Lithotheca - Comparative Raw Material Collection of the Hungarian National Museum [antikvár]

Introduction Archaeologists have for long no doubts about the information value transmitted by the raw material of prehistoric fínds. We can consider the raw material of stone artifacts as a specially valuable and informative source of evidence because it had not been subjected to chemical processes in eourse of the fabrication of the artifact. Therefore, lithic raw materials are primarily well suited for the investigation of former sources and zones of supply. The action radius of a prehistoric community can be studied in the first place by the analysis of the distance separating raw material sources from the archaeological sites. The only condition for this type of investigation would be the unambiguous distinction of the raw material types and their correct allocation to sources. As early as the first results of Hungárián Palaeolithic research since the beginnings of the century, archaeological sites of the period were primarily investigated by geologists. Consequently, a scientifíc -geological approach has always been following the traditional typological methods of investigation. As a result of this approach, raw material of the lithic artifacts was looked upon as something important for the analysis of the archaeological assemblage. By the polarisation of branches of science, somé break in the continuation of this approach could be observed. In the series of great Palaeolithic monographs the artifact and its raw material were already treated separately. Petrologists were studying the composition, origin and sources of the lithics recovered from the sites. Raw material studies were performed in these days - same as before - mainly in connection with the investigation of Palaeolithic materials. As the raw material set for chipped stone artifacts of the more recent periods are basically the same, though possessing a lower relatíve importance among the fínds, their statements can be used in all archaeological periods when chipped stone artifacts were in use. Petroarchaeological analyses attained a fresh impetus since the 70-ies. Casual interdisciplinary collaboration of the previous period was substituted by expedient work. Intensive research of raw materials was started along two lines: - the investigation of certain special materials (obsidian, Szeletian felsitic porphyry, hydrothermal and limnic quartzites) and their distribution in space and time - investigation of certain geographical regions from the point of raw material (e.g. silex varieties of the TVansdanubian Mid-Mountains or the Mátra foothill region). In the meantime, the scope of investigations became wider. In the compiex project of 'Industrial archaeology', various techniques, raw materials and processes of manufacturing were incorporated. Information on lithic raw materials accumulated by 1985 to a level when organization of a conference on 'Prehistoric Flint Mining and Lithic Raw Material Identification in the Carpathian Basin* became actual. The Lithotheca owes its existence to this very meeting. The history of the core of the collection is consequently fairly short, though individual items of the collection may already have a 'research historical' value in themselves. The basic fond of the collection comprises four main constiíuents: 1. It was considered as an important task for the organisers of the Conference to present a representative exhibition of the most important Hungárián lithic raw materials. Tb answer this need, intensive and systematical collecting trips and field surveys were performed. After the Conference, this small exhibition was incorporated into the Prehistoric Collection of the Hungárián National Museum. 2. In course of time, in different public collections - in the first place, the Hungárián Geological Survey -and in the possession of priváté collectors important material was accumulated falling within the scope of the Lithotheca. On the foundation of the collection and ever since, numerous experts and amateurs have contributed to the comparative raw material collection by transferring at least part of their collections for the benefit of the Lithotheca. 3. Foreign colleagues taking part on the Conference were asked to bring or to send samples from the most important raw material types in use in their countries. These samples were alsó incorporated into the collection. 4. We have collected left-overs, preparata and control pieces of former and current petroarchaeological analyses on archaeological and/or geological samples in a separate fond within the collection. We are greatly indebted to all Hungárián and foreign collectors who contributed the collection. The list of collectors is enclosed here - at least for the material covered by the Catalogue.