New spondylus findings at Vinča-Belo Brdo: 1998-2001 campaigns and regional approach to problem

Distribution of spondylus findings on prehistoric sites is remarkable and encompasses the whole European continent except West Mediterranean and North Europe. Approximately two hundred sites with spondylus findings are known in Europe ranging from the Early Neolithic to the Late Eneolithic. A long lasting interest for these findings results out of spondylusexotic origin as well as peculiarity of artifacts themselves that are mostly limited to decorative forms. The inventory of type-site of the Vinča culture – Belo brdo is especially important in this respect, but there are only few data published about spondylus findings from Belo Brdo. New research showed that we should expect them in large quantity. It is the aim of this paper to present spondylus items found during last research campaigns (1998, 1999, 2001) at Vinča – Belo Brdo, to fulfill emptiness in apprehending exotic materials from the site, as well as to point to some particularities and further research directions in regard to this kind of findings on the Vinča culture sites