Pages: 387-396

The article aims to introduce into scientific literature a Late Bronze Age object, namely a socketed axe made of bronze, discovered in southeastern Transylvania at Vâlcele. The object was discovered by a local resident using a metal detector and was donated to the National Museum of the Eastern Carpathians. The axe is a well-known type referred to the archaeological literature as Transylvanian type axes, being produced during the Late Bronze Age Br D-Ha A1 period. Very likely, it can be linked to the communities of the Noua culture. The axe was subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis, showing a high level of tin in its composition. The lack of any information regarding the context of discovery makes it hard to comment on this object: was the object lost or was it a single-piece deposition? The occurrence of single axes is very widespread during the Bronze Age, so probably we deal with an intentional deposition, probably a votive offering to deities or supernatural forces.

Keywords: Transylvania, Late Bronze Age, socketed axe, spectroscopic analysis, single object hoarding

Information about authors:

József Puskás (Târgu Secuiesc, Romania). MA. National Museum of the Eastern Carpathians. Târgu Secuiesc-Lunga, 252, 525401, Covasna county, Romania
E-mail: [email protected]
Dan-Lucian Buzea (Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania). Doctor. National Museum of the Eastern Carpathians. Gábor Aron St., 16, Sfântu Gheorghe, 520008, Covasna county, Romania
E-mail: [email protected]