Ornamentation of Early Iron Age Ceramics from the Voloshkove-6 (Horby) Site

Abstract

This article presents finds of Early Iron Age ceramics from the rescue excavations at Voloshkove-6 (Horby), located on the Middle Dnister. Particular attention is paid to the ornamentation of ceramics, which is a key chronological indicator of this period. The majority of kitchen and tableware ceramics are identified as belonging to the Chornolissia culture (9th century BC) and the Zhabotyn stage (8th century BC). A number of imports from the cultures of the Carpathian-Podunavian region is also considered. General conclusions about the site are presented.
The most common types of ornamentation on kitchen pots are through-punctures, rolled appliqués, and various types of plastic decorations: protrusions and bulges. The ornamentation of bowls consists of various types of nozzles on the “rim of the bowl” and double or triple stickers. The geometric ornamentation, consisting of small stamps, stands apart. The site also contains cult vessels — ladless with pointed bases. They are decorated with various types of geometric ornaments, the main ones being the “ladder” and “triangle” motifs.
A significant number of imports from the Basarabi, Babadag, Insula-Banului (?), and Kozia-Saharna cultures were found as well. These cultures are located in the Carpathian-Danube region and the Northern Balkans. The finds include fragments of well-made tableware, almost always decorated with “pseudo-lace” ornaments. This tableware was introduced through active trade and exchange networks and was quite valuable to the local population of that time.
Our study emphasizes the significance of Voloshkove-6 as one of the few investigated sites of the Final Bronze Age — Early Iron Age in the region. In the future, there are plans to introduce the site’s materials into wider scientific circulation.