Cultural and Chronological

Position of the Chalcolithic

Horizons III and IV at Bubanj
Site Excavations from 19541
Archaeologia Bulgarica
XVII, 2 (2013), 1-16

Dragan MILANOVI

Abstract: In 1954 archaeological excavations were conducted at the

site of Bubanj on its eastern side. An examination of the excavation
journal and finds allowed the reconstruction of the sites vertical and
horizontal stratigraphy. In the third and fourth horizons, which consisted of the remains of collapsed settlement structures, distinctive
archaeological material was found. According to the technological,
morphological and ornamental features of the ceramic vessels, the
remains of the settlement structures in horizon III belong to the community of the Cernavod III culture. In horizon IV some of the finds
can be attributed to the Cernavod III culture while the majority of
finds belong to the Krivodol-Salcua-Bubanj cultural complex.
The preliminary analysis of the material culture allows one to determine the cultural provenience and respective chronology of the
settlement horizons in Serbia and to reconstruct economic activities
carried out at Bubanj site.
Key words: Bubanj site, stratigraphy, settlement horizons III and
IV, Cernavod III and Krivodol-Salcua-Bubanj ceramic styles, Late
Chalcolithic, Early Chalcolithic, economic activities.

The article presents the results of

the project Archaeology of Serbia:
Cultural Identity, Integrative Factors,
Technological Processes and the Role
of the Central Balkans in Development
of Prehistory in Europe (OI177020)
of the Ministry of Education, Science
and Technological Development of the
Republic Serbia.
2
The material was severely damaged
during the Second World War; only a
small amount is preserved today, but it
lacks any data regarding context and the
complete documentation is missing.
1

The archaeological site of Bubanj is located west of the city of Ni,

on the high ground above the left bank of the Niava river, at the
entrance to Novo Selo (fig. 1). The sites location enabled the confluence zone of the Niava into Juna Morava river to be surveyed and
provided protection against flooding and rich alluvial land.
During the twentieth century most of the site was destroyed, leaving only its northeastern portion preserved (-
et al. 2008, 309, fig. 2). The site originally had an ellipsoidal shape,
oriented NW-SE; with a length over 300 m and a width of up to 170
m (fig. 2). The southern and western slopes were the most accessible, whereas, on the east side, the site was once connected to a high
natural terrace. The north side, facing the river Niava, was inaccessible due to the steep inclination of the terrain. The gentle slope on
the west side led to the plain which surrounded the confluence of the
Niava and Juna Morava.
The first survey was conducted by A. Ori Slaveti in 1935, when
the existence of four prehistoric layers with three horizons was noted
(Orssich de Slavetich 1940, 26-38, fig. 2)2.
Archaeological excavations on Bubanj were continued by M.
Garaanin in 1954-1958. Research enabled him to define the cultural

Dragan MILANOVI

phases of the Copper and Bronze Ages (Garaanin 1957; 1958;

1958; Garaanin 1959a; 1959b; 1973)3. In
the eastern section of the site, where Trenches I (campaign of 1954)
and Ia were located (campaign of 1955), six layers and six settlement
horizons (levels) were found4. In the publications, Garaanin
defined levels II and III as a single level II-IIa ( 1958,
270, 272), therefore, describing six layers and only five levels (fig. 4)
( 1958, 271-272; Garaanin 1958, 225-228;
1973, 175). Four phases were originally distinguished: Bubanj-Hum
Ia, Ib, and II, belonging to the Copper Age and phase III belonging
to the Early Bronze Age, but neither ceramics nor other finds were
ever completely published. All stages were perceived as stages in the
development of the Bubanj-Hum group ( / 1983,
8). Later, thanks to new insights into the development of Copper Age
cultures, M. Garaanin highlighted the existence of a hiatus between
stages, and the lack of cultural continuity between the Copper Age
and Early Bronze Age (Bubanj-Hum I-III) (Garaanin 1982, 154-166;
/ 1983, 8-13). Also, Garaanin pointed out that
the phenomena defined as Bubanj-Hum Ia may actually be divided
into two periods and do not represent uniform unit in cultural terms:
along with the retention of certain fundamental and initial elements
in the later phase, known only from the Bubanj so far, that is labelled
Bubanj Ib today, there is also an influx of elements of a certain later
culture of the Lower Danube and Oltenia, labelled Cernavod-Renie
II group ... ( / 1983, 9).
A hiatus occurred between the horizons of Bubanj-Hum Ia and
Bubanj Ib and between the Bubanj Ib and Bubanj-Hum Ib (
/ 1983, 9, 13). In Garaanins early works levels V-III and layers
5-4 were designated as Bubanj-Hum Ia and levels II and IIa and layer
3 as Bubanj-Hum Ib ( 1958, 269-270, 272). Later, a special
Bubanj Ib group was distinguished which contains level III portable
items in the eastern plateau and part of the material of the corresponding layers ( / 1983, 13). Garaanin then designated
levels V-IV and layer 5 to the Bubanj-Hum Ia group ( /
1983, 11), and levels II and IIa and the lower part of layer 2 to
the Bubanj-Hum Ib group (Garaanin 1982, 160; /
1983, 13), suggesting that the material that corresponds to level III
may be linked to layers 4 and 3. According to the same author, in level
III, typical forms of the Bubanj-Hum Ia group are rare and often do
not belong to precisely defined units. Fine pottery was made more
poorly, bowls with an inverted rim are rougher, often undecorated,
and have some change in form, whereas the plates with thickened rim
were mostly replaced by a form in which the rim is only obliquely
cut towards the interior of the vessel ( / 1983, 13).
Likewise, coarse pottery was often decorated below the rim with a
series of notches made with fingernails or embedded circles together
with bowls with vertical ribbed ornamentation below the rim. The appearance of vessels with deep-carved spiral ornaments accompanied
on the outside by series of dots should also be noted. All these phenomena are well known in the Cernavod-Renie II group in Romania
( / 1983, 13)5.
The latest archaeological researches of the site were conducted
from 2008-2011 by the Institute of Archaeology in Belgrade and the

3
Different periodizations are in use in
Serbia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria
for the Copper Age, Chalcolithic or
Eneolithic. So, Cernavod III and
Krivodol-Salcua-Bubanj (KSB) sites in
Bulgaria were considered as Early Bronze
Age I and Late Chalcolithic settlement
horizons ( 1986; Alexandrov
1995; Nikolova 1999), in Romania as a
transition period from the Eneolithic to
the Bronze Age as well as Early Copper
Age, while in Serbia and Hungary this
period belongs to the Middle/Late
Eneolithic or Early Eneolithic (see cited
references).
4
I would like to thank the curator of
the National Museum in Ni, T. Trajkovi
Filipovi, for her help in obtaining
documentation from earlier research
at the site. The analysis of the vertical
and horizontal stratigraphy of Trench I
(1954) was done on the basis of the excavation journal, the leveling measurements journal, descriptions of field inventory material (documentation of the
National Museum in Ni), and technological, morphological and ornamental
features of the ceramic vessels (inventory material includes 1015 finds, the most
frequent being fragmented ceramic vessels) currently preserved in the prehistoric collection of the National Museum
in Ni. There is no excavation journal
from Trench Ia (1955). Interpretations
were significantly hampered by the lack
of field documentation for research
campaigns from 1954-1955 (drawings
and photographs). Distinguished levels
(or horizons) should be understood as
the remains of buildings and surrounding areas. The levels are primarily noted
by the presence of scattered or compact
daub and baked clay that represent the
remains of houses and other buildings.
The thickness of these levels was determined by the upper and lower surfaces
of the collapsed buildings. he cultural
layer represents soil in which the levels
were detected.
5
D. Nikoli (2000) noticed that ceramic vessels from Garaanin level III
belong to Cernavod III-Bolerz style.

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

Fig. 1. Location of the site Bubanj

in the wide alluvial landscape between
the Juna Morava and Niava rivers,
geological map of SFRJ, Ni 1:100 000

Fig. 2. Plan of the site with Oris

and Garaanins trenches
(after Garaanin 1958, plan 1)

Fig. 3. Bottom of Trench I from 1954

campaign, reconstruction based on the
excavations journal

The director of the research project is

A. Bulatovi, while the author is a member of the professional team.
6

National Museum in Ni6. The significance of this research lies in

the supply of data that facilitate the interpretation of incomplete
documentation from the excavations of 1954-1958 and the
possibility of reconstructing the vertical and horizontal stratigraphy
of the investigated part of the site. Also, it became much easier to
define the large amount of diverse cultural and chronological
archaeological material known from earlier research, allowing for a
better understanding of the Neolithic, Copper and Early Bronze Age
cultural patterns in the basins of the Juna Morava and Niava.
The aim of this paper is to clearly define horizons III and IV,
their characteristics and positions in the vertical and horizontal
stratigraphy of the excavated portion of the site and to distinguish
characteristics of the ceramic styles that can be found in these horizons. Distinctive ceramic material will enable general observations
about the relative synchronization and distribution of Cernavod IIIBolerz and Krivodol-Salcua-Bubanj (KSB) settlement horizons in
Serbia. Also, a large amount of finds from these horizons will allow
the development of a model for economic activities at the site.

Dragan MILANOVI

Fig. 4. Northern profile of trench I (after Garaanin 1958, plan 2,

with modifications)

Archaeological excavations on the eastern plateau

Archaeological research at the site of Bubanj in 1954 (Trench I) and
1955 (Trench Ia) were carried out on the eastern plateau.
Trench I, measuring 6 (N-S) x 10 m (E-W), was set at the part of
the site characterized by a gradual inclination to the south and southwest (fig. 2). The Trench was divided into 2 x 2 m squares, which
were marked by Latin letters, arranged in a north-south direction,
going from east to west (fig. 3). At the middle of the Trench a control
profile 0.5 m wide was left, extending through squares g, h and i. The
thickness of archaeological layer was 3.16 m.
Trench Ia was set so that its southern border coincided with the
northern edge of the eastern half of Trench I. Its dimensions were
5 x 3 m (Garaanin 1957, Plan Beilage 4; 1958, 269). In
this way the new Trench was a northward extension of Trench I, in
the northeastern part, where squares a-f were, and in the eastern half
where squares g, h and i were7.
Levels (horizons) III and IV
Based on insights into the 1954 excavation journal, and the technological, morphological and ornamental analysis of ceramic material,
the existence of the settlement horizons described in earlier publications as settlement horizons (levels) III and IV was ascertained (fig.
4) ( 1958, 271-272; 1973, 175).
Level III in Trench I was recognized because it contained the remains of a settlement structure in the form of small areas of hardbaked earth, larger amounts of scattered daub, the remains of baked
earth walls (in the foundation zone), a floor (labeled as level of the
floor IIIa) and ceramic fragments. This horizon extends along the
entire surface of the Trench, and lies both over and somewhat within
the layer of brown soil (fig. 4, layer 4). An examination of the excavation journal and finds suggesting an above-ground building of the
Cernavod III community.
Level IV was recognized in the layer of brown soil, and was singled out as an area containing more or less compact daub, larger and
smaller rocks in daub, the remains of walls, partially preserved floors
in situ8 and ceramic vessel fragments. According to Garaanin, level
IV belongs to layer 5 (layer of yellow soil), and represents the remains of a building and a settlement horizon belonging to the Early
Chalcolithic Bubanj-Hum Ia group (Garaanin 1982, 160;

The archaeological material from excavations in 1955 was not attributed to

some of the settlement units or cultural
layers but to mechanical layers. In layers 10 and 11, fragments of vessels of the
Cernavod III ceramic style were found.
8
The floor dimensions in square l were
0.45 x 0.37 m, in squares k and l 0.6 x
0.4 m, wheras in squares h-i and l-i they
are unknown. Precise data about relative
depths are missing, but these floor parts
occur at approximately the same depth
and were considered a part of one building horizon.
7

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

/ 1983, 11). The mixture of the KSB and Cernavod III ceramic
material was recorded in this level. The vessels made in Cernavod III
style were discovered between the IIIa and IV floor levels in squares
l and i (Fig. 9/6-8), in daub in the neighboring square k (fig. 9/1, 4),
and in the intercalation of ash and soot in squares k and l (fig. 9/2,
3, 5), qualified in the excavation journal as belonging to level IV. The
majority of finds in level IV and in the lower part of the brown soil
layer belong to an older (KSB) style.
Thus, it can be concluded that settlement levels III and IV may
be linked to the layer of brown soil, which is in the Garaanins works
marked as layer 4. Underneath this layer there is a new layer of yellow
soil (fig. 4, layer 5)9. In their vertical stratigraphy these levels were
situated below the layers and levels belonging to the Early Bronze Age
(Bubanj-Hum III) and Late Chalcolithic (Bubanj-Hum II, BubanjHum Ib) (levels I and II-IIa and layers 1-3) and above those from the
Early Chalcolithic (Bubanj-Hum Ia) and Neolithic (Starevo) (level V
and layers 5 and 6). The dimensions, orientation and reconstruction
of the appearance and function of level III and IV structures was not
possible, due to the lack of field documentation.

9
This layer consists of the remains of
the KSB (Bubanj-Hum Ia) earlier settlement phase (level V).

Vessels in the Cernavod III ceramic style from horizons III and IV
The most common vessels in level III are those made of clay, with sand
added, and are baked in shades of brown, gray and black. Vessels surfaces were burnished or slightly burnished, rarely polished. Vessels
with a concave or conical neck with an emphasized transition from
the upper to the lower cone-shaped base predominated (fig. 5/3-5),
whereas hemispherical and conical vessels were fewer in number (fig.
5/1-2). The first vessel type mentioned was in most cases decorated
by a series of small oval or rectangular pricks (impressions) at the
connection of the upper and lower conical sections (fig. 5/3-5), and
occasionally decorated on the inside by flutes (fig. 5/3). The following were also recorded: a hemispherical deep vessel with a flattened
rim (fig. 6/3), a vessel with a short cylindrical neck and rounded belly (fig. 6/4), a hemispherical cup with a striped handle which rises
above the rim (fig. 6/7) and a well-baked shallow bowl, gray in color,
with a crescent-shaped handle ( / , 1983, fig. 100).
There are also pots, amphorae and small amphorae with a cylindrical
or conical neck and a round container (fig. 6/1-2, 5-6). Other decorations included a series of spherical pricks on the shoulder of the vessel (fig. 6/2) or on the outside of the rim (fig. 6/3), vertical incisions
(fig. 6/5) and vertical plastic ribbing (fig. 6/7). Thick-walled vessels
were recorded in the ceramic material, crafted with the addition of
large quantities of sand and small stone and decorated with roughened surfaces by spraying wet clay (barbotine) or by the addition of
plastic stripes.
A significant amount of ceramic material was discovered within
level IIIa. Fine pottery was usually made of clay, with sand added and
less frequently small pebbles, which was baked in shades of brown or
gray, rarely black or orange. The majority of vessels were burnished or
slightly burnished. The following shapes of fine pottery were recorded:
slightly S-shaped bowls (fig. 7/1), spherical (fig. 7/2), biconical (fig.
7/3) and conical bowls (fig. 7/4), conical pots, amphorae, and beakers

Dragan MILANOVI

with a more or less emphasized S-shape (fig. 8/1-8). The ornamentation included small spherical pricks (fig. 8/4), a series of vertical incisions (fig. 8/3), irregular square impressions (fig. 8/4), plastic stripes
with incisions (fig. 8/5), fluting (fig. 8/6), incised lines (fig. 8/7), or the
barbotine technique (fig. 8/8). A decoration in the form of dimple-like
impressions appears on the rim of the vessel. This level also contained
a gray colored plate or lid fragment decorated with an incised spiral
and pricks ( / , 1983, fig. 105). Similar to level III,
vessels with additional amounts of sand and small pebbles and rough
outer surfaces were noticed.
According to its specific ceramic style, part of the discovered archaeological material from level IV can be attributed to the
Cernavod III settlement horizon. The most frequently discovered
vessels were made of clay with the addition of sand and small pebbles,
baked in shades of brown, rarely gray and black. Vessels had burnished or slightly burnished surfaces. Fine pottery included a bowl
with a conical neck and a rounded upper and lower cone-shaped connection (fig. 9/1), S-shaped bowl (fig. 9/2), conical bowl (fig. 9/3),
vessels with a cylindrical neck and spherical, rarely slightly rounded
belly (fig. 9/4-8). Decorations included dimple-like impressions on
the rim (fig. 9/3); a series of small pricks on the upper and lower
cone-shaped connection (fig. 9/1), on the shoulder (fig. 9/6), with a
series of large square impressions (fig. 9/2), with a plastic stripe and
shallow, vertically incised lines (fig. 9/8); and incisions of horizontal
lines (fig. 9/4, 7). The other group consists of unevenly baked vessels,
with thicker walls and rough outer surfaces.
Vessels in the KSB ceramic style from horizon IV
Fine pottery is usually made of clay with sand added, less frequently
small pebbles are also added, and is baked in shades of colours black,
gray or brown. The majority of vessels were burnished or slightly burnished, rarely polished. The fine pottery inventory consisted of large
globular pots (fig. 10/1-2) and hemispherical bowls (fig. 10/3); most
frequent were bowls with inverted rim (fig. 10/5-6), conical bowls
with two vertical handles, plates with round thicken rim from the
inner side (fig. 10/4) and beakers with two handles (kantharoi) (fig.
11/2). The majority of ceramic material was undecorated (fig. 10).
The most common types of ornamentation were channeling (fig.
11/2, 4, 5, 7), barbotine (fig. 11/1), pinching and bulges (fig. 11/1, 6).
Incisions, impressions and graphite ornaments were rare (fig. 11/3,
8). Also, vessels made of clay with additional amounts of sand and
small pebbles, rough outer surfaces, and thicker walls were noticed.
Amphorae, large pots and pithoi decorated with barbotine or undecorated were common.
Concluding Remarks
By analyzing the finds in these levels and the course of excavations,
the following can be concluded: both settlement horizons (III and
IV) were located in the layer of brown soil (layer 4), level III can be
attributed to the Cernavod III settlement and level IV represents
the remains of the KSB settlement structure. Also, it cannot be determined with certainty whether the remains of only one building
were discovered within level IV and whether the floor fragments (in

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

Fig. 5. Level III, finds

The term object refers to a unit recorded during archaeological excavations. These units represent the remains
of the residential and working structures,
pits, graves, ovens, fireplaces and other
archaeological units.
10

squares l and i), associated with this level, may be considered as a

part of some older building phase of the Cernavod III settlement.
Besides the clear description from the 1954 excavation journal,
this interpretation of stratigraphic characteristics from the site of
Bubanj was corroborated by the results of the 2008-2011 archaeological excavations. Namely, in the layer of brown soil (thickness of
0.2 to 0.6 m in the southern part of the Trench I) formed just above
the Early Chalcolithic layers, the remains of settlement objects were
recorded, which are associated with the Cernavod III and KSB communities10. In the vertical stratigraphy this layer was positioned just
beneath a layer of whitish gray, ashy soil and a thin layer of compact gray soil, 2-4 cm thick, belonging to the period of the developed
phases of the Late Chalcolithic, and above the Early Chalcolithic
layer of yellow soil. In the upper part of that layer, settlement objects
were recorded in a somewhat lighter brown soil ( 2011,
fig. 4). They were attributed to the Cernavod III settlement based
on specific finds, mostly ceramic fragments ( 2011).
Besides Cernavod III objects, in the lower part of the layer, objects
of the KSB complex were recorded. During the 2011 campaign, in
Trench II, which was an extension of Trench I on the eastern side,
a layer of brown soil was clearly defined. It was noted that ceramic
material of the Cernavod III style appears in the layer of brown soil
just above a slightly darker-brown layer of soil, attributed to the KSB
cultural complex.
The mode of production, shapes, surface treatment, and decorations of vessels from level III and a portion of the material from

Dragan MILANOVI

Fig. 6. Level III, finds

level IV, exhibit characteristics of the Cernavod III style, which

were also characteristic of the Cernavod III-Bolerz complex, that
formed over a vast area of Central and Southeastern Europe. A similar ceramic repertoire existed in the following settlements: VajugaKorbovo and Ue Slatinske in the Iron Gate area, Maskare-Bedem
in the zone of confluence of Zapadna and Juna Morava, Smoluka
peina near Tutin and Gladnice near Graanica (Krsti 1986;
1984; Jevti 2001; / a 2006; 1985;
1961 respectively). The most characteristic ceramic vessels of the
Cernavod III period were bowls with a concave or conical neck, and
a more or less emphasized upper and lower cone-shaped connection; conical, hemispherical, and spherical bowls with inverted rim;
S-shaped bowls; lids or plates of the Bratislava type; and decorations
on vessels made by fluting, incising and pricking. This ceramic style
was common to settlements within the Eastern Balkans (
1990; Alexandrov 1995; Lichardus / Krastev Iliev 2001; Nikolova1999;
2001; Zmeykova 2001; Leshtakov 2001; 2002; Berciu 1964;
Morintz / Roman 1968; Nica 2001; Roman 2001; Nemeti 2001), and
the Southern Balkans (Maran 1997; 1998; Sfriads 2001; Korkuti
2006). Similar ceramic forms with a slightly more diverse typological
repertoire, and a similar manner of vessel decoration were characteristic of the Bolerz phase of the Baden culture in Central Europe
and the Western Balkans (Nmejcov-Pavkov 1964; 1979; 1984;
Kalicz 2001; Bondr 2001; Horvth 2001; Ruttkay 2001; Zpotock
/ Zpotock 2001; De Capitani / Leuzinger 2001; Govedarica 2001).
Such settlements were recorded in Northern Serbia at: Belo Brdo
near Vina, Gradina in Batrovci, Gomolava near Hrtkovci, Mostonga
I and Cerje near Karavukovo, Donja Branjevina I near Deronje, Klisa
near Novi Sad (unpublished) and BrzaVrba near Kovin (Spasi 2010;

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

Fig. 7. Level IIIa, finds found

on the floor

For instance, the so-called BubanjHum, Baden-Kostolac (see Zotovi 1978;

1959; 1961; 1961a; 1970) or
simply Baden ceramic forms and ornamental features on vessels ( /
1983, 27) were also recorded
at several sites in Western Serbia, excavated between 1950 and 1970.
12
In Vojvodina: Beljarica near Zemun,
Lice near Erdevik, sites in Vrac and its vicinity, near Potporanj, Banatski Karlovac
and enta (Tasi 1961;
1996; Uzelac 2002); in Western Serbia:
Masinske njive and Jariite 1 near Lajkovac and Gradina Ostenjak in Likodra
near Krupanj (Spasi 2008; Garaanin
1997); in Central Serbia: Novaka
uprija near Smederevska Palanka,
elava glavica near Oraac, Divostin and
Kosa near Koriani ( et al. 1986;
/ 1990;
1985); in Southern Serbia: Gradac in
Zlokuane and Donja Toponica near
Ni ( 1972; / 2006,
T. XXVIII/3).
11

Tasi 1995; 2001; Petrovi / Jovanovi 2002; Karmanski 1970; Medovi

1976). The ceramic sequence for most of the Late Chalcolithic sites
in Serbia has not often been published. Most finds are accidental or
surface finds (archaeological prospection). The fact that published
material from the Cernavod III-Bolerz horizon at certain sites was
attributed to the Bubanj-Hum Ib (Baden-Kostolac horizon according
to M. Garaanin) or the Baden culture contributed to the poor exploration of settlements from this cultural horizon in Serbia11. For some
sites it was merely stated that they belonged to the Cernavod III
or Bolerz phase of the Baden culture, or rather the Cernavod IIIBolerz cultural complex, even though publications were restricted
to several vessels, vessel fragments, or missing altogether12. Although
regional variations in the ceramic production of the Cernavod IIIBolerz cultural complex has yet to be distinguished, a specific style
may be discussed, one that was characterized by a fairly uniform vessel morphology and the use of specific ornamental techniques and
motifs.
Features of the ceramic vessels from horizon IV and the layer of
a dark brown soil allow us to determine that the settlement belongs
to the KSB cultural complex, which is found in Western Bulgaria,
Oltenia, Eastern Banat, the southeastern part of Serbia, Pelagonia
and Skopje in FYROM ( 1986; Georgieva 1990;
1973; Tasi 1995). Despite the fact that the ceramic sequence of this
period has not yet been studied in detail in Serbia (unlike Bulgaria and
Romania, see Nikolova 1999; Georgieva 2012; Radu 2002), according
to ceramic style features that include beakers (kantharoi) with two
handles and other mentioned shapes; the prevalence of undecorated
pottery and chanelling on fine pottery; the very rare appearance of
fragments decorated with graphite and painting; and coarse vessels
decorated with barbotine or no decoration at all, it can be proposed

10

Dragan MILANOVI

Fig. 8. Level IIIa, finds found

on the floor

Fig. 9. Level IV, finds

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

11

4
Fig. 10. Level IV, finds

Without radiocarbon data and more

detailed analysis of the material culture a
precise periodization of the KSB sites in
Serbia cannot be established. The most
important excavated sites in Pomoravlje
are: Panjevaki rit near Jagodina, Poljna
near Blagotin, Antin ukar near Vranje
( 1997; /
1996; 1998); in Eastern
Serbia: grave from Lepenski Vir, Vajuga
near Korbovo, Zlotska peina, etaeVrkanj near Kovilovo, okulu Bala
near Krivelj and kodrino polje near
Knjaevac ( 1972; Krsti 1986;
1992; / 1997).
13

that the settlement was roughly synchronous with the following settlement horizons: Krivodol 3-4, Zaminec C, Teli 3, Salcua IIc-III
( 2007; 1975; Nikolova 1999; 2012;
Radu 2002). The closest parallels are found in the ceramic inventory of the settlements Velika humska uka near Ni and Gradac
Zlokuane near Leskovac ( / 1959;
1972)13. On the basis of our present state of knowledge it can be said
that the related horizons also include Eastern Serbia and the basin of
the Juna Morava with the northernmost known point (so far) at the
confluence zone of the Juna and Zapadna Morava (Panjevaki rit
near Jagodina and Poljna near Blagotin).
The position of the site within the wide alluvial plain as well as
the preliminary material culture analysis of old (1954-1958) and new
excavations (2008-2011) (large number of grindstones, flint blades
for hafting into the wooden handle, bone sickles, storage facilities-silos and large vessels) show that gardening; field cultivation, especially cropping the cereals; and the exploitation of animal products (in
Early Chalcolithic layers the most common were cattle, ovicaprines,
pigs and dogs, with somewhat higher percentage of wild animals,
compared with Late Chalcolithic layers) (Bulatovi 2010); were the
most important activities in the Chalcolithic. Also, a large number of
spindle whorls suggests that weaving was one of the dominant crafts
in the settlement.
The Cernavod III settlement at the site of Bubanj was formed
above the KSB settlement, which was defined by settlement horizons
III and IV. Archaeological traces suggest a more permanent inhabitation during these periods, with above-ground buildings. The existence of the Cernavod III settlement in the eastern part of the site,
explored in 1954 and in 2008-2011, can be dated to the beginning
of Late Chalcolithic, approximately between 3500-3200 BC based on

12

Dragan MILANOVI

Fig. 11. Level IV, finds

radiocarbon dates from sites in the surrounding area (Nikolova 1999,

T. I, 178-183)14, while the latest KSB settlement should be dated to the
end of the 5th or beginning of the 4th millennium BC (Nikolova 1999,
71-86; Boyadziev 1995).

Bibliography
, . 1985.
.
1, 9-33.
, A. 1998.


.
14, 163-169.
, A. 1997.

.
13,
71-77.
, . 2007.
. In: Stefanovich, M. / Angelova,

C. (eds.). PRAE. In honorem Henrieta

Todorova. Sofia. 103-129.
, . 1973.
, I . .
, . 1958.
,
1954-1956. .
7-8 (1956-1957), 269-274.
, . / , . 1959.

. 9-10,
243-254.
, . / , . 1983.
. .
, . 2012.
-. .

14
The Baden Bolerz culture was
dated to between 36403370 BC (Stadler
et al. 2001, 544).

, . 1990.
III

.
7, 156-179.
, . 1985.


.
9, 21-26.
, . 1984.
. 2, 181-191.
, A. 1970.
. 8, 13-22.
, A. 1961.
.
11, 230.

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

, A. 1961a.
.
11, 100-111.
, A. 1959.
, .
9-10 (1958-1959), 367-368.
, . / Bankoff, A. / ,
M. / Winter, W. 1986.

(
1977 1980 ).
12, 1, 17-62.
, . / , . 1997.

. In: , .
(ed.). A .
.
, . / , . 1990. K
.

6, 76-82.
, . 1972.
.
21, 117-124.
, K. 2002.
.

.
, ,
3,
141-216.
, . 2011.
III
. 61, 101-119.
, . 1975. . .
, . 1996.

.
37-38, 7-27.
, . 1972. ,
. .
, . / , . 1996.


1995 .

12, 61-76.

, . / , . 2006.
,

. / .
, . / a, . 2006.
,


. / .
, . 1992.

.
14, 1
(), 195-201.
, . 1986. -
. .
-, . / , . / , . 2008.

2008.
.
16-17, 309-318.
, . / , . 1983.

. .
Alexandrov, S. 1995. The Early Bronze
Age in Western Bulgaria: Periodization
and Cultural Definition. In: Bailey, D.
W. / Panayotov, I. (eds.). Prehistoric
Bulgaria (Monographs in World
Archaeology # 22). Madison Wisconsin.
253-270.

13

World Archaeology # 22). Madison

Wisconsin. 149-191.
Bulatovi, J. 2010. Ostaci faune iz zatvorenih eneolitskih celina na nalazitu
Bubanj kod Nia. Defended MA thesis
at Department of Archeology of the
Faculty of Philosophy University of
Belgrade.
De Capitani, A. / Leuzinger, U.
2001. Arbon Bleiche 3, eine
Jungsteinzeitliche Seeufersiedlung am
Schweizerischen Bodenseeufer aus
dem frhen 34. Jh. v. Chr. In: Roman,
P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 721-732.
Garaanin, D. 1997. Die sptkupferzeitliche Siedlung Likodra in
Westserbien. In: Roman, P. / Diamandi,
S. / Alexianu, M. (eds.). The Thracian
world at the crossroads of civilizations. In: Proceedings of the Seventh
International Congress of Thracology,
Constana-Mangalia-Tulcea 20-26 May
1996. Bucharest. 435-446.
Garaanin, M. 1982. Zur chronologischen und kulturellen Wertung der
Bubanj-Funde. Jahrbuch des RmischGermanischen Zentralmuseums Mainz
26, 154-166.

Berciu, D. 1964. Quelques donnes

prliminaires concernant la civilisation
de Cernavod. Slovensk Archeolgia
12, 1, 163-268.

Garaanin, . 1959a. Neolithikum und

Bronzezeit in Serbien und Makedonien.
Bericht der Rmisch-Germanischen
Kommission 39, 1-130.

Bondr, M. 2001. L'tat des recherches

sur la culture de Baden en Hongrie.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen dem
Oberrhein und der Unteren Donau.
Symposium Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24.
Oktober 1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 437-458.

Garaanin, M. 1959b. Bubanj kod

Nia-Naselje ranog bronzanog doba.
Arheoloki pregled 1, 26-30.

Boyadziev, Y. 1995. Chronology of

Prehistoric Cultures in Bulgaria. In:
Bailey, D. W. / Panayotov, I. (eds.).
Prehistoric Bulgaria (Monographs in

Garaanin, M. 1958. Kontrollgrabung

in Bubanj bei Ni. Prhistorische
Zeitschrift 36, 223-244.
Garaanin, M. 1957. Ausgrabungen in
Bubanj bei Ni. Germania 35, 3-4,
198-207.
Georgieva, P. 1990. Periodization of the
Krivodol-Slcua-Bubanj culture. In:

14
Srejovi, D. / Tasi, N. (eds.). Vina and
its World. International symposium. The
Danubian Region from 6000 to 3000 BC.
Belgrade, Smederevska Palanka, October
1988. Belgrade. 67-173.
Glii, J. 1961. Pojava ranih bronzanodopskih kultura na Kosovu i Metohiji.
Glasnik Muzeja Kosova i Metohije 6,
133-145.
Govedarica, B. 2001. Die Funde vom
Typ Cernavod III-Bolerz im ehemaligen Jugoslawien. In: Roman, P.
/ Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 358-368.
Horvth, L. 2001. Die
Relativchronologische Position des
Protobolerz-Horizontes aufgrund
seiner sdlichen Komponenten. In:
Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen
zwischen dem Oberrhein und der
Unteren Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 459-515.
Jevti, M. 2001. On the stratigraphy
of Cernavod III-Bolerz Finds from
the Djerdap Area. In: Roman, P. /
Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 330-341.
Kalicz, N. 2001. Die ProtobolerzPhase an der grenze von zwei Epochen.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen
dem Oberrhein und der Unteren
Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 385-435.
Karmanski, S. 1970. Bakarnodobni

Dragan MILANOVI
lokaliteti jugozapadne Bake I. Baka
Palanka.
Korkuti, M. 2006. Early Bronze Age:
Milutin Garaanin's important work
and the research of Albanian archaeology. In: Tasi, N. / Grozdanov, C.
(eds.). Homage to Milutin Garaanin.
Belgrade. 31-57.
Krsti, D. 1986. Vajuga Korbovo
Compte-rendu des fouilles excutes en
1981. 3, 148-173.
Leshtakov, K. 2001. The EBA Horizon
of the fluted pottery in South Bulgaria.
Some problems of the interpretation.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen dem
Oberrhein und der Unteren Donau.
Symposium Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24.
Oktober 1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 165.
Lichardus, J. / Krastev Iliev, I. 2001.
Die Cernavod III Siedlung von
Drama-Merdumekja. In: Roman, P.
/ Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 166-198.
Maran, J. 1998. Die Badener Kultur
und der gisch-anatolische Bereich.
Eine Neubewertung eines alten
Forschungsproblems. Germania 76, 2,
497-525.
Maran, J. 1997. Neue Anstze fr die
Beurteilung der Balkanisch-gischen
Beziehungen im 3. Jahrtausend v. Chr.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. / Alexianu,
M. (eds.). The Thracian world at the
crossroads of civilizations I. Proceedings
of the Seventh International Congress
of Thracology, Constana-MangaliaTulcea, 20-26 May 1996. Bucharest.
171-192.
Medovi, P. 1976. Die Cernavoda III
Kultur im Jugoslawischen Donaugebeit.
Istraivanja 5, 105-110.
Morintz, S. / Roman, P. 1968. Aspekte

des Ausgangs des neolithikums und der

bergangsstufe zur Bronzezeit im Raum
der Niederdonau. Dacia 12, 45-128.
Nmejcov-Pavkov, V. 1984. K problematike trvania a konca Bolerzskey
skupiny na Slovensku. Slovensk
Archeolgia 32, 1, 75-146.
Nmejcov-Pavkov, V. 1979. Pociatky
Bolerzskey skupiny na slvensku.
Slovensk Archeolgia 27, 1, 16-55.
Nmejcov-Pavkov, V. 1964. Sdlisko
bolerzskeho typu v Nitrianskom Hrdku.
Slovensk Archeolgia 12, 1, 269-280.
Nmeti, J. 2001. Cernavod III Bolerz
Finds in North West Romania. In:
Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen
dem Oberrhein und der Unteren
Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 299-329.
Nica, M. 2001. Zur Cernavoda IIIKultur in Oltenien. In: Roman, P.
/ Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 279-298.
Nikoli, D. 2000. Kostolaka kultura na
teritoriji Srbije. Beograd.
Nikolova, L. 2001. Approach to the
genesis and initial development of the
Early Bronze Age cultures in the Lower
Danube basin and in the Southern
Balkans. In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S.
(Hrsg.). Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen
dem Oberrhein und der Unteren Donau.
Symposium Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24.
Oktober 1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 236-260.
Nikolova, L. 1999. The Balkans in Later
Prehistory, Periodization, Chronology
and Cultural Development in the
Final Copper and Early Bronze Age
(Fourth and Third Millennia BC). (BAR

Cultural and chronological position of the chalcolithic...

International Series 791). Oxford.
Orssich de Slavetich, A. 1940. Bubanj,
eine vorgeschichtliche Ansiedlung bei
Ni. Mitteilungen der Prhistorischen
Kommission der Akademie der
Wissenschaften 4, 1-2, 1-46.
Petrovi, J. / Jovanovi, B. 2002.
Gomolava naselja kasnog eneolita. Novi
Sad / Beograd.
Radu, A. 2002. Cultura Slcua n
Banat. Reia.
Roman, P. 2001. Die Cernavod
III-Bolerz-Kulturerscheinung an
der Unteren Donau. In: Roman, P.
/ Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod
III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches
Phnomen zwischen dem Oberrhein
und der Unteren Donau. Symposium
Mangalia/Neptun (18.-24. Oktober
1999), Studia Danubiana Series
Symposia II. Bucureti. 13-59.
Ruttkay, . 2001. Jennyberg I eine
Bolerz Siedlung in Mdling bei Wien.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen
dem Oberrhein und der Unteren
Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 516-540.
Sfriads, M. 2001. Dikili Tash et
Cernavoda III Bolerz: contribution aux recherches archologiques
europennes rcentes sur la priode
de transition et le dbut de l'ge du

Bronze (Europe centrale et orientale).

In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen
dem Oberrhein und der Unteren
Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 109-164.
Spasi, M. 2010. VinaBelo Brdo:
Vernissages of Eneolithic Belgrade and
its vicinity I. 59, 27-51.
Spasi, M. 2008. Horizontal and vertical communication axis in the Middle
and Late Eneolithic. Analele Banatului
(arheologie-istorie) 16, 31-44.
Stadler, P. / Draxler, S. / Friesinger, H.
/ Kutschera, W. / Priller, A. / Rom, W.
/ Steirer, P. / Wild, E. 2001. Absolute
chronology for early civilizations in
Austria and Central Europe using
14C dating with Accelerator Mass
Spectrometry with special results for
the absolute chronology of the Baden
culture. In: Roman, P. / Diamandi,
S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod III Bolerz,
ein vorgeschichtliches Phnomen
zwischen dem Oberrhein und der
Unteren Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 541-562.
Tasi, N. 2001. Die Cernavod IIIBolerz-Kultur im westlichen Teil
der jugoslawischen Donauniederung.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein
vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen

15

dem Oberrhein und der Unteren

Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 342-357.
Tasi, N. 1995. Eneolithic cultures of
Central and West Balkans. Belgrade.
Tasi, N. 1961. Obala Dunava, Zemun
praistorijska naselja. Arheoloki
pregled 3, 27-31.
Uzelac, J. 2002. Eneolit junog Banata.
Vrac.
Zpotock, M. / Zpotock, M. 2001.
Die Bolerz-Stufe der Badener Kultur
in Bhmen. In: Roman, P. / Diamandi,
S. (Hrsg.). Cernavod III Bolerz,
ein vorgeschichtliches Phnomen
zwischen dem Oberrhein und der
Unteren Donau. Symposium Mangalia/
Neptun (18.-24. Oktober 1999),
Studia Danubiana Series Symposia II.
Bucureti. 579-603.
Zmeykova, I. 2001. The Cernavod III
Culture in North-Eastern Bulgaria.
In: Roman, P. / Diamandi, S. (Hrsg.).
Cernavod III Bolerz, ein vorgeschichtliches Phnomen zwischen dem
Oberrhein und der Unteren Donau.
Symposium Mangalia/Neptun (18.24. Oktober 1999), Studia Danubiana
Series Symposia II. Bucureti. 213235.
Zotovi, M. 1978. Uloga reke Drine u
irenju Bodrogkeresztur i Salcuta grupe.
In: Materijali 16. Putevi i komunikacije
u praistoriji. Pe. 43-52.

16

Dragan MILANOVI

iii iv

1954

()
1954 .

. , . ,

III.
III,
- -. .
III --,
III-IV. , - -.

. . III, 1954
2008-2011 . ,
3500 3200 . . .,
.
Dragan Milanovi MA
Institute of Archaeology
35 Knez Mihailova St.
SRB-11000 Belgrade
draganarh@gmail.com