DEPICTING TRYPILLIA: THE EMERGENCE AND DECLINE OF REALISTIC STYLE

This study, once again, raises the question on the driving forces of stylistic development. For that, we focused on two prehistoric contexts, more specifically on Trypillia and the Late Neolithic site Vinča-Belo Brdo where we analyzed various objects with «realistic» images. For Trypillia, we included the following categories: house models, sledge models, depictions of equipment for animal use on zoomorphic objects (figurines, vessels etc.), «realistic modelled» faces of anthropomorphic figures, and depictions on anthropomorphic figurines (hairstyles and accessories for hair, necklaces, footwear and clothes). Based on the latest findings on chronology, we trace the mentioned realistic features in time and space by means of quantifications and mapping. Additionally, we investigate the changes of anthropomorphic figurines in terms of size. In the case study of Vinča, the frequency of realistic features in the different depths of the tell stratigraphy are put in relation to the total number of figurines and the historical dynamics of the late Neolithic societies. The consideration of different material categories shows that objects with «realistic» characteristics mainly occur in certain periods and geographical regions that are characterized by specific historical developments. These include high population densities in large agglomerated settlements, increased innovativeness, intensive interaction in densified far-reaching communication and exchange networks. In both case studies, the developments ended in fundamental crises and were associated with the disintegration of large settlements and population decline. Linked to this, some types of «realistic» objects disappear, others become fewer and lose their «realistic» characteristics.