The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).
The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.
Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.
Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.
The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.
The complex of archaeological sites “Kamyane-Zavallia” in the Middle Bug River valley: investigations in 2011-2012
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The paper treats the fi nds from recent investigations of a group of archaeological sites in the north of Odessa region. There were mostly materials of the Neolithic Linear Pottery culture and the Chernyakhov culture. The first Linear Pottery culture site was revealed in the Southern Bug River valley. It makes possible to re-estimate the relations between Linear Pottery culture and the local Bug-Dniester Neolithic.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. А - situation of Kamyane-Zavallia archaeological sites' complex in Ukraine, B - situation of archaeological sites on the western bank of the Southern Bug River: 1 - settlement Kamyane-Zavallia 1; 2 - surface finds' area of Chernyakhov culture at Kamyane-Zavallia; 3 - locus of Linear Pottery culture at Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - centre; 4 - locus of Linear Pottery culture at Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - south; 5 - locus of Linear Pottery culture at Kamyane-Zavallia, IV promontory; 6 - settlement Shamrai.
Fig. 2. Kamyane-Zavallia, III and IV promontories. Pottery. Surface material.
Fig. 3. Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - centre. Test-trench 2 and addition. Coarse ware. Fig. 4. Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - centre. Test-trench 2 and addition. Pottery. Fig. 5. Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - south and IV promontory. Test-trenches 1 and 4. Pottery. Fig. 6. Kamyane-Zavallia. Lithics. Fig. 7. Potsherds from the object (pit) Kamyane-Zavallia, III promontory - centre. Fig. 8. Kamyane-Zavallia. Chernyakhov culture finds.
Дмитрий Киосак
On the interpretation of lithic industry of Pre-Cucuteni - Trypillia A
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Igor V. Bruyako
Arrowheads from Kartal excavations
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVIII [XXXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE)...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.