MICROSCOPY OF PREHISTORIC SYMBOLIC ARTEFACTS. WIETENBERG ZOOMORPHIC ANTLER PLATE DISCOVERED AT ŞOIMENI, HARGHITA COUNTY
MICROSCOPY OF PREHISTORIC SYMBOLIC ARTEFACTS. WIETENBERG ZOOMORPHIC ANTLER PLATE DISCOVERED AT ŞOIMENI, HARGHITA COUNTY

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the data related to the Wietenberg culture in the site as well those issued from the microscopic analysis of an very special and unique artifact belonging to Wietenberg culture discovered at Şoimeni - “Dâmbul Cetăţii”, Harghita County. It is an entire zoomorphic plate (red deer protome?) made of a fragment of red deer antler. The artefact was recovered during the 2013 excavation campaign. The study was done using a unitary methodology (Beldiman 2007) which takes into account all quantifiable data of the artefact. The piece was extensive examined using an optical microscope (xlO - x40) and a digital one (xlO - x400); photos taken (general views, detailed views, and microscopic views) were added to the previous image database. The study aims to reconstruct the manufacturing chain of this unique artefact and to highlight the possible use-wear traces in order to state some hypotheses regarding its functionality. For this type of approach, the use of microscopic analysis is essential and can lead to unique conclusions.

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