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Fig. 3. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. View of the uncov- ered storage pit (feature 1/2021; photograph: T. Zachar). Obr. 3. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Pohlad na odkrytu zasobnu jamu (objekt 1/2021; foto: T. Zachar). various animal bones (54 pieces). Tentatively, we can conclude that domestic animals are domi- nating over wild fauna in the highly fragmen- tary osteological material. Sheep/goat and pig remains are predominant at the expense of bo- vine cattle. In the settlements of the Epilengyel groups in Central Europe, it is quite common to find similar storage pits (e.g. Farkas 1987). The existence of above-the-ground habitations is documented by the presence of daub. The paleo- botanical material is represented by charcoal. The archaeological research in 2021 and 2022 did not document house plans or stake pits. Fea- ture 1/2021 shows a fragment of a metallurgical crucible and copper ore (Fig. 5: 1). In trench 1/2021 (around feature 1/2021), we also found a discontinuous cultural layer (thickness max. 20 cm). In the NW border of trench 1/2021, we have observed the margin of feature 2/2021 with a find of copper slag (Fig. 5: 3; Zachar/Struhdr/ Bartik in print). In 2022, trenches 1/2022 (4 x nN

Figure 3 Horna Micina - Hajny diel. View of the uncov- ered storage pit (feature 1/2021; photograph: T. Zachar). Obr. 3. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Pohlad na odkrytu zasobnu jamu (objekt 1/2021; foto: T. Zachar). various animal bones (54 pieces). Tentatively, we can conclude that domestic animals are domi- nating over wild fauna in the highly fragmen- tary osteological material. Sheep/goat and pig remains are predominant at the expense of bo- vine cattle. In the settlements of the Epilengyel groups in Central Europe, it is quite common to find similar storage pits (e.g. Farkas 1987). The existence of above-the-ground habitations is documented by the presence of daub. The paleo- botanical material is represented by charcoal. The archaeological research in 2021 and 2022 did not document house plans or stake pits. Fea- ture 1/2021 shows a fragment of a metallurgical crucible and copper ore (Fig. 5: 1). In trench 1/2021 (around feature 1/2021), we also found a discontinuous cultural layer (thickness max. 20 cm). In the NW border of trench 1/2021, we have observed the margin of feature 2/2021 with a find of copper slag (Fig. 5: 3; Zachar/Struhdr/ Bartik in print). In 2022, trenches 1/2022 (4 x nN

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Fig. 1. Location of the Horna MiC¢ina site in Central Slovakia (source: www.stepmap.com, author: T. Zachar). Obr. 1. Situovanie lokality Horna Micina na strednom Slovensku (zdroj: www.stepmap.com, autor: T. Zachar). Bratislava (hereinafter “SNM — AM”) and with organisation ArcheoldgiaSK, s. r. 0., has conduct- ed an archaeological research for scientific and documentary purposes in the cadastre of the municipality of Horna Micina (in the district of
Fig. 1. Location of the Horna MiC¢ina site in Central Slovakia (source: www.stepmap.com, author: T. Zachar). Obr. 1. Situovanie lokality Horna Micina na strednom Slovensku (zdroj: www.stepmap.com, autor: T. Zachar). Bratislava (hereinafter “SNM — AM”) and with organisation ArcheoldgiaSK, s. r. 0., has conduct- ed an archaeological research for scientific and documentary purposes in the cadastre of the municipality of Horna Micina (in the district of
Fig. 2. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Map of geomagnetic anomalies with plotted archaeological excavations and features (authors: R. Pasteka, T. Zachar). Banska Bystrica). The municipality is located in Central Slovakia, in the Zvolen basin. The stud- ied site is named Hajny diel (542 m above the sea level) and it is located at the border between the Zvolen hilly area and the Banska Bystrica uplands. The Hron river flows around the surroundings of the site. The elevation with respect to the Hron river (constituting the axis of the Zvolen basin) measures about 170 m (Fig. 1). The first author to present Hajny diel as a site of findings of nu- merous lithic industry was G. BalaSa (1960, 25). The lithic industry in this site was evaluated by M. Kvietok and S. Ferenc (2012, 30). M. Solivajs and E. Kolton informed the authors of this arti- cle about the most recent findings documenting prehistoric copper metallurgy. The aim of the ar- chaeological research was to clarify the character of the prehistoric settlement located outside the primarily agricultural area of the Zvolen basin (Kvietok 2017, 151, 152, obr. 1-3). filter was applied to remove the noise from the
Fig. 2. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Map of geomagnetic anomalies with plotted archaeological excavations and features (authors: R. Pasteka, T. Zachar). Banska Bystrica). The municipality is located in Central Slovakia, in the Zvolen basin. The stud- ied site is named Hajny diel (542 m above the sea level) and it is located at the border between the Zvolen hilly area and the Banska Bystrica uplands. The Hron river flows around the surroundings of the site. The elevation with respect to the Hron river (constituting the axis of the Zvolen basin) measures about 170 m (Fig. 1). The first author to present Hajny diel as a site of findings of nu- merous lithic industry was G. BalaSa (1960, 25). The lithic industry in this site was evaluated by M. Kvietok and S. Ferenc (2012, 30). M. Solivajs and E. Kolton informed the authors of this arti- cle about the most recent findings documenting prehistoric copper metallurgy. The aim of the ar- chaeological research was to clarify the character of the prehistoric settlement located outside the primarily agricultural area of the Zvolen basin (Kvietok 2017, 151, 152, obr. 1-3). filter was applied to remove the noise from the
Fig. 4. Horna Micina - Hajny diel, trench 1/2021 and feature 1/2021. Selection of pottery (authors: T. Zachar, J. Bartik). Obr. 4. Horna Micina — Hajny diel, sonda 1/2021 a objekt 1/2021. Vyber keramiky (autori: T. Zachar, J. Bartik).
Fig. 4. Horna Micina - Hajny diel, trench 1/2021 and feature 1/2021. Selection of pottery (authors: T. Zachar, J. Bartik). Obr. 4. Horna Micina — Hajny diel, sonda 1/2021 a objekt 1/2021. Vyber keramiky (autori: T. Zachar, J. Bartik).
(Timberlake 2007, 32-34, Fig. 5-8). So far, we are not able to explain in details the function of the forehearth. The findings’ status corresponds to similar prehistoric metallurgical features known in Europe and the Near East (Weisgerber 2004). The function of simple furnace pit was checked even in an experimental manner (de Zilva/Engel- mann 2017, 15, 16, Abb. 1, 2). We know several examples of extractive metallurgy from the times of early Eneolithic period in Central Europe (Farkas/Gregor 2013); however, the furnace pit from Horna Micina represents a unique metal- lurgical feature for the time being. Copper Age in Spain (La Cefuela). They are not defined as smelting crucibles, but they are known as smelting trays (Rovira 2002, 89, Fig. 3). In this site, they found no clay tips or blow- pipe nozzles. Nevertheless, their existence at times of early Eneolithic period is witnessed in the territory of today’s Slovakia with regard to the Ludanice group (Beljak Pazinovd/Beljak 2014, 49, Fig. 44).
(Timberlake 2007, 32-34, Fig. 5-8). So far, we are not able to explain in details the function of the forehearth. The findings’ status corresponds to similar prehistoric metallurgical features known in Europe and the Near East (Weisgerber 2004). The function of simple furnace pit was checked even in an experimental manner (de Zilva/Engel- mann 2017, 15, 16, Abb. 1, 2). We know several examples of extractive metallurgy from the times of early Eneolithic period in Central Europe (Farkas/Gregor 2013); however, the furnace pit from Horna Micina represents a unique metal- lurgical feature for the time being. Copper Age in Spain (La Cefuela). They are not defined as smelting crucibles, but they are known as smelting trays (Rovira 2002, 89, Fig. 3). In this site, they found no clay tips or blow- pipe nozzles. Nevertheless, their existence at times of early Eneolithic period is witnessed in the territory of today’s Slovakia with regard to the Ludanice group (Beljak Pazinovd/Beljak 2014, 49, Fig. 44).
Fig. 6. Horna Mi¢ina — Hajny diel. View of the excavated furnace pit (feature 2/2021; photograph: T. Zachar). Obr. 6. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Pohlad na odkrytu jamovu pec (objekt 2/2021; foto: T. Zachar).
Fig. 6. Horna Mi¢ina — Hajny diel. View of the excavated furnace pit (feature 2/2021; photograph: T. Zachar). Obr. 6. Horna Micina - Hajny diel. Pohlad na odkrytu jamovu pec (objekt 2/2021; foto: T. Zachar).
Fig. 7. Horna Micina — Hajny diel. Results of the “C analysis from feature 1/2021 and smelting pit (feature 2/2021; source: Radiochronology Lab C. E. N., Université Laval, Quebec, Canada). Obr. 7. Horna Mi¢ina - Hajny diel. Vysledky analyzy “C z objektu 1/2021 a hutnickej jamy (objekt 2/2021; zdroj: Radiochronology Lab C. E. N., Université Laval, Quebec, Canada). For the purposes of absolute dating of the site, AMS "C was carried out on two selected sam- ples. The sample no. 1 - in the shape of an animal bone (astragalus, sheep/goat) - comes from the filling of the storage pit (feature 1/2021). The sec- ond sample (charcoal) was lifted from the lower part (depth 35 cm) of the filling of the smelting pit (feature 2/2021). On the basis of the two cal- culated absolute dates (probability 95,4%), we In the first third of the 4" millennium BC, in the south-western part of Slovakia, we observe a cultural phenomenon known as pottery with furrowed incision (Baj¢é-Retz group). In Mora- va and in Lesser Poland, there are signs of set- tlements from the early phase of Funnelbeaker
Fig. 7. Horna Micina — Hajny diel. Results of the “C analysis from feature 1/2021 and smelting pit (feature 2/2021; source: Radiochronology Lab C. E. N., Université Laval, Quebec, Canada). Obr. 7. Horna Mi¢ina - Hajny diel. Vysledky analyzy “C z objektu 1/2021 a hutnickej jamy (objekt 2/2021; zdroj: Radiochronology Lab C. E. N., Université Laval, Quebec, Canada). For the purposes of absolute dating of the site, AMS "C was carried out on two selected sam- ples. The sample no. 1 - in the shape of an animal bone (astragalus, sheep/goat) - comes from the filling of the storage pit (feature 1/2021). The sec- ond sample (charcoal) was lifted from the lower part (depth 35 cm) of the filling of the smelting pit (feature 2/2021). On the basis of the two cal- culated absolute dates (probability 95,4%), we In the first third of the 4" millennium BC, in the south-western part of Slovakia, we observe a cultural phenomenon known as pottery with furrowed incision (Baj¢é-Retz group). In Mora- va and in Lesser Poland, there are signs of set- tlements from the early phase of Funnelbeaker
Tab. 1. Results (%) of elemental analysis (pXRF, ED-XRF) copper-based finds from Horna Micina. Explanations LOD - below detection limit; n - not analysed (author: T. Zachar). Tabela 1. Vysledky (%) prvkovej analyzy (pXRE, ED-XRF) nalezov na baze medi z Hornej Micinej. Vysvetlivky LOD - pod detekénym limitom; n - neanalyzované (autor: T. Zachar). n [he sample no. 1 is a minute fragment of pri- mary copper ore (feature 1/2021; Fig. 5: 1; Tab. 1: ID1). The sample no. 2 consists of a proba- bly partially melted piece of copper ore (trench 1/2021; Fig. 5: 2; Tab. 1: ID2). The sample no. 3 is represented by copper slag (trench 1/2021; Fig. 5: 3; Tab. 1: ID3). The sample no. 4 represents the For the above-mentioned reasons, it is evident that the contents of As and Sb are significant- y reduced in the single metallurgical processes Pernicka 1999, 169, 170, Tab. 1). At the same time, we observe an increase of the contents of Cu from primary ore (max. 26,29%) through slag max. 61,58%) up to melted copper raw material Cu from primary ore (max. 26,29%) through slag
Tab. 1. Results (%) of elemental analysis (pXRF, ED-XRF) copper-based finds from Horna Micina. Explanations LOD - below detection limit; n - not analysed (author: T. Zachar). Tabela 1. Vysledky (%) prvkovej analyzy (pXRE, ED-XRF) nalezov na baze medi z Hornej Micinej. Vysvetlivky LOD - pod detekénym limitom; n - neanalyzované (autor: T. Zachar). n [he sample no. 1 is a minute fragment of pri- mary copper ore (feature 1/2021; Fig. 5: 1; Tab. 1: ID1). The sample no. 2 consists of a proba- bly partially melted piece of copper ore (trench 1/2021; Fig. 5: 2; Tab. 1: ID2). The sample no. 3 is represented by copper slag (trench 1/2021; Fig. 5: 3; Tab. 1: ID3). The sample no. 4 represents the For the above-mentioned reasons, it is evident that the contents of As and Sb are significant- y reduced in the single metallurgical processes Pernicka 1999, 169, 170, Tab. 1). At the same time, we observe an increase of the contents of Cu from primary ore (max. 26,29%) through slag max. 61,58%) up to melted copper raw material Cu from primary ore (max. 26,29%) through slag
EARLY COPPER AGE SETTLEMENT WITH EVIDENCE OF COPPER SMELTING METALLURGY... 7 MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS
EARLY COPPER AGE SETTLEMENT WITH EVIDENCE OF COPPER SMELTING METALLURGY... 7 MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS
Fig. 9. Horna Micina. Mineralogical analysis. A (sample 1) - intensive process of alteration of porous tennantite-(Fe) (light grey, homogeneous). Secondary minerals (dark grey, zonal) push out the primary mineral and various mixed phases are formed, composed with Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sb, S, O, and sometimes even P (BSE). B (sample 2) - mineral of the tetrahedrite group with more or less the same Sb/As ratio, from Horna Micina. The cavity is filled with un- specified secondary Cu-As mineral (BSE). C (sample 2) - photograph of the surface with electron microanalyser in backscattered electron mode (BSE). Tennantite-(Fe) (tnt) is white; besides it, on the left, there is chalcopyrite (ccp); the other parts are supergeneous minerals, predominantly copper. D (sample 2) - idaite (grey) in tennantite-(Fe) - tetrahedrite-(Fe) (light grey), intensively pushed along grain margins and along fissures by secondary copper miner- als (darker grey, zonal). BSE (photograph: D. Ozdin).
Fig. 9. Horna Micina. Mineralogical analysis. A (sample 1) - intensive process of alteration of porous tennantite-(Fe) (light grey, homogeneous). Secondary minerals (dark grey, zonal) push out the primary mineral and various mixed phases are formed, composed with Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sb, S, O, and sometimes even P (BSE). B (sample 2) - mineral of the tetrahedrite group with more or less the same Sb/As ratio, from Horna Micina. The cavity is filled with un- specified secondary Cu-As mineral (BSE). C (sample 2) - photograph of the surface with electron microanalyser in backscattered electron mode (BSE). Tennantite-(Fe) (tnt) is white; besides it, on the left, there is chalcopyrite (ccp); the other parts are supergeneous minerals, predominantly copper. D (sample 2) - idaite (grey) in tennantite-(Fe) - tetrahedrite-(Fe) (light grey), intensively pushed along grain margins and along fissures by secondary copper miner- als (darker grey, zonal). BSE (photograph: D. Ozdin).
Tab. 2. Electron microanalysis of tennantite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin). Tabela 2. Elektrénové mikroanalyzy tennantitu zo vzorky 1 z Hornej Micinej (v hm. %; autor: D. Ozdin).
Tab. 2. Electron microanalysis of tennantite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin). Tabela 2. Elektrénové mikroanalyzy tennantitu zo vzorky 1 z Hornej Micinej (v hm. %; autor: D. Ozdin).
Tab. 3. Electron microanalysis of idaite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin). Tabela 3. Elektronové mikroanalyzy idaitu zo vzorky 1 z Hornej Micinej (v hm. %; autor: D. Ozdin). Tab. 3. Electron microanalysis of idaite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin).
Tab. 3. Electron microanalysis of idaite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin). Tabela 3. Elektronové mikroanalyzy idaitu zo vzorky 1 z Hornej Micinej (v hm. %; autor: D. Ozdin). Tab. 3. Electron microanalysis of idaite from sample 1 in Horna Micina (in wt%; author: D. Ozdin).
Fig. 10. Diagram of the Fe/Zn and Sb/As ratios (in apfu) regarding the minerals of the tetrahedrite from Horna Mi¢ina and some other Cu deposits and occurrences in the wider area of Banska Bystrica (author: D. Ozdin). T. ZACHAR — J. BARTIK — V. STRUHAR — D. Ozpin — R. PaSTEKA — M. NYVLTOVA FISAKOVA...
Fig. 10. Diagram of the Fe/Zn and Sb/As ratios (in apfu) regarding the minerals of the tetrahedrite from Horna Mi¢ina and some other Cu deposits and occurrences in the wider area of Banska Bystrica (author: D. Ozdin). T. ZACHAR — J. BARTIK — V. STRUHAR — D. Ozpin — R. PaSTEKA — M. NYVLTOVA FISAKOVA...
Fig. 11. Triangular diagram of idaite from Horna Micina and selected theoretical compositions of minerals in the C1n_Be_S eveteam (in anf anthar: T) Ovdin)
Fig. 11. Triangular diagram of idaite from Horna Micina and selected theoretical compositions of minerals in the C1n_Be_S eveteam (in anf anthar: T) Ovdin)
Related topics:
Copper extraction and productionCopper ArtefactsCopper ageAncient Mining and MetallurgyCopper Age in the Carpathian BasinEarly Copper Metallurgy
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