摘要：Vértesszőlős, excavated between 1963 and 1968 by László Vértes is still the richest authentically excavated
Lower Palaeolithic site in Hungary. The finds were embedded partly in calcareous tuff, partly in loess between
the tuff layers, in undisturbed condition forming intact settlement layers. The varied and large quantity of
scientific evidence made the minute reconstruction of the living and inorganic environment possible. The
geomorphological, faunistical and botanical evidence dated the site to the period of the interstadial of the
second glaciation in Central European sense (Mindel period) till the end of the same glaciation. The absolute
chronology of this period varies amidst wide boundaries, depending on the applied methods. Among the 8900
pebble tools found on the site, 5800 could be classified into formal typological categories. The nonstandardised
tools are basically split pebbles of geometric base forms. The average length of the tools is 26- 28
mm. Apart from the archaeological material, the most remarkable features of the settlement were fireplaces. On
both settlement surfaces (Sites I. and III.) several hearths of 30- 40 cm diameter were excavated. According to
the reconstruction, the fire formed by natural forces on the territory rich in wood was preserved in a special
manner. The fireplaces, originally constructed of wood, were covered with fatty animal bones cut to 3- 5 cm
large pieces. This solution gave a more lasting fire, that needed less care and gave more heat. The hearths were
found close to the walls of the tetarata basins of 10- 12 m diameter or at the deepest points of the basins. On
some of the burnt bones with better state of preservation we can find cutmarks originating from stone- tools
during the de- fleshing of the bones.
