From LBK to SBK: Pottery, Bones, Lithics and Houses at the Neolithic site of Hrdlovka, Czech Republic

Abstract

The paper is focused on the period of cultural change at the turn of 6th and 5th millennia BC, when the uniform Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) occupying an extensive area disintegrated in several local groups or cultures, including the Stroked Pottery Culture (SBK) emerging in the regions of Bohemia and Saxony. The data comprising pottery, animal bones, lithics, as well as architectural attributes from Hrdlovka site, situated in northwest Bohemia, are presented. In accordance with the sites of Hrbovice-Chabařovice and Dresden- Prohlis a rather uninterrupted LBK/SBK transition has been observed, which contrasts with the image of “LBK crisis” observed in other regions. Lithics production and distribution networks of raw material seem to be stable. The change in stockkeeping strategies correlating with the transitional period are considered rather as modification of local environmental conditions. On the level of households, a similar architectural development has been documented at the Hrdlovka and Dresden-Prohlis sites. The processes of LBK/SBK transition in terms of cultural change are also discussed.

Long-term demographic trends and spatio-temporal distribution of past human activity in Central Europe: Comparison of archaeological and palaeoecological proxies

“…Although we have evidence for the continuity of Neolithic settlement at several sites (e.g. Vondrovský et al, 2016; for Saxony, see Link, 2015), there was a demographic decrease at the end of the LBK in other European regions, which is related to diverse scenarios such as climate change (Gronenborn et al, 2014;Schmidt et al, 2004) and increased social inequality and tensions, occasionally resulting in violent acts (Furholt et al, 2020;Meyer et al, 2014;Müller-Scheeßel et al, 2021;Shennan, 2018;Zeeb-Lanz, 2014). The Neolithic population recovered and increased after 4830 BCE, and later we observe a similar population level in the area of interest.…”

Thinking Gender Differently: New Approaches to Identity Difference in the Central European Neolithic

“…Pottery was intimately involved in materially signalling these changes, perhaps an active part of innovation and forming new identities (Hofmann 2015, 468). In Saxony (Germany) and Bohemia, a more gradual transition from the LBK to the succeeding Stichbandkeramik (SBK) culture has been suggested, based in part on the co-occurrence of LBK linear designs and the alternating double strokes of the SBK ceramic styles in the same features and interpreted as a continuation of LBK-specific styles of innovation in pot design (Vondrovský et al 2016). Perhaps the assemblage of mobility, pottery, women and ambiguity meant that ceramic styles and techniques were spheres that could readily adapt and flow into new points of view on selfidentification, and were ready to open up to negotiating differences-within-itself.…”

The settlement history of Alsónyék–Bátaszék

“…Layers strongly mixed with burnt daub fragments observed in the filling of several clay extraction pits at Alsónyék might have been 36 e.g. Frirdich et al 2015;Končelová -Květina 2015;Vondrovský et al 2016. related to some specific events.…”