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A few remarks concerning the clay stampseals from the Gumelniţa culture

«A few remarks concerning the clay stampseals from the Gumelniţa culture»

by CristianEduard Ştefan

Source:Studies of Prehistory (Studii de Preistorie), issue: 6 / 2009, pages: 149163, on www.ceeol.com.

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A few remarks concerning the clay stamp-seals from the Gumelniţa culture

Cristian Eduard ŞTEFAN∗

Abstract: The author discusses in this study about an interesting category of artifacts from the south east European neo-eneolithic, namely the clay stamp-seals. This objects appear in the Early Neolithic, probably at the same time with the large process of neolithisation initiated in the Near East, disappear in the Middle Neolitihc only to reappear in a large number in the Chalcolithic in different archaeological contexts. Four new items of this kind were analyzed for the first time in this paper, three from Căscioarele – „Ostrovel” and one from Atmăgeaua Tătărască, all of them considering various aspects such as chronology, symbols, context of discoveries and possible functions.

Rezumat: Autorul discută în acest articol despre o categorie interesantă de piese din neo-eneoliticul sud est european, şi anume pintaderele. Acestea apar în neoliticul timpuriu, probabil în acelaşi timp cu amplul proces de neolitizare iniţiat în Orientul Apropiat, dispar în neoliticul mijlociu, pentru ca în eneolitic să constatăm reapariţia lor în număr mult mai mare în diverse contexte arheologice. Sunt publicate patru piese de acest tip, inedite, trei de la Căscioarele – „Ostrovel” şi una de la Atmăgeaua Tătărască, cu acest prilej fiind abordate diferite probleme de cronologie, simbolistică, posibile funcţii ale acestui tip de piesă şi contextul arheologic al descoperirilor.

Keywords: clay stamp-seals, Early Neolithic, Starčevo-Criş culture, Chalcolithic, Gumelniţa culture, spiral, context, symbol.

Cuvinte cheie: pintadere, neolitic timpuriu, cultura Starčevo-Criş, eneolitic, cultura Gumelniţa, spirală, context, simbol.

The clay stamp-seals represent a very interesting category of artifacts from the southeast

Europe neo-Eneolithic. The emergence of these kind of artifacts is placed in the early Neolithic and they continue to appear until the Bronze Age. The term comes from the Spanish word "pintar” (to paint) and it was used by travelers to describe the stamps used by Mexicans and native Guanches populations in Gran Canaria (O. Cornaggia Castiglioni 1956, p. 109; R. Skeats 2007, p. 196, note 1)1.

In this paper we’ll analyze a number of six items of this type, located in the collections of the Archaeological Institute "Vasile Pârvan” in Bucharest, all belonging to the Gumelnița culture.

A. Atmăgeaua Tătărască (today Sokol, in Bulgaria). Inv. Nr. V 12164 (pl. I, fig. 1/a,b,c; pl. III, fig. 2), recovered from a depth of 2,40 m. Circle shaped clay stamp-seal, made from thick paste, burnt until brick-red colored, seems to have been burnt in a complex. The item is decorated with angular incised spirals and also with in relief ones, the short sides being completed with double angles in the same manner. Due to the incisions the spirals and angles make the impression of an excised decoration. Unequally flattened; the decoration suggests the fact that this item has been used for a long time2.

B1. Căscioarele – „Ostrovel”, jud. Călăraşi, Inv. Nr. I 21494 (pl. I, fig. 2/a,b,c; pl. II, fig. 1/a,b,c)3. Circle shaped pintadera, burnt until brick-red colored, with an incised spiral made on the active part. On The human-shaped handle is frayed on its active part. Discovered in the B1 level from the dwelling no. 4, 0,60 m depth.

B2. Căscioarele – „Ostrovel”, jud. Călăraşi (pl. I, fig. 4/a,b,c; pl. IV, fig. 2/a,b,c). Circle shaped clay stamp-seal, carelessly finished, made of harsh paste, burnt until brick-red colored, with an incised spiral made in fresh clay on the active side. The item comes from the cultural deposit, trench „γ” and has its borders damaged and a perforated handle4.

B3. Căscioarele – „Ostrovel”, jud. Călăraşi (pl. I, fig. 3/a,b,c; pl. III, fig. 1/a,b,c). Large circle-shaped pintadera, with the borders damaged, burnt until brick-red colored, looks harsh on the outside, with a well shaped active side represented by an incised spiral. The handgrip is solid,

∗ “Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology of the Romanian Academy, 11 Henri Coandă str., Sector 1, Bucureşti; [email protected] 1 J.-P. Demoule defines the clay stamp-seals as following: „Cachet d’argile ou de pierre, portant des dessins géométriques en relief. Le terme, emprunté au portugais, suggère qu’ils auraient été utilisés pour l’application de peintures corporelles. Ils sont notamment attesté dans le Néolithique ancien de l’Europe centrale et sud-orientale - cultures de Protosesklo et de Körös, par exemple” (1988, p. 837). 2 The description of the item belongs to Silvia Marinescu-Bîlcu, who gave me for publishing the Căscioarele – „Ostrovel” and Atmăgeaua Tătărască items; I wish to thank her again on this occasion. 3 The drawings in pl. II, pl. III, fig. 1 and pl. IV were made by Cristina Georgescu, restaurator at the “Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology in Bucharest, to whom I would like to thank again in this way. 4 This item belongs, very likely, also to the B1 level.

Studii de Preistorie 6, 2009, p. 149-163.

Cristian Eduard ŞTEFAN

rectangular shaped with burning marks. This item comes from the deposit layer, trench β, 0,85-1,05 depth.

C1. Cuneşti – „Măgura Cuneştilor”, jud. Călăraşi, Inv. Nr. I 17683 (pl. III, fig. 4/a,b; pl. IV, fig. 1/a,b,c). Well made circle-shaped pintadera with damage marks, burnt until brick-red colored, with the active side incised with parallel lines. The item has a perforated handle in the shape of a truncated cone and it was discovered in surface B, 2,30 m depth (D. Popescu 1935-1936, p. 117, fig. 9/3).

C2. Cuneşti – „Măgura Cuneştilor”, jud. Călăraşi, Inv. Nr. 17684 (pl. III, fig. 3; pl. II, fig. 2/a,b,c). Fragmentary circle shaped pintadera, made of red burnt quality paste. The handle is short, cylindrical with a concavity on its superior side. The active part consists of large incised concentric circles made in the fresh paste. This item comes from surface B, 1,80-1,85 m depth (D. Popescu 1935-1936, p. 117, fig. 9/2).

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The clay stamp-seals can be found in South Eastern Europe since early Neolithic age, in the time of Starčevo-Criş and Karanovo I-II cultures. It is supposed that there was a dispersion of such items from the Anatolian region towards the Danube area, at the same time with the large neolithisation process (J. Makkay 1984, p. 72-84). We are aware of very few items from this epoch that were found in this zone, especially in settlements (J. Makkay 1984; J. Makkay 2005), only one of them being discovered in a funerary context, in Poieneşti (C.A. Lazăr 2006-2007, p. 38, fig. 3/d).

From the early Neolithic age the clay stamp-seals in the form of a human foot seem to us very interesting. Items of this type were discovered at Gura Văii, Zăuan and Valea Răii (today Copăcelu, Vâlcea County) in Romania and in Szarvas, Hungary (pl. VI). The archaeological context of the items found in Gura Văii (Vl. Dumitrescu 1974, p. 482, fig. 488/5; J. Makkay 1984, p. 26, nr. 89) and Valea Răii (C.A. Tulugea 2008, p. 14, photos 15, 15a) is not known, only about the clay stamp-seal from Zăuan a few details in this respect became available. This item was found in a „ceramics platform”, associated with a zoomorphous figure (wild boar). In the same context another whole clay stamp-seal was discovered, bearing again zigzag lines on the active side (É. Lakó 1978, p. 13). The clay stamp-seal from Szarvas (Hungary) has the form of a human foot, and the handle represents an animal that could not be identified. The active part bears a model consisting of five zigzag carved lines (J. Makkay 1984, p. 70, nr. 304)5.

Another observation that can be made in relation to clay stamp-seals of the early Neolithic age in the South Eastern European area is that the active side of the largest part of them consists of zigzag carved lines (M. Budja 2003, p. 127, map 2). The same motive appears carved on a ceramics item found in Perieni, the function of which could not be specified (M. Petrescu-Dâmboviţa 1957, p. 74, fig. 7/17), but also on Criş type ceramic fragments from the same settlement (M. Petrescu-Dâmboviţa 1957, p. 72, fig. 5/7-8). In dwelling no. 1 of the Starčevo-Criş settlement from Poieneşti, Vaslui County, were also discovered fragments of an anthropomorphous item bearing a decoration consisting of zigzag carved lines 6 (C.M. Mantu et alii 1992, p. 168, fig. 20/3).

Another motif present on the active side of this type of item is the labyrinth-type7 meandered one. Such motif appears on the clay stamp-seals from Poieneşti, Perieni and Trestiana in Starčevo-Criş area (C.M. Mantu et alii 1992, p. 173), but in other South Eastern European areas as well. Other motifs from the same period are the spiral and the shaft8, but they appear later on clay stamp-seals in this period (M. Budja 2003, p. 127, map 2).

* * *

Until now, from the Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI area we know only 19 sites in which clay stamp-

seals have been discovered, most of them being without an explicit archaeological context (pl. VII). A 5 For an interesting point of view regarding the representation of the human leg in neo-eneolithic: A. Niţu 1947-1949, p. 107-135. 6 The significance given by the authors is that the criss-cross lines suggest the character’s hair display. 7 For possible meanings the style could have inside a social group see I. Hodder 1982, p. 191-195; M. Shanks, Chr. Tilley 1987a, p. 137-171; M. Shanks, Chr. Tilley 1987b, p. 86-95. 8 Stitches clearly appear on some of the Valea Răii items defined as small altars (C.A. Tulugea 2008, p. 16, photos 1, 3, especially photo 4).

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similar statement can be made for the Cucuteni area. Around 48 clay-stamp seals coming from 16 sites have an unexplained archaeological context (D. Popovici 2006, p. 173).

The well-known clay stamp-seal „with signs” from Karanovo has a clear context, „in situ in einer durch Brand vernichten Wohnstätte aus Karanovo VI, Nordsektor, drittes Siedlungsniveau samt anderen der zweiten Hälfte des Äneolithikums angehörenden Einrichtungen und Funden...” (J. Makkay 1984, p. 31, nr. 121, fig. XXIII/6). This disk-shaped item has a conical perforated handle with the active part split in four surfaces by four incised lines. Each of these surfaces has various incised geometric motifs which have been evaluated by the discoverers as an early writing method for the Balkan area. This interpretation was criticized in the technical literature for being implausible (J. Makkay 1984, p. 31). In the Bulgarian area a few clay stamp seals were also discovered, which have a known archaeological context. The items from Gradešnica, Vinica, Drama were founded in dwellings and the one from Salmanovo was found near a fireplace. At Slatina a clay stamp-seal was discovered in a funerary context, this being however an isolated situation (T. Dzhanfezova 2005, p. 313, note 19).

The clay-stamp seal from Căscioarele – „Ostrovel”, presented in this article, was found in the Gumelniţa B1 level, in the dwelling no. 4. The distinctive situation of this dwelling was pointed out in the technical literature: „The dwelling no. 4 (1962) for example, although disturbed by some hallstattian pits, included a rich inventory. On the northern side of its 30-40 cm high hearth with double chimb strewed on a solid foundation, were arranged more than 90 oval or prismatic shaped clay weights (most of them were spared by ulterior damages). Most of them present a rounded groove at their basis, others have many carved points placed either at their basis or in their superior part which was cut away, one of them bears a spiral similar to the ones found on the clay stamp-seals etc. (underlined by us). The secondary burnt items are numerous, being therefore cracked and deformed. Burnt anklebones were also found, shells valves, litic equipment, a statue of a sitting woman (fragments), a burnt clay mould for casting copper, over 30 bowls and many ceramic fragments” (S. Marinescu-Bîlcu 2007, p. 91-92).

An essential aspect is represented by the anthropomorphous handle, this feature being visible on many objects such as lids (V. Voinea 2005, p. 44, pl. 65, 113). In relation with this last aspect, a paragraph from Christopher Tilley (2003, p. 247) seems to us relevant, and we shall consequently copy it here entirely: ”In our contemporary Western common sense we tend to draw an absolute distinction between a world of persons and their words and a world of things and their attributes. The world of things, or objects, is typically considered to be mute and inert, only animated by persons and their words creating culturally variable systems of meanings. In most-small scale non-industrial societies this separation between persons and things does not hold true. Things or objects may be considered to share the same essences as persons: they may possess «souls». Objects in circulation help to define and redefine relationships between people and may play an active part in the reproduction of social order. Persons form parts of things and things form parts of persons so that objects may be personified bodies. Usually the items that play the most significant roles in creating and maintaining social identities are those which are widely circulated or exchanged”.

Analyzing all clay-stamp seals discovered in the Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI area will point out the fact that most of them have the spiral motif incised on the active side9. The spiral motif is associated as well with interesting archaeological contexts some of which will be mentioned and detailed bellow. One context was mentioned already, the association in the same dwelling of a spiral decorated clay weight and a clay stamp seal with an anthropomorphous handle being extremely interesting (pl. I, fig. 2/a,b,c; pl. II, fig. 1/a,b,c). Various clay weights were recently discovered in a dwelling at Vităneşti, some of them being decorated with spirals. The items were found among the remaining parts of the burnt dwelling nr. 13, associated with subsequently burnt brick and ceramics fragments (R. Andreescu et alii 2009, p. 77, pl. IV, fig.1).

9 J. Makkay (1984, p. 90-92) clasifies three versions: a) the running spiral; b) the whirling wheel/Catherine wheel motif; c) the C spiral. This typology is irrelevant for our discussion. In this context we should mention the fact that the spiral motif appears in the Cucuteni area, on the active side of the pintaderas (D. Popovici 2006, p. 175-176), but also in other contexts (for instance, on the painted vessels). Likewise, the spiral appears in the Stoicani-Aldeni area visible on the active side of the clay stamp-seals (E. Paveleţ, L. Grigoraş 2006, p. 35-47, figs. 3-6), on the human-shaped figurines (I.T. Dragomir 1977, figs. 10-11) and on the vessels (I.T. Dragomir 1977, figs. 17/3/a,b; 18/3). Three of the clay stamp-seals belonging to this area were discovered in dwellings - at Moisica, Mălăeşti and Aldeni - „Dealul Balaurului” (E. Paveleţ, L. Grigoraş 2006, p. 36, 41).

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The spiral motifs appear also in the double volute copper pins’ morphology (pl. V/4; C. Bem 2002-2003, p. 147-172, fig. 17-19), but also on the Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI vessels, decorated in relief (for further details see the lid from Pietrele, pl. V/5) or painted with graphite (Ovčarovo, H. Todorova 1982, p. 138, fig. 84/19). An interesting aspect is implied by the presence of the spiral motif on the feminine figure from the well-known “lovers” vessel discovered at Sultana. In this context the analogy between the spiral and the feminine sex is explicit (Pl. V/2; R. Andreescu 2002, pl. 38, pl. IV). The same pattern can be found on the Gumelnița vessels, for example the one from Cuneşti (pl. V/8), which has incised spirals on its sideways.

By publishing the Boian-Spanţov sanctuary from Căscioarele – „Ostrovel”, where a spiral decorated clay disk was discovered (pl. V/3), Vl. Dumitrescu (1970) noted: „Enfin, près du coté ONO de cette maison (the sanctuary – our note), nous avons trouvé une espèce de médaillon en terre cuite, presque parfaitement circulaire, ayant à peu près de 20 cm de diamètre et une épaisseur de 3-4 cm, peint sur l'une de faces d'une bande spiralée rouge, bordée d'une filet blanc-jaunâtre sur fond brun-verdâtre. Il est assez probable que ce médaillon décorait la face interieure de la paroi O, en étant collé à une certaine hauteur”.

Also, the “cult scene” from Ovčarovo, level IX, consisting of four woman’s’ figurines, three altars, three little tables, nine footstools, three small vessels with lids, three drums (?) and two medium plates is very well known (H. Todorova 1982, p. 67-73, figs. 31-33). Some plates and one altar is decorated by spirals and painted in red (pl. V/6,7). We find very interesting the striking resemblance between the spiral motif encountered on the above mentioned altar and the one visible on the active side of a clay stamp seal discovered in Sudevio - „Tell Tilikiug/Lisiţa mogila” (J. Makkay 1984, fig. XVII/2).

The spiral is a well-known motif frequently used by many archaic cultures and traditional ones from early Neolithic until nowadays popular artists. The sign can be understood in many ways. It can be related with the moon’s cosmic symbolism, with the vulva’s erotic symbolism, with the seashell aquatic symbolism or can be referring also to fertility symbolism (double volute, horns). This sign represent life’s repeated rhythms, evolution’s cyclic condition, the human-being’s permanence confronted with the provisional nature of movement (J. Chevalier, A. Gheerbrant 1993, p. 250).

Following Mircea Eliade, the iconographic water-oysters assembly is well-certified in pre-Columbian America. The “Tula Relief” from the Malinche Hill represents a divinity surrounded by water in which there were floating oysters, spirals (underlined by us) and double circles (M. Eliade 1994, p. 156). Also, in Gansu province (Ma Shang period) were discovered spiral decorated funerary urns. The fact that the motif appears mainly on the funerary urns proofs its metaphysical and ritual significance (M. Eliade 1994, p. 176). Further on, the scientist noted: „The spiral motif is used in many places in Europe, America and Asia. It should be added however, that the symbolism of the spiral is quite complex, and its «origin» remains still uncertain. At least we should acknowledge the multiple nature of the spiral symbolism, its close relation with the moon, lightning, water, with fertility, birth, and life after-life” (M. Eliade 1994, p. 178).

The motif vissible on the active side of the clay stamp seal from Atmăgeaua Tătărască is less used on the south-east european items. There’s only one similar finding from the Neolithic settlement discovered at Usta nad Drim (Macedonia), dated in the late neolithic by M. Garašanin (J. Makkay 1984, p. 63, nr. 274, fig. XIII/5).

In the last part of this article we will make a short outline of the main opinions on the possible functions of this type of item. Cornaggia Castiglioni (1956, p. 114, note 23) mentions a paragraph from De bello gallico, in which Caesar describes Britons as follows: „Among all inhabitants of Britain, the most civilized ones are those living in Cantium, a region entirely by the sea. Their customs do not differ very much from those of the gales. The majority of the inland inhabitants do not grow wheat, but feed themselves on milk and meat, dressing themselves in animal skins. All Britons however dye themselves with dyer’s woad 10, which produces a blue pigment; because of this they have a terrifying look during battles” (Caesar, vol. V, 14). It may be assumed that clay stamp seals were used for painting the human body in ancient times, especially since we can corroborate this fragment with the writings of the Spanish conquistadors, who are mentioning this habit of native Mexico populations (O.

10 Dyer’s woad (Isatis tinctoria) – plant from which a blue pigment was extracted (J. Vilan Unguru 1964, p. 348, note 36).

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Cornaggia Castiglioni 1956, p. 109) or with the fact that on some of the clay stamp seals traces of color, mostly red, were observed11 (D. Popovici 2006, p. 177).

Other authors consider that, because of the lack of artifacts bearing positive images of clay stamp seals, it may be agreed that such objects were used for decorating perishable organic stuff, such as human and animal skin, textiles or bread. Similarities as well as differences presented both by clay stamp seals and the objects printed by them could be actively used for identifying, pointing out and communicating socio-economic connections and differences among various objects and people, little else remaining to be added besides this inference (R. Skeats 2007, p. 186).

Clay stamp seals could be used also in order to offer magical protection and power to persons or properties during rituals, or could act as amulets (R. Skeats 2007, p. 186; T. Dzhanfezova 2003, p. 105). Tanya Dzhanfezova makes an interesting analysis of symbols to be observed on the active parts of Neolithic clay stamp seals in Bulgaria, which appear also on other contemporary artifacts such as ceramic vessels, figurines or altars (T. Dzhanfezova 2003, p. 107, fig. 7). D. Bailey puts this category of items in the larger context of the changes appearing in the Bulgarian Neolithic culture („deposits” for grain, large pots for food), respectively as mechanisms for establishing and maintaining the property (D. Bailey 1993, p. 212). The same research fellow relates clay stamp seals to the signs found on the bottom of pots, considering them both as modalities of preserving and transmitting information over time, from the pottery maker to the pottery „tradesman”, the clay stamp seal user and the one perceiving the „messages” (D. Bailey 1993, p. 214).

John Chapman has two possible explanations for the use of clay stamp seals, in the more generous framework of the analysis of objects’ fragmentation in neo-eneolithic, respectively the printing of motifs on sacred bread and human tattoos, ethnographically attested with Jivaro populations in South America (J. Chapman 2001, p. 235).

Tanya Dzhanfezova refuses to accept the amulet or the „treatment” function of the animal skins and considers that the accent should fall on the imprinting of models on various type of surfaces. This could be achieved in various fields of activity, such as: a) symbolic systems; b) communication systems; c) funerary or religious practices; d) exchange activities; e) „codes” for transmitting specific information; f) property demonstration through marking; g) individualization and design of „personal signs”; h) indication of existing connections; i) participation to activities connected to travel (T. Dzhanfezova 2005, p. 311).

A radically different discourse referring to clay stamp seals and their possible significance is offered by Agni Prijatelj (2007, p. 231-256). In the first place it tears down the arguments of J. Makkay (1984) and C. Perlès (2001) referring to the origin and diffusion of clay stamp seals. Secondly, Prijatelj does not separate practical/functional aspects from the symbolic/communication ones of a certain object. While functional aspects of objects are limited by their material nature and may therefore be recognized by means of defining physical and logical permissions and constraints, their attributes as a sign derive from the signification network in which both objects and people are incorporated (A. Prijatelj 2007, p. 251).

Any of the above mentioned theories regarding the role and functions of clay stamp seals lead in the end to the same conclusion: any such analysis needs to start from well documented archaeological contexts. However necessary, typologies have a tendency of becoming expert-systems actually concerned more with their own coherence, against the possible role that a certain item may be playing in a social prehistorical group (M. Anghelinu 2003, p. 309-310).

List of the clay stamp seals discovered in the Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI area (pl. VII): 1. Azmak, near Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, circle shaped pintadera, probably with handle, with

an incised spiral on its active side, J. Makkay 1984, p. 12, nr. 16, fig. X; 2. Bikovo - „Dončeva mogila”, Bulgaria, four clay stamp seals discovered in a probing trench, the first one with concentric circles placed on the active side, the second one human foot-shaped, the third one with a long handle and round end and the forth one cylinder shaped, P. Detev 1954, p. 184-185, figs. 71, 72; J. Makkay 1984, p. 13-14, nr. 18-21, figs. XVIII, XXII, XXIV, XXVI; 3. Brăiliţa, Brăila county, five circle-shaped clay stamp seals discovered in Gumelniţa A1 and A2 levels, all with spiral motif on the active side, N. Harţuche 1968, fig. 19; J. Makkay 1984, p. 15, nr. 29-33, fig. XIX; 4. Deve Bargan, Bulgaria, circular clay stamp seal with round handle, with a spiral incised on the active part, J. H. Gaul 1948, p. 173, pl. 11 For possible interpretations of the red color, Tilley (2003, p. 321) follows Turner, who understands this color like a „transmission of blood from generation to generation, an index of membership of a corporate group”.

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XXXVI/6; J. Makkay 1984, p. 18, nr. 47, fig. XVIII; 5. Djadovo, nearby Nova Zagora, Bulgaria, human-leg shaped clay stamp seal with fir-type incisions (chevron) on its active side, J. Makkay 2005, p. 15, nr. 16, pl. 4/16; 6. Drama - „Merdžumekja”, Bulgaria, five clay stamp seals, one rectangular with spiral and incised lines on its active side and four round ones, of which three have spirals on the active side and the fourth one has a central hole and four chevrons quadrants, J. Makkay 2005, p. 16, nr. 19-23, pl. 5/19-21, pl. 6/22,23; 7. Ezerovo, Varna lake, Bulgaria, round fragmentary clay stamp seal with a handle, H. Todorova, G. Tončeva 1975, p. 42, 45, pl. 9/7; J. Makkay 1984, p. 22, nr. 66, fig. XXII; 8. Gumelniţa, jud. Călăraşi, two round clay stamp seals found in the settlement, with spirals on their active side, J. Makkay 1984, p. 25, nr. 88-89, fig. XX; 9. Hârşova, Constanţa county, unpublished12; 10. Jambol - „Tell Račev”, Bulgaria, two clay stamp seals, one in the shape of a human leg and the other one circle-shaped, J. Makkay 2005, p. 22, nr. 46-47, pl. 12/46,47; 11. Jassatepe, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, clay stamp seal with round base and unpunctured handle, J. Makkay 1984, p. 44, nr. 187, fig. XXII; 12. Kapitan Dimitrievo - „Tell Banjata”, Bulgaria, clay stamp seal with broken handle, with a large incised pathway which surrounds a main cavity, P. Detev 1950, p. 17, fig. 32/d; J. Makkay 1984, p. 30, nr. 117, fig. XXI; 13. Karanovo, Bulgaria, five clay stamp seals discovered in level VI, of which the most interesting one is round item, with incised signs, discovered between the burnt remains of a dwelling from the northern area; J. Makkay 1984, p. 31, nr. 120-121, figs. XXI, XXIII; J. Makkay 2005, p. 23, nr. 51-53, pl. 13/51, 53; 14. Martvica mogila, nearby Preslav, Bulgaria, irregular clay stamp seal with circle-shaped base, with an incised spiral on its active side, J. Makkay 1984, p. 35, nr. 146, fig. XX; 15. Pietrele, Giurgiu county, unpublished13; 16. Ruse, Bulgaria, three circle-shaped clay stamp seals, with handle, one with concentric circles on the active side, another one with four quadrants with incised chevrons, and the third one without motifs on the active side, G.I. Georgiev, N. Angelov 1957, p. 89, fig. 48/1,2,3; J. Makkay 1984, p. 49, nr. 208-210, figs. XXI, XXII, XXIII; 17. Salmanovo - „Deneva mogila”, Bulgaria, four circle-shaped clay stamp seals, one with a spiral on its active side, another one with a central point and three concentric circles, the third one with small holes on the active side, for the fourth one being unknown any other details, J.H. Gaul 1948, p. 142, pl. XXXVI/9,10,11; J. Makkay 1984, p. 49-50, nr. 211-214, figs. XVIII, XXI, XXIV; 18. Sudievo - „Tell Tilikiug/Lisiţa mogila”, Nova Zagora, Bulgaria, two circle-shaped clay stamp seals, one with an interesting model on its active side: two interlinked spirals in different directions, limited by curvilinear chevrons; the other one has a double incised pathway and brown engobe marks on its base, J. Makkay 1984, p. 58, nr. 248, fig. XVII; J. Makkay 2005, p. 35, pl. 26/109; 19. Vidra, Ilfov county, clay stamp seal with handle incised spiral on its active side, Gumelniţa A1, D.V. Rosetti 1938, p. 33, pl. 13/9; J. Makkay 1984, p. 64, nr. 278, fig. XVIII.

Translated by Monica Nicolaescu

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12 The stamps-seals were exhibited on the occasion of an exposition at the National History Museum of Romania intitulated « Treasures of time. Civilizations of the Stone Age », 23 march – 30 april 2009; one of the pieces is identical with our third stamp-seal from Căscioarele – „Ostrovel“ (pl. I, fig. 3/a,b,c; pl. III, fig. 1/a,b,c). 13 I wish to thank Meda Toderaş for this information; all the pieces were recovered from dwellings.

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Pl. I. Clay stamp-seals from Atmăgeaua Tătărască (fig. 1/a,b,c) and Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 2/a,b,c; 3/a,b,c; 4/a,b,c) – bar scale 3 cm. Pintadere de la Atmăgeaua Tătărască (fig. 1/a,b,c) şi Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 2/a,b,c; 3/a,b,c; 4/a,b,c) - scara 3 cm.

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Pl. II. Clay stamp-seals from Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 1/a,b,c) and Cuneşti (fig. 2/a,b,c) – bar scale 3 cm. Pintadere de la Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 1/a,b,c) şi Cuneşti (fig. 2/a,b,c) – scara 3 cm.

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Pl. III. Clay stamp-seal from Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 1/a,b,c), Atmăgeaua Tătărască (fig. 2) and Cuneşti (fig. 3, 4/a,b) – bar scale 3 cm. Pintadere de la Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 1/a,b,c), Atmăgeaua Tătărască (fig. 2) şi Cuneşti (fig. 3, 4/a,b) – scara 3 cm.

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Pl. IV. Clay stamp-seals from Cuneşti (1/a,b,c) and Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 2/a,b,c) – bar scale 3 cm. Pintadere de la Cuneşti (1/a,b,c) şi Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (fig. 2/a,b,c) – scara 3 cm.

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Pl. V. Objects with the spiral symbol. Fig. 1. Clay weight from Vităneşti (R. Andreescu et alii 2009); Fig. 2. The „lovers“ vase from Sultana (R. Andreescu 2002); Fig. 3. Clay disk from the Boian-Spanţov sanctuary of Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (Vl. Dumitrescu 1970); Fig. 4. Double volute pin from Măriuţa (M. Şimon, E. Paveleţ 2000); Fig. 5. Clay lid from Pietrele (S. Hansen et alii 2005); Fig. 6, 7. Objects from the cult scene of Ovčarovo (H. Todorova 1982); Fig. 8. Anthropomorphical vessel from Cuneşti (photo C. Ştefan) – scale unit 1 cm. Obiecte pe care apare simbolul spiralei. Fig. 1. Greutate de lut de la Vităneşti (R. Andreescu et alii 2009); Fig. 2. Vasul cu „îndrăgostiţi“ de la Sultana (R. Andreescu 2002); Fig. 3. Discul de lut din sanctuarul Boian-Spanţov de la Căscioarele - „Ostrovel“ (Vl. Dumitrescu 1970); Fig. 4. Ac cu dublă volută de la Măriuţa (M. Şimon, E. Paveleţ 2000); Fig. 5. Capac de la Pietrele (S. Hansen et alii 2005); Fig. 6, 7. Obiecte din scena de cult de la Ovčarovo (H. Todorova 1982); Fig. 8. Vas antropomorf de la Cuneşti (foto C. Ştefan) – scara în cm.

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Pl. VI. The spreading foot-shaped stamp-seals in Starčevo-Criş area. Răspândirea pintaderelor în formă de picior uman în aria culturii Starčevo-Criş.

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Pl. VII. The spreading of clay stamp-seals in the Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI area (the numbers corresponds to the List of the clay stamp seals…). Răspândirea pintaderelor în aria culturii Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI (numerele corespund cu cele din List of the clay stamp seals…).

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