Bosut culture
Encyclopedia
Bosut culture is a name of an prehistoric Iron Age
culture, which was named after Gradina on Bosut
archaeological site in Serbia
. It is sometimes grouped with related Basarabi culture
into Bosut-Basarabi complex. There are different views about ethnic identity of the people of Bosut culture; according to one view, they were Triballi
, while according to another view, they were Daco
-Getaes
. The culture flourished in the first half of the 1st millennium BC, until the arrival of the Scythian tribes.
and it is generally divided into three development stages: 1. Kalakača-Bosut
, 2. Basarabi
, and 3. Bosut III
. The area of this culture included territory of present-day Vojvodina
and northern part of present-day Central Serbia
.
Earliest settlements of the Bosut culture originated from the late Bronze Age
Belegiš culture. Large fortified settlements were built on the sites of former settlements that were situated on a higher ground near rivers, on a slopes of Fruška Gora
and Vršac Mountains
, or on the edge of the Titel Hill. Large settlements were mutually interconnected into a chain of common defense. Smaller settlements and farms were located around larger ones. Houses in the fortified settlements were located close one to another and narrow passes existed between them. Defensive trenches were located around settlement walls.
Main occupation of inhabitants of Bosut culture was agriculture and animal husbandry. Agricultural tools were similar to ones from the Bronze Age
. Main market excesses were made from wheat, meat, and animal skin. These products were sold to Greek traders, who in turn brought luxury goods from south-east Europe, that were purchased by local aristocracy. The silver jewelry was especially appreciated.
Two mass graves discovered at Gomolava locality are indicating that inhabitants of the Bosut culture practiced human sacrifice
.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
culture, which was named after Gradina on Bosut
Gradina on Bosut
Gradina on Bosut is an archeological site in Serbia. It is located on Bosut river in the administrative area of Vašica village, in the Šid municipality . The site contains remains from several time periods, including Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age findings...
archaeological site in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. It is sometimes grouped with related Basarabi culture
Basarabi culture
The Basarabi culture was an archeological culture in Romania, dated between 8th - 7th centuries BC. It was named after Basarabi, a village in Dolj County, south-western Romania, nowadays an administrative component of the Calafat municipality....
into Bosut-Basarabi complex. There are different views about ethnic identity of the people of Bosut culture; according to one view, they were Triballi
Triballi
The Triballi were an ancient tribe whose dominion was around the plains of southern modern Serbia and west Bulgaria, at the Angrus and Brongus and the Iskur River, roughly centered where Serbia and Bulgaria are joined....
, while according to another view, they were Daco
Dacians
The Dacians were an Indo-European people, very close or part of the Thracians. Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of Dacia...
-Getaes
Getae
The Getae was the name given by the Greeks to several Thracian tribes that occupied the regions south of the Lower Danube, in what is today northern Bulgaria, and north of the Lower Danube, in Romania...
. The culture flourished in the first half of the 1st millennium BC, until the arrival of the Scythian tribes.
Characteristics
The Bosut culture is dated into early Iron AgeIron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
and it is generally divided into three development stages: 1. Kalakača-Bosut
Gradina on Bosut
Gradina on Bosut is an archeological site in Serbia. It is located on Bosut river in the administrative area of Vašica village, in the Šid municipality . The site contains remains from several time periods, including Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age findings...
, 2. Basarabi
Basarabi
Murfatlar is a town in Constanţa County, Romania.-Etymology:The name of the town originates from the Turkish word murvet .Between 1921 and 1965, and from 1975 to 2007, the locality was known as Basarabi...
, and 3. Bosut III
Gradina on Bosut
Gradina on Bosut is an archeological site in Serbia. It is located on Bosut river in the administrative area of Vašica village, in the Šid municipality . The site contains remains from several time periods, including Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age findings...
. The area of this culture included territory of present-day Vojvodina
Vojvodina
Vojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
and northern part of present-day Central Serbia
Central Serbia
Central Serbia , also referred to as Serbia proper , was the region of Serbia from 1945 to 2009. It included central parts of Serbia outside of the autonomous provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina. The region of Central Serbia was not an administrative division of Serbia as such; it was under the...
.
Earliest settlements of the Bosut culture originated from the late Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
Belegiš culture. Large fortified settlements were built on the sites of former settlements that were situated on a higher ground near rivers, on a slopes of Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora is a mountain in north Syrmia. Most part of the territory is located within Vojvodina, Serbia, but a smaller part on its western side overlaps the territory of Croatia...
and Vršac Mountains
Vršac Mountains
The Vršac Mountains , also known as Vršac Hill , are mountains located near Vršac , in the Serbian province of Vojvodina and partially also in Romania. They represent an independent and distinct massif, 19 kilometers long and spreading on an area of 170 square kilometers, of which 122 belong to...
, or on the edge of the Titel Hill. Large settlements were mutually interconnected into a chain of common defense. Smaller settlements and farms were located around larger ones. Houses in the fortified settlements were located close one to another and narrow passes existed between them. Defensive trenches were located around settlement walls.
Main occupation of inhabitants of Bosut culture was agriculture and animal husbandry. Agricultural tools were similar to ones from the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. Main market excesses were made from wheat, meat, and animal skin. These products were sold to Greek traders, who in turn brought luxury goods from south-east Europe, that were purchased by local aristocracy. The silver jewelry was especially appreciated.
Two mass graves discovered at Gomolava locality are indicating that inhabitants of the Bosut culture practiced human sacrifice
Human sacrifice
Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more human beings as part of a religious ritual . Its typology closely parallels the various practices of ritual slaughter of animals and of religious sacrifice in general. Human sacrifice has been practised in various cultures throughout history...
.
Localities
Localities of the Bosut culture are:- Gradina on BosutGradina on BosutGradina on Bosut is an archeological site in Serbia. It is located on Bosut river in the administrative area of Vašica village, in the Šid municipality . The site contains remains from several time periods, including Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age findings...
- Gomolava near HrtkovciHrtkovciHrtkovci is a village in Serbia. It is located in the Ruma municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 3,428 people...
- ŽidovarŽidovarŽidovar is an archeological site and settlement near Vršac, Serbia.-History:The earliest findings is of the Bosut-Basarabi culture dating to 9-8th century BC...
- Feudvar near MošorinMošorinMošorin is a village in Serbia. It is located in the Titel municipality, South Bačka District. Mošorin is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in the south-eastern part of Bačka, known as Šajkaška. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 2,763 people...
- Kalakača near BeškaBeškaBeška is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in the region of Srem , in Inđija municipality...
Further reading
- Dr Predrag Medović, Praistorija na tlu Vojvodine, Novi Sad, 2001.
- Dragoslav Srejović, Iliri i Tračani, Beograd, 2002.
External links
- Gradina na Bosutu - Gradina on Bosut (in Serbian)
- Gradina na Bosutu - Gradina on Bosut (in Serbian)