The Late Neolithic settlement of Motel Slatina, Middle Morava Valley: life, conflict, and death

Stone anthropomorphic figurines are a rare type of find in the Late Neolithic sites of the Vinča culture. One marble sample from the Late Neolithic settlement of Motel Slatina, in the Middle Morava Valley, has attracted our attention. It is similar to clay figurines, and we believe that this object reflected deep social meaning. To examine our point of view, we decided to assess the socio-economic background of the community of Motel Slatina. The research was conducted in two steps. The first step examined the character of the economy of Motel Slatina through socio-economic differences, based on a study of 601 macrolithic objects from settlements of Motel Slatina and Turska česma–Slatina, as they formed a particular economic region within the Late Neolithic Vinča culture. 1 The second step involved the research of the association between stone artefacts, organised production with nine above-ground structures, and their context. The study resulted in new data on the social structure, cycle of social reproduction, inequality, and social conflicts among inhabitants of Motel Slatina.