Archaeometrical results related to Neolithic amphibolite stone implements from Northeast Hungary

Abstract

28 amphibolite Neolithic polished stone implements deriving from different archaeological localities and cultures in Northeast Hungary (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County) were archaeometrically analysed by mainly non-destructive methods (MS, EDS/SEM, PGAA). Bulk chemistry of the samples showing subalkali characteristics. The amphibolite polished stone tools were divided into two groups based on their mineral components and metamorphic evolution. A single Ca-amphibole approach was used to calculate peak P-T conditions to determine a thermobarometric model for the amphibolite implements. Data of the studied samples were compared to those of the nearest amphibolite outcrops in Gemericum, Veporicum, Tatricum and Zemplinikum (Slovakia). The Variscan P-T loop covered the thermobarometric data of the analysed stone implements and the amphibolite outcrops. The source areas are assumed to be these fields and/or the crossing riverbeds flowing through them to Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, the archaeological collecting territory of the amphibolite stone axes.

Hyalophane- and tourmaline-bearing K-metasomatised polished stone implement from Northern Hungary

“…From Szerencs-Taktaföldvár the previously studied polished implements were amphibolite, contact metabasite, volcanites, sandstone and white stone (kaolin). The provenance of the amphibolite was Klátov, Gemericum (Slovakia) (Kereskényi et al 2020) while the contact metabasite derived from the Czech Massif (Kereskényi 2021). Detailed mineralogical analysis were not performed on the other lithotypes, therefore provenance cannot be established.…”

“…152 cm far from these findings, in a broken vessel, 12 polished stone implements were excavated (Hellebrandt 1979). Previous archaeometric studies were performed on 11 tools; five of them were identified as metabasite (Kereskényi et al 2020, Kereskényi 2021, and there were five more volcanites, one sandstone and one white stone (kaolin?) rock-typed adzes.…”

Provenance of polished stone tools from the Baradla Cave, Aggtelek, North-Hungary

“…The applied original surface method of SEM-EDS, XRD and PGAA are not sufficient enough to provide relevant results to determine precise provenance of greenstones. In a previous paper, thermobarometry was additionally applied to constrict the provenance of the greenstone implements which resulted to determination of different parts of the Western Carpathians (Kereskényi et al 2020, Kereskényi 2021). In the case of 1984.9.1. polished stone tool, significant magnetite content was observed, therefore the Little Carpathians (Ivan et al 2001) or the Slovak Ore Mountains (Faryad & Peterec 1987) might be concerned as a source area, meaning a nearby provenance field.…”

“…Amphibolite and greenschist is a very common raw material of polished stone tools in the northern part of Carpathian basin in the Neolithic era , Přichystal 2013, Kereskényi et al 2020). In addition, many geological amphibolite and greenschist outcrops expose in large amounts in the Western Carpathians (e.g.…”

“…In formerly studied amphibolite polished stone tools, thermobarometric estimations helped to identify possible provenance (Kereskényi et al 2020) but due to the limitations of non-destructive methods, the metamorphic evolution cannot be reconstructed from the data obtained, so we do not attempt a more definite provenance identification.…”