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Lown Vnoxovs (ep). Eanay Srapouc Sysre CuarpTerR 32 for Comtscaron m Soummasr Evacet 9 371418 Copper AXES AND BRACELETS IN THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF PREHISTORIC EUROPE Introduction ‘There are several main approaches to the explanation of sig- nificant cultural changes throughout vast European areas on the turn of S-4 millennium BC. Adherence of different schol- ars to certain explanatory model is as a rule conditioned by concrete results of the very changes. For instance, sudden and almost taceless collapse of flourishing East Balkan Eneolithic cultures drew out the conception of destructive migration of pastoral tribes from the north Pontic region (Gimbutas 1977) or the hypothesis about severe natural climatic catastrophe. which influenced the whole Balkan Peninsula and whose ef fect was not less destructive than a foreign intrusion (Todorova 1998). The concept of migration is not exhausted only by pen- etrations of pastoral population into agriculural areas but also allows some moves of sedentary farmers to new territories and replacement of preceding cultural units there. Such a scenario is recognized for Transdanubia where the Balaton-Lasinja cul- ture appeared under strong southern impulse (Kalicz 1991). At the same time, some regions actually do not demonstrate an obvious cultural discontinuity (e.g. Alfold, the Carpathian- Dniester lands). Here, the cultural development is considered as a significant but relatively gradual transformation of older cultural standards whereas any attempts to see the situation in the light of a catastrophic intrusion or even intensive external influence encounter categorical but fairly reasonable objections (Kalicz 1998; Makkay 1994; Hausler 1994; Videyko 1994), The diversity of research opinions apparently follows the local distinctions, which give each European region its rather indi- vidual character. At first sight itis dffeult to discover com- mon trends against the background of this local variety, which could combine regional changes in a unified and comprehen- sive picture, However, it is only at first sight Behind the cultural mosaic of the late Sth millennium BC, ‘one can find out some traits that clearly show universal trajec- tory of the development of the European culture. These traits axe not confined solely to the general and synchronous emer- gence of new cultures or disappearance of previous ones. They can be also discerned in common change of settlement system, in overall external degradation of various elements of material Tcor MaNzURA culture compared to earlier period. Additionally, they are vis- ible in the evolution of ancient metallurgy. It can be assumed that products of metalworking like other parts of material com- plex have to show general state of ancient European culture on

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