Abstrakt
In May 2009, skeletal remains of a human individual were discovered in the village of Hronovce-Vozokany nad Hronom. They had been "dropped out" from the basement ceiling as a result of erosion of the unconsolidated vaulting (Fig. 93: 2). The human skeleton was probably located in the settlement environment and it was lying on the bottom of the settlement pit approx. 200 cm below the current surface. The context was filled with grey-brown to grey-black earth which contained rich archaeobotanical material, mainly micro-charcoals (L. Petr, oral information). 17 sherds were discovered in the fill (Fig. 93: 4, 5, 7) as well as an almost complete miniature bowl (Fig. 93: 6), 23 animal bones, three molusc shells and two pieces of daub. Based on 14C dating from bone compact tissue (sample no. Beta-442430; HRO01), the skeleton can be dated to 3350 - 3090 calBC and it corresponds with the chronological classification of the pottery. Therefore, the finds fall to the period of the Late Classical Baden culture. The skeletal remains belonged to a 35 - 45-yearold female (adultus II-maturus I). Distal ends of bones from both forearms were thinned and deformed 158
(post-traumatic changes), productive degenerative changes are present on the cervical vertebrae. It is noteworthy that the woman had considerably abraded teeth, probably as a result of use of the teeth as working tools. Based on the values of stable isotopes δ13C (-19.9) and δ15N (+10.7) in the bone collagen, we can state that the woman consumed inland diet typical of the mild climate zone of central Europe (Ogrinc/Budja 2005, 108-114; Smrčka/Brůzek/Zocová 2008, 228). In the osteological material, bones of sheep (Ovis aries) and domestic pig (Sus domestica) and shells of freshwater moluscs from the family of Unionidae were identified. Occurrence of very young individuals is interesting - especially the fetus/very young lamb, approx. 0-2 months old. Most bones do not bear any visible traces of slashing or cutting, i. e. carving related to preparation of animal meat for consumption. Although no traces of violence were observed on the skeleton, based on the character of the archaeological material and analogies (e. g. Balatonőszöd, Kamenín, Svodín, Šarovce I, Šarovce III; Horváth 2010, 1 - 72; Jakab 1980, 116, 117; Nevizánsky 1999, 75; Němejcová-Pavúková 1986, 159 - 161; Novotný 1976, 130, 131), the find from Hronovce-Vozokany could be interpreted as a sacrifice carried out between the 34th and 31st centuries BC.The above mentioned ceremony might have been executed according to a choreography known in advance (Horváth 2010, 71, 72). During the ritual, the fetus/newborn sheep/goat was also sacrificed. Following from the reproduction cycle, we can assume the the fetus/young was killed by the end of winter or in the beginning of spring. An important part might have been played by fire.