398
Documenta Praehistorica XLVI (2019)
Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis
of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)>
a picture of symbolism in prehistoric communities
Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit
1,2
, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
3
1 Valahia University of Târgovis ¸te, Târgovis ¸te, RO
2 “Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, RO
monicamargarit@yahoo.com
3 Museum of Gumelnit ¸a Civilization, Oltenit ¸a, RO
dimachemadalina@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT – The Necropolis of Chirnogi – Suvita Iorgulescu (Ca ˘la ˘rasi county) was located on the
high terrace of the Danube and was investigated by Done Serba ˘nescu (in 1989) by means of the
archaeological excavations carried out for the construction of the Danube-Bucharest Channel. For
this study, we analysed the archaeological assemblage preserved in the Museum of Gumelnita civi-
lization from Oltenita (Ca ˘l a ˘r asi county) coming from 10 graves, out of a total of 58, which are at-
tributed to the Gumelnita culture (the second half of the 5
th
millennium BC). The personal adorn-
ments are mainly bracelets made of Spondylus valve (16 specimens) which appear in most of the
graves, along with an equal number of perforated plates made of Sus scrofa canine, this time the
pieces being grouped into two graves. The funeral inventory is complemented by small cylindrical,
tubular or biconvex beads, made of various raw materials: Spondylus valve, bone, malachite, coop-
er and green slate. At the technical level, attention is drawn towards the technological transforma-
tion scheme of the raw material, which is extremely uniform for the two main categories of orna-
ments. Also, the analysed pieces showed different degrees of use-wear, demonstrating on the one
hand that they were worn before the deposition in graves, and on the other that the accumulation
of these items took place over time.
IZVLE∞EK – Grobi∏≠e Chirnogi-Suvita Iorgulescu (okraj Ca ˘l a ˘r asi, Romunija) se nahaja na visoki te-
rasi nad Donavo in ga je izkopaval Done Serba ˘nescu (leta 1989) v okviru raziskav ob izkopu kana-
la Donava – Bukare∏ta. Za ta prispevek smo analizirali arheolo∏ki zbir, ki je shranjen v Muzeju ci-
vilizacije Gumelnita v Olteniti (okraj Ca ˘l a ˘r asi), in ga sestavljajo najdbe iz 10 grobov od skupno 58,
ki so pripisani kulturi Gumelnita (druga polovica 5. tiso≠letja pr. n. ∏t.). Osebni okras sestavljajo
predvsem zapestnice, izdelane iz zaklopk Spondylusa (16 primerkov), ki so navzo≠e v ve≠ini grobov
skupaj z enakim ∏tevilom preluknjanih plo∏≠ic, izdelanih iz kaninov divje svinje, v tem primeru so
najdbe zdru∫ene v dveh grobovih. Grobni inventar dopolnjujejo majhne cilindri≠ne, valjaste ali bi-
konveksne jagode, izdelane iz razli≠nih surovin: zaklopk Spondylusa, kosti, malahita, bakra ali zele-
nega skrilavca. Iz vidika izdelave se posve≠amo shemi tehnolo∏kega preoblikovanja surovin, ki de-
luje zelo poenoteno pri obeh glavnih kategorijah okrasa. Predmeti, ki smo jih analizirali, ka∫ejo tudi
razli≠ne stopnje sledov uporabe, kar po eni strani ka∫e na njihovo uporabo preden so bili odlo∫eni
v grob in po drugi strani ka∫e na zbiranje teh predmetov skozi ≠as.
KEY WORDS – Gumelnita culture; raw materials; technological transformation schemes; use-wear
marks
KLJU∞NE BESEDE – kultura Gumelnita; surovine; shema tehnolo∏kega preoblikovanja; sledovi uporabe
Osebni okras na eneolitskem grobi[;u Chirnogi-S ¸ uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romunija)>
podoba simbolizma v prazgodovinskih skupnostih
DOI> 10.4312\dp.46.25

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
399
ces of raw material acquisition (local and exotic),
drawing the technological transformation schemes
of the raw materials and the identification of use-
wear marks which would indicate the use of artefacts
prior to the depositing as funeral inventory.
The methodology used in this study relied on macro-
scopic and microscopic analysis of the technological
and use-wear marks found on the archaeological
items. The personal ornaments were microscopically
examined using a Keyence VHX-600 digital micro-
scope, with magnifications ranging from 30x to
150x, while the images were taken using a micro-
scope digital camera. The analytical criteria for the
technological and functional interpretations were
established by referring to recent publications on the
use of personal ornaments in prehistoric contexts
(e.g., Bonnardin 2009; Rigaud 2011; 2013; Cristia-
ni, Bori≤ 2012; Vanhaeren et al. 2013; Cristiani et
al. 2014; Tata et al. 2014; Rigaud et al. 2015; Lang-
ley, O’Connor 2016; Clark et al. 2018; Guzzo Falci
et al. 2018).
Archaeological background
The necropolis of Chirnogi-Suvita Iorgulescu (Fig. 1)
was placed on the high terrace of the Danube River
in south-east Romania, north of the Balkan Peninsu-
la. It is situated in the vicinity of the multilayered
settlement of Ca ˘scioarele and several Neolithic ne-
cropolises around Chirnogi area. Based on the ar-
chaeological features uncovered within the necrop-
olis of Chirnogi, it was determined as belonging to
the Eneolithic Gumelnita culture (in the second half
Introduction
For traditional societies personal adornments have
many connotations: they play a central role in the
affirmation of identity and represent a visual land-
mark of belonging to a community, social class, sex
or age group (e.g., Preston-Whyte 1994; Sciama,
Eicher 1998; Trubitt 2003; Siklosi 2004; Vanhae-
ren 2005; etc.). So, according to the context, they
can display for each owner a different message. Ge-
nerally, the need for individualization in compari-
son to the others seems to prevail, and this trans-
lates into the use of exotic raw materials brought
from long distances or of local raw materials that
were difficult to obtain, or which did not have a cer-
tain significance in dietary habits. Given this multi-
tude of meanings, special emphasis has been laid on
the remarkable importance of such ornaments in the
reconstruction of social structures within prehistoric
communities, the identification of geographic boun-
daries and, implicitly, the exchange system practiced
in these ancient societies (e.g., Newell et al. 1990;
Taborin 1993; Séfèriadès 1996; Trubitt 2003; Van-
haeren, d’Errico 2006; Szabó et al. 2007; Rigaud
2011; Rigaud et al. 2015). Equally, their study also
offers information regarding the technical and eco-
nomic aspects specific to a human group. The eco-
nomic aspects introduce into the discussion issues
concerning the means of acquiring the raw materi-
als, while the technical ones have to do with the
identification of the processing marks and their in-
tegration in the operational sequence.
Starting from these general considerations about
the nature of the information
which the study of personal
adornments can offer us, the
aim of this paper is to evalu-
ate the artefacts discovered in
the graves attributed to the
Gumelnita culture (in the se-
cond half of the 5
th
millenni-
um BC), from the necropolis
of Chirnogi-Suvita Iorgulescu.
For this study, we analysed
the archaeological assemblage
preserved in the Museum of
Gumelnita civilization from
Oltenita (Ca ˘la ˘rasi county) com-
ing from 10 graves out of a
total of 58 from this period
(Serba ˘nescu 1996; 2008). We
have adopted the following
goals: determining the sour- Fig. 1. Location of the Chirnogi-Suvita Iorgulescu necropolis.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
400
of 5
th
millennium BC), part
of the Kojadermen-Gumelnita-
Karanovo VI culture (Serba ˘-
nescu 1996; 2008).
It was discovered by Barbu
Ionescu in 1961 when exca-
vations of terraces were car-
ried out in the area. He made
the first archaeological sur-
veys and found a grave in a
crouched position. Done Ser-
ba ˘ nescu undertook rescue ar-
chaeological excavations in
1989 on the occasion of the
excavations carried out for
the construction of the Danu-
be-Bucharest Channel (Ba ˘lte-
anu, Cantemir 1991).
As a result of these, 74 graves
from various historical peri-
ods have been discovered.
Most of the graves belonged
to the Gumelnita culture, 58
graves, with three graves from
post-Neolithic periods, while for 13 graves the fune-
ral inventory was missing and could not be attrib-
uted to a historical period (Serba ˘nescu 1996).
According to the anthropolo-
gical data (Ba ˘lteanu, Cante-
mir 1992), 62 skeletons were
discovered in the Chirnogi-Su-
vita Iorgulescu necropolis,
with these from 36 men and
13 women, with 13 of indeter-
minate sex. Most were mature
people (37 skeletons), follow-
ed by young adults (20–30
years, 11 skeletons), with chil-
dren and adolescents being
represented by 10 skeletons.
The bodies were buried in a
crouched position, predomi-
nantly oriented towards ESE.
The graves were oval-shaped
and irregular, their depth,
compared to the current le-
vel, being –0.10/–1.00m.
Although there are two an-
thropological studies (Ba ˘lte-
anu, Cantemir 1991; 1992),
no archaeological data has been published to allow
the correlation of the skeletons with the various fu-
nerary inventories. Thus, at this point, we know from
what graves come the adornments but cannot asso-
Fig. 2. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 3); B abrasion marks; C perfo-
ration detail; D use-wear depression; E, F use-wear marks.
Fig. 3. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 3); B, C abrasion marks.

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
401
ciate them with a skeleton. We also do not have data
on their position in the graves or in relation to the
skeleton, or if the graves contained other offerings.
Consequently, we cannot make any considerations
about the eventual distribution of ornaments by age
or gender.
Funeral inventory
Grave no. 3 contains four bracelets made of Spon-
dylus valve as funeral inventory. The first bracelet
(Fig. 2A) is complete, medium preserved on its sur-
face. The natural edge of the valve was retained and
removed from the convex
area by abrasion. The exter-
nal surface of the bracelet was
also adjusted by abrasion (Fig.
2B). This side still preserves
small red spots, but much of
the exterior layer was remov-
ed by the shaping procedure.
The same procedure was also
applied to the internal side, at
the level of the cardinal pla-
teau, in order to completely
eliminate the cardinal teeth
and pits and to confer the rec-
tangular section of the piece.
The bracelet presents a perfo-
ration at the level of the pits
(Fig. 2C) which ensures the
catching of a thread, so a small
use-wear depression has been
formed towards the end (Fig.
2D). The wall of the hole and
the internal side are strongly
smoothed and the surface is fine to the touch – pro-
bably due to use-wear/friction (Fig. 2E-F). The outer
diameter of the piece is 70mm and the inner diame-
ter is 53.8mm.
The second bracelet (Fig. 3A) is not so well preserv-
ed, having side deposits that almost entirely cover
the natural red colour on its exterior. The valve mo-
dification procedure is similar to the previous piece,
only not so rigorous, in the sense that it still bears
traces of cardinal pits and teeth. In spite of the sur-
face deposits, we identified marks specific to the
shaping operation on the exterior side, very visible
compared to other specimens
(Fig. 3B-C). Nevertheless, we
were not able to identify any
use-wear marks of this piece
under the microscope. The
outside diameter is 66.2mm
and the inside diameter is 47
mm.
Similarly to the first item, the
third one (Fig. 4A) was rigo-
rously abraded (Fig. 4B), eli-
minating the total cardinal
plateau as well as the red ex-
terior layer. The bracelet is
degraded, with deposits on the
external face, so we could not
identify any use-wear marks
Fig. 4. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 3); B abrasion marks; C use-wear
marks.
Fig. 5. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 3); B, C abrasion marks; D use-
wear marks.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
402
(Fig. 4C). Morphometric data
are as follows: an outer dia-
meter of 64mm, and inner dia-
meter of 52mm.
The last item (Fig. 5A) is well
preserved, allowing data to
be obtained on the presence
of use-wear. In this case, a
portion of the cardinal pla-
teau is still present on the in-
ternal side. The exterior side
was also carefully shaped (Fig.
5 B-C), but an oval, not rectan-
gular section was created, like
in the other examples describ-
ed above. Even though the in-
ternal side has significant de-
posits, in small areas we were
able to identify use-wear marks (Fig. 5D), probably
resulting from the skin/clothes friction process. The
outer morphometry of the piece is 65.6mm and the
inner one is 46mm.
Grave no. 7 contained a single bracelet (Fig.
6A), similar to those found in the grave no.
3. The item is complete, very well preserv-
ed, without significant deposits on the sur-
face. There is an identical technological pro-
cedure with regard to the raw material
transformation, after which the piece acquir-
ed an oval section at the ventral level and a
rectangular section at the umbo area. The
external side retains areas of red colour
with a special aesthetic impact (Fig. 6B).
Both the perforation wall and the internal
side have a regular fine surface with a ma-
croscopic polish (Fig. 6C-D), indicating the
piece was worn before becoming a funeral
inventory. The outer diameter of the bra-
celet is 84mm and the inside diameter is
65.2mm.
The grave inventory is completed with 30
beads (Fig. 7A), of which: 20 are cylindrical,
nine biconvex and one tubular. The mor-
phological differences are mainly given by
the shaping procedure which created the
rectilinear or convex sides. All items have a
circular perforation in the centre. We could
not identify debitage marks for any of the
specimens, due to subsequent technological
interventions. From the raw material block,
a blank which was perforated by bifacial
rotation was obtained (Fig. 7B, E, H, K). In a second
stage, the surface was shaped by abrasion (Fig. 7C,
F, I, L) to give the pieces their circular shape. The
beads show use-wear marks, which confirms they
were worn. The perforations have small depressions,
Fig. 6. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 7); B abrasion marks; C, D use-
wear marks.
Tab. 1. Sizes of the beads discovered in grave no. 7.
No. Raw Diameter Thickness Perforation
material (mm) (mm) diameter (mm)
1 Spondylus 7.80 5.75 3.17
2 Spondylus 7.58 4.72 3.02
3 Spondylus 5.52 2.65 2.40
4 Spondylus 4.80 2.95 2.38
5 Spondylus 4.12 2.03 1.92
6 Spondylus 4.84 3.58 2.20
7 Spondylus 4.32 5.78 2.44
8 Spondylus 5.12 3.95 2.06
9 Spondylus 3.97 2.42 1.52
10 Spondylus 4.54 1.76 1.88
11 Bone 4.20 1.98 2.04
12 Bone 5.40 3.20 2.48
13 Bone 5.20 2.90 2.16
14 Bone 5.80 2.30 2.20
15 Malachite 5.16 2.72 1.54
16 Malachite 4.26 1.62 1.48
17 Malachite 4.38 1.92 1.28
18 Malachite 3.90 1.74 1.56
19 Malachite 4.10 2.23 2.04
20 Malachite 4.64 1.56 2.25
21 Green slate 5.52 2.88 2.46
22 Green slate 5.06 2.50 2.24
23 Green slate 6.65 2.94 2.45
24 Green slate 4.52 2.48 2.20
25 Green slate 4.49 1.42 2.17
26 Green slate 5.25 3.09 1.90
27 Green slate 4.53 1.94 2.16
28 Green slate 5.59 2.76 2.24
29 Green slate 3.96 1.80 1.83
30 Green slate 5 2.48 2.23

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
403
Fig. 7. A beads made of various raw materials; B, E, H, K perforation details; C, F, I, L abrasion marks;
D, G, J, M use-wear depressions at perforations level.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
404
characterized by a wall defor-
mation, the disappearance of
rotation scratches and a ma-
croscopic polish (Fig. 7D, G, J,
M). This type of use-wear ap-
peared as a result of placing
several pieces on a thread in
the form of necklaces or bra-
celets. The morphometric data
are presented in the Table 1.
Grave no. 15 is similar to no.
3, having four bracelets made
of Spondylus valve, of which
there are two full pieces and
two fractured ones. The tech-
nological transformation sche-
me of the valve is identical,
except the method of shaping
at the umbo level, which determined an oval (two
items) or rectangular (two items) section. One of the
pieces is very well preserved (Fig. 8A-B), with a use-
wear area on the internal wall characterized by ma-
croscopic polish and perpendicular fine scratches
(Fig. 8C-D), also indicating in this case the previous
use of the bracelet before its deposition as a funeral
item. The dimensions of the items are as follows: 1.
outer diameter 73mm, inner diameter 56mm; 2. out-
er diameter 73mm, inner diameter 58mm; 3. outer
diameter 68.5mm, inner diameter 56mm; 4. outer
diameter 78mm; inner diameter 63.59mm.
Two bracelets made of Spondylus valve were inven-
toried in grave no. 16. The surface of the first item is
rather damaged. As a result of abrasion, the piece has
a rectangular section at the um-
bo level. The outside diameter
of the piece is 86mm and the
inner diameter 63mm. The se-
cond bracelet (Fig. 9A) is ex-
ceptionally well preserved and
has, in addition, a more intense
abrasion (Fig. 9B), the wall be-
ing very thin with a circular
section. The use-wear of the
piece is advanced, with macro-
scopic polish on the inner wall
and the internal side (Fig. 9C-
D). The outside diameter of the
piece is 79mm and the inner
diameter is 66mm.
Grave no. 17 contained a sin-
gle bracelet from the Spondy-
lus valve (Fig. 10A). It is intact and differs from the
previously described specimens given the obvious
preservation of a part of the cardinal plateau, which
creates a special morphology. Being that well pre-
served, we could identify on its external side scrat-
ches resulting from the abrasion procedure (Fig. 10B).
The use-wear is characterized by an intense polish
and scratches perpendicular to the hole bracelet (Fig.
10C-D). The outside diameter is 77mm and the inner
diameter 63.5mm.
The funeral inventory is much more complex in the
case of this grave, being composed of nine perforat-
ed plates made of Sus scrofa canines (Fig. 11). Un-
fortunately, the whole assemblage has a relatively
degraded surface and, moreover, the pieces were co-
Fig. 8. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 15); B abrasion marks; C, D use-
wear marks.
Fig. 9. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 16); B abrasion marks; C, D use-
wear marks.

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
405
vered with a layer of varnish which, in some cases,
cracked away from the tooth’s enamel through de-
hydration. However, the detailed analysis allowed
us to reconstitute the technological transformation
schemes of the raw material as well as the gripping
system of the pieces. Two of the specimens have a
triangular morphology (Fig. 11A, C). The other seven
plates (Fig. 11B, D-I) have a quasi-rectangular mor-
phology, a convex-concave section with biconcave
edges. Regardless of morphology, the same proce-
dures were used to obtain the finished items. The
tooth was cut longitudinally and the scraping did
not help us identify the procedures due to the shape
of debitage edges, overlaid with abrasion (Fig. 12A-
B). Transversally, the segmentation at both ends
was achieved by sawing. The procedure is illustrat-
ed by several marks left at the periphery of the seg-
mentation plane (Fig. 12C-D), which was then abrad-
ed. The internal side of the plates has been adjust-
ed by abrasion (Fig. 12E-F). Three or four perfora-
tions – on each item – were made by bifacial rota-
tion (Fig. 12G-H).
It was not possible to identi-
fy the use-wear marks due to
the fact that the pieces were
covered with varnish. It has
become obvious that the only
element of use-wear identifi-
cation consists in changes of
the initial volume comprising
small depressions at the per-
foration level, identified on
the internal side in the area
between the perforations as-
sociated with the disappear-
ance of rotation scratches (Fig.
12I-K). On the external side,
the use-wear resides in the
formation of a small flatten-
ed facet associated on some specimens (probably
with an advanced use-wear) with the appearance of
a small depression (Fig. 12L). The use-wear details
show us the individual sewing of the perforated pla-
tes. Morphometric data are as follows (Tab. 2).
A Spondylus bracelet was discovered in grave no.
36, unfortunately fractured and poorly preserved.
The natural shape has been preserved and has been
removed from the convex side through an identical
procedure to the one showed for the bracelets des-
cribed above. The outer diameter is 88mm and the
inner diameter is 76mm. The same raw material was
also used to make two tubular beads (Fig. 13A). They
have a circular section and parallel rectilinear sides.
We could not identify marks of the debitage opera-
tion because of the technological interventions dur-
ing the shaping operation. In addition, the items
have a degraded surface (Fig. 13B). The perforation
was made by bifacial rotation. The rotation scratches
are difficult to identify within the perforation (Fig.
13C). The morphology of the extremities is general-
ly strongly rounded with the appearance of a small
concavity (Fig. 13D). We assume this area was affect-
Tab. 2. Dimensions of perforated plates made of
Sus scrofa canines found in grave no. 17.
No. Length Medium Thickness Medium diameter
of (mm) width (mm) of perforation
piece (mm) (mm)
1 49 8.6 3.8 4
2 48.2 13.2 3.6 4
3 50.8 14 4.6 4.8
4 51 9.6 4.3 3.8
5 61 14 5.2 4.8
6 55 15 5 4.5
7 47 13 4 4.3
8 46 18.2 4 5.2
9 45.3 17 4.6 4.4
Tab. 3. Dimensions of perforated plates made of
Sus scrofa canines found in grave no. 36.
No. Length Medium Thickness Medium diameter
of (mm) width (mm) of perforation
piece (mm) (mm)
1 44 13 4 4,8
2 53 17,5 4 4,5
3 54 16 3,8 4,5
4 50 15,6 3,5 4,2
5 64,4 17,6 4,5 4,8
6 54 15,6 4 4
7 50 17 4 4m5
Fig. 10. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 17); B abrasion marks; C, D.
use-wear marks.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
406
ed by use-wear. Morphometric
data for the two beads are as
follows: 1. length 21.6mm, dia-
meter 5.5mm, perforation dia-
meter 3.7mm; 2. length 16mm,
diameter 5.5mm, perforation
diameter 3.5mm.
Seven perforated plates made
of Sus scrofa canines were also
discovered in this grave (Fig.
14). The pieces have an appro-
ximately rectangular morpho-
logy, a convex-concave section
and biconcave edges. A longitu-
dinal bipartition of the tooth
was applied in order to obtain
the blank. We were not able to
identify the debitage procedu-
res due to the shaping of the
edges by abrasion (Fig. 15A-B).
The interior side was also cle-
aned through abrasion (four
pieces) (Fig. 15C), longitudinal
scraping (1 piece) (Fig. 15D) or combining both tech-
niques (two pieces). Segmentation was performed
by sawing (Fig. 15E) which was then overlaid with
abrasion (Fig. 15F). At the corners, four perforations
were made by bifacial rotation. Unlike the items from
the previous grave, where the use-wear was quite
unitary for all the specimens, in this case we deal
with different degrees of use-wear. Thus, we have
specimens for which the perforations preserve the
rotation scratches with no depression development
in the peripheral area, the use-wear being absent
(Fig. 15G-I). There are also items where the wear
depression starts to form (Fig. 15J) or items charac-
terized by the development of depressions (both on
the internal and external sides) (Fig. 15K-L), which
illustrate long-term use. The gripping system is iden-
tical to the perforated plates from grave no. 17,
which means individual sewing.
From the same grave, there are two circular beads
made of copper foil (Fig. 13E). The overlapping area
of the foil edges is still visible (Fig. 13F-G). Even on
this type of objects a deformation of the initial vol-
ume can be identified, as a result of their use. Thus,
at one of the specimens the perforation is deform-
ed, with the appearance of a small concavity (Fig.
13H), while the end has a smoothed aspect, most
likely resulting from the friction and pressure of the
thread. The dimensions of the items are as follows:
1. length 7.8mm, diameter 6.4mm, inner diameter
4.3mm; 2. length 4.4mm, diameter 4.1mm, and in-
ner diameter 1.9mm.
Grave no. 64 contains two thin Spondylus valve
bracelets, unfortunately quite degraded in the sur-
face, so technological and use-wear marks are diffi-
cult to be identified. However, the same method of
Fig. 11. Perforated plates made of Sus scrofa canines (grave no. 17).
Tab. 4. The funeral inventory according to the
grave number.
Grave
Raw material
Typological Number
no. category of pieces
M3 Spondylus bracelet 4
bracelet 1
Spondylus
tubular bead 1
biconvex bead 2
M7
cylindrical bead 7
bone cylindrical bead 4
malachite biconvex bead 6
green slate
cylindrical bead 9
biconvex bead 1
M15 Spondylus bracelet 4
M16 Spondylus bracelet 2
M17
Spondylus bracelet 1
Sus scrofa tooth perforated plate 9
Spondylus
bracelet 1
M36
tubular bead 2
Sus scrofa tooth perforated plate 7
copper circular bead 2
M64 Spondylus bracelet 2
M68 copper circular bead 1
M69 Spondylus bracelet 1
M71 copper circular bead 1

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
407
abrasion appears clearly on both sides, with the eli-
mination of the cardinal plateau, the pieces gaining
a circular section. We were able to detect the mor-
phometric data for one piece: outer diameter 76mm
and inner diameter 51mm, the other being fractu-
red.
In grave no. 68 a single personal adornment was
identified, a circular bead of copper foil. A small con-
cavity on the extremity resulting from the use-wear
of the piece is visible. Its diameter is 8.8mm, the thick-
ness of 7.3mm, and the inner diameter of 5.7mm.
Grave no. 69 containes a Spondylus bracelet (Fig.
16A), very well preserved. An abrasion was applied to
the entire surface (Fig. 16B-C), eliminating most of
the cardinal plateau (Fig. 16D). The item has a rectan-
gular section at this level. On the internal side and on
the walls of the opening the surface is smoothed. This
procedure is marked by a powerful macroscopic po-
lish and fine scratches (Fig. 16E-G). The outer diame-
ter is 82mm and the inner diameter is 62.5mm.
Finally, in grave no. 71 a circular copper bead was
discovered (Fig. 17A-C), unfortunately fractured. Its
Fig. 12. A, B shaping of the debitage edges; C, D sawing marks; E, F abrasion marks; G, H perforation
details; I, J, K, L use-wear deformation at perforations level.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
408
dimensions are: 9mm diame-
ter, 6.8mm length, and 6mm
inner diameter.
Discussion
Spondylus valve was mainly
processed into bracelets (16
items). We assume this type
of adornment has a significant
value since a whole valve was
used for a single bracelet, in
contrast to the small beads –
several pieces of this type be-
ing produced from a single
valve. The study of these items
(regardless of their place of
occurrence) proves a special
unity of the technological
transformational scheme, illu-
strating a true ‘fashion’ with
regard to thin bracelets. More-
over, the existence of this fa-
shion is confirmed by the pre-
sence of at least one bracelet in almost each grave.
The two valves composing the mollusc are different
in shape and thickness (Borrello, Micheli 2004). The
left valve (the upper one) is quite fine, more round-
ed, shaped like a lid, having small ears on each side
of the ligament and a relief of prominent thorns all
over its surface. On the right valve (the lower one),
which is longer and thicker, concentric lamellas are
developed in relief. These different morphological
aspects have generated constraints and determined
the selection in order to create a certain type of ob-
ject. Thus, for the bracelets discovered in the necro-
polis of Chirnogi, only the left valve could be used
to obtain bracelets with a round morphology, while
for making beads it seems the right valve has been
used (Tsuneki 1989).
A method of processing through abrasion was ap-
plied to all specimens. On the external side, the me-
dian area of the valve was removed. The valve was
also abraded on the internal side in order to remove
the cardinal plateau. The scratches specific to the
shaping procedure are difficult to identify due to the
valve structure and various forms of surface damage.
Specimens with a better preserved exterior have a
Fig. 13. A Spondylus tubular beads (grave no. 36); B surface detail; C per-
foration detail; D use-wear concavity; E beads made of copper foil (grave
no. 36); F overlapping area of the foil edges; G perforation detail; H defor-
mation of perforation.
Fig. 14. Perforated plates
made of Sus scrofa cani-
nes (grave no. 36).

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
409
fine area to touch, with a macroscopic polish on the
internal side.
The issue regarding the origin of this mollusc spe-
cies has not yet been resolved. Michel L. Séfèriadès
(1996; 2000; 2010) and Paul Halstead (1993) thus
consider they are of Mediterranean origin, denying
the existence of this species in the Black Sea. In con-
trast, Henrietta Todorova (2002) speaks about the
possibility of a Black Sea origin. A practice often en-
countered with a series of prehistoric communities
is that of using fossil species as well, yet the dif-
ferentiation between the living valves and the fos-
sil ones can only be made using isotopic analyses
(Shakelton, Renfrew 1970; Shakelton, Elderfield
1990; Vanhaeren et al. 2004). The studies carried
out so far (Bajnóczi et al. 2013) indicate that, at the
level of the European Neolithic, the used blanks were
bivalves coming from the Mediterranean Sea and not
from fossil deposits or from the Black Sea.
Another specific element to the Chirnogi communi-
ty is the perforated plates of Sus scrofa canine. Again,
it draws our attention to the technological scheme
Fig. 15. A, B shaping of the debitage edges; C, D shaping or the interior side; E sawing marks; F abrasion
marks; G, H, I, J perforation details; K, L use-wear deformation at perforations level.

Monica Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Ma ˘da ˘lina Dimache
410
of raw material transforma-
tion, which proves to be extre-
mely unitary. A bipartite de-
bitage method was used, com-
bined with a segmentation de-
bitage. If in the first case we
could not determine the tech-
niques, in the case of segmen-
tation the sawing technique
was used. The surface modifi-
cation procedures were abra-
sion and scraping combined
on certain items, while the
only volume modification pro-
cedure was the perforation
with a single technological va-
riant: the bifacial rotation. We
have identified marks that
show these pieces have been
worn in the form of appliqués
sewn to the garments, before
being deposited in the graves.
However, the degree of use-
wear is variable among items,
indicating the pieces were
sewn at different time intervals.
The small beads of various raw materials also illus-
trate similar procedures applied mainly in the shap-
ing operation, with the execution of a bifacial rota-
tion perforation and a fine abrasion to give the piece
the desired shape. These beads were clearly worn,
showing small depressions at the periphery of the
perforation resulting from the gripping system. The
pieces were placed on a thread in the form of neck-
laces.
The identification of the sources for the raw materi-
al used to create adornments is crucial because, may-
be more than any other artefact category, an adorn-
ment may provide indicators
in connection to the limits
within which the human
groups moved or in connec-
tion to their exchange net-
works. Being exclusively pie-
ces from the funeral inven-
tory, they had reached the
finishing stage of their pro-
cessing. Thus, in the case of
plates of Sus scrofa canines
or beads of lithic materials,
bone and copper, we cannot
say whether they were made
by the local community or if they reached it through
exchanges. Only in the case of the Spondylus valve
can we assume this is an import. The variables which
can be invoked are those of a direct import of raw
material or of the already finished pieces and, at the
same time, of direct exchange or movement from
group to group (kula-like exchanges, as those from
Polynesia). The archaeological evidence supports the
existence of specialized centres in the processing of
Spondylus valves, especially on the actual territory
of Greece, Montenegro, Albania and Croatia (Séfè-
riadès 2010). For other territories, the rarity and
importance of this valve obligated the communities
to recycle the raw material in the situation of the
fragmentation of the pieces – see the case of Hârso-
Fig. 16. A Spondylus bracelet (grave no. 69); B, C, D abrasion marks; E,
F, G use-wear marks.
Fig. 17. A copper bead (grave no. 71); B, C surface details.

Personal adornments from the Eneolithic necropolis of Chirnogi-S ¸uvit ¸a Iorgulescu (Romania)> a picture of symbolism ...
411
va (Romania) (Galbenu 1963) or Omurtag (Bulga-
ria) (Gaydarska et al. 2004). Moreover, the proba-
ble difficulty in procuring this raw material forced
the Chirnogi community to imitate the ornaments of
this raw material in bone, as we have seen in grave
no. 7. The situation is not unique, as it is also iden-
tified in the necropolis of Sultana-Malu Rosu (Laza ˘r
et al. 2009).
Following this analysis, it is clear that the assemblage
has an advanced degree of use-wear, demonstrating
that the artefacts were worn before their deposition
in graves. The existence of use-wear marks on the
specimens identified in prehistoric graves was also
recorded in other studies (e.g., Beldiman et al. 2008;
Polloni 2008; Bonnardin 2009; Ma ˘rga ˘rit, Vintila ˘
2015; Laza ˘r et al. 2018, etc.) and it seems to be a
common practice, so we cannot assume these kinds
of ornaments were created for the unique purpose
of being deposited in graves. Another important ob-
servation related to the studied archaeological as-
semblage is the variable degree of use-wear of items
from the same archaeological context, i.e. the boar
tooth perforated plates found in two graves. As we
have already pointed out, the plates in grave no. 7
have an advanced and quite unitary wear, while in
grave no. 36 the degree of use-wear varies between
items, demonstrating their accumulation over the
years.
This study provides us with a picture of the symbo-
lism in the human community at Chirnogi from the
second half of the 5
th
millennium BC, for which two
types of personal adornments – the thin bracelets of
Spondylus valve and the perforated plates of the
Scrofa scrofa canine – seem to have been ‘prestige
goods’ whose symbolism continued beyond the
death of the person.
Many thanks are due to Alexandra Dolea (Austrian
Academy of Sciences) and Gina Sa ˘ndulescu for read-
ing this paper and for the English translation impro-
vement. This work was supported by a grant of the Mi-
nistry of Research and Innovation, CNCS–UEFISCDI,
project number PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-0182, within
PNCDI III and by a research grant developed with the
financial support of the Recurring Donors Fund at the
disposal of the Romanian Academy and managed by
the “PATRIMONIU” Foundation GAR-UM-2019-II-2.1-1
(project no. GAR-UM-2019-II-2.1-1/15.10.2019).
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