Complex characterization of kurgans in the Csanádi-hát region, Hungary

Abstract

During the inventory of the mounds of the Körös-Maros National Park, the completre characterisation of those situated in the Csanádi-hát micro-region was conducted as well. We visited every existing and already destroyed prehistoric burial mound (most of them are Yamnaya kurgans from the Late Copper Age) based mainly on maps of the 18th and 19th centuries. We prepared a complete list of vascular plant species of each kurgan, except those ones where the total surface was ploughed. The investigated area covers 1039.41 km2. 254 kurgans were documented. From these, 64 have been already carried away or destroyed (25.2% of the total number of mounds). We have evaluated the still existing 190 kurgan’s recent stage (74.8%). 96 features (37.8%) from the total amount are used as arable fields, these were inadequate for botanical studies. On 94 mounds (37.0%), despite the annually changing agricultural utilization, different vegetation fragments were documented (forest-belts, alleys, roadside, channel banks, triangulation points, cemeteries, etc.). Several burial mounds are still preserved as fragments of the ancient loess meadow STEPPE and forest steppe vegetation. Some of the valuable plant species found dining the study are: Agropyron cristatum, Ajuga laxmannii, Carduus hamulosus, Chamaecytisus virescens, Glaucium corniculatum, Hylotelephium maximum, Inula germanica, Ornithogalum pyramidale, Papaver hybridum, Phlomis tuberosa, Ranunculus illyricus, Rosa gallica, Sternbergia colchiciflora, Vinca herbacea. Despite the fact that nature and heritage protection laws provide national conservation for these kurgans, the practical operation of the legislative is not solved. For the long-term conservation of the special vegetation of kurgans it would be required to take out the entire surface of the most valuable mounds from agricultural production and maintain their habitat (abandonment of ploughing). With the introduction of the cross compliance system (common agricultural policy of European Union), forward-looking practical initiatives have already been taken.