CHERNYAKHIV «BULLAS» (METAL AND LEATHER PENDANTS-FOLDING IN THE CHERNYAKHIV—SINTANA-DE-MURES CULTURE’S AREA)

Decorations of the Chernyakhiv—Sintana-de-Mures Culture (ChSM) includes metal and leather pendants which by some morphological features can be considered as derivatives roman bulla. Bulla is a small capsule pendant folded from two identical halves. It’s assumed that bulla originated with Etruscans in VIIth century BC. The was later borrowed romans, who originally intended it for boys — children aristocrats ninth day birth to 14—16 years, until receiving status Roman citizen. Later golden lost meaning social marker became mainly property feature. Content were parts plants, animal bones, pieces textile, sand etc.
 Derivatives ChSM have been found next burial complexes (Barcea 139, Bila 3, Cherneliv-Rus’kyi 96, Dumaniv 8, Sosnova 245), bullas once (Legedzine 16). Besides, pendants-capsules on late Scythians Lower Dnieper cemetery Mykolaivka (burial 64, grave 1), contained Culture’s graves too.
 Following observation deserves attention. capacity one Pannonia similar decor clay knots, spread many cultures, including Culture. They are interpreted magic, used fortune-telling nasturtium seeds.
 Contents Chernyakhiv «bullas» unknown, but combination another pendants-amulets certainly confirms magical character such pendants.
 Finally, bullae, cylindrical flat continued their existence early Middle Ages folding icons incenses survived orthodox church this day.