... more The La Tène period in Western and Central Slovakia from the archaeozoological perspective. The study of animal husbandry, subsistence and relationship between man and fauna in the early historical periods is inextricably linked to archaeozoology. From the first published paper on faunal remains from the Celtic cemetery in the southwest Slovakia through the reports on bones from the Púchov Culture settlements in the north till now, archaeozoological data were scattered among various, at some point hardly accessible, literary sources. This entry provides a condensed history of domestic La Tène archaeozoological research and summarizes its most prominent results and trends for Western and Central Slovakia suggesting different husbandry strategies (pig versus sheep) dependent on natural and/or socio-cultural background to the sites, increased consumption of game and fish (Devín-Záhrady) and dogs (Liptovská Sielnica-Liptovská Mara/Rybníky) or pigs being the most important animal at funeral
and other ritual ceremonies. Presented limited archaeozoological data calls for verification with the help of new in-depth analysis of
large and representative assemblages as well as use of modern analytical techniques.
Slovenská archeológia LXVII-1, 2019
The research on Roman period archaeozoology is rarely discussed in Slovakia. So far, data suggest... more The research on Roman period archaeozoology is rarely discussed in Slovakia. So far, data suggest the great importance of cattle and pigs in the meaty diet and the focus on exploitation of caprines for the secondary products such as wool and milk. During the 3rd and 4th c. AD, an increasing role of pigs in the subsistence has been noted at Germanic
sites in the vicinity of Bratislava. The analysis of a small bone assemblage recovered during the rescue excavation of the Late Roman period settlement at Veľké Zálužie (Nitra district), offered a similar results. The taxa representation as well as the sex and age assessment attested the leading role of cattle (33.6 % by NISP) among the main meat suppliers. A balanced proportions of pig (15.3 %), caprines (13.4 %) and cervids (10 %) pointed out their minor, but not negligible importance of pork, lamb/mutton and venison in subsistence of the local Germanic peoples. Scarcely presented dog and horse bones provided no indices of butchery registered elsewhere in barbaric milieu (e.g. Veľký Meder). Bones of birds or fish were not found in the material either due to hand-recovery of analysed samples or restricted role within the diet. The calculated withers height of cattle (113.7 cm) and morphology of the horn-core showed that the local animals were small to medium sized with short horns. The simple tools made of worked animal bones/antlers offered the evidence on processing the pottery and/or leather or gaming. The partially preserved skeleton of a fawn red deer aged 3 – 4 months
was found in one of the settlement pits.
Zborník SNM Archeológia 28, 2018
First season of the archaeological excavation at Plavecký hrad in Malé Karpaty (SW Slovakia). In ... more First season of the archaeological excavation at Plavecký hrad in Malé Karpaty (SW Slovakia). In the introductory stage, we focused on excavating the bridge structure into the middle castle, and excavation of the northern palace of the upper castle. Probe 1 was situated within the entrance bridge structure into the upper castle, where until now the remains of two bridge pillars stood, built in the second half of the 16 th century and gradually rebuilt in the 17 th century. The excavation identified two further bridge pillars. Probes 2 and 3 were located in the basement area of the northern palace from the 15 th century, rebuilt in the 16 th century. In probe 2 we identified an entrance door frame and the threshold of the entrance into the cellar. In probe 3 we documented a vault by the southern wall of the palace, which covered the area to the north. Finds were also revealed in the area of the northern entrance into the cannon tower of the upper castle. Ceramics, tiles, small items (nails, a fragment of an iron mortar ball) and animal bones were analysed. In the paper, we present the first results of the research into the material culture of the upper social classes from the Modern Age (the second half of the 16 th century to the middle of the 17 th century) in the Záhorie region, when the castle was owned by the Balaš, Bakič and Fugger families.
Študijné Zvesti AÚ SAV 65, 2019
Fish and Fasting in the Zobor Monastery in Nitra in the Light of Archaeozoological Evidence. The ... more Fish and Fasting in the Zobor Monastery in Nitra in the Light of Archaeozoological Evidence. The paper presents the first results of the analysis of archaeofaunal remains from the monastery at Nitra-Zobor site (SW Slovakia). The majority of the 5201 analysed specimens (five samples) came from the cellar and floors of two monk’s houses from the Camaldulese Monastery of St. Joseph (1693 – 1782). The remainder originated from areas between the houses (one sample), layers connected to the construction and destruction of the baroque monastery (two samples), a single medieval feature (one sample) and unspecified contexts (two samples). The material is dominated by aquatic or semi-aquatic taxa (97.3 %) including fish (Pisces), crayfish (Astacus astacus), otter (Lutra lutra), beaver (Castor fiber) and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Only freshwater fish such pike (Esox lucius), carp (Cyprinus carpio), Danube catfish (Silurus glanis), sturgeon (Acipenser sp.), tench (Tinca tinca), dace (Leuciscus leuciscus), and bleak (Alburnus alburnus) were identified. Large-sized individuals predominate in the assemblage pointing to the anthropogenic selection of fish, and a wealth of natural resources or favourable artificial fishponds. The representation of skeletal elements from the head, trunk and fin indicate that complete fresh fish were brought to the site. Monks consumed whole or portions of fish (traces of butchery and chewing are recorded). The assemblage from house no. 9 had an exclusively fasting character, while house no. 3 yielded bones of domestic mammals – young sheep/goat, cattle, chicken, goose and turkey. The spatial differences are explained through the context of finds, when in the latter are related with the construction and destruction of the baroque monastery. The meat of domestic mammals was probably consumed in the monastery by service staff and other secular persons that often visited and used local public services.
Východoslovenský Pravek 11, 2018
The aim of this article is to present the results of the archaeological investigation at the aris... more The aim of this article is to present the results of the archaeological investigation at the aristocratic residence in Markušovce in 2006. The Markušovce castle was founded at the end of the 13th century and was used until the end of the 20th century. From
the typological point of view, the aristocratic residence in Markušovce is a so-called fortified chateau. It represents the transitory
phase between a castle and a modern chateau residence. 7 trenches were dug in in the interior and the exterior of the castle’s
northeastern part. The trenches were situated in four rooms. In trench 1 in the interior, an ashy layer with pottery from the end
of the 15th century, i. e. from the time of the castle’s construction, was discovered. In trench 2, in the cellar under the northeaster
bastion, a mortar floor was detected. Remains of a late Renaissance tiled floor were found under the wooden floor of a school in
trench 3, which is situated in the southwestern part of the northeaster building. Trench 4 revealed relics of a brick stove used for
baking bread. Trench 5 was situated south of the studied feature in the exterior. On the bottom of the trench, a prehistoric feature
which cannot be more exactly dated was detected. Trenches 6 and 7 in the courtyard showed foundations of younger structures.
During the investigation, layers dated by archaeological material (mainly pottery) in the 15th-20th centuries were studied. The
material comprises mainly pot-shaped vessels, pots with handles and cups. Small objects obtained from the research can be divided
into two groups – metal and glass. Iron items come mostly from various structures and are represented mainly by nails. Most of
the glass items come from late Renaissance windows’ stained glass. Assessment of technical pottery and animal bones is a separate
issue. In the last phase, we carried out geophysical measuring east of the studied feature to identify the castle ditch. Until the
late 20th century, the castle was used as a school. Recently, it is deteriorating and its original owner, Baron Peter Mariássy, is
trying to preserve its current condition.
Uploads
Papers by Zora Miklíková Bielichová
Pustý hrad Castle in Zvolen.The contribution summarizes the results of the analysis of worked antler and bone small finds from the Pustý hrad castle in Zvolen (central Slovakia). The analysed collection comes from the investigation at the area of the Horný hrad site of Pustý hrad castle and according to the archaeologists it can be dated to the 13th and the second half of the 14th centuries of the Middle Ages. A total of 163 specimens, classified as finished product (28 pcs.), semi-finished product (12 pcs.), production waste (39 pcs.), and other finds (14 pcs.) were analysed. Of this number, 145 specimens were taxonomically and 143 anatomically identified. Locally available sources were used, mostly the antlers of red deer. In addition to the red deer (121 pcs.), roe deer antlers sporadically occurred (two items).
analysis, indicating that the woman suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis which is commonly accompanied by runny nose, bad breath, and toothache. The gums of affected person are often also very sensitive, bleeding and/or receding. Hence, the reasons for making and wearing a face cover can be several – from health-related (sneezing, runny nose), through aesthetic (receding gums), to personal (related to,
for example, bad breath). The position of the skeleton, especially the legs, indicate
that the woman had been originally placed on her left side, face close to the wall of the pit. Conical shape of the pit suggests that once it was filled up, a hollow cavity was
created between the body and the wall, into which the body shifted after the decomposition of soft tissues. As a result, the artefact could have moved from its original position, proposing that it may have been used, for instance, as a headband or a necklace. Nonetheless, in Europe, items made of hollow bird bones represent rare archaeological finds, making the object from Zbehy truly unique. Yet, despite its exceptionality, more information about the artefact and the woman who wore it will probably be revealed after the completion of specialized analyses. Due to the lack of archaeological analogies, the interpretation of the function of the artefact from Zbehy remains open for discussion.
archaeological field works was occupied during the La Tène and Early Roman periods, however, the test excavations yielded only the materials from the Early Roman period. In the paper obtained immovable (sunken settlement dwelling with stake construction and entrance niche) and portable monuments (mostly pottery, rare stone and iron artefacts, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains) were analysed employing not only archaeological, but also archaeozoological and archaeobotanical methods. Thanks to interdisciplinary approach the alternative of traditional interpretation of immovable inventory of the dwelling (burnt area) could have been offered. Investigated settlement has been considered also regarding the prehistoric and protohistoric settlement structure of whole microregion at the confluence of Likavka and Váh watercourses where the sites since the Aeneolithic till the end of the Roman period are present.
and other ritual ceremonies. Presented limited archaeozoological data calls for verification with the help of new in-depth analysis of
large and representative assemblages as well as use of modern analytical techniques.
sites in the vicinity of Bratislava. The analysis of a small bone assemblage recovered during the rescue excavation of the Late Roman period settlement at Veľké Zálužie (Nitra district), offered a similar results. The taxa representation as well as the sex and age assessment attested the leading role of cattle (33.6 % by NISP) among the main meat suppliers. A balanced proportions of pig (15.3 %), caprines (13.4 %) and cervids (10 %) pointed out their minor, but not negligible importance of pork, lamb/mutton and venison in subsistence of the local Germanic peoples. Scarcely presented dog and horse bones provided no indices of butchery registered elsewhere in barbaric milieu (e.g. Veľký Meder). Bones of birds or fish were not found in the material either due to hand-recovery of analysed samples or restricted role within the diet. The calculated withers height of cattle (113.7 cm) and morphology of the horn-core showed that the local animals were small to medium sized with short horns. The simple tools made of worked animal bones/antlers offered the evidence on processing the pottery and/or leather or gaming. The partially preserved skeleton of a fawn red deer aged 3 – 4 months
was found in one of the settlement pits.
the typological point of view, the aristocratic residence in Markušovce is a so-called fortified chateau. It represents the transitory
phase between a castle and a modern chateau residence. 7 trenches were dug in in the interior and the exterior of the castle’s
northeastern part. The trenches were situated in four rooms. In trench 1 in the interior, an ashy layer with pottery from the end
of the 15th century, i. e. from the time of the castle’s construction, was discovered. In trench 2, in the cellar under the northeaster
bastion, a mortar floor was detected. Remains of a late Renaissance tiled floor were found under the wooden floor of a school in
trench 3, which is situated in the southwestern part of the northeaster building. Trench 4 revealed relics of a brick stove used for
baking bread. Trench 5 was situated south of the studied feature in the exterior. On the bottom of the trench, a prehistoric feature
which cannot be more exactly dated was detected. Trenches 6 and 7 in the courtyard showed foundations of younger structures.
During the investigation, layers dated by archaeological material (mainly pottery) in the 15th-20th centuries were studied. The
material comprises mainly pot-shaped vessels, pots with handles and cups. Small objects obtained from the research can be divided
into two groups – metal and glass. Iron items come mostly from various structures and are represented mainly by nails. Most of
the glass items come from late Renaissance windows’ stained glass. Assessment of technical pottery and animal bones is a separate
issue. In the last phase, we carried out geophysical measuring east of the studied feature to identify the castle ditch. Until the
late 20th century, the castle was used as a school. Recently, it is deteriorating and its original owner, Baron Peter Mariássy, is
trying to preserve its current condition.
Pustý hrad Castle in Zvolen.The contribution summarizes the results of the analysis of worked antler and bone small finds from the Pustý hrad castle in Zvolen (central Slovakia). The analysed collection comes from the investigation at the area of the Horný hrad site of Pustý hrad castle and according to the archaeologists it can be dated to the 13th and the second half of the 14th centuries of the Middle Ages. A total of 163 specimens, classified as finished product (28 pcs.), semi-finished product (12 pcs.), production waste (39 pcs.), and other finds (14 pcs.) were analysed. Of this number, 145 specimens were taxonomically and 143 anatomically identified. Locally available sources were used, mostly the antlers of red deer. In addition to the red deer (121 pcs.), roe deer antlers sporadically occurred (two items).
analysis, indicating that the woman suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis which is commonly accompanied by runny nose, bad breath, and toothache. The gums of affected person are often also very sensitive, bleeding and/or receding. Hence, the reasons for making and wearing a face cover can be several – from health-related (sneezing, runny nose), through aesthetic (receding gums), to personal (related to,
for example, bad breath). The position of the skeleton, especially the legs, indicate
that the woman had been originally placed on her left side, face close to the wall of the pit. Conical shape of the pit suggests that once it was filled up, a hollow cavity was
created between the body and the wall, into which the body shifted after the decomposition of soft tissues. As a result, the artefact could have moved from its original position, proposing that it may have been used, for instance, as a headband or a necklace. Nonetheless, in Europe, items made of hollow bird bones represent rare archaeological finds, making the object from Zbehy truly unique. Yet, despite its exceptionality, more information about the artefact and the woman who wore it will probably be revealed after the completion of specialized analyses. Due to the lack of archaeological analogies, the interpretation of the function of the artefact from Zbehy remains open for discussion.
archaeological field works was occupied during the La Tène and Early Roman periods, however, the test excavations yielded only the materials from the Early Roman period. In the paper obtained immovable (sunken settlement dwelling with stake construction and entrance niche) and portable monuments (mostly pottery, rare stone and iron artefacts, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains) were analysed employing not only archaeological, but also archaeozoological and archaeobotanical methods. Thanks to interdisciplinary approach the alternative of traditional interpretation of immovable inventory of the dwelling (burnt area) could have been offered. Investigated settlement has been considered also regarding the prehistoric and protohistoric settlement structure of whole microregion at the confluence of Likavka and Váh watercourses where the sites since the Aeneolithic till the end of the Roman period are present.
and other ritual ceremonies. Presented limited archaeozoological data calls for verification with the help of new in-depth analysis of
large and representative assemblages as well as use of modern analytical techniques.
sites in the vicinity of Bratislava. The analysis of a small bone assemblage recovered during the rescue excavation of the Late Roman period settlement at Veľké Zálužie (Nitra district), offered a similar results. The taxa representation as well as the sex and age assessment attested the leading role of cattle (33.6 % by NISP) among the main meat suppliers. A balanced proportions of pig (15.3 %), caprines (13.4 %) and cervids (10 %) pointed out their minor, but not negligible importance of pork, lamb/mutton and venison in subsistence of the local Germanic peoples. Scarcely presented dog and horse bones provided no indices of butchery registered elsewhere in barbaric milieu (e.g. Veľký Meder). Bones of birds or fish were not found in the material either due to hand-recovery of analysed samples or restricted role within the diet. The calculated withers height of cattle (113.7 cm) and morphology of the horn-core showed that the local animals were small to medium sized with short horns. The simple tools made of worked animal bones/antlers offered the evidence on processing the pottery and/or leather or gaming. The partially preserved skeleton of a fawn red deer aged 3 – 4 months
was found in one of the settlement pits.
the typological point of view, the aristocratic residence in Markušovce is a so-called fortified chateau. It represents the transitory
phase between a castle and a modern chateau residence. 7 trenches were dug in in the interior and the exterior of the castle’s
northeastern part. The trenches were situated in four rooms. In trench 1 in the interior, an ashy layer with pottery from the end
of the 15th century, i. e. from the time of the castle’s construction, was discovered. In trench 2, in the cellar under the northeaster
bastion, a mortar floor was detected. Remains of a late Renaissance tiled floor were found under the wooden floor of a school in
trench 3, which is situated in the southwestern part of the northeaster building. Trench 4 revealed relics of a brick stove used for
baking bread. Trench 5 was situated south of the studied feature in the exterior. On the bottom of the trench, a prehistoric feature
which cannot be more exactly dated was detected. Trenches 6 and 7 in the courtyard showed foundations of younger structures.
During the investigation, layers dated by archaeological material (mainly pottery) in the 15th-20th centuries were studied. The
material comprises mainly pot-shaped vessels, pots with handles and cups. Small objects obtained from the research can be divided
into two groups – metal and glass. Iron items come mostly from various structures and are represented mainly by nails. Most of
the glass items come from late Renaissance windows’ stained glass. Assessment of technical pottery and animal bones is a separate
issue. In the last phase, we carried out geophysical measuring east of the studied feature to identify the castle ditch. Until the
late 20th century, the castle was used as a school. Recently, it is deteriorating and its original owner, Baron Peter Mariássy, is
trying to preserve its current condition.
2006. The Markušovce castle was founded at the end of the 13th century and was used until the end of the 20th century. From
the typological point of view, the aristocratic residence in Markušovce is a so-called fortified chateau. It represents the transitory
phase between a castle and a modern chateau residence. 7 trenches were dug in in the interior and the exterior of the castle’s
northeastern part. The trenches were situated in four rooms. In trench 1 in the interior, an ashy layer with pottery from the end
of the 15th century, i. e. from the time of the castle’s construction, was discovered. In trench 2, in the cellar under the northeaster
bastion, a mortar floor was detected. Remains of a late Renaissance tiled floor were found under the wooden floor of a school in
trench 3, which is situated in the southwestern part of the northeaster building. Trench 4 revealed relics of a brick stove used for
baking bread. Trench 5 was situated south of the studied feature in the exterior. On the bottom of the trench, a prehistoric feature
which cannot be more exactly dated was detected. Trenches 6 and 7 in the courtyard showed foundations of younger structures.
During the investigation, layers dated by archaeological material (mainly pottery) in the 15th-20th centuries were studied. The
material comprises mainly pot-shaped vessels, pots with handles and cups. Small objects obtained from the research can be divided
into two groups – metal and glass. Iron items come mostly from various structures and are represented mainly by nails. Most of
the glass items come from late Renaissance windows’ stained glass. Assessment of technical pottery and animal bones is a separate
issue. In the last phase, we carried out geophysical measuring east of the studied feature to identify the castle ditch. Until the
late 20th century, the castle was used as a school. Recently, it is deteriorating and its original owner, Baron Peter Mariássy, is
trying to preserve its current condition.
Neolithic period, with a prominent role in ancient Egypt. From this region, the cats spread through the Mediterranean and beyond. It has been accepted that the primary role in the expansion of cats through northern Europe was that of the Roman legions. However, we found that cats that carried mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes of wildcats from the Near East were present in Central Europe already in the Neolithic, much before Roman times. This indicates that the cats' route from the domestication centers to Central Europe might have been more complex than previously thought and could have been related to the Neolithic expansion. Our new results reveal the presence of the mtDNA haplotypes of the Near Eastern wildcats in Poland even in the pre-Neolithic period. This may suggest that the Near Eastern wildcats could spread across Europe independently of the expansion of farming, and, in consequence, the natural range of the Near Eastern wildcat could have been much broader than previously assumed. To understand how and when domestic cats appeared in Central Europe, we perform a target enrichment of ca. 57,000 genomic SNPs. We believe that it will allow us to finally determine whether the appearance of the Near Eastern wildcat mtDNA in Central Europe was a natural admixture between two subspecies or was human-mediated dispersal of tamed/domesticated cats. The study is supported by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant no. 2019/35/B/HS3/02923.