Reconstructing technology: Late Neolithic oven construction techniques at Vinča–Belo Brdo– excavation methodology and experimental archaeology

Abstract

Ovens are found in the majority of Late Neolithic Vinča culture houses. Unfortunately, they are usually preserved only at the floor level, while parts of the upper structure are almost always missing. Even though several fully preserved ovens were discovered at the site of Vinča–Belo Brdo in the early 20th century, no information regarding the techniques used in their construction was recorded. Fortunately, in 2006, at the same site, an almost fully preserved oven was uncovered and was partially excavated in 2015. This find is highly significant, as it represents the first oven with an intact dome discovered since 1911. To maximize the quantity and quality of data collected, a new excavation methodology was developed and applied. Instead of cutting through the oven, breaking patterns visible on the dome were followed and the oven was deconstructed, which allowed the reconstruction of the building process. As the oven dome construction technique revealed in this context had not been previously considered or proposed in archaeological literature, this article introduces new interpretations and results. To test the findings obtained during the excavation, experimental ovens were built using this newly identified technique. One of the aims of this article is to present an innovative excavation methodology that can be applied to other daub architectural features. Furthermore, the detection and recognition of a previously undocumented construction technique opens the door to more comprehensive studies of Neolithic earthen architecture and individual daub architectural elements.