Bone object decorated with zoomorphic representation from Caričin grad

Among the finds from Caričin Grad published by B. Bavant in the catalogue of the publication Caričin Grad II our attention was drawn to an object made of ivory described as toilet pin on which (according to the author) under the chevron motif rather unclear drawing was engraved. We think that this object is not a toilet pin, first of all because of its dimensions and the archaeological context. Roman toilet pins - hairpins (discernicula acus decriminalize) have thinner stem and more pointed tip. Besides the object from Caričin Grad was discovered in the layer dating from the second half of the 6th century while the toilet pins date from the 2nd-3rd century, or more extensively from the 1st to the end of 4th century so we think that the purpose of this object was different. The drawing engraved on the object could be explained as geometrical representation of an animal in profile, looking to the left, with large triangular, that is, trapezoid head with horns depicted with oblique lines and the body consisting of two carelessly executed triangles while the feet are represented with short lines. The head and body parts are joined with a line representing spine and from the rear section of the body continue two long slanting lines depicting the plough. In front of the animal’s nose another two slanting lines are engraved. We think that this drawing is a representation of ploughing ox. On the basis of the size and shape of this bone object from Caričin Grad it could be identified as a spindle (fusus) or writing implement (stylus)although because of the damage it is difficult to reconstruct its original shape. Nevertheless, it seems that object terminates at its wider end just behind the engraved drawing. In that case it was probably a stylus all the more so as they usually were decorated with engraved geometric motives. We also think that engraved drawing has deeper symbolic, that is magic meaning. Combination of the motives of broken zigzag line which symbolizes snake and lightning and the ploughing ox which is the universal symbol of the Uranian but also chthonic character indicate the fertile and apotropaic magic function of the drawing. In that context the object from Caričin Grad might have had, at least secondary, magic-cult purpose or it was used as a medical instrument. There is also a possibility that the owner of the object engraved zoomorphic drawing under the chevron pattern because of symbolic association of these two motives. Representation of the ploughing oxen combined with geometric motives (zigzag and wavy lines, ‘hanging triangles’ and similar patterns) occur as engravings on the single - row combs made of antker or executed by polishing on the vessels of Chernyahov - Sintana de Mures culture from the second half of the 3rd century until the middle of the 5th century (Pl. I, 2-3; Pl. III, 1-2). On this type of objects other zoomorphic representations also appear: bird, horse, goat, stag together with solar, i.e. Uranian and chthonic symbols. The combs had magic purpose in the cult of dead and cult of fertility while the vessels might have been used for blessing of the water or libation. The origin of zoomorphic representations in the Chernyahov culture should be looked for in the Carpathian basin, within Geto-Dacian La Tene culture, as well as on the vessels of carpian culture (Pl. II, 1-3). The bone object with zoomorphic representation discovered at Caričin Grad testifies that in the consciousness of some of the inhabitants of this city in the 6th century were still alive certain magic and religious ideas of the agricultural communities from the 3rd-4th centuries in the Carpathian basin We may assume that part of the Caričin Grad population migrated from the territory of the final phase of Chernyahov - Sintana de Mures culture because of military or economic reasons