Bodin
Prosopomorphic lids are common in the entire territory of the Vinča culture and are all very similar. Most are of cylindric shape and have prominent horn-like lugs, a moulded nose, conspicuously marked eyes and varied decoration. The example shown here has marked pupils, which is rare. This type of vessels represents a specific form of Vinča ware and had a double function. It was used as a cover for amphorae with a cylindric neck. Its other and much more important function was to protect the contents of the vessel from evil spells and unknown powers. The most expressive details on the face are the eyes, which attract particular attention. They are associated with the so-called "mystical eyes", to which special significance was attached. It is a widespread belief that the eyes are "the mirror of the human soul", and that they can also be wicked and capable of casting evil spells. They often have the power to avert negative magic power from the individual or the community, so that they assume an apotropaic function. In addition, the eyes possess the power of constant observation, wakefulness, control, surveillance of the behavior of people, and in this way they have an influence on their magic beliefs and religion.
Finally, prosopomorphic lids may represent a mask which has the magic power to protect the ordinary human being or the priest-wizard from the unbounded energy of the deity before which he appears. As such, they cannot be considered in isolation from the other Vinča sculptures, altars and cult objects, for they are all associated with the relligious rituals and beliefs of prehistoric communities.
The forms, workmanship and designs of the jewelry found in Singidunum fit into the general picture of the Roman jewelry which followed Greek and Oriental models. The explorations carried out so far have not yielded evidence of the existence of a jewelry-making workshop in Singidunum.
It is nevertheless possible that some simple objects of adornment, fashioned of cheaper materials, were made in the town itself. Pieces of jewelry have been commonly found in graves, and include rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, hairpins and fibulae. Regardless of the kind of material which they are made from and the type they belong to, finds of jewelry become more common only in the 3rd and 4th centuries. There are no objects of adornment, apart from fibulae, from the 1st and 2nd centuries, for republican austerity survived into the early Empire and the use of jewelry was prohibited by law.
Luxurious gold jewelry, such as this, was brought to Singidunum from western or eastern workshops, but some of it can be associated with a Pannonian production centre. Jewelry is an indicator not only of an individual's social and economic status, but also of the wealth of the society as a whole. It showed whether a Roman citizen was a patrician, whether he enjoyed the Emperor's favour, whether he was married or engaged, etc. Jewelry might also be awarded as a sign of recognition. Soldiers were given bracelets, torques and fibulae as official rewards.
Pottery is the most common product of the Roman period. Numerous types of vessels have been discovered in Singidunum: jugs, plates, bowls, pots, incense-burners, urns, amphorae, pythoi, lids, miniature vessels, beakers. These forms were fashioned in three ways: by hand, on the potter's wheel, and in moulds. Red dye was used for colouring and painting, vessels were also decorated by other techniques: barbortine, incision, stamping, burnishing, glazing, marbling.
According to their use, they can be divided into three categories: luxurious ware, table vessels and kitchen vessels. The red luxurious ware (terra sigillata), decorated with relief ornaments, was imported to Singidunum from workshops in central Gaul, in Germany and in Italy. Food was served in bowls, on plates or saucers, next to which small beakers or jugs were placed. Large vessels, such as amphorae and pythoi, were used in the trade of oil, grain and wine. Ships with such goods frequently came to Singidunum and brisk trade took place on the bank of the Sava. Vessels have also been found in local workshops, which have been discovered at several places in the territory of Singidunum.
Oil-lamps (lucernae), made of earthenware, bronze or glass, were used, together with torches, for the illumination of public and private buildings. They were made in moulds. The small opening on the upper surface of the disk served for refilliing, while the larger opening at the other end was for the wick. Some lamps have more than one opening for the wick. The handles were of various forms.
The upper surfaces of these examples are decorated with coloured, incised, engraved and carved motifs from the world of gods and heroes or with scenes from everyday life. The sign of the workshop or the name of the craftsman was sometimes impressed on the bottom.
The bronze and earthenware examples could be set on a base or hung on the walls to provide lighting for larger rooms.
The oil-lamps found in Singidunum include almost all the known types, and some are quite rare. The lamps came from the best-known workshops of Italy, Gaul, Germany and the eastern Mediterranean. They were also imitated by local craftsmen.
Their importance lies not only in their practical use, but also in the indirect evidence they provide of the cult of fire, of the reveration of the hearth and the worship of the Penates, the guardians of the household, who were invoked by daily libations. Oil-lamps have also been frequently found as grave goods.
The male figure, found in the village of Begaljica, was made in a local workshop in the second half of the 3rd century. Slightly bent forward, it is dressed into a thin garment (stola) wrapped with a cloak (palla). The scroll of parchment in the left hand indicates that the statue represents a male. It probably shows a deserving citizen, a learned person, writer, philosopher, orator, teacher, or an important town official.