An examination of changing Copper and Bronze Age trade networks in the Körös River Valley, Southeast Hungary

Summary

Metal is a unique raw material which societies in some parts of southeastern Europe have been exploiting since the Middle Neolithic (5500/5400-5000/4900 BCE). As previous studies in various parts of the world suggest, the acquisition and circulation of metal objects, as well as the ability to work metal have been important in the development of prehistoric societies. In our study, we compared the distribution of metal artifacts during the Hungarian Copper Age (4500/4400-2800/2700 BCE) and Bronze Age (2800/2700-900/800 BCE), focusing on Békés County. We linked these distribution patterns to trade routes in the Körös River region, analyzing the differences in the sources of copper ore utilized at different times. Based on their chemical composition, we then determined the origin of the metals used to create the bronze artifacts found in the Békés 103 cemetery.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Learning about the Past with Fragments from the Fire: Student Research on an NSF-REU Field School

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16142