“The Lengyel, Polgir and related cultures in the MiddleLate Neolithic in Central Europe LATE NEOLITHIC BURIAL RITES AT-THE SITE OF POLGAR-CSOSZHALOM-DULO ‘ALAND ANDERS, EMESE GyoNcvvER NAGY ABSTRACT: This study san nays of bari recovered atthe st of Polgr-Carhlan dl berwen 195 204 from the vewpcnt of mortar practices, grave goods ad th reconatuction af ai, ineypoesing theres of psa stropology’ Two problems ae dncesedin gretr detail One thse isthe ove abd Unde rpreseatton of extain ae rou a ts poe ates. The other the pss ears expression ef ‘word view sed on try oppoion i arial begs i th strict ebony between tees ‘Sherved i theburil of women and men Introduction A total of 123 graves were excavated atthe ste of Poir-Csdszhalom-5 during a field campaign be- tween 1995 and 2004, covering a surface of 35,000 m (Racaky eal. 1997, 39-40; Raczky etal. 2002; 840, Racoky-Anders 2006, 2532), Only 102 of thse wil be discussed inthis study, since we needed larly une strbed, compete brialfor he purposes of analysing every aspect ofthe ritual. During the cous 0 analy- fis we uilised ageing and sexing data determined bythe physical anthropologist Zuzsanna Zofimann— whose kind contribution is acknowledge bere | Mortuary practices “The majority of graves were dug in relation to houses, usually along the estrn-south-castem side ofthe bwulding ie. in rotor neste enrance. These were either singular graves oe frmed smaller groups Fg. 1) [Nota houses had burials sscited wit hem and negligible number of deceased were bused on the side of elay exraction pits. Skeletons of tmall chien wee fd i two pst hols, They may’ be regucded as evidence of constuction scrifice. Ar this pint, however, no rlationships could be established between the ‘individuals buried in the poximity of houses; uch groups may be formed by men and women of varius ages ‘nd wealth and incl elon a8 well The plane ofthe grave i wak of rounded oblong shape with straight walls and Nat bottom it measured 80-100 Gm by 170-220 mon the surfice ms, Traces of wooden tuctur rein could be observe into“ “The Lengye, hand ted cures ‘ass (Features no. $36 and 1057), This was shown bya 5-7 em wide soil discoloration along the walls inie- ative of decaying wood. "Te characte orientation of graves is NortheastSouth west sypial ofthe 3.9% ofthe burials. Only ‘few deviations from his dteton may be observed, “Te deceased were interred ina more-less contrite postion. The uper trunk sus Tad on the bck, nly te legs are contracted. Women were positioned on the let side oftheir bodies, while the opposite 99s trefor men who ly on ther ight side. With the exception ofa few cases, the gender ofthe deceased hy pothesised on te basis of positon and rave goods were confined by sexing, sed on physical ntiopo- logical methods. TL Peces of attire and grave goods “The objects found in thet burials may be subdivided ito two main groupe, Some served a pieces ofa tire others were place inthe barns as grave goods. All personal belongings that once adone clothing or the body tse are considered pieesof air, Grave goods include objects that were placed in the grave pit as ‘ar ofthe ritual. They may have inluded the personal belongings ofthe deceased, his or her working oo, aswell offerings of food and beverages that accompanied the cul. Among the graves under discussion here, in general, pieces of aire and jewellery (necklaces, beaded belts) tad tebe more common inthe burials of ‘women. On the ther hand, oo (epacally poled stone implemects) oer tobe more chaste ofthe burials of men, 1. Generally occurring artefacts ‘Smaller stone chips, as well as chipped sone tools maybe found inthe burials of both geades and in all ‘ages. They have no special location within the grave, Lamps of ochre, accompanied by smaller objects ~ such 1s beads made from Spondylu shel or red eet canines, bon or stone tols— were found inthe raves of nine ‘women and me. I sem that these objects and possibly the perishable (leather pouches that contained them ‘ad clealy defined place within the grave pit they were laced near the upper part of the unk, either of the Jef he ight side of he deceased ‘Nesklacss made from strung Sponhlur beads or red der canines may be found in the burl of both ges- ers, although they sm tobe mare common in the graves of women, Perhaps they were not worn commoals, ‘nce mos of them came light fm the schest graves. The way these beads were worn sal characterise. ‘The beauty of ed deer canine pendants was emphasised by the way they were strung Sometimes they were strung among # mixtre of beds. Copies of od dcr canines were caved ints the shape of ay and weights. ‘When strung in tight dovetail pater, they resulted in an exremely dense look. Dishes were rarely entered part ofthe rave fue. They were found only in five graves, thee otal umber was 6, No regular pars may be See in the way they were pce inthe rave They must have ei ther contained beverages of Some sort of pore, since no animal bones indicative of meat offering were found in them, ‘Smal bone tls, such a amoothers occured ony in few graves. However, they were ound inthe buri- ale ofboth men and women, 2, Artefiets found only in female burials Marble, aa raw material, was found exclusively inthe graves of women. Single or double belt chains, strung fom lage marble or les frequently fom Spon) beads are also characters of ferales andi piece of tie rypical of Marrur women (Fig. 2:2,4), This artefacts often found without any aditonal piece of jewellary or other form of grave goods. Smaler marble beads were aso strung as pr ofthe heads and eckace, Inthe case of bet chains made footer raw materials no special age aroup stands out ‘total of3 bone rings were found in the graves. Al f them are artefacts associated with extemal ch women nthe Adu -Manors age groupsAcecssons Anoens, Ease Gronoren Ni, Late Nels bri te he def Pog Cero. ou oot". nor som 4 PE ESE UNE > psu uEAIE RUE pee ap SNL RP OTURE)ABOO ORL'A% The Lengel, tg and ead eure, “Two-zow heacdresseestrang rom Spondu beads may alo be considered a female piee of attire aswell ‘asthe aired decoration adored with hee sea sels, able beads and red der canine teeth, both eig- ‘al and imitation. 43, Anefaets found only in male burials ‘Some short cain stung from Spondhus beads, possibly decorating the forehead part ofa headres,be- Toaged to men. ‘One to thre sane Spondhlu beads wor onthe wrist may also be considered part ofthe male aire. ‘The most chamcerstc artefacts associated with men i these buals ae polished chisel chisel lads or ciss-exes made from basal or slate, These occured in high proportion in 48% ofthe mae burials (Fig. 2: 53-4, Suc poised stone tools had a well defined place in burl: they were either placed onthe left or the Fight side ofthe chest, sometimes at the eight ofthe shoulder 4, Prestige objects Prestige objcs may be identified onthe basso eriteria characteristic ofa community (SH 2004, 7-8). Earlier studies carried out tthe st of Plgie-Csbszhalom- dil have pinpointd high sts objects as well sigh status ran materials (Racaky-Anders 2006, 27-31), These ater included Spondyhs shel and red deer ‘amie tet, ever in their imitation form. These objects are asociated withthe burl of bot genders include Ing children. Naural, some ofthese prestige objects are prevent in among the rave goods pices of ate pendants wore made from bar tsk beads of various ies aswel as arm rings were manufactured from Spon- ‘hs shell. Red oer canine eth wer se both stra a necklaces and to decorate both hed esses. ‘One aspect of Spundyujewellery as already been discanted within the context of pieces of ate. Here, only ther istibton by gender wil be rey eviewed. This typeof rect was found in 68% ofthe graves ‘Studs, A more even dstbution may be sen among the burials of women. (However, this may be explained bythe general ries of women's burs discussed herein terms of pices of te), It is mashable, how= ‘ve, that this fom of jemellery was also found on Adults men Spondias sell bracelets resent 2 general ‘rstge item but symbolise status as wel (Raczky~Anders 2006, 28) ‘Red deer enies, 38 well a5 ther copies made frm cther antler or bone, could be wom by people of both genders inal ge groups. The distribution ofthese artefacts is surprisingly homogeneous in his read. How: ‘eve, they were found only in 11% ofthe graves. As a general eadene, it may be see that arger more dec- ‘orative specimens were found in the burials of mea, while copies and fragmented species ended up with tratrlikelooc in femal burials 5. Status objects Status objects indicate the position of en individual acquired within a given society (Ski 2004, 7, $3) “The boar mandibe andthe penans made from boar sk plates are often cosdered objec of identical val tes (Siklsi 2004 34-35) Its remarkable, however, tht boar mandibles representa single grave good with ‘no other surviving arefics in the sme burial, Pendants made fom bose ask plates, on the other hand, were lays worn by men supplied withthe richest rave goods These object have & clearly etre pesition: such plats are found inthe cow area, asifthey wer hung from the neck Boa mandible, onthe other hand, were laced in font ofthe fice of humans 6. Lack of grave goods Wis remarkable that 38% of the graves contained no pices of tire, Anoter intersting observation may ‘be made in ers f gender and age distributions. tis especially boys in the Inf 1. ge group and women of -Marurws age whe were buried witout pices of aie, They were bared without ny srvsing grave goods, but stil nthe prximity of houses dat may be considered special locaton.(Ochre isnt considered era grave ood in and of itself es rather regarded an accessory ofthe burial sie, Oc is usaly fond onthe lower legs, although sometimes it may even be detected onthe thigh bones sand under the skal, C dating Unfortunately, forthe te being we havea singe burial (Crave 226) that bs been “C dated. Te date ob- laine is 4770-4610 eal BC; that matches neatly the secs of “C dats from te external setemen, which ‘Gefines 14940-4610 cl BC tme period It als matches the age of lower strata within the tl Setlerent hat ‘ange between 4940-4720 BC cl BC (sce Raczky etal in this volume). 1 Mu Vien Late (VERA) cay Ox .10. 2 Thine dcmiason nh "Cue fhe etree storey and oft Vea Lory (VERA) cabo woud8 Th Lee Pog ad elated aes Discussion 1. Burial tradition tis itictt wo compare the aforementioned graves from Polgs-CsSszhalom-lé to contemporancous buras in tho Carpathian Basin. Although almost 4500 groves are known fom the Lat Neolithic ofthe Gret Hungarian Plain (Kalic-Raccky 1987, 23; Lites 2001, 209), only few ofthese have been published to ether wih the resus obtained by physical ntropologiss. In aditon, even these ties tend to be focussed an all groups of graves. There are some exceptions however Burials ofthe Tisza culture, for example wee summarised by JzsefKorek (1972), while Katalin Hegeds carried out he analysis ofthe a Vesri- Magar Iria Hegedie 1077) The Ties cle gnves exaunted o Kidkie-Cit wee eval hy Hae? Keer and subsequently re-analysed by John Chapman onthe sis ofthis orginal publication (Kore 1989; Chap rman 2000, 4S-74). The exelet analysis ofthe cometery of Mérigy-TUakSdom (Transdanubia, Westra Hungary), ered out by IseinZala-GuilZaa-Cadl 2002; ali Gal 2003) must also be mentioned here. In the absence of silat high ua information, we must rely on the lconie site reports by excevators rafting general tendenci. "The east-west or souteas-nonhvest orientation ofthe graves tends to be a gone wat (Kaliez-Raczky 1987, 23) that follows the orientation of houses. Burials wit ois or oer wooden structures are well doc- lumented inthe cemeteries of several sites 22 eases): Beret ifalu-Heriy, Szegvar=TUzkbves, Vésab— Mégor and Hiidmezdvisarely~Gorzsa (Kalic-Raceky 1987, 23; Lcher 2001, 214). (The aumbe of pho- ‘mena this documented is probably iluenced by the crcumstanes and precision of eld abservatios). ‘The contracted potion ofthe deceased, a well asierences in the position by gender ar aso characteristic (cee below) In some cases, however the te was nol a rc as athe site of Plgd. Such examples include iskore-Git (Chapman 2000, 6-S7, 163) an Vésib-Miigoc(Makkay 2004, 1) Tere were relatively few ‘gre goods in the burials under cscussion here, nd the tyes of aie show a ret del of smilaiy They, Include headdesses, necklaces, arm rings and bracelets and belt chains stung from beads (Korek 1972, 345-) $346, Hepes 1977, 151-152; Kalice-Raczky 1987, 24, Kore 1987, 58; Hegoii Maka 1987, 91. twas also observed at the site of Kiskbre, thatthe graves of women contained more elements of aire and rave ‘goods in general than those of men (Chapman 200, $1, 53. The raw materials of high prestige are identical 15 well: Spondhlus shel, animal tet and even copper in the ltr period. Te only exception is represented by ‘wild boar: to our eurentknowiege, remains of his animal are characteristic only inthe burials lasitied 10 the Herpily-Cstchulom group of cates during the Late Neolithic (Kalice-Recchy 1987, 24). In addition to these similis, diferences also oosr beeen the locations of graves al Cxchalm: while the group know from te Great Hungarian Pin is chuactersed by smaller cases of burl placed in the abundoned sections ofsetlemens(Kaliz-Racchy 1987, 23), graves at the site under discussion here ‘were dug inthe proximity ofhouses, forming aight structural uit with them. As forthe ALBK Period, graves, houses and pts formed sructral units atthe site of Fzesabony-Gubabit (Domboréczk 199, 28-30). On ing tothe small numberof superposed features it seems key that bars ook place during the active use of houses, The dead formed a community with the live (Chapa 1983, Ld; Nikolova 202, 68, 67), since those leaving the house were always confonted with the graves outside, In adition, the head ofthe deceased was, cen oriented in the direction ofthe entrance, Ata similar loetion, ein the extemal single-layer borizon- tal settlement adjacent pala research group of Soviet archaoologints dried by Vale Tay eared out excavations at Bertil Herply beeen 1977 and 1982. Dring his work, they found a smaller group of graves ata distance of 200m from the tell (Kalice-Racaky 1984, 134-135; Kalie-Raczky 1987s, 122, “The aumber of dead found in these burl always smal, compared to the estimated numberof inhabitants atthe stlement. Its posible, therefore, that additional bails ook place somewhere away fom the Setle- tment (Kaliez-Racaky 1984, 134-135) as was observed, for example, atthe seo eld (Komani) (Lazao- ‘si 1991), Naturally, graves may also be found within the ier area ofthe tll setlements. Some examples Show, however, that personalities of outstanding importance inthe community were eneed at such locations, [At the tll st of Polgir-Csszhalor-l6, for example only the graves of men and chile are found in the tell (Raceky- Anders 2006, 25). Seventy-five percent ofthe burial at the Herpiy tell were those of ehilren (Kalee-Racaky 1987, 125,-axasons Anos, Ens GroncrvesNacr, Late Neola ries tibet of Folger DS #9 Although the setlement of Polgir-CsSchalom-d6 had demonstrably tong tes with th Lengel ul- ture, (Reechy et al 2002, 843; Racoky-Andrs 2006, 30; Racky-Andesin press) oly a fev traces ofthis ‘connection may be detected in mortuary behaviour. “Rich graves al the ste of Cssehalom dst nt con contated in a nary defined area, as was observed sever times inthe Lengyel elt (Klien 1985, 32; ala: Gail 1991, 396-398). Nevertho-es, some elements are remarkable and may be surnaesed 3 fol. Tow: the frequency of polsied stone tool is unusually high in male burial (48%. Although his type of ‘eft sem tbe a characteris grave good in male burials, such high proportion would be unas nthe ‘roup of late neolithic sites in the Gres Hungarian Pain, such asthe Tizaerply-Csbsalom center: {se Within the dtrbution area ofthe Lengel cults, the cometary of the Acxdeelement sowed soative ‘equoncies varying between 12-22-2 Ys depending on the grave group. At the spe site of Lengye 40% of raves, at Zengbvkony 27% of graves (Kalic 1985, 39) contained polished stone axes. Lagesizedeilet Sone axes occur on average, i 25-30 % of graves a ites ofthe Lngyel elt i he Souter section of ‘Transanobia (Western Hungary: Zal-Gasl 1991, 398). On the otber hand, the specimens covered fom graves at thse cometres ar larger and more carefully executed than those found st Polgir Csbzhalom- ‘i, Boar tsk plate pendants, always occuring in pis are nt known fom burials in late mol (Tisa- erpily-Cséschalom) bil ofthe Great Hungarian Pain. On the other hand t occurs in wealthy men at the Lengyel elie sites of Zengvirkony and Asai (Kalicz 1985, 40, 58; Siklsi 2004, 3435) Wild boar ‘mandibles were used as rave goods only we conterporancous sites inthe Grea Hungarian Pain: one grave fiom the Beretyszentmécion-Temet site of the Herpdly culture! four ofthe seven raves fom the tll (Gognie-Kutzén 1963, 383-384, 432; as well asthe exteralsetlemeants of Csbshalom (Feaures 233, 463, ‘and $29). On the oter hand, boar mandibles are frequent, even if not typical grave good placed in Lengyel culture burials (Kalicz 1985, 4, 58-59) Is noteworthy tat, at the site under discussion here, symbolic but- ils occured both inthe tera setlement (Feature 429: Racaky ct a 1997, 40,174) and oath elise? (Bopnic Katzkin 1963, 383,414). (Both of them may be identified with men oa the basis ofthe rave fui ‘are, Thre cenotphs wer also brought ight inthe cemetery of Asz as well Kalcz 198536) The same ‘phenomenon i yet tobe observed among the late neolithic cultures (Tisza-Herpaly-Csbazhalon) ofthe Great Hungarian Plain Following ths shor review of burl tradition two additional phenomena regarding the physical and social persona ofthe deceased willbe discussed in detail 2. The problem of low representative values in demographic reconstrctions Although only ition ofthe burials could be excavated at Poli, since excavations were cared out aly over 1/7 ofthe setemen’s surface, the umber of graves uncovered at thi siti notin roporton with ‘he population as had boon estimated on the basis of the size othe adjacent external element nd the mambo ofits known buildings (Racaky ets. 1997, 38%; Racoky et al 2002, B40; Raczky-Andes 200525). simi- lar discrepancy may be noted at mos prehistoriesites Between the population estates calcued fom bur- ial and the setlement respectively. For example, only $00 raves represent the several millenia lng ie fn encompassed by the Mesolithic and Neolithic in the ares of the Iron Gates Gorge ofthe Danube (Boris Stefanov 2004, 527) Similarly, 80% ofthe graves belonging to the Linearband popolations in Wester Eu- rope are estimated to be missing (Niesery 1995, 18) The approximately 500 graves excavate within the te stor ofthe Tisa-Herpily-Cschalom groups in Hungary. also seem tobe semurkably few (Lieber 2001, 209), This number is especially low considering thatthe estimated population in the prsent-cay ear of Hungary during the Late Neolithic (icluding the Lengyel Culte) was estimated w have aubred 45,000- 50,00 people per generation (Kaliz 2001, 16) Itseems that the majority of prehistoric burial remai invs- ible tous (Hodder 1990, 73). Meanwhile estimation ise, the determination ofthe general if le poses sev- ral problems in itself According to some septal opinions the information available i 80 sare that ven + Buon 194 cr uty ops Kua so ind Kaien “Teun of wan and recat in Racy-AM 205, 10-2, Racy An apt% “The Lengyet, oir andrea cules the relevance of data may be cvstoned. The situation i exacerbated by differences in time and space that of ten remain unaoconted fo (Bach 1978, 19; Bach-Bach 1980, 229,232; Peuasch 200, 19-20). ‘Given al these dificult only afew fctrs may be considered eliabl inthe demographic ty of pre- historic populations, One ofthese is high infant morality, estimated between 30 to 60%, the ater being an creme valve (Huser 1966, 28; Veit 1992, 121; Siemoneit 1997, 15, 143; Petrsch 200, 20-21). Morali> ‘inthe Inf. age group sens to have been especially high I is for this reason that the under epresentation ‘or somtimes complete lack cf this age group inthe known cemeteries may be considered surprising, Several ‘explanations have been put frward fortis phenomenon although none ofthese may be considered etrly Satisfy) The relatively high organic mater content of juvenile hone makes these remains more prone to diageet- je processes that led toa disproporionaely high ate of post-depostional destrton in comparison with beter mineralized aut sholetons. (Owing tothe smal ize ofbones, child burials may remain unnoticed ules very precise excavation ete igus are used (Bach 1973, 20; Hsekmann 198, 13; Bennike 1985, 4, Veit 1992, 121. Until cerain age children may not have ben regarded members ofthe community an thee bos were disposed of somewhere eh, ass shown by ethnographic examples (Bach-Bach 1980, 229; Bennike 1985, (34, Ve 1992, 121; Metugh 1999, 1). Chilzea may have ben bred in 4 way thats intangible in an archtologcal sense and therefore the bur ial observed only represet a small elite section of te ancient population (ckmann 1982, 13; Niszery 1995, 44, 14-115), Along thes ines, cilien assigned tothe and Tage group were alo found in very small numbers at Polgi (17%; ig. 1), However, the imporace of analysing child burl as boea increasingly emphasised by the proponent of gender archeology. They hae added the consideration of invisible” chile, underepre- seed in moruary content previous research characterised bya clear androcentri bias. Thanks to this ad Aton, the compiex roles of enildren in ancient societies canbe bet studied (Derevensk 1994, 8,1; Pear- on 1999, 102-108)? "The under-repeesentation of female burl seven more dificult explain, since in pre-industrial socie- ‘ies pernatal morality, caused by infection sch as puerperal ever, 36 well as usually greater physical tain resulted ina life expectancy fr women that may have fallen behind those of men by 6-10 yeas (Bach 1978, ‘96; Bach-Bach 1980, 252-23; Bennke 1985, 2; Mel1ugh 1999, 30; Perasch 2001, 20-2). Insite of his, ‘while the Jie age groups under-epresented (7%) a Polg the bras of Manus women deur ut {sully great numbers (309% 1), Sine ataning such high age was unusal for Women, one may suspect, that they had privilegised seal poston, hence thee burl in the proximity of houses, which that may have been a distinguished location, not valle forthe average members ofthe community Th the case of graves uncovered at Plgir-Cefezhalon- dd one mst hypothesie the existence of un ai- sional cemetery, oposibly several burl grounds that were connected with the Por-Cadszhalom- set- tlement ra least served a paicular segment ofits population. The other possibility is that a major portion ofthe Nevlihie population was buried na form tht leno archaeological sates. Is also poorly under ‘ood what eters ruled the cisions whether someone was buried atthe extemal stlment ron the tl it Sel The spatial distribution oa well as proparons betwee these rials in general sugges tha various cus- toms ruled the mortuary bebaviour of people at Poais-Csészhalom-l6(Raczky-Anders 2006, 25) 3. Gender specific mortuary practices ‘There area numberof rita by which women and men can be distinguished in every ie However, the reflection ofthese phenotena tends abe vas reduced in archaeological sources. It includes irl rep- ‘esenatons aswell ecerain elements of mortuary practices such asa, rave goods the body's position » During UISPPRY. Congres Lisben 2006 Sesion WS2S,Baesrue. Inhikenuainpeisy”wa eo-Ausunes Avon. us Gyouowvin Nay, Lat Noli ui te athe tof Pog Castalm.Dakb 9 Jin the burial and the orientation ofthe grave. In some cemetrics ofthe westem Bandheranl types of grave goods may be assigned to women and men respectively, evn if this distinction cannot be entirely generalised (Gekmann 1982, 15,51; Veit 1983, 115; Nieszry 1995, 110). Although no such clear dehotomy becween {rive goods ca be observed within te ditbution area ofthe AI Liner Pottery cult, the arched syn- bol incised or pint on the left sde ofboth fce-decoratedveses and idols known fom tte narthemseton ‘the Great Hungarian Plan may have been usd to indicate women (Racaky-Andrs 200, 162-163, 165) In the Late Neolithic of the Great Hungarian Pi, however, en increasing numberof data indicate that a ‘more emphatic distinction rween women and mea became important in comparison with eer periods, and thatthe exprecion of hic distinotion retained it significance even after doth, During the Early and Mido Neolithic ofthe Captian Basin most deceased were buried on tei let (rls fequey sight) side in & ‘coated postion (Kaiez-Makkay 1977, 83,86; Lichter 2001, 178, 18,206). From the “ate Nel om ‘wards, however an increasing numberof data show that men and women were placed in the gave acording 10 ‘ender inthe Tica Region inthe cemetery of Soogvés-TUzkbves, 30 mes had been laid hei ight sie, and 15 of 18 foaes on thet left side (Korek 1987, 8). At HédmezSvésichely-Corsa, the deceased were ‘ured ina contracted postion, with females ladon ter left and males on thei ight sides Horvith 1987, 45). ‘This pheaomenon was also observed by Jénos Baner at Hédmeavisihely-Kokéaydomto (Bunnor 1930, 74-42). Athesiteof Vésri-Magoramajoity of men were found lid on ther right side Heed 1977, 148) and, naturally, the same trend may be observed at Polgir-CsSshalom-dil (ig 2: 2-3). Inthe ease of some tet (eg. Oetid-Kovishalon) no resus of physical anthropological analyses are yet valble, while uch tering is not apparent teers (eg. Kiskire-Gat,Beretfla-Herpaly, eld) The dominant form of Postion ia inhumation graves vais almost by individual cemeteries inthe Lengel eultire (Kali 1985, 36; ich 2001, 242-245; al Gail 203,39), whe it ecomes completely generalised inthe Coper Age Tis. apolar and Bodrogkereszti cultures. Relatively estly manifestations of positioning by gender were already pointed ou in previous studies (Chapman 1977, 138; Chapman 2000, 45; Hauser 2000, 330-335 Zala-Gast 2003, 71; however this question has not ben studied in deta ‘The aforementioned phenomenon is wll kno incl anthropology san expression of thinking in bi- ray term, In the simples ystems, abuts or symbols are enumerated as opposing pis sch as lefvright, man/woman, younp/ol, upperllower,rawlcooked ets Yet, these iol concepts alo complement cach ober. Simpler or more complex ways of presenting such symbolic opposites in dualistic systems are to be found in almost every culture, as bs ben deseibes by linguists and anthropologists alike (Lévi-SoausI958, Wanov 1968; Hauser 1980, 344) The universal use ofthis phenomenon may be explained bythe fist that dchotomic ‘opposition forms abasic nt of our formal logical thinking (Kongls-Maranda 1962; Veres 1976, 359) "Elements ofthis system built on binary opposits include the distinction between right nd lt swell as ‘between men and wemen. Left fan atbut, soften associated with women in several European, Afican and Asan cultures It was observed over extreme geographical und temporal distances suchas ancient Slavs {to moder day India, medieval Europe to New Guinea, of the Palacosiberian Kets othe Ob Ugrians(vanov 1969, 107; Veres 1975; McHugh 1999, 31). Although sporadic evidence ofthis view ofthe word is aso vailble fom the preceding Ald Linear Potery culture, i seems to be fst expressed in its more marked ‘orm durin the Late Neolithic of the Carpathian Basin. The significance ofthe burials excavate at Polesr- (Cszhalo-l sth, owing tothe great numberof eases, is maifesation cannot be emsdered a random ‘hesomenoa and that piyscalanthopologcal studies have aso oafimed the ientiiestion of gender hy- pothesisod on th basis of mortuary rites, ‘Aszong effort distinguish besween men and women also apparent in iconography as velas sever ele- ‘ments of the mortuary rite. During theme ofthe Tira cle, depicting unambiguowsly males sar occuring (atest discussion: Makkay 2005, 93-96). Experience gained during the excavations of Plgr-Csészalom- All shows clear separation between female and male are, nd tht some types of grave goods became ox- ‘usively characters of one or theater geade bet fo females and plished stone ols for males) ¢ Hermetic nes is ements Lier 20218.279, Feit choy erm fly cep the seated ops Dee 98 1,19)