Culture melting pot?: Mixed pottery traditions in the 5th millennium western Serbia

Abstract

The end of the Late Neolithic and the beginning of the Early Copper Age in the area of modern-day western Serbia is characterized by so-called mixed ceramic assemblages. Pottery traditions originating from different geographic areas (Vinča and Bubanj of the Central Balkans, and Tiszapolgár, Lengyel, and Lasinja of the Pannonian Plain) are observable on pottery from several sites. These traditions differ in technological procedures, but also the execution techniques and the appearance of decorative patterns. Their presence in the same archaeological contexts opens up questions concerning the origin and distribution of pottery, as well as the issues related to the identities of both the potters and pottery users.