Computer applications in the study of the Szentgál-
Tűzköveshegy mine and workshop complexes
Paper presented on the Conference
'Future of our Past '93'.
Katalin T. Biró
Hungarian National Museum
Dept. of Information
The environs of Szentgál used to form, as it seems
evident from the results of the studies of the past
decade one of the most important centres of Hungarian
prehistory, especially that of the Neolithic period.
The area of high quality raw materials, independent of
age, culture and even the degree of inhabitation was
always in the focus of interest due to needs of access
and supply. Large 'industrial centres' of prehistoric
Hungary include the territory of the Tokaj Mts
(obsidian, limnic quartzite) and the environs of
Szentgál (Middle Jurassic radiolarite). There are some
smaller but still very important centres in the Mecsek,
the Gerecs and the Mátra Mts.
The study of the raw material sources of the
Tűzköveshegy and its environs started, after sporadic
investigations of the first half of the century, in
1982 by regular field surveys. From 1983-85, the
extraction site, from 1986-1988 one of the satellite
settlements (Szentgál-Füzilap) were excavated. In 1989,
field surveys were performed on the prehistoric
settlements surrounding the source area, and the
temporal and spatial distribution of the raw material
coming from the Szentgál sources was surveyed on
Hungarian prehistoric sites.
Computers were applied in the investigation process
since fairly early dates. Most of the excavated lithic
materials were registered in databases (using dBASE
III+, FoxBase and DataEase 4.24 versions). Similarly,
the distribution studies were based on the registration
of available lithic industries of Hungary and beyond.
Comparative raw material samples and analytical
results, as a part of the Lithotheca collection, are
registered in the Lithotheca database.
For the presentation of regional and temporal
distribution, more sophisticated techniques were used.
Distribution data were elaborated by the help of
spreadsheet and statistically based GIS programs.
In our further plans we are aiming at a complete
spatial analysis of the mine and its environment as
well as a compilation of an exhibition demonstration
program.
Tartalom *
Krónika *
Cikkek *
Képek