Vinča-Belo Brdo
44°45′43″N 20°37′23″E / 44.76194°N 20.62306°E / 44.76194; 20.62306
Vinča-Belo Brdo (Serbian: Винча-Бело брдо) is an archaeological site in Vinča, a suburb of Belgrade, Serbia. The tell of Belo Brdo ('White Hill') is almost entirely made up of the remains of human settlement, and was occupied several times from the Early Neolithic (c. 5700 BCE) through to the Middle Ages. The most substantial archaeological deposits are from the Neolithic-Chalcolithic Vinča culture, of which Vinča-Belo Brdo is the type site.
Geography
Vinča is situated on the right bank of the Danube, 14 km downstream from Belgrade, on a high loess terrace. This location was attractive to its Neolithic settlers: the Danube on one side provided water and fishing while on the other the valley of the river Bolečica connected it to a hinterland rich in minerals, ores, hunting grounds and fertile agricultural soils. Belo Brdo is one of the largest tell sites in the Balkans, covering 10 hectares of land with 9 metres of cultural deposits and a total height of 10.5 metres.[1][2]
Excavations
The first archaeological excavations at Vinča were carried out by prominent Serbian archaeologist Miloje Vasić starting in 1908. These were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I and, apart from a brief season in 1924, Vasić was unable to obtain the necessary funding to continue working on the site from the impoverished postwar Yugoslav government. However, with the financial backing of British businessman and archaeologist Sir Charles Hyde, Vasić was able to resume excavations, on a much larger scale, between 1929 and 1931. These piqued the interest of the British press and the site was subsequently visited by several prominent intellectuals of the time, including Hyde, John Myres, Veselin Čajkanović, Walter Abel Heurtley and Bogdan Popović.[1] Finds from these excavations are now in several UK museums including the Ashmolean Museum and the British Museum.[3]
Following campaigns at the site of Vinča started in 1978 under the auspices of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. From 1978 to 1982 the project focused on the Bronze Age and later layers, under the direction of Nikola Tasić and Gordana Vujović. Between 1982 and 1986 excavations, led by Dragoslav Srejović were carried out on the more prominent Neolithic occupation.
Since 1998 an interdisciplinary team of experts led by Nenad Tasić, of the Belgrade University, has been excavating Vinča implementing various new techniques and methodologies to get answers to wide range of questions. This research has resulted in fine interpretation of individual cultural layers at Vinča [1].
In the 47 years between Vasić's and the present research the site suffered considerable damage from unauthorized excavations and looting.[1]
Occupation
Starčevo period, c. 5700–5300 BCE
The earliest deposits at Belo Brdo date to around 5700 BCE[4] and belong to the Early Neolithic Starčevo culture. Evidence for this phase of occupation is scant owing to the disruption of the later Vinča settlement, and consists mainly of one large grave containing the remains of eleven males. This collective burial is unusual for Starčevo sites, where individual inhumations are the norm. Otherwise the Starčevo finds at Belo Brdo are unremarkable, and it is only one of several contemporary Starčevo settlements in the vicinity of modern Belgrade.[5]
Vinča period, c. 5200–4500 BCE
A century after the abandonment[7] of the Starčevo settlement Belo Brdo was occupied by people of the Vinča culture. A total of thirteen building horizons from this period make up the majority of the tell's stratigraphy, as new buildings were constructed on the debris left by periodic fires.[8] Belo Brdo was a major Vinča centre and, at its peak, one of the largest settlements in Neolithic Europe.[1] However, it was abandoned by 4900 BCE, some five centuries before the wider collapse of the Vinča culture.[9][10]
As in the earlier Starčevo occupation, the Vinča houses at Belo Brdo were constructed primarily from wood and clay, but they also made use of levelled foundations, insulation and decoration with paint and wall coverings. In later phases large (40 x 60 m2) rectangular buildings with internal divisions and fixed furniture (benches, braziers, waterwheels, tables, etc.) appeared alongside the predominant one-roomed dwellings. The Vinča settlement was arranged on straight streets, fenced and considerably larger than that of the Starčevo period.[1] The inhabitants' subsisted based both on the cultivation of grains (einkorn, emmer and barley) and husbandry of domesticated animals (primarily cattle, but also goats, sheep and pigs).[citation needed] These agricultural practices probably continued to be supplemented by hunting and fishing in the surrounding environs.
In the Early Vinča phase Belo Brdo seems to have developed into a ritual centre for the entire region. The manufacture of various types of cult objects, including 'mushroom amulet' and 'animal head' jewellery made from semi-precious stones, first appeared there and then spread to other Vinča sites. The raw material for these objects often had to be imported from considerable distance, indicating also that from its earliest phase the site was part of large-scale exchange networks.[11] It is therefore thought that Belo Brdo was a key place in a wider Vinča prestige economy, and an abundance of ritual paraphernalia, especially anthropomorphic figurines, is characteristic of the site. Another ritual innovation of Early Vinča phase Belo Brdo was the bucranium cult, where the painted skulls of cattle were fixed to the interior of houses. It is speculated that this practice may be linked to the wealth of individual households as measured in cattle.[10] Later, however, Belo Brdo was to some degree eclipsed by the nearby site of Vršac, which became the centre of the much more widespread exchange of ornaments made from Spondylus shells.[12] Subsequently, in the Late Vinča phase figurines became less widely circulated, and at the same time more standardised in form (in contrast to the many idiosyncratic styles of the Early Vinča phase). They also began to be inscribed with Vinča symbols, which perhaps indicates that competition and conflict was arising between different groups within Belo Brdo trying to assert control over the flow of ritual goods.[10]
Post-Vinča occupations
Belo Brdo has been occupied several times since the abandonment of the Vinča settlement, but not on the same scale. From the Copper Age there are four graves belonging to the Bodrogkeresztúr culture, a very small Baden culture settlement and some evidence of visits by people of the Kostolac culture. There was a large but short-lived Bronze Age settlement belonging to the Vatin culture. In the Iron Age the size of the tell made it an attractive location for a significant Celtic hill fort complete with defensive earthworks.[4][13] The most recent historical use of the site was a substantial Old Serbian necropolis.[1]
Tourism
Vinča-Belo Brdo is classified as an Archaeological Site of Exceptional Importance by the Serbian government, entitling it to the highest level of state protection.[14] Artefacts from the site are on display in exhibitions at the archaeological park, the National Museum of Belgrade, the Belgrade City Museum and the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy.[15]
Vinča archeological site is open for tourists.
See also
External links
Site of Vinča-Belo Brdo
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Tasic, Srejovic & Stojanovic 1990.
- ^ Chapman 1981, p. 6.
- ^ British Museum Collection
- ^ a b Chapman 2000, p. 206.
- ^ Chapman 2000, pp. 205–207.
- ^ British Museum Collection
- ^ Chapman 2000, p. 239.
- ^ Chapman 2000, pp. 205–206.
- ^ Chapman 2000, p. 205.
- ^ a b c Chapman 2000, p. 217.
- ^ Chapman 2000, pp. 208–212.
- ^ Chapman 2000, p. 215.
- ^ Chapman 2000, p. 219.
- ^ Monuments of Culture in Serbia: Винча-Локалитет Бели Брег (SANU) (in Serbian and English)
- ^ "Vinca Archaeological Spot - Belgrade, Serbia". Belgrade Eye. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
References
- Chapman, John (1981). The Vinča culture of south-east Europe: Studies in chronology, economy and society (2 vols). BAR International Series. Vol. 117. Oxford: B.A.R. ISBN 0-86054-139-8.
- Chapman, John (2000). Fragmentation in Archaeology: People, Places, and Broken Objects. London: Routledge. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-415-15803-9.
- Tasic, Nikola; Srejovic, Dragoslav; Stojanovic, Bratislav (1990). Vinča: Centre of the Neolithic culture of the Danubian region. Belgrade: Project Rastko. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
Further reading
- Antonović, Dragana (1992). Predmeti od glačanog kamena iz Vinče. Beograd: Universitet u Beogradu.
- Srejović, Dragoslav, ed. (1984). Okresana kamena oruđa iz Vinče: iskopavanja 1929–1934 [The chipped stone industry from Vinča: excavations 1929–1934]. Beograd: Centar za arheološka istraživanja, Univerzitet u Beogradu.
- Marjanović-Vujović, Gordana (1979). Nécropole médiévale Vinča. Inventaria archaeologica Jugoslavija fasc. Vol. 22. Belgrade: L'Association des sociétés archéologiques de Yougoslavie.
- Vasić, Miloje (1932). Preistorijska Vinča I [Prehistoric Vinča I]. Beograd.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Vasić, Miloje (1936). Preistorijska Vinča II [Prehistoric Vinča II]. Beograd.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Vasić, Miloje (1936). Preistorijska Vinča III [Prehistoric Vinča III]. Beograd.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Vasić, Miloje (1936). Preistorijska Vinča IV [Prehistoric Vinča IV]. Beograd.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Filipović Dragana, Tasić Nenad N. (2012). "Vinča-Belo Brdo, a late neolithic site in Serbia consideration of the macro-botanical remains as indicators of dietary habits". Balcanica (43): 7–27. doi:10.2298/BALC1243007F. hdl:21.15107/rcub_dais_4333.
External links
- Archaeological site Vinca - Belo Brdo Official Facebook page
- Vituelna Vinča
- v
- t
- e
- Vinča
- Mediana
- Justiniana Prima
- Mramorje
- Velika humka
- Rudna Glava
- Gamzigrad
- Trajan's Bridge
- Lepenski Vir
- Diana/Karataš
- Kraku Lu Jordan
- Starčevo
- Bassianae
- Sirmium
- Židovar
- Gomolava
- Čibska šuma
- Kalvarija
- Ulpiana
- Viminacium
- St. Achillius
- Dositej's Lyceum
- Princess Ljubica's Residence
- Belgrade Fortress
- Captain Miša's Mansion
- Belgrade Cathedral
- Museum of 4 July
- Secret Partisan Print Shop
- Residence of Prince Miloš
- Topčider Church
- Topčider Parish House
- Topčider Obelisk
- Pokajnica
- Golubac Fortress
- Takovo complex
- Manasija
- Tabula Traiana
- Kragujevac District Courthouse
- House of Svetozar Marković
- Sobrašice of Lužnice
- Žiča
- Studenica
- Maglič
- Lazarica with Kruševac Fortress
- St. Nicholas Monastery
- Holy Mother of God, Kuršumlija
- Lazarevac Memorial Church
- Mačkov Kamen complex
- Despot Stefan Memorial
- Hajduk Veljko's Powder Magazine
- Early Byzantine Tomb
- Skull Tower
- Niš concentration camp
- Đurđevi Stupovi
- Petrova Church
- Sopoćani
- Stari Ras
- Hristić family House
- Banja Monastery
- Mileševa
- Partisan Hospital, Prijepolje
- St. Peter and Paul's in Gornja Dobrinja
- Gradac Monastery
- Kalenić
- Smederevo Fortress
- Museum of 1941 Uprising
- Partisan printing house "Borba"
- Headquarters of the Main People's Liberation Committee of Serbia
- Plant nursery, Užice
- Partisan Hospital, Krčagovo
- Kadinjača
- Stari Han
- Oplenac
- Ljubostinja
- Ravanica
- House of Dimitrije Tucović
- Atenica Wine cellar
- Prnjavor Memorial Chapel
- Wooden Church, Dub
- St. Peter and Paul's in Sirogojno
- Monument to the Unknown Hero
- Prohor Pčinjski
- Bođani Monastery
- Bač Franciscan Church
- Dunđerski Palace
- Neštin House
- Bački Petrovac House
- Beočin Monastery
- Rakovac Monastery
- Šlajz
- Bishop's palace, Vršac
- Mesić Monastery
- Vojinović Bridge
- Medieval palace of Vučitrn
- Monastery of St Barbara
- Danilović House
- Hadum mosque
- Orthodox Church in Čurug
- St. Nicholas', Stari Slankamen
- Velika Remeta
- Vrdnik-Ravanica
- Grgeteg Monastery
- Jazak Monastery
- Mala Remeta
- Candlemas Church, Krušedol Selo
- Krušedol Monastery
- Novo Hopovo
- Staro Hopovo
- Gorioč
- Our Lady of Hvosno
- St. John's, Crkolez
- St. Nicholas', Đurakovac
- St. Nicholas', Kikinda
- Suvača
- Orthodox Church in Mokrin
- Churches in White Drin valley
- Dobra Voda
- Dolac Church
- Drsnik Church
- Mlečane Church
- Čabić Church
- Kijevo Church
- Pograđe Lower Church
- Pograđe Upper Church
- Romanian Church in Uzdin
- Holy Thetokos', Vaganeš
- Ubožac (Rđavac)
- Presentation of Mary, Lipljan
- Arača
- Almaška Church
- Church of The Assumption, Novi Sad
- Novo Brdo
- St. Nicholas', Velika Hoča
- St. John's, Velika Hoča
- Vojlovica
- Transfiguration Church, Pančevo
- Transfiguration Church, Budisavci
- Bajrakli Mosque
- St. Jeremiah's, Goraždevac
- Warehouses of Karlovčić
- Ogar House
- St. Luke's, Kupinovo
- St. Nicholas', Sibač
- Kaljaja
- St. Peter of Koriša
- Holy Salvation, Prizren
- St. Nicholas', Prizren
- Churches of Sredačka Župa
- Holy Virgin, Sredska
- St. George's, Sredska
- St. Nicholas', Mušnikovo
- St. Paraskevi, Mušnikovo
- Bogoševce Church
- Gornje Selo Church
- Drajčići Church
- Sinan Pasha Mosque
- Hammam of Prizren
- Imperial Mosque
- St. John's, Sombor
- Devič
- Divša
- Kuveždin
- Petkovica Monastery
- Warehouses of Golubinci
- Šišatovac
- Old St. Stephen's, Sremska Mitrovica
- Patriarchate of Karlovci
- Saint Nicholas', Sremski Karlovci
- Subotica Synagogue
- Subotica City Hall
- Virgin Hodegetria, Mušutište
- St. George's, Rečane
- Catholic Church of Čoka
- Orthodox Church of Vilovo
- Zvečan Fortress
- Sokolica
- Monuments of Nerodimlje
- Nerodimlje Medieval Town
- Petrič Fortress
- St. Uroš
- Holy Archangels, Gornje Nerodimlje
- Churches of Sirinićka Župa
- St George's, Gornja Bitinja
- St. Theodor Tyron's, Donja Bitinja
- St. Nicholas', Gotovuša
- St. Nicholas', Štrpce
- Privina Glava
- Orthodox Church of Molovin
- Holy Archangels
- Gračanica
- Visoki Dečani
- Our Lady of Ljeviš
- Patriarchate of Peć
- Banjska Monastery
- Terzijski Bridge
- Miloš Obrenović's House
- Bela Crkva
- Bubanj
- Šumarice
- Stolice
- Marićevića jaruga
- Radovanjski Lug
- Cer Memorial Ossuary
- Vuk Karadžić's birth house
- Kraljevo Memorial Park
- Čegar
- Ljubić
- Boško Buha Memorial Complex
- Chapel of Peace
- Site of the Battle of Slankamen
- Vezirac Hill Memorial
- Idvor Memorial Complex
- Site of the Battle of Senta
- Syrmian Front Memorial Complex
- Takovski grm
- Knez Mihailova Street
- Tešnjar
- Novi Pazar Fortress with the Old Bazaar and Altun-Alem Mosque
- Gornja Dobrinja Complex
- Negotin Wine Cellars
- Rajac Wine Cellar
- Rogljevo Wine Cellar
- Štubik Wine Cellar
- "Staro selo" Etno Complex
- Topčider
- Stari Ras area
- Gazimestan
- Sremski Karlovci
- Bač Fortress
- Dositej's Lyceum area
- Fruška Gora
- Military Technical Institute Complex