A Close Watch on the Tisa: the Early Iron Age Necropolis Stubarlija, Serbia

Abstract

The south-eastern part of the Carpathian Basin in the period traditionally known as the Late Hallstatt (6th-4th century BC) turned out to be the space of highly dynamic changes, most easily recognisable in funerary practice. In such an environment cultural unity cannot be expected. One of these cultural groups was the Syrmia group. One of the necropolises of the Syrmia group which was defined as such with certainty is the Stubarlija necropolis. It is situated on the right bank of the lower Tisa, near the village Mošorin. It contained five skeletal graves with inventory which included pottery finds with tradition of the Bosut group, and imported goods: Certosa fibulae, glass beads and cowry shells. The imported material confirms strong relations with other regions. According to P. Medović, the explorer of the site, this area was under the strong influence from the west, the river Sava being main communication route. However, the importance of the Tisa as an important transversal northward should not be neglected. The Stubarlija necropolis was chronologically positioned at the 4th and the beginning of the 3rd century BC, but material confirmations for such datation are not as firm as they must be. Having this in mind, generally earlier dates should be taken into consideration.