Lown Vnoxovs (ep). Eanay Srapouc Sysre
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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