Eastern LBK pottery: some observations on forming techniques and symmetrical structure of ornaments (Floreşti and Niezwiska)

Ilia Palaguta,Elena Starkova

doi:10.23858/sa/73.2021.1.2715

Abstract

There are two collections that are stored in Saint Petersburg originating from the first LBK sites (Floreşti I andNiezwiska) investigated in the USSR during the 1950-60s by Tatiana Passek and Katerina Chernysh. Despite the incompleteness of this material, it allows us to make several observations regarding technical aspects of pottery production and its ornamentation. The production of LBK vessels is based on a coiling with subsequent forming by the “paddle-and-anvil” technique. Principal distinctions between production techniques make it possible to exclude the idea of links between the LBK and the subsequent Precucuteni-Tripolye A culture. The specifics of the forms and techniques of LBK ornamentation allows to propose that such ornamentation originates from non-ceramic prototypes. Additionally, the symmetrical analysis of Eastern LBK ornamentation indicates differences in symmetry preferences between the LBK and Cucuteni-Tripolye populations. According to the hypothesis of D. K. Washburn (2018), such a difference may indicate distinctions in the social structures of these cultures.

Highlights

Eastern LBK and collections from Floreşti and Niezwiska in Saint PetersburgThe beginning of the study of the “Eastern” Linear Pottery culture (Linearbandkeramische Kultur, LBK) in the former USSR dates back to the second half of the 20th century
Interest in them was primarily due to the fact that, at these sites, a consistent pattern of LBK layers overlain with layers from the Tripolye culture was found, which may exemplify the stratigraphic column for the Neolithic in these territories
Compositions of the pmg2 type are formed by a parallel translation, a mirror reflection of the motif and its gliding about the horizontal axis with rotation by 180 degrees. Ornaments with this type of symmetry are most common on Eastern LBK ceramics

Summary

Eastern LBK and collections from Floreşti and Niezwiska in Saint Petersburg

The beginning of the study of the “Eastern” Linear Pottery culture (Linearbandkeramische Kultur, LBK) in the former USSR (what are the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) dates back to the second half of the 20th century. Bibikov’s suggestion that the Tripolye-Cucuteni culture originated in the Balkan-Danubian area and spread through migrations of its carriers from this region (Passek 1954; Bibikov 1955) Echoes of these discussions continue to reverberate in the assertions of researchers regarding the “influences” of LBK traditions on Precucuteni-Tripolye ceramics – for example, in the idea that the Early Tripolye population that assimilated the “descendants of LBK tribes” might have “take[n] over the technology of tableware” (Zbenovich 1989, 177, 197), or other “certain characteristics” both of table and kitchen-ware (Burdo 2004, 111). There is no sense in republishing it; these ceramics are excellent material for making observations on the technique of pottery manufacture and ornamentation, as well as for the study of the principles of organization of ornamental compositions

LBK pottery techniques

Findings

Conclusions