Cercetările arheologice din Peştera Prihodişte (com. Vaţa de Jos, jud. Hunedoara) şi câteva consideraţii privind etapa finală a culturii Coţofeni
Archaeological Researches in Peştera Prihodişte cave (com. Vaţa de Jos, Hunedoara County) and some considerations on the final stage of Coţofeni Culture

Summary/Abstract: The Peştera Prihodişte cave is situated 3 km away from the Prihodişte village and 5 km away from Vaţa de Jos (Vaţa de Jos commune, Hunedoara Department). The cave is rather receded, at the end of a valley, in the close proximity of former limestone exploitation. The karstic formation can be accessed from two entrances, to the north and to the west, both leading to a central hall, the starting point of a semiactive gallery which closes after 25 m.The archaeological researches started in October, 1998, with a stratigraphic test pit, and continued for another three campaigns, resulting in the discovery of a rich archaeological inventory: ceramics, lithic tools, and organic ornaments.The ceramics discovered in the Peştera Prihodişte presumably belongs to the IIIrd final stage of the Coţofeni culture (IIIc). Other similar discoveries seem to sketch a broader chronological and cultural horizon including Banat sites such as Dubova – Cuina Turcului, Băile Herculane – Peştera Hoţilor (layers i-j), Peştera Oilor on the Cerna Valley, and Româneşti – Peştera cu apă. Also, one can mention similar ceramic discoveries in south-western Transylvania (Bretea Mureşană – Măgura Sârbilor, Deva – Dealul Cetăţii, Nandru – Peştera Spurcată, Băniţa – Peştera Bolii and Petroşani), or in Crişana (Clit – Gureţul Negrilor, Câmpanii de Sus – Peştera Măgura, Peştera Faţa Pietrei, Giurtelecul Şimleului – Coasta lui Damian).There are also several sites in the Balkan area with similar ceramics, belonging to the Bubanj Hum II cultural group, thought as a late echo of the Coţofeni culture.

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