Scânteia Cucuteni Settlement
Scanteia Larga Jijia
Cucuteni A (c.4600–4200 BCE)·Cucuteni–Trypillia·🇷🇴 Iași County, Scânteia commune, Larga Jijia plateau, Romania
About
About Scânteia Cucuteni Settlement
Large Cucuteni A settlement of ~30 ha on the Larga Jijia promontory at Scânteia, excavated by C.-M. Mantu 1985–present. Unfortified cluster of 50+ burned houses in rows, with exceptional painted ceramics, figurines and tell-like stratigraphy but no rampart. Key site for understanding Cucuteni A house burning and interregional obsidian. Well-preserved faunal and botanical remains.
Why it mattersLarge Cucuteni A settlement of ~30 ha on the Larga Jijia promontory at Scânteia, excavated by C.-M. Mantu 1985–present. Unfortified cluster of 50+ burned houses in rows, with exceptional painted ceramics, figurines and tell-like stratigraphy but no rampart. Key site for understanding Cucuteni A hous
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why unfortified despite large size
- 02Obsidian source long-distance network
Theories
- 01Scânteia as open agglomeration preceding mega-sites
- 02House burning as social levelling
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.4600 BCE
- Period
- Cucuteni A (c.4600–4200 BCE)
- Culture
- Cucuteni–Trypillia
- Purpose
- Open Cucuteni village on Jijia loess plateau
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
On the ground
Structures & features
47.0160° N · 27.5800° E · 145 m · 3 mapped features
Burned House Row
house rowNorthern row of 12 Cucuteni A houses with platforms
47.0180° N · 27.5850° ECeramic Workshop
workshopSoutheast area with kiln wasters and painted sherd pavements
47.0160° N · 27.5820° EFigurine Deposit
depositCentral pit with 40 anthropomorphic figurines
47.0170° N · 27.5835° E
Gallery