KRAP 2006
K-14
Block 4 Summary

By Timothy Parsons

The 2006 Blocks 4 and 7 teams consisted of Attila Gyucha (supervisor), Timothy Parsons (block captain), Douglas Eudy, Molly Lane, Anna Lee Shum (undergraduate field school participants), Gábor Bacsmegyi, Dori Kékegyi, and an ever-changing cast of archaeologists, both Hungarian and American

Block 4

Goals and previous excavations:

Previous excavation in block four had centered on locating magnetic anomalies detected through remote sensing. Excavations in 2005 uncovered a large Copper Age pit containing thousands of animal bones and another Copper Age pit feature with a smaller concentration of artifacts. The 2005 team also excavated two Copper Age infant burials that appeared to have been placed either on or just below the prehistoric surface. Our goals for this year were to excavate an extension on the block to determine if more infant burials were present, and to complete excavation of the main portion of the block to locate any features that may be identified by their extension into the subsoil.

2006 Excavations:

Initial 2006 excavations focused on finishing excavation of Dóri’s “animal pit,” and excavating a 4 x 2 meter extension on the southeast of the block in order to determine if more infant burials were present (Figure 1). Dóri’s pit produced over 25 kg of animal bones, including a fully articulated large fish (including scales), and pig, sheep/goat, and deer remains(Figure 2). Although no more infant burials were found in the extension or elsewhere in the block, two pit features dating to the Copper Age were excavated, including one extending into the southeast corner of the extension that featured excellent stratigraphy of artificial and natural shell layers, and daub lensing. Although the shell layer superficially appeared to be a Tizapolgár burial at first glance, no human remains were located. Interestingly, a wall trench extending from the southwest corner of Block 4 running northeast through the block extending into the profile was located. The trench contained numerous postholes and was approximately 40-50 cm wide in most locations (Figure 3). No other wall trenches were located, and the feature is not associated with any of the trenches that surround the site. It is therefore somewhat of a mystery, but we surmise that the trench is simply part of a structure that extended outside of the excavated area of Block 4. Also excavated was a Sarmatian (Roman Age) pit, containing ceramics from both the Tizapolgár and Sarmatian period, as well as a Sarmatian horse-bone “skate” (Figures 4 and 5). Although Block 4 did not produce any solid evidence of either an occupation floor or a house after two seasons of excavation, the numerous Copper Age pits and other associated features have provided KRAP researchers with a wealth of data for analysis and interpretation

2006 Block 4 Summary

Stratigraphy (surface to subsoil):

30-35 cm plowzone
10-20 cm cultural deposit
10-20 cm paleosol
Below; subsoil

Upper: 10-15 cm dark grayish yellow
Lower: concrete hard bright yellow

Association of Features:

F.5 and F.28 (pits)

Observable from the bottom of the plowzone, therefore it is impossible to know exactly where they begin in the profile. However, since they began so high in the plowzone they are certainly the latest features in the block.

F.10 (refuse pit), F.34 (pit), F.43 (pit), F.32, F.33, F. 44 (postholes)

Begin in cultural layer

First observed clearly in paleosol
Oldest features associated with cultural layer.

F.29 (wall trench)

First visible at bottom of cultural later/paleosol
Probably the oldest feature in the block

F.37, F.38, F.39, F.41, F.42 (postholes associated with wall trench)

Appeared higher in the stratigraphy than F.29 (wall trench), and are therefore possibly artifacts of a later structure.

F.36 (Late Bronze Age/possible Szarmation pit)

Not part of the ECA settlement.
Began high in the stratigraphy, somewhere in the plowzone.

KRAP 2006 K-14 Block 4 Summary