Růžičková Pavla. Bow-Shaped Pendants of the Bell Beaker Culture

Pavla Růžičková

Růžičková Pavla. Bow-Shaped Pendants of the Bell Beaker Culture

Pavla Růžičková

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Abstract

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What key evidence supports the social significance of bow-shaped pendants?add

The study indicates that 37 pendants from the Czech Republic, primarily found in male burials, suggest their role as status symbols or garb fasteners, with 14 graves oriented south to north, commonly associating them with gendered cultural practices.

How were the bow-shaped pendants typically crafted and decorated?add

Bow-shaped pendants were predominantly made from wild boar tusks, showing ornamentation such as groups of parallel lines and hanging triangles, with a notable example being the artifact from grave 502/1983 at Pavlov I covered in dotted ornamentation.

How does the distribution of bow-shaped pendants vary across Europe?add

The paper identifies that bow-shaped pendants are concentrated in the eastern provinces of the Bell Beaker culture with 55 localities noted, predominantly in Moravia and Bohemia, contrasting with rod-shaped forms observed in western territories.

What methods were used to analyze the raw materials of the pendants?add

Microscopic examinations revealed the pendants were primarily fashioned from dentin of wild boar tusks, with historical references examined for corroboration, such as findings from Hulin I showcasing traces of enamel and ornamental grooves.

When were the bow-shaped pendants most commonly found in burial contexts?add

These artifacts predominantly appear in the middle phase of the Bell Beaker culture, as evidenced by their association with funerary assemblages containing decorated beakers, suggesting their decline in significance towards later phases.

Figures

Fig. 1. Wild boar tusk in cross-section. A — root; B — main part of the tooth; C — crown; D — oblique abrasion of the tooth crown; E — foramen in the root apex; F — tooth hollow (filled with pulp); 1 — dentin; 2 — enamel; 3 — dental cementum; 4 — newly-formed dentin; 5 — asterisk; 6 — gums borders; a — lip surface; b — tongue surface (after Cerveny 2001, Fig. 4)

Funerary rites of Bohemian and Moravian graves with bow-shaped pendants are not exactly the same. While in Moravia all of them are inhumations, in Bohemia we have traces of bi-ritualism (Fig. 8). Among 14 Moravian graves two are double (Rousinov I, Rousinov II). One pendant comes from an undetermined grave from Koberice I. In Bohemia we have 7 inhumations, 2 cremations (Lochenice I,

Length/width ratio, referred here as the Length/Width Index (abbr. 1/w), reflects the curve of bow-shaped pendants (higher I/w — more flattened curve). We have adopted five I/w categories (Fig. 15). In Category 1.0-2.0 there is only one artifact (from RoZzdalovice I), which — due to the raw material utilized (amber) — has an unusual size and shape. Five pendants (4 with triangular and with flattened cross-sections) fall to Category 2.0-3.0. The most frequent Category 3.0—4.0 includes 15 artifacts (12 with triangular, one with circular cross-section, and The first category (very short) is represented by one pendant only — from Rozdalovice I, made of amber. Short and medium-short pendants include account together to 21 artifacts (11 artifacts in each category). There are also 2 artifacts classified as long and 3 artifacts as very long. The longest pendant is the partially preserved artifact from Hulin I (reconstructed length 134 mm). An average pendant length calculated for the whole collection is 75.6 mm.

2 with flattened cross-sections), while Category 4.0-5.0 only 5 artifacts (2 of triangular and 3 of circular cross-sections). Finally, in Category 5.0-6.0 we have one pendant of triangular cross-section and one of circular cross-section.

beginning of the Bronze Age from southern Germany and Switzerland are also reflections of the BBC bow-shaped pendants (Piggott 1971, 83). Most of them they are decorated with roughly engraved crosshatch or triangular motifs. Examples of probable pendants from various periods are presented on Fig. 16 (after Piggott 1971, Fig. 4).

Ornamentation of pendants is very interesting. As we have already said, the artifacts from Hulin I feature two types of decorative motifs. The first one is a composition of transversal grooves and hanging triangles. Pendants with motifs of the second type show matt stripes impressed or itched on the surface. In the first case our research confirmed the presence in a black incrustation in the engraved lines, covered by a thin film of calcite precipitated from soil (Fig. 17). Moreover, a coloring substance was visible on the surface. We do not know whether it was a dye purposely applied rather a resulted of the contact with soil. Decorative motifs of the second type (matt stripes) might have been also covered by a coloring substance. Fig. 17. Black incrustation in an engraved ornamentation

Fig. 18. BBC bow-shaped pendants: 1-6 — Hulin 1-95/2004 (drawn by P. Ruzitkova)

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Růžičková Pavla. Bow-Shaped Pendants of the Bell Beaker Culture

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