Vinča ritual vessels: Archaeological context and possible meaning

The Hyde-vase and anthropomorphic vessel found at Vinca within two sets of pottery vessels are vessels of cult the meaning of which has never been examined. The authors highlight the significance of their archaeological contexts and positions in the settlement, reconstructed based on the preserved documents. The cult character of both pottery sets is confirmed and they are thought to have been used for a ritual important to the whole Vinca community. Considering that they come from the horizon associated with the beginning of the Gradac phase of the Vinca culture, the performed ritual may be seen as a possible reaction of the Vinca inhabitants to dynamic changes triggered by emergence of metallurgy in the region and the whole of South East Europe.