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EARLY NEOLITHIC ANIMAL BONES FROM

IBRÁNY–NAGYERDŐ, HUNGARY

Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

ABSTRACT: The archaeozoological assemblage from the Körös Culture site of Ibrány–Nagyerdő shows atti-
tudes towards resources and may thus be considered a proxy for cultural identity. A number of features in the
animal bone assemblage suggest that this site stands apart from the better known, large Körös Culture sites to-
ward the south. The low proportion of bones originating from domesticates, especially sheep and goat is remark-
able. At the same time, the high contribution of large game is indicative of hunting in the floodplain forest. Al-
though given the small assemblage size percentual proportions cannot be taken at face value, the narrow spec-
trum of bird species shows specialized fowling mostly focusing on wild ducks, while the size distribution of pike
is indicative of targeted rather than opportunistic fishing. The material of a single pit thus shows the intensive
exploitation of local natural resources during the early summer. In spite of the Körös Culture being the first rep-
resentative of the “agricultural revolution” in the Carpathian Basin, Ibrány–Nagyerdő in the north shows an ar-
chaic form of animal exploitation. Stylistic influences may have arrived here as reflected by the shards recovered
from the site. They are, however, not congruent with the faunal assemblage that shows a steady reliance on wild
mammals, birds and fish, more than the usual opportunistic role played by these resources of meat at archetypi-
cal Körös Culture sites in the south.
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  237

Introduction
The early neolithic site of Ibrány–Nagyerdő (latitude: N 48.13, longitude: E 21.72) is located less than 10
km south of the present-day course of the river in the Upper Tisza Region (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg coun-
ty, Hungary). Excavations at the site were directed by Pál Raczky of the Institute of Archaeological Sciences
(ELTE University, Budapest). The entire assemblage originated from a single, large pit, dated to the early neo-
lithic Körös Culture. Radiocarbon dates measured in the Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory (Adam Mickiewicz
University) have been calibrated using the OxCal 3.10 program. Three animal bone samples yielded the dates
listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Radiocarbon dates obtained for animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő

Mammal bone, stratum 3 6570±40 BP (Poz-28214) 5570 (83.1%) 5470 cal BC

Mammal bone, stratum 40 5500±40 BP (Poz-28215) 4450 (83.0%) 4310 cal BC
Fish bone, stratum 48 6630±40 BP (Poz-28216) 5620 (68.2%) 5535 cal BC

A Copper Age date from the pit of undoubtedly early neolithic origins may be indicative of slight contami-
nation, not even apparent in the stratigraphy.
The archaeological importance of this site lay in its borderline position from the chronological, geograph-
ic and cultural points of view. Marking currently the northernmost distribution of Körös Culture stylistic ele-
ments in the Upper Tisza Region of the Great Hungarian Plain, the animal remains reveal a picture quite dif-
ferent from the stereotypical sheep keeping economy of large sites of the same culture towards the south (Bar-
tosiewicz 2007a). In spite of the small size of the animal bone assemblage, some of its qualitative aspects are
indicative of the targeted exploitation of natural resources at this settlement.

Archaeozoological analyses
The single feature excavated at this site was studied using intensive methods. In addition to the tradition-
al hand-collection of predominantly large mammalian remains, the excavator water-sieved the material10 (2.5
mm mesh size) providing an excellent opportunity to reliably appraise the importance of small vertebrates,
birds and fish in the material. These vertebrate classes will be reviewed in the sequence of the three contribut-
ing authors, specialists in the various groups.

Mammals – hand-collected material

The hand-collected fraction of the assemblage contained a total of 466 remains. Forty-two of these origi-
nated from reptiles (Reptilia), and two belonged to birds (Aves). The total number of mammalian (Mammalia)
remains was thus 422, only 159 of which could be unambiguously identified.
Aside from the 159 identifiable bone fragments, the exact determination of 307 remains was impossible on
the species level and thus higher taxonomic categories (order/family) were recorded.
Moreover, size groups such as “large ungulate”, “wild pig size”, “small ungulate” and “dog size” were used.
Although these are not proper taxonomic terms, they refer to overall body size, frequently the only identifiable
feature of a bone fragment. Species-level distinctions between sheep and goat, small ruminants in the Caprinae
subfamily were carried out using the identification criteria published by Boessneck (1969).
In addition to the number of fragments in this assemblage (N) the individual weight of each specimen was
also taken in grams. The remains of domesticates and meat-purpose large game were grouped by body regions
as proposed by Kretzoi (1968). This part of the analysis helped assessing the values of various cuts represent-
ed by the bone material. Studying age groups by species was impossible in most cases due to the great degree

   Measurements made by Tomasz Goslar of the Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory, archaeological information kindly provided by
László Domboróczki.
10  Cooperation by Pál Raczky who actively supported this type of analysis should be acknowledged here.
238 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 1. The taxonomic distribution of 113 hand-collected identifiable bones from wild and domestic ungulates
and fur-bearing animals

of fragmentation that destroyed many of the osteological features used in ageing (most fragments fell within
the 50 mm size range). This poor preservation is partly stemming from the fact that the find material largely
consisted of food refuse. No complete bones were available for the estimation of withers height. The intensive
fragmentation of the assemblage is also shown by the fact that although more than half of the material was not
identifiable to species, these 307 fragments weighed only 828 g, while the total weight of the 159 identifiable
specimens was 1641 g.
The remains of game dominated in the identifiable material, making up 68% of the material, 32% of the re-
mains originating from domesticates (Table 1, Fig. 1). Among the wild animals the contribution of meat-pur-
pose large game was greater than that of the fur-bearing species.

Table 2. The number of hand-collected animal bone fragments by taxa

English vernacular name Scientific name N

Cattle Bos taurus L., 1758 17
Sheep/goat (Caprinae) Ovis/Capra 8
Domestic pig Sus domesticus Erxl. 1777 11
Domestic total   36
Aurochs Bos primigenius Boj., 1827 1
Red deer Cervus elaphus L., 1758 15+1*
European roe deer Capreolus capreolus L., 1758 13
Wild pig Sus scrofa L., 1758 36
Horse family (Equid) Equus sp. 1
Brown bear Ursus arctos L., 1758 1
Red fox Vulpes vulpes L., 1758 2
Eurasian badger Meles meles L., 1758 7
Beaver Castor fiber L., 1758 1
Wild total 77
Mole rat Spalax leucudon L., 1758 1
Rodent Rodentia 1
Pig family (Suidae) Sus sp. 28
Small ruminant Ruminantia 10
Dog/beaver (medium) size mammal Canis/Castor size group 1
Large ungulate Bos/Equus size group 102
Wild pig/red deer size ungulate Sus/Cervus size group 53
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  239

Pig/sheep/goat size ungulate Sus/Ovis/Capra size group 98

Size category non-identifiable Indet. fragment 14
Non-identifiable total   306
Pond tortoise Emys orbicularis L., 1758 42
Bird Aves 2
Total 466

* The single antler fragment may originate from gathering as well.

Wild pig (Sus scrofa L., 1758) was the best represented species (36 bones). In addition, the assemblage also
contained 28 bone fragments that could only be precisely identified as originating either from wild or from
domestic pig (Sus sp.). Better distinction between these two forms would have required series of measurable
bones.
The distribution of finds by body region shows a dominance of head elements and dry limb bones. The
scapula, femur and terminal bones were underrepresented (Fig. 2). Bones of the trunk, i.e. the axial skeleton
were virtually missing.
Cut marks were discovered only on two articulated metapodia and on a humerus fragment. All of them
probably resulted from the animal’s dismemberment. Three fragments (a tooth, a metapodium and a phalanx)
were burnt and marks of carnivore (probably dog) gnawing were found on a femur fragment.
The second most commonly hunted game animal was red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758). While the as-
semblage contained 15 bones from this species, only a single piece of antler was found. Cut marks could be
observed on this antler fragment, most probably inflicted during manufacturing. The distribution of bones by
meat quality categories shows a dominance of terminal bones associated with the animals’ skin, phalanges in
particular. It must be pointed out, however, that proportions may be misleading in such a small sample. A pel-
vis fragment, a metacarpal and a phalanx were burnt, and a calcined tibia splinter was also found. Gnawing
marks, most probably caused by a dog could also be observed on a phalanx.
The contribution of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L., 1758) was comparable to that of red deer
(13 fragments). A calcined metatarsal fragment was found. Two other metapodia show initial marks of manu-
facturing. The composition of the roe deer sample by meat quality shows a dominance of dry limb bones.
A bone fragment from each of an aurochs (Bos primigenius Boj., 1827) and of an equid (Equus sp.) were
identified. The aurochs was represented by two matching pieces of an ulna and a radius from the forearm of
the same individual. Both pieces were calcined.

Fig. 2. The distribution of bones from commonly occuring game and domesticates by the body regions defined
by Kretzoi (1968). Explanation in text
240 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 3. The relationships between fragment numbers (NISP) and bone weights by the most commonly occurring taxa.
Note the difference between large and small ungulates marked by shading

Of the fur bearing game species Eurasian badger (Meles meles L., 1758) was best represented (11 bones),
although one cannot rule out the possibility that these all originated from the same individual. Cut marks found
on a humerus unambiguously show that this bone did not belong to a burrowing animal (badgers are frequently
secondary intruders in archaeological deposits). Moreover, the type of cut also reveals that the animal’s meat
was eaten, that is it was not only exploited for fur, the stereotypical interpretation for carnivores. A burnt radi-
us fragment was also found. Aside from badger, sporadic bone finds of red fox (Vulpes vulpes L., 1758), brown
bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758), and beaver (Castor fiber L., 1758) were also identified. In the case of bear and
beaver exploitation for meat is also a possibility, although no cut marks were found to support this hypothesis.
However, the bones of bear and fox were burnt.
Domesticates comprised a smaller proportion of the material, less than a third of all identifiable fragments.
Among them, cattle (Bos taurus L., 1758) was best represented (Fig. 1). In terms of meat quality, a relatively
even distribution of bones originating from the head, dry limbs and terminal body parts could be observed. No
meaty limb bones representing the proximal extremity segment (e.g. scapula or femur fragments) were recov-
ered. A burnt mandible fragment and a calcined phalanx were found.
The second most frequently encountered domestic animal in this material was pig (Sus domesticus Erxl.,
1777). This species again was represented mostly by skull elements (head region) and terminal bones. The age
of the animal could be recognized in the single case of a juvenile bone. One of the phalanges was burnt, and a
calcined tibia splinter was also found.
The smallest number of identifiable bones among domesticated originated from caprines (sheep/goat). No
bones showing key morphological criteria for species level identification were found. Skull remains dominat-
ed in the material.
Comparing the fragment numbers and weight distributions of identifiable bones, the ranking of animals
shows a different picture (Fig. 3). At the bottom of the frequency list, numerically underrepresented aurochs
suddenly stands out, while wild pig falls back to second place, as the single aurochs forearm fragment is heavi-
er than all the wild pig bones in the assemblage. This is an extreme reflection of the general tendency that large
ungulates are better represented in terms of bone weight, while smaller species show relatively higher frag-
ment numbers in this assemblage.
Fifty two bones in the material from Ibrány–Nagyerdő showed the effect of fire, 22 of them were calcined.
It remains unclear whether this degree of burning resulted from intentional human activity (cooking/grilling
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  241

or garbage disposal) or was accidental. Cut marks, often identified on bones that belong to the meaty sections
of limbs, are more unambiguously indicative of food preparation. Evidence of scavenging in the form of dog
gnawing is also present, although the assemblage is probably too small to have included bones of this domes-
tic animal least important in meat consumption.

Bird remains
A total of 319 bird remains (weight=249.75 g) were found at Ibrány, of which 310 could be identified. By
this number of remains, the assemblage represents the largest Körös Culture bird bone assemblage so far iden-
tified from the Carpathian Basin (Gál 2004; 2007a-b: 50–52, Table 7).
The remains came from twenty stratigraphic units (SU) in the excavated pit. SU 33 was the most abundant
in avian bones providing 94 remains that may have been originating from at least 15 individuals. Five species
were identified from this stratigraphic unit that also represents the maximum number of species recognized
from any of the stratigraphic units in this early neolithic pit (Table 3).

Table 3. The basic parameters of the bird bone assemblage by stratigraphic units

Stratigraphic Number of identifia- Minimum number of

Number of species Weight (g)
unit ble specimens individuals

10 1 1 1 1.00
13 1 1 1 1.00
14 3 1 1 4.00
15 5 2 2 3.00
19 5 4 4 1.00
22 29 6 4 18.00
23 28 7 3 23.00
26 1 1 1 0.25
27 1 1 1 0.25
31 18 5 4 15.00
32 10 3 3 20.00
33 94 15 5 64.00
37 10 3 2 7.00
45 24 7 5 29.00
46 14 6 4 13.00
48 1 1 1 0.25
49 1 1 1 1.00
54 30 8 5 29.00
55 30 5 4 19.00
59 4 2 2 1.00
Total 310 80 10 249.75

Altogether ten species were identified in the bird bone assemblage found at Ibrány: great crested grebe, cor-
morant, spoonbill, teal, mallard, tufted duck, ferruginous duck, coot, moorhen and crane (Table 4). The contri-
bution of these species to individual stratigraphic units is summarised in Table 5.
242 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Table 4. The taxonomic composition of the avian assemblage

Number of identi-
English vernacular name Scientific name %
fiable specimens
Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus L., 1758 2 0.7
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L., 1758 15 5.0
Spoonbill Platalea leucorodea L., 1758 2 0.7
Teal Anas crecca L., 1758 16 5.3
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos L., 1758 168 55.6
Tufted duck Aythya fuligula L., 1758 1 0.3
Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca L., 1758 80 26.5
Coot Fulica atra L., 1758 16 5.3
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus L., 1758 1 0.3
Crane Grus grus L., 1758 1 0.3
Identifiable total 302 100.0 
Non-identifiable total Aves indet. 17
Total 319  

Table 5. The taxonomic distribution of the bird bone assemblage by stratigraphic untis

Stratigraphic
Species (number of identifiable specimens)
unit
10 Aythya nyroca (1)
13 Fulica atra (1)
14 Anas platyrhynchos (3)
15 Anas platyrhynchos (2), Aythya nyroca (3), Aves sp. indet. (2)
19 Anas platyrhynchos (1), Aythya nyroca (2), Fulica atra (1), Gallinula chloropus (1)
Phalacrocorax carbo (8), Anas crecca (1), Anas platyrhynchos (12), Aythya nyroca (4), Anatidae sp. indet (2),
22 Fulica atra (2)
23 Anas platyrhynchos (20), Aythya nyroca (7), Fulica atra (1)
26 Anatidae sp. indet. (1)
27 Anas platyrhynchos (1)
31 Phalacrocorax carbo (2), Platalea leucorodea (1), Anas platyrhynchos (10), Aythya nyroca (5), Aves sp. indet. (1)
32 Phalacrocorax carbo (1), Anas crecca (4), Anas platyrhynchos (5)
Phalacrocorax carbo (1), Ardeiformes sp. indet. (1), Anas crecca (1), Anas platyrhynchos (48), Aythya nyroca
33 (42), Fulica atra (1)
37 Anas platyrhynchos (8), Aythya nyroca (2), Aves sp. indet. (2)
Podiceps cristatus (2), Ardeiformes sp. indet. (1), Anas crecca (2), Anas platyrhynchos (8), Aythya nyroca (1),
45 Anatidae sp. indet. (2), Fulica atra (8), Aves sp. indet. (2)
46 Anas platyrhynchos (7), Aythya fuligula (1), Aythya nyroca (5), Fulica atra (1)
48 Fulica atra (1)
49 Anas platyrhynchos (1)
54 Phalacrocorax carbo (2), Anas crecca (8), Anas platyrhynchos (17), Aythya nyroca (2), Grus grus (1)
Phalacrocorax carbo (1), Platalea leucorodea (1), Anas platyrhynchos (23), Anas sp. (1), Aythya nyroca (4),
55 Aves sp. indet. (2)
59 Anas platyrhynchos (2), Aythya nyroca (2)
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  243

Fig. 4. The relationship between the number of identifiable elements (NISP) and taxonomic richness (N of taxa) in prehistoric
avian assemblages. Ibrány–Nagyerdő (red dot) stands out by the great number of bones representing relatively few species

All the identified bird species live in aquatic environments. The majority nest on the ground, either in the
reed-bed or on other plant material (e.g. spoonbill, mallard, coot, moorhen and crane). Great crested grebe
makes its nest on the edge of the open water. The only species that requires the presence of trees for nesting
is cormorant. This species lives in colonies. Moorhen may also occupy the abandoned nests of other birds in
trees. Most of the birds listed are summer visitors in Hungary. Teal and tufted duck are migratory species which
fly over the country during the spring and autumn migrations. Tufted duck may also over-winter in Hungary
when the winter is not too cold and food is available (Peterson et al. 1977; Cramp 1998).
The most peculiar characteristic of the assemblage under study is the small number of species relative to
the great number of identified bones. The relationship between these two factors, assemblage size (x) and tax-
onomic richness (y), is illustrated in (Fig. 4). The red dot representing the site of Ibrány–Nagyerdő clearly
stands apart from the other prehistoric assemblages in Hungary by yielding over 300 remains related to only
10 species. This taxonomic monotoneity would suggest the consistent exploitation of the marshy habitat. This
impression is also consistent with the great number of fish bones and the poor domestic animal assemblage as
well as the qualitative characteristics of fish and mammalian species.
The distribution of skeletal parts of mallard and ferruginous duck, the two most frequently encountered spe-
cies in the most abundant stratigraphic unit (SU 33) has been illustrated in order to check their general repre-
sentation within the layer in question on the one hand, and the differences between the two species, on the oth-
er. The lack of bones from the head as well as of tarsometatarsi and phalanges from the foot is striking. The
number of vertebrae is also minimal, which would suggest selective transport of bird body parts to the site. The
small number of small and fragile bones is usually explained by hand-collection, which is, however, not the
case with the site under study. Since the assemblage from Ibrány–Nagyerdő generally includes only a few re-
mains from the aforementioned bone types, it is suggested, that the heads and feet of birds may have been cut
off, and only the useful body parts were taken to the site.
Comparing the skeletal parts from mallard and ferruginous duck to each other, the distribution of bones was
rather similar except for three bone types. The abundance of coracoidea and radii from mallard, and of car-
pometacarpi from ferruginous duck showed remarkable differences (Fig. 5). However, we can not assign this
pattern to a certain activity or character of species at the moment. It is suggested therefore that these differenc-
es in the assemblage appeared only by chance.
The taxonomic composition of bird remains is of special interest from the viewpoint of seasonality. The
presence of each species varies throughout the year, although those represented at Ibrány–Nagyerdő cover
most of the annual cycle. The only specific seasonal indicators are the bones of young cormorant recovered
from Stratigraphic Units 22, 31, 33, 54, 55. They offer evidence for a late spring episode of filling (Fig. 6).
244 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 5. The anatomical composition of remains from ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in
Stratigraphic Unit 33

Fig. 6. Seasonal presence of the discussed migratory bird species in Hungary

Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  245

Fish remains
Thanks to the water-sieving of the deposit from the early neolithic pit at Ibrány–Nagyerdő, over 6 kg of fish
bone was recovered. A preliminary analysis of these remains included two major groups, easily distinguished
by size. The more characteristic of these was the over 6000 identifiable bones of pike (Esox lucius L., 1758),
while the other included an admixture of fish in the carp family (Cyprinidae) represented by almost 11 000
identifiable remains. Many of the latter identifications, however, could only be carried out on the family level,
especially in the case of smaller individuals whose bones may have equally originated from small-size, young
carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) and a number of other species, recognized mostly on the basis of pharyngeal
teeth, one of the few diagnostic elements available for species identification. These species include tench (Tin-
ca tinca L., 1758), a species characteristic of slow or still, relatively warm waters as well as bream (Abramis
brama L., 1758) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius L., 1758). The seven stratigraphic units from which
fish bones were available for study included varying numbers of fish bones and the ratio between the remains
of pike and small Cyprinid fish varied as well. The difference between the live size of large pike and other fish
is also shown by the greater mean weights of bones in samples that had higher percentages of pike, on aver-
age 1/3 of the fragments (Table 6).

Table 6. The numbers and weights of bones representing major groups of fish in the stratigraphic
units studied

Stratigraphic Mean
Weight, g NISP total Pike NISP Cyprinid NISP Pike %
unit weight, g

22 3 621 10 681 0.339 3 098 7 584 29.0

23 214 522 0.410 230 292 44.0
33 1 317 2 927 0.450 1 522 1 405 52.0
37 272 630 0.432 268 362 42.5
45 300 909 0.330 325 585 35.7
54 350 729 0.480 394 335 54.1
55 160 307 0.522 166 140 54.2
  6 234 16 704 6 002 10 703 35.9

These data also show that the distribution of pike remains was uneven across the deposit (Chi2=726.494,
df=6, P=0.000), Stratigraphic Units 33, 54 and 55 yielding especially high proportions (over 50%) of pike re-
mains. On the basis of the aforementioned evidence of subadult cormorants from the same stratigraphic units it
may be concluded that these finds with great likelihood represent late spring/early summer pike fishing.
The great relative contribution and large size of pike identified in the Ibrány–Nagyerdő assemblage direct-
ed our attention to this species of evident economic and even possibly symbolic value. The set of archaeologi-
cal pike measurements was compared to those of a sample of 24 present-day pike skeletons studied in Sweden
(Göteborg Museum of Natural History; Bartosiewicz 1990). Standard scores (SC), following the logic of vari-
ability size indices (Uerpmann 1979) were used in standardizing measurements taken on the bones of early ne-
olithic pike for the purposes of pooled evaluation. Individual pike measurements from Ibrány–Nagyerdő and
Ecsegfalva 23 (x) were entered into the following formula based on mean values (mx) and standard deviations
(sdx) of the respective bone dimensions in the sample of the 24 complete skeletons studied in Sweden:

SC = (x – mx)/sdx

The mean length of each measurement in the modern reference material was thus defined as 0, compared
to which the positions of archaeological measurements were determined within standard deviation intervals.
Each resulting standard score relates each individual pike bone measurement from Ibrány–Nagyerdő and Ec-
segfalva 23 to those of modern pike from Sweden, plotting their variation in relation to their mean value. It
246 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 7. Differences in the size distribution of Körös Culture pike from Ibrány–Nagyerdő and Ecsegfalva compared against the
standard of 24 modern reference specimens from Sweden. Explanation in text

is important to emphasize that bone measurements from Sweden were used merely to provide an interpreta-
tive framework within which it was possible to compare the two sets of early neolithic bones from Hungary to
each other. Fragmented pike bones could thus be pooled within the same graph, regardless of their anatomi-
cal positions.
The resulting graph (Fig. 7) shows that only one of the measurable early neolithic pike bones originat-
ed from an individual longer that the mean value of reference specimens. The rest provided a more-or-less
bell-shaped curve approaching normal distribution within the 0 to – 4 standard deviation interval. This size
difference is understandable, since the Göteborg Museum of Natural History collected chiefly large, record
size specimens. The results, however, are even more interesting when compared to individual pike measure-
ments from the Körös Culture site of Ecsegfalva 23 (Bartosiewicz 2007b). The size distribution of these lat-
ter pike is far more asymmetric, showing a positive skew, but including a greater number of bones from small
individuals.
Total lengths estimated for the two groups of early neolithic specimens using the measurements taken on
individual bone fragments are statistically different (Table 7). The pike found in the Ibrány–Nagyerdő mate-
rial was, on average, almost 10 cm longer (almost 0.5 m) than their counterparts at Ecsegfalva 23. While the
standard deviations are comparable, both the minimum and maximum values were also consistently greater at
Ibrány–Nagyerdő than at Ecsegfalva 23.

Table 7. Statistics and Student’s t-test showing the difference between the estimated total length
of pike from two early neolithic sites

Statistics (mm) Ibrány, n=154 Ecsegfalva, n=56

Mean value 462 385
Standard deviation 127 135
Minimum 238 147
Maximum 824 696
Median 468 369
t-value 3.850
Degrees of freedom 208
0.0002
P-value
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  247

It is unsurprising therefore that calculating a Student’s t-test has proven a statistically significant difference
between the total lengths of the two groups. The probability of this result, assuming the null hypothesis, was
far greater than the 95% expected from most statistical tests in archaeology. In addition to the size difference,
the average 35.9% contribution of pike to the Ibrány–Nagyerdő fish bone assemblage was also higher than the
27% observed at Ecsegfalva (Bartosiewicz 2007b). Simply put, people at this site were better at catching pike
than in the south, and this question has broader implications worth discussing within a cultural context.

Discussion
These results from Ibrány–Nagyerdő are well worth reviewing within the context of other animal bone as-
semblages. The general composition of animal remains from several Körös Culture settlements in the south-
ern section of the Great Hungarian Plain is quite different from that of the material under discussion here. The
contribution of domestic animals at those sites tends to be 80–90% in many of the assemblages so far pub-
lished (Bökönyi 1992; Vörös 2005; Bartosiewicz 2005). Domestic animals made up only 32% in the admitted-
ly small assemblage of Ibrány–Nagyerdő, leaving 68% for wild mammals. The most important domesticates
at Körös Culture settlements of representative size tend to be caprines (sheep/goat). Cattle is always present,
but not particularly dominant, while the bones of domestic pig occur but rarely in the food refuse. Contrary to
these trends, cattle bones made up almost half of the few bones from domesticates at Ibrány–Nagyerdő, pig
attained second place (with one third) while caprine bones occurred in the smallest numbers, making up only
one fifth of the bone fragments among key domesticates. On the other hand, in spite of its indubitably small
size, this mammalian assemblage is remarkably diverse from a taxonomic point of view. The relationship be-
tween assemblage size (x) and taxonomic richness (y) is the opposite of what was observed with the avian re-
mains (Fig. 4): the red dot representing Ibrány–Nagyerdő falls well above the trend set by other Körös Cul-
ture sites (Fig. 8).
The contribution of game tends to be minimal in large Körös Culture assemblages characterized by the
overwhelming dominance of sheep and goat in terms of fragment numbers (Bartosiewicz 2007a): it is always
small assemblages in which the remains of game animals dominate. This phenomenon is thus, at least in part,
an artifact of sample size as is shown by the positive Spearman’s rank correlation the percentage of domesti-
cates is studied as a function of the number of identifiable specimens (Fig. 9): chance findings of rare animals
carry a relatively greater weight in percentual terms in small assemblages. Clarifying this situation is of special
importance at Ibrány–Nagyerdő whose chronological and geographical positions would justify more archaic
forms of animal exploitation, i.e. hunting, fowling, fishing and gathering.

Fig. 8. The relationship between the number of identifiable elements (NISP) and taxonomic richness (N of taxa) in prehistoric
mammalian assemblages. Ibrány–Nagyerdő (red dot) stands out by the small number of bones representing relatively
numerous species (cf. avian remains in Fig. 4)
248 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 9. The relationship between assemblage size (NISP) and the percentage of domestic animals at Körös Culture sites. Note
the extreme position of Ibrány–Nagyerdő (red dot) among the small assemblages relatively rich in wild animal remains

Regrettably, water-sieved Körös Culture faunal assemblages are rare in Hungary and the publication of
bone weights is likewise unusual. The material from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, therefore, could only be compared to
two chronologically relevant sites. One of them was the mesolithic/neolithic (Starčevo culture) settlement of
Schela Cladovei downstream from the Iron Gates gorge in Romania, the other the Körös Culture site of Ec-
segfalva 23 in the Great Hungarian Plain. Due to the high contribution of game to the small set of bones from
Ibrány–Nagyerdő, the proportions between species (both in terms of fragment numbers and bone weights)
place this assemblage in a transitional position between the mesolithic sample from Schela Cladovei (with
only minor contamination by the remains of neolithic domesticates; Bartosiewicz et al. 2001) and the early ne-
olithic component of the same site. Ibrány–Nagyerdő is least similar to the classical Körös Culture faunal pro-
file of Ecsegfalva 23 (Bartosiewicz 2007a) characterized by the overwhelming dominance of sheep and goat
remains. This trend is shown consistently by both fragment numbers and bone weights, i.e. is not heavily in-
fluenced by potentially different degrees of fragmentation at the sites compared (Fig. 10). This broad-stroke
comparison between rather different sites, however, does not answer the question whether the greater percen-
tual contribution of wild animal bones to the assemblage from Ibrány–Nagyerdő was not simply the aforemen-
tioned product of small sample size.
It is at this point that qualitative aspects of the archaeozoological material should also be considered and the
remains of birds and fish retrieved by water-sieving gain special importance. Thanks to the recent increase of
neolithic archaeoornithological research (Jánossy 1985; Gál 2007a), bird remains from Ibrány–Nagyerdő can
be studied directly within the context of several Körös Culture settlements in the Great Hungarian Plain. From
an ecological point of view, the bird species identified from the next northernmost located Körös Culture site,
Tiszaszőlős–Domaháza (Gál 2007a: 55–56), as well as Nagykörű–Tsz. (Gál 2007a, 54) showed the greatest
similarities to those from Ibrány–Nagyerdő. As illustrated in the map of the Great Hungarian Plain (Fig. 11),
only one or two steppe or woodland species were identified at that site in addition to the majority of birds living
in water and floodplain forests. Aquatic species also dominated in the assemblages found at Szolnok–Szanda
and Ecsegfalva 23, respectively, but a far greater variety of ecotypes related to a whole range of 27–42 species
could be recognized. In comparison with these settlements showing more typical Körös Culture patterns of an-
imal exploitation in general, the large collection of avian remains from Ibrány–Nagyerdő shows a consistent,
almost specialized reliance on waterfowl, especially wild ducks.
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  249

Fig. 10. The contribution of main mammalian species to fragment numbers (NISP, top) and bone weights (bottom) at
Mesolithic (M) and early Neolithic (N) Schela Cladovei (Romania), Ibrány–Nagyerdő and Ecsegfalva 23. Note the clear trend
of decreasing contribution of wild animals by both measures

In spite of the apparent importance of fishing during the Early Neolithic, water-sieving has rarely been used
in our region to systematically recover supporting osteological evidence: fish remains. Of the two aforemen-
tioned sites, Schela Cladovei cannot be included in the comparison of fish finds, as it was located on a terrace
right by the main stream of the Danube, having access to completely different aquatic resources (including
great sturgeon, a large, anadromous species; Bartosiewicz et al. 2008) than sites in the quiet backwaters of the
Upper Tisza Region. Fish remains from the only relevant site, Ecsegfalva 23, however, could be compared to
those from Ibrány–Nagyerdő and did show fundamental differences in attitudes to fish exploitation by the two
Körös Culture communities (cf. Fig. 7).
When total lengths of pike are estimated from individual bone measurements (Bartosiewicz 1990) several
comparisons can be made. Size distributions shown in Fig. 12 fall into two types. The first of these includes
the assemblages from Ibrány–Nagyerdő (blue columns) and from the Mesolithic site of Praestelyngen in Den-
mark (black columns; Noe-Nygaard 1983, 131, fig. 14). At these two sites “the dominance of a very limit-
ed size range [...] suggests selective killing of fish, and strongly implies that the fish bones accumulation was
due to human activity” (Noe-Nygaard 1983, 130). In the case of Ibrány–Nagyerdő this interpretation is further
reconfirmed by the remains of relatively large pike, similarly indicative of active fishing.
The second type of size distributions is characterized by the pike from Ecsegfalva 23 and a poisoned lake
in Denmark (Larsen 1961), as compared in a previous study (Bartosiewicz 2007c). The modern sample yield-
ed a more-or-less natural age profile (red columns in Fig. 12) in which the older the age class, the less well
represented it is. The distribution of pike length estimates in the Ecsegfalva 23 assemblage (green columns)
250 Zsófia Eszter Kovács, Erika Gál, László Bartosiewicz

Fig. 11. The geographical distribution of some Körös Culture avian assemblages showing the number of species associated
with basic habitat types. The noteworthy south/north difference between the large assemblages of Ibrány–Nagyerdő and
Ecsegfalva 23 is also reflected in smaller samples

loosely follow this pattern. In other words, the size of pike consumed at Ecsegfalva 23 was more similar to the
set retrieved from the modern poisoned lake than to the mesolithic assemblage from Praestelyngen or Ibrány–
Nagyerdő. This could be interpreted as fish “gathering” documented in the historical and ethnographic record,
especially after early summer floods receded and millions of fish of all sizes were trapped in residual flood
pools along the Tisza River and its tributaries in the Great Hungarian Plain. This broader comparison recon-
firms the impression gained from Fig. 7.
The same way as the Ibrány–Nagyerdő avian assemblage is indicative of specialized duck hunting rath-
er than opportunistic fowling, signs of targeted active fishing may also be recognized in this pattern. Bird and
fish remains thus confirm the basic impression, that mammal bones in the small, hand-collected mammalian
assemblage indeed reflect the importance of hunting, possibly reflecting a form of subsistence that preceded
large-scale Körös Culture farming.

Conclusions
The early neolithic find assemblage from Ibrány–Nagyerdő can be classified with the Körös Culture on the
basis of its dominant ceramic style. Animal remains show specific attitudes towards resources and may thus be
considered a fair proxy for cultural “identity”. The following features of the animal remains suggest that this
site stands somewhat apart from the better known, large Körös Culture settlements toward the south:
1. the low proportion of domesticates, esp. sheep/goat is remarkable;
2. the high contribution of large game is indicative of hunting in floodplain forests;
Early Neolithic animal bones from Ibrány–Nagyerdő, Hungary  251

Fig. 12. Comparison between the size distributions of Körös culture pike from Ibrány–Nagyerdő and Ecsegfalva 23 in light of
trends seen at Mesolithic Preastelyngen (Denmark) and the size distribution of a population recovered from a poisoned lake.
Explanation in text

3. given the small assemblage size, percentual proportions cannot be taken at face value;
4. the narrow spectrum of bird species shows specialized fowling in aquatic habitats;
5. the size distribution of pike is suggestive of targeted rather than opportunistic fishing.
The material of a single pit shows intensive localized exploitation of the environment possibly during the
early summer. In spite of the Körös Culture being the first representative of the “agricultural revolution” in the
Carpathian Basin, Ibrány–Nagyerdő represents an archaic form of animal exploitation in the north. Stylistic in-
fluences may have arrived here as reflected by the shards recovered from the site. They are, however, not con-
gruent with the faunal assemblage that shows a steady reliance on the exploitation of wild mammals, birds and
fish, probably in the absence of major domestic stocks.

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CHIPPED STONE INDUSTRY FROM IBRÁNY

Małgorzata K aczanowska, Janusz K. Kozłowski

ABSTRACT: The analysis of lithic finds from Ibrány, particularly when the raw material structure (domination
of obsidian) and the structure of major technological groups are considered (especially the high index of corti-
cal flakes) a hypothesis can be put forward that the site of Ibrány marks new territories occupied by the popula-
tion of the late phase of the Körös Culture, who spread searching for deposits of new raw materials. The different
ecological conditions in this zone induced adaptation of economy resulting in an increased importance of fish-
ing and hunting.

Introduction
The assemblage at Ibrány comes from one feature – a pit – ascribed, on the basis of ceramics, to the late
phase of the Körös Culture, possibly to the very beginning of the Eastern Linear Pottery Culture. Artefacts that
were discovered outside the pit have been left out from this analysis. These artefacts were made from Creta-
ceous flint from the Dniester Basin and their morphometric and typological characteristics suggest links with
Copper Age settlement.