Керамические прясла культурного комплекса Триполье-Кукутень
Spindle whorls of Trypillia-Cucuteni cultural unity

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the category of finds from sites of the Trypillia CII stage – ceramic spindle whorls. Such finds are relatively numerous. They were found in the pits, as well as among the ruins of burnt houses. Spindle whorls are also present in few burials from the Vykhvatintsy, Sofiivka and Chernyn cemeteries. The finds of spindle whorls also come from the Kasperivtsi layer of the Verteba cave.Trypillia Culture spindle whorls differ in a variety of forms and ornamentation. Also there are known several spindle whorls with pictographic images. An analysis of the morphological and stylistic characteristics of the Trypillia CII spindle whorls shows their similarity with such products coming from some Early Bronze Age cultures, especially the Erbicheni and FBC, and to a lesser extent the culture of Baden.The mass character of the finds of spindle whorls, their contextual analysis and the symbolic nature of the décor suggest that they were used not only for utilitarian purposes, but also as some important cult objects. The emergence of the tradition of using of such spindle whorls in the Late Trypillia after 3400 BC is associated with contacts with the FBC.

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