Altar - Catalog No. 5

©Hungarian National Museum

Record details

Catalog No.
5
Material
Ceramic
Origin
Vicinity of Szeged, Hungary
Date Range
5300-5200 BC
Height (cm)
12
Length (cm)
12
Width (cm)
13.5
Inventory Number
41.1935.1
Current Location
Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary
Bibliography

Gallus 1938:Figures 1–5.

Recommended citation

Gyucha, Attila and William A. Parkinson, 2023. Altar - Catalog No. 5 for First Kings of Europe: Exhibition Catalog. Version 1. Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. https://doi.org/10.25346/S6/KEXTI9

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The Neolithic farming communities of the Carpathian Basin produced elaborate ceramics with incised and painted decorations, including objects of special purpose, probably conveying sacral messages. One of the most spectacular examples of these objects is this ceramic altar. The manufacturer placed stylized ram heads on the four corners and engraved spiral and meander patterns on the sides. It is likely that the vessel was not intended for everyday purposes but was utilized during rituals.

Hargita Oravecz and Katalin T. Biró