THE LATER ENEOLITHICIEARLY BRONZE AGE TUMULUS-BURIALSIN CENTRAL AND SOUTH-WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA (1)1

The discovery of tens of tumulus-burials in the Apuseni Mountains in thelast t\\'o decades has conlpleted the picture of the cultural development in this areaduring the Later Aeneolithic and the Early Bronze Age but it also created newproblems, which are difficult to be solved in the near future. The purpose of thisstudy is to present the di stribution of the tumuli in south-western and centralTransylvania, their main characteristics, some of the most significant grave-goodsand the cultural contacts for which they provide evidence, as well as theirchronological position.

1. History of researchesThe first tumuli were excavated by S.Fenichel and K.Herepey between 1885­

1887 at Livezile (former Cacova, Vladhaza), Valisoara (former Vale, Gyertyanos)and Izvoarele (former Bedeleu, BedeIă), the results being reported guite soon(Fenichel 1891 a; 1891 b; Herepey 1901).

In 1953, I.Ferenczi excavated an earthen butial mound with a woodenfuneral chamber near Câmpia Turzii, but no detailed report was published (Ferenczi1968).

In 1972, N.Vlassa, M.Takacs and H.Ciugudean started the field surveys inthe Trascău mountains, new tumuli being identified at Cheile Aiudului, Izvoareleand Geoagiu de Sus. The first report supported the idea of a close relation betweenthe tumuli with stone covering and the Coţofeni culture (Ciugudean 1977). In 1973,looking for skythian graves, V.Vasiliev and A.Zrinyi made an excavation in one ofthe earthen mounds near the Cipău railway station, but they found an ochre-grave(Vasiliev 1980,36). After the death of N.Vlassa, M.Takacs continued the excavationsin the cemetery from Cheile Aiudului and published a preliminary report togetherwith Gh.Lazarovici, unfo11unatelly with some errors (Vlassa el al. 1986; 1987).Another cemetery was excavated at Ampoiţa, the archaeological discoveries beingpresented in several studies (Ciugudean 1986,' 1991). Between 1987-1988, Gh.Lazaroviciand Z.Maxim excavated one tumulus with stone covering at Petreştii de Sus, theresults being published some years later (Lazarovici 1989; Lazarovici and Maxin11994, 13-15). In the same time, new tumuli were identified on different locationsin the Apuseni Mountains (Ciugudean 1986, 69, note 7; 1991, 106, note 5;Lazarovici and Maxim 1988; 1994, 16-18). The new excavations from Tureni, Ţelna,

Livezile and Meteş are not finished yet, however some archaeologists have alreadytried to present general conclusions about the tumulus-burials in Transylvania and

1. This study is the result of a research project that was supported by R.S.S. of the CentralEuropean University.

14 Horia Ciugudean

even Banat, without being very convincingly (Rotea 1993; Lazarovici and Maxinl1994). A common view about the cultural and chronological position of the tumuliis stiU difficult to be reached, intensively field-surveys and new excavations beingmore than necessary.

II. Catalogue of the sites1. Arrlpoiţa (commune of Meteş, district of Alba).a) "Peret".The burial l110unds were located on the left bank of the Ampoiţa valley, the

altitude of the hilltop being about 460 m. 42 inhumation graves and 3 cremationgl'aves were discovel'ed in the 8 tumuli which had been excavated between 1979­1988 (Ciugudean 1991, 81-103). Most of the skeletons wel'e lying directly on theground, covered with a thin layer of earth and then with stones (fig.3). Tumulus Vhad no stone covering and in tun1ulus VI the mixed skeletons of two W0l11en andtwo children were put on a central platform, made of flat stones (fig.4/1).

J:'he grave-goods were poor: a fragmentary bowI, found in grave 3/tumulusI (fig. 6/1); a copper pin, discovered in the stone covering of the same tumulus(fig.6/5); one pot with two sn1all handles (fig.6/7), two golden hair-rings (fig.6/8-9),one copper spectacle-spiral pendant (fig.6/12), accompanied by two copper spiralbeads (fig.6/11) and a coppel' arrow head (fig. 6/10), alI found in grave l/tumulusIII; one perforated deer-tooth in grave l/tumulus IV (fig.6/4); a fl'agmentary bowIin grave 6/tumulus IV (fig.6/3); a small cup in grave l/tumulus VII (fig.6/2);finally, a one-handled jug in grave 2/tumulus VIII (fig .6/6). Sherds, flint splinters,animal bones and charcoal were found above, in and undel' the stone coverings oftumulus II, III, IV and V, probably belonging to an older settlement, placed in thecentral area of the cemetery. The shel'ds cover a longer span of time, slarting withBodrogkereszlur culture, followed by the Coţofeni culture and Eal'ly Bronze Age(Ciugudean 1986,' 1989,' 1991,' Perianu 1989,' 1990).

b) "Dealul Doştiorului".

The second cemetery from Ampoiţa was located south to the village, on thewatershed between the Ampoi and Ampoiţa valleys. Four tumuli were identified,two already distroyed, other two being excavated between 1988-1990. There were5 burials in the first tumulus, but the main grave was robbed, a pit being stillvisible in the centre of the mound. One perforated animal tooth was discovered inthe pit, together with broken human bones. A childe burial (grave 1) contained anecklace made of 6 animal teeth. Agreat quantity of pottery, anin1al bones andsmall pieces of burnt clay were found spread aU over the mound and on the ancientsoi!. The second tumulus was pl'obably a cenotaph, l10 burials being discoveredunder the stone covering. StiH, some decorated sherds and a nice obsidian bladewere found on the ground. There was a later grave in the stone covering,Wietenberg pottery being associated with the human bones (Ciugudean 199J, 82;Andriţoiu 1992, 33).

2. Bărăbanţ (village belonging to the territory of Alba Iulia)Aflat mound was located on the tophill callecl "Bilag". The excavation

revealed that the mound was made of beaten eal'th, but the central grave wasdistroyed, a pit being dug in the centre. Several handrnade sherds were found onthe ancient soil, close to the periphery of the tumulus, while in the pit there wel'ewheelmade Roman pottery.

3. Cetea (con1n1une of Galda, district of Alba).

The Later Eneolithic/Early BrOnle__A~g~e~T_u_In_u_lu_~_-B_u_'r_ia_ls_'~~~~~~~~_~~~~1_5

a) "Ticuiata".()ne tumulus, partially clistroyed by a new road, was discavered by I.Glodariu,

V.Moga and H.Ciugudean during a field survey in 1985, near the rock called"Ticuiata". A cremation grave with two vessels, one fragmentary pot, used as um,and a bowl, used as a lid (fig. 8/11-12), both typical for the Middle BronzeWietenberg culture, was faund in the stone covering (Ciugudean 1986, 81; 1990,69, fig. 2/2-3). The tumulus was not excavated, so the age of the older burials isunkno\vn.

Several distroyed tunluli were identifiecl in the same area, better knownunder the nan1e of "Băile Romane". Maybe some of the cups discovered byK.Herepey at Cetea, which are now in the Museum of History from Aiud, could· berelated with these tumuli (fig. 8/9-10).

b) "Vârf'.Ion and DUluitru Berciu located other tumuli on this mountain, which is

dominating the village froIn the south-west, during field surveys in 1943. Noexcavations were done, most of the mounds being already distroyed by peoplelooking for treasures (Berciu D. and 1. 1945, 23).

c) "Prăgşorul Mic".The Berciu brothers also identified a tumulus two kilometers west to the

village, in the place called "Prăgşorul Mic", on the right side of "Calea Mocanilor".They supposed the mound was the one excavated by K.Herepey (Berciu D. and 1.1945, 22).

4. Câmpia Turzii (district of Cluj).In 1953, the excavation of earth near the railway station distroyed a mound,

several skythian graves being found. I.Ferenczi identified in the some area other 3tumuli and he partially excavated one of them, located in the place called "Glâmeiade pe şes", in 1967. The mound was made of earth, the upper palt being stronglybeaten, its maximum height being about 2 m. Only one buria} was found in thecentral area, in a pit (1,90 n1. x 1,00 111.) covered with wooden boards. The skeletonwas lying on the back, with the legs in a typical rhombic position. No grave-goodswere found, but it seerns the body was wrapped in some organic material, maybea blanket (Ferenczi 1968).

5. Cheile Aiudului (commune of Livezile, district of Alba).a) "Dealul Velii".In 1972, N.Vlassa and M.Takacs located a tumulus-cemetery on the rock

called "Dealul Velii", in the gorge of Aiud valley. There were excavated 16 tumuli,alI of them having the sa01e structure: contracted skeletons put directIy on theground, covered with a thin Iayer of earth and then with stones. The grave-goodsconsist mainly of pottery of different types, (fig. 7/1, 3-12), 3 copper spectacle­spiral pendants (fig. 7/2), saltaleoni, 2 copper ear-rings, 2 copper alTow-heads, onecopper flat armring, one silver ear-ring, stone-axes (fig. 7/9, 11) and several flintand obsidian blades and splinters. Aflat clay idol was found in tumulus V, neara pot with charbonized grains. Fire-places were noticed in several tumuli, as wellas animal bones, charcoal and sometimes, pieces of clay with marks of roads. Agreat number of sherds were discovered in the nl0unds placed in the central areaof the cemetery, most of them belonging to the Coţofeni culture .. The authorssupport the idea of two main phases of burials in the cemetery (Vlassa el al. 1986;1987).

16 Horia Ciugudean

Fig.! Map with the distribution of tumulus-burials in south-western and central Transylvania(the numbers correspond to the catalogue in the text).

The Later Eneolithic(Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials

2

3

Fig. 2: I-Tumulus from Meteş-"Pleaşa înaltă"; 2-Tumulus from Ţelna­

"Dealul Chicerii"; 3-Place of the cemetery from Livezile-"Baia".

17

C2

d3.37b

I UMULUS VIIl

18 Horia Ciugudean

M.4

1III 1mI I

I

i~~~

Fig. 3. Ampoiţa-"Peret"; tumulus VllI.

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials 19

·1

J

III

il' _

T.VI

E

H3

~e

~ r>111 ~

~if llJf.~<:=:. ~ t1 OJ- /13

. ~t 0[1~

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2 /1 Silex

Fig.4: 1- Disarticulated skeletons 011 the stone platform of tumulus VI from Ampoiţa··"Peret"; 2-Stoneconstructions in the SE quarter of the tumulus from Tureni-"La Furci" (apud Rotea 1993)

3 .I

O,Sm 4 4

Fig. 5: 1-3-Burials in tumulus 1 from Meteş; 4-Grave 2 from tumulus 1 at Ampoiţa-"Dealul

Doştiorului"

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronz_~_A~g_e_T_u_~~ul_u_s-_B_u_r_ia_ls_' ~~~~~~~~_~~~~_2~1

/ '---~

//':'- -..-... "\.r--~--r--_____ \ \

\ '\\ ,, I

I II /

I // I

........~~••••• '0 /

-~-.10

IC:.:..»....

J'ig,.6. Ampoiţa-"PereC: grave-goods.

22

..

Horia Ciugudean

Fig. 7: Cheile Aiudului-"Dealul Velii": grave-goods.

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials 23

sf/D

rp'~""I

III,

-- - - ~~,---~\\ " ,, I 1,, I ,

1~~m1

Fig. 8. Pottery found in the tumulus-burials from Vălişoara (1-2), Izvoarele (3-4), Geoagiu de Sus(5-7), Sălciua de Jos (8) and Cetea (9-12).

24 Horia Ciugudean

II

l/

II

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/

- - - -_/

\,\

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Fig.9: Grave-goods discovered in the tunlulus-burials from Livezile-"Dealul Sârbului"

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials 25

b) "Ţâcul Mare".During the field-surveys from 1972, N .Vlassa and M.Takacs located several

tumuli on the hilltop called '"Ţâcul Mare", west to the village Poiana j\iudului. Onelarge Jmound was excavated later by M.Takacs, but she did Dot publish the resultsyet.

6. Cipău (district of Mureş).

In 1973, V.Vasiliev and A.Zrinyi excavated one of the mounds placed notfar from the railway station and found a burial with ochre. No other informationsare available (Vasiliev 1980, 3,6).

7. Cluj.a) "Făget".

Several tumuli were identified by N.Vlassa on the northern slope of theFeleac hill, in the forest called "Făget" (Vlassa et al. 1986, 60; L,azarovici andMaxirn 1988, 1001).

b) "Pădurea Tăuţ".

At least 3 tumuli are placed on the watershed between the valleys "SfântuIon" and "Tăuţ". Another group of mounds are visible on the eastern slope of theFeleac hill, on the left side of "Valea Racilor" (Lazarovici and Maxiln 1988, 1002).

8. Geoagiu de Sus (commune of Stremţ, district of Alba).North to the village, H.Ciugudean identified and excavated a tumulus in

1972, on the hilltop called "Cuciu". Under the stone covering, 7 burials were found,the grave-goods consisting of pottery (fig. 8/5-7), a little piece of copper wire andseveral flint and obsidian blades and splinters (Ciugudean 1977, 43-·49).

9. Hăpria (commune of Straja, district of Alba).North to the village, near the Coţoferii settlement from the place called

"Cetăţuie", two mounds were identified in 1983. One is quite flat and it has a stonecovering, Coţofeni sherds being found on the surface. The second is more than 3m. high, but it is placed in the forest, being covered by bushes and some trees. Noexcavation was made.

10. Izvoarele (former Bedeleu, commune of Livezile, district of Alba).a) "La Cruce".In 1887, S .Fenichel excavated a tun1ulus south-west to the village, on the

place called "La Cruce". The mound had 2 stone coverings, saparated by an earthlayer.. A clay pot and a polished stone (stone axe ?) were found in a grave withtwo skeletons, other two children burials having no grave-furniture. Fenichel alsodescribed a kind of altar, built of 4 stone pillars and covered with ashes, charcoaland animal bones. Re noticed a thin layer with sherds, charcoal and animal bonesunder the tU111ulus (Fenichel 1891 a, 65-69).

b) "La Furci" - "Dealul Nioarcii".In 1887, S.Fenichel discovered other tumuli on the hill called "La Furci",

narth-east to the village, but he. excavated only one. A black cup and a broken mill­stone: were found in a grave with two skeletons. Sherds and charcoal were againreported inside the mound (Fenichel 1891 b, 160-161) .

.In 1972, H.Ciugudean excavated another tumulus in the same area. Acrouched skeleton was found, with one-handled cup (fig. 8/3) near the skull(Ciugudean 1977, 49-50, fig.7).

c) "Gruiul Roşu".

Located between the villages Izvoarele and Colţeşti, the dorninating hilltop

26 Horia Ciugudean

called "G1'uiul Roşu" was visited first by S.Fenichel in 1887. He noticed 4 tumuli,excavated one of them and found three burials, the grave-goods of the main burialeonsisting of two stone axes and several flint arrowheads (Fenichel 1891b, 161·-162).

In 1972, H.Ciugudean excavated another tumulus, but he found only oneburial, with a c1'ouched skeleton and a small cup (fig. 8/4) near the legs. Sherdswith Coţofeni deco1'ation were also found on the ancient soil (Ciugudean 1977, 50­54, fig.8-9).

11. Livezile (former Cacova, district of Alba).a) "Dealul Sârbului".In 1885, K.Herepey discovered 3 tumuli on the hill called "Dealul Sârbului",

no1'th to the village. Two of them were excavated, both having two stone coveringsseparated by an earth layer. There were two burials in each mound, one skeletonhaving the skull protected by a slab-lined cist. The grave-goods consisted of pottery,a copper spectacle-spiral pendant and a double hook, stone axes, bone awls, stone­mills (fig. 9). Coţofeni and Wietenberg (?) sherds were also found in the tun1uli(Herepey 1901, 18-20).

b) "Cărpiniş".

Other 7 smaller tumuli were discovered by Herepey on the hill called"Cărpiniş", south-west to the village. Two of them were excavated, each one witha single crouched skeleton and a cup nearby (Herepey 1901, 20-22).

c) "Baia".In 1972, H.Ciugudean discovered 6 tumuli on the hilltop called "Baia" (fig.2/

3), 3 of them already distroyed due to a waggon road and natural errosion. Theskull of a WOOlan, with a very large trepanation, was found in one of the distroyedmounds (Ciugudean 1979, 65~ Botezatu et al. 1987).

12. Meteş ( district of Alba).a) "Pleaşa Înaltă".

In 1985, H.Ciugudean identified a small Late Aeneolithic/Early Bronze Agesettlement on the limestone rock called "Pleaşa Înaltă", and a round tumulus witha stone covering (fig.2/1), placed not far from the settlement (Ciugudean 1986, 78,fig.8/1-6).

b) "Dealul Toaca-La Meteşel".

A cemetery consisting of 9 tumuli was located on the right side of theAlbina valley, on the erest which is coming to the east from the hill called HToaca",during a field survey in 1993. Next year, part of a mound was exeavated byH.Ciugudean, two stone rings being found, covered with a considerable amolplt ofbeaten earth. Several burials have been diseovered (fig.5/1 -3), but the excavation isnot finished yet.

13. Miceşti (district of Cluj).Several tumuli were identified between the villages Miceşti and Crăieşti, in

the places called "ŢicIă" and "Pe Costi". Some of the olounds are sOlaller (around6-8 m. in diameter and 1 m. high), others are larger (around 20-30 m. in diaoleterand 3-4 n1. high). No excavation was made (Lazarovici and Maxinl 1988, 1000­1001).

14. Petreştii de Sus (eommune of Petreşti, district of Gluj).A small cemetery, consisting of 3 tumuli, is located near the village, 00 the

place called "Pă Grădini". Gh. Lazarovici excavated the central maund (nr.2) ,covered with stones, and faund 7 burials. The skeletons we1'e put in contracted

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials 27

position, both an the left and right side. The grave-goods were poor: one decoratedvessel, some flint tools and a bovine tooth (Lazarovici 1989; LazarovÎci and Maxim1994, 13-15, fig.11b-13).

15. Sălciua de Jos (commune of Sălciua, district of Alba).a) "Vârtop.One tumulus was located on the Bedeleu Mountain, not far from the cave

"Huda lui Papară", on the place called "Vârtop". In 1987 the mound was cut bya large trench, but no burials were found, only some isolated sherds under the stonecovering.

b) "Crucea Sârbului".In 1987 several small mounds were located on the hilltop called "Crucea

Sârbului", south-east to the village. Only one tumulus was excavated, a badlypreserved skeleton being found in a contracted position, together with a small one­handJed cup (fig. 8/8).

16. Tămăşeşti (district of Hunedoara).Several earthen mounds are placed on the crest that separates the villages of

Tămăşeşti and Beriu. Some of them are quite flat, but 3 mounds are huge (morethan 3 meters high), being known under the name "La trei ţâţe". No excavation wasmade.

17. Tureni (district of Cluj).A cemetery with 8 burial mounds was identified on the top hill called

"Ghicenghe". The largest tumulus is located on the place called "La Furci" and ithas more than 40 m. diameter flnd about 3 m. high. The mound was partiallyexcavated by Gh.Lazarovici, Z.Maxim-Kalmar and M.Rotea, a complicated stanestructur~ being discovered, including a stone ring and several graves covered withstones. The central grave (m.3) contained a contracted skeleton with pieces of ochrenear the shoulders aud 2 flint blades near the legs (fig.3/2). Pottery belonging to theCoţofeni culture was also found in the mound (Lazarovici and Maxim 1988, 998­1000~ 1994, 16-17, fig.14~ Rotea 1993, 74-75, fig.3).

18. Ţelna (commune of Ighiu, distlict of Alba).a) "Rupturi".In 1985 H.Ciugudean identified a cemetery consisting of 9 burial mounds on

a hill north ta the village, in the place called "Rupturi". In 1990 two mounds wereexcavated, both having the usual stone covering, bordered by big rocks. Threegraves with the skeletons in contracted position were found in tumulus 1, but theonly grave-good was a snlall conical cup. Most of the skeletons found in the 6graves of tl:lmulus II were disn1embered, collective burials being also discovered(M.4 and 5). The grave-goods consisted of pottery (a conical cup, a pot with 4small handles and a jug) and bone ornaments (one bone ring and a necklace madeof dog teeth).

b) "Dealul Chicerii".Two stane n10unds were located on the hill called "Chiceri", at an altitude

of 550 m. (fig.2/2). During the agricultural labours, some Coţofeni sherds and flintsplinters were found in the same area. No excavation was done (Ciugudean 1986,fig.7/5-6).

c) "SăIăşele".

At least 4 tumuli were identified in the place called "SăIăşele", close to thewell-known Bronze Age settlement from the point "Gugu". Part of the mounds are

28 Horia Ciugudean

covered with trees and bushes, but the stones of the coverings are stiU visible(Berciu D. and 1. 1945, 25-27; Ciugudean 1986, 69, note 11).

19. Vălişoara (former Vale, Cărpiniş, comnlune of Livezile, district of Alba).a) " (iruiu Darului".In 1887, S .Fenichel discovered 4 tumuli on the hill called "Gruiu Darului",

south to the village. Only one nl0und was excavated, .5 burials being found underthe stone coverings. The grave-goods consisted of two vessels (fig. 8/1-2) and astone axe (F'enicheI1891a, 65-69; Schroller 1933, p1.29/5-8).

b) "La Strungă".

Not far from the first cemetery, S.Fenichel excavated another burial rnound,in the place called "La Strungă". Two cups and two polished stones (axes?) werefound in the central grave (Fenichel 1891a, 65-69).

20. Zlatna (district of Alba).a) "Dumbrăviţa".

I.Lipovan located a small cemetery consisting of 3 stone mounds north to thepick "Jidovul"', on the highest terrace (600-700 m.) of the Ampoi river, in the placecalled "Dumbrăviţa". No excavation was done, but a few Coţofeni-type sherds werecollected in this area.

b) "Zăpode".

During a field survey in 1994, H.Ciugudean identified a second cemetery inthe sorroundings of Zlatna, on the left side of "Valea Morilor", in the place called"Zăpode", not far from the Late Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age settlement located onthe rock "Colţul lui Blaj". At least 4 tumuli are stiH visible on the crest of the hill,some of thern with stone coverings.

III. Funeral rites aud ritualsThe central and south-\vestern Transylvanian turnuli (fig.l) may be divided,

accordingly to their way of building and internal structure, in two main groups:A. TU111Uli without pitgraves, having one or more stane coverings;B. TUIT1Uli with pitgraves, covered with an earthen mound.We shall try to present the main characteristics of each group, on the base

of the funeral rites and rituals.The burial mounds belonging to the first group (type A) are much better

studied, their area of distribution being the eastern 'lnd southern parts of theApuseni Mountains, that means the Trascău and Petrind Mountains, together withthe Feleacu Hills and Zarand Mountains (in the last two regions the excavatioIls arestill missing, but there are several field surveys: Lazarovici and Maxin1 1988, 1994;Pădurean 1985, 33, 40).

The tUITluli of type A are always placed in dominant positions, usually on thewatershed bet\Veel1 two valleys, not very far from a rocky area, where stones forbuilding the mound can be easily collected. As far as no\v, tumuli of this type were

. never located 011 the river meadows. The cemetery are sJTIall, usually less than 10tumuli, the largest being the one excavated in Cheile Aiudului (16 tumuli). Isolatedmounds have been also repolted in several cases (Izvoarele-"La Cruce", N[eteş­

"Pleaşa înaltă"). The medium size of the tumuli is 10-12 ITI., but there are s111allermounds (6-7 rn.), most of them quite flat (0,30-1 m.). rrumuli of greater size arequite rare in the Apuseni Mountains, the greatest kno\vn as far as now being theone fron1 Tureni-"La Furci" (more than 3 m. high and about 40 m dianleter). The

The Later Eneolithic/Early Bronze Age Tumulus-Burials 29

I110unds are usually round, but sometimes they could be ellipsoidal too.The dominant rite in the tumuli ·of type A is inhumation in contracted

position. Pits were never dug, the dead being put directly on the surface of theancient soil under the mound, covered with a thin layer of earth and then withstones (fig.3). There are no clear evidence of funeral chambers, like cists made ofstone slabs. However, some kind of stane constructions (fig.4/2) are reported in thecase of certain graves in the tumulus from Tureni-"La Furci" (Lazarovici and Maxim1994, fig.14, pl.I/B, 2) and I-Ierepey found the skull of a skeleton protected with astane case in the tumulus from Livezile··"Dealul Sârbului" (Herepey 1901, 20).

l'he burials may be divided in two groups, according ta the state of theskeletons: alticulated skeletons (fig.5/1,4) 01' disarticulated bones (fig.5/3). Articulatedskeletons result from the interment of corpses, while assemblages of whoIly OI'

partly disarticulated bones point ta disintegration prior ta burial, and previous burialar storage before interment seems likely. Articulated burials were normally contracted,the orientation of the skeletons being unregular. There are single burials, as weIl as"collective" ones, usually containing two individuals (two adults; an adult, female,and a child; two children). Sornetimes, together with an articulated skeleton disarticulatedbones of another individual(s) may appear. Disarticulated burials can be separatedin several types. First, there are examples of disarticulated skeletons carefullyarranged in an individual pile (fig.5/3). Second, there are masses of (mainly) brokenbones of 3-4 persons (maybe more, but in most cases the anthropological analysisare missing), stacked together (fig.4/1). Finaly, there are part of the skeletons,usually legs 01' skulls, buried in isolated position inside the mound.

Articulated burials in contracted position are guite cominon an the Romanianterritory during the Neolithic period (Comşa 1960). We have less information aboutthe existance of disarticulated burials as a common ritual in the sarne time. Thisfunerary practice seems to develop mainly during the Late Eneolithic/Early BronzeAge perioe!. in whole Europe. Disarticulated skeletons are reported in the Megalithiccultures of Western Europe (Piggott 1973, 1]; Ashbee 1984, 63-65), as weB as inthe Pit-grave culture of Eastern Europe (Hăusler 1976, p1.6/10a; 12/2; 25/9; 27/22etc.). ()n the Romanian lerrilory, there are such burials in the Baden-Coţofeni area(Emodi 1984,406; Gâţă andlvlateescu 1983) and in the tumulus-burials from Dobludgea,belonging to North-Pontic C'orded Ware groups (Sinlion 1991).

Regarding the presence of few cremation graves, we must do a cleardistinction between the secondary Middle Bronze Age urn that was pIaced in thethe stane coverings of the tunlulus from Cetea (Ciugudean 1990, 69) and thecremated hunlan bones spread on the ancient sail , in the centre of tumulus VIIIrrom Ampoiţa-"Peret" (fig.3). The last grave is a clear proof that a change of thefuneral rite was taking place in the late phase of the tumulus-burials from theApuseni Mountains, The bad preservation of the two ums from AmpoiţaJ tumulusVII does not allow ta state their chronol,9gical position (Ciugudean 1991, 88,fig'-12), but they may signify the same phenomenon as grave nr.5 from tumulusVIII. Two secondary crenultion graves were also found in the tun1ulus partiallyexcavated at Meteş, one of them having typical Early Bronze Age pottery.

The oldest cremation graves in Romania seem to be the ones discovered inthe V'ucedol and Coţofeni cultures (Roman 1976, 32). During the Early Bronze Age,cremation is practised both in the Mako and Nyirseg' cultures (Nemeti 1979; Bader1978, 23). A cremation grave was also discovered in a tumulus from South-East

30 Horia Ciugudean

Transylvania (Roska 1942, 33), a plane cemetery with Ull1S being found at Bratei(Ron1an 1986, 45).

B urials beneath earthen mounds represent the second group (B) of thetumulus-burials from Central and South-Western Transylvania. Few such rnoundshave been excavated since now (Câmpia Turzii, Cipău), no extensively repoltsbeing published. However, we may state some characteristics of this group ofburials. Their area of distribution is mainly the Transylvanian Plateau, the Mureş

valley and the lower hills being prefered. The mounds are greater, in comparisonwith the previous group, they have always a layer of strongly beaten earth, whichis covering the central pit dug in the ancient soil. The dead is sometimes put in ,afuneral chamber, made of wooden boards. The individuals are lying on the back,with the legs in a typical rhombic position, the only grave-goods being pieces ofochre. All these features are quite common in the JaJuna group of the Pit-graveculture, well-known in the NOlth-Pontic area (Dergacev 1994, 123-127), as \vell asin Moldavia and the Danube Plain (Dinu 1975; Comşa 1985,· Laszlo 1983). Thediscoveries from Transylvania may be related with the Pit-grave groups that reachedthe Tisza Plain (Ecsedy 1-979), passing through the Banat region (Giric 1987;Bukvic 1987). The Mureş valley was the main route used by small conlmunities ofshephards which penetrated into the Transylvanian area, the huge earthen nl0undsfrom Tămăşeşti, near Orăştie, representing a link between the tumulus from Bodoin Banat (Stratan 1974) and the discoveries from central Transylvania. To the North,they reached the Someş valley, an earthen mound being excavated by V.Vasiliev atRăscruci (ReJJeluJ 1992, 327). The Pit-grave groups preffered mainly the lowlands,while the local population, using the tumulus-burials with stone coverings dominatedthe highlands. We may suppose such a picture for the l ...ater Eneolithic/Early IJronzeAge of Transylvania, considering the distribution of the two groups of mounds, incorrelation with the other kinds of data (land-use strategy, settlement-patterns,copper and bronze artefacts etc.).

HORIA CIUGlJDEAN

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