Ceramic vessels with cord ornamentation on the north-west Russia (basing on the materials of the layer α settlement Setreya II)

Abstract

For the last decades interest to the Corded Ware cultures has increased. This is connected with the opening of new settlements and with new data, obtained by the latest scientific methods (C-14, aDNA). Territory of the Lovat-Dzvina interfluve is a border zone along the Western Dzvina (Daugava) river. Here we could trace the interaction between different cultural traditions of the ancient population. One of the settlements, where this is possible, is layer of the settlement Serteya II. This is a multilayer settlement and archaeological material here included vessels from the different periods from Early Neolithic to the Iron Age. 28 vessels are associated with Corded Ware cultures. They are distinguished by the ornamentation method cord impressions use on pottery. Their characteristic feature is also an admixture of grass in the dough and patches use during vessels making. Specific to the Corded Ware cultures pottery forms (amphora and beakers) were also found. Analogies of these types can be found in Poland, the Baltic States and in the materials of Fatyanovo culture. Their discovery among studied settlement may be regarded as an import and indicates a possible infiltration of the Corded Ware cultures inhabitants on the Lovat-Dzvina interfluve in Late Neolithic.