The stone and Middle Age ovens in Loess sites of Slovakia. Influences on their quality for food preparation

Abstract

In this paper, the ovens of Borovce in Slovakia are described precisely and compared. They date from the Early Neolithic and from Early to Top Middle Ages and are situated on loess. On the basis of details of the construction, type of rubefaction, archaeological experiments and litterature, different interpretations are proposed. These involve breadmaking and the drying of pottery. Comparing the find circumstances of the ovens and those made in the Middle Ages. As far as their use is concerned, these ovens were so effective that there was no need to improve them in later periods.