Metabasite Artefacts from the Neolithic Settlement at Brno-Holásky/Tuřany Compared to the Potential Source Rocks within the Želešice Metabasite Body Based on Petrography and Mineralogy

Abstract

The Želešice metabasite body served as a significant area for the exploitation of raw material for the production of polished stone tools in the Neolithic. This study is based on petrographical and mineralogical comparisons of the artefacts from the Želešice-type metabasite collected in the Neolithic settlement (and workshop) at Brno-Holásky/Tuřany with the various rock types occurring around the Želešice metabasite body. The determination of the most probable locations of Neolithic exploitation within the Želešice metabasite body is given. The three main rock varieties of the artefacts from Želešice metabasite have been specified. They match well in their petrography and mineralogy with the rock types determined in the source region. The artefacts with pebble surfaces were most likely obtained from the nearby Bobrava riverbed.