The Tisza divide. The missing late Neolithic transformation in the north Bačka region of Serbia

Abstract In the paper we will introduce the results of several recent archaeological surveys in the area of Novi Kneževac, Coka and Kikinda municipalities on the north Banat side of Tisza and Kanjiža and Senta municipalities on the Backa side of the River. The north Backa region of Serbia is physically divided by the waters of the Tisza River from the north Banat region, but both were greatly influenced by its everchanging course throughout (pre)history. The surveys have yielded new information about the middle and late Neolithic in the north of Serbia, but have also brought to light numerous interesting facts. The earliest evidence of human habitation in the area date to Koros-Starcevo period of the middle Neolithic with multiple sites of various sizes discovered on both sides of the River. Surface collection indicates that these sites are mostly short time, single period settlements, without prominent vertical stratigraphies or tell like formations. While the north Banat area on the left bank of Tisza was continuously occupied and transformed unhindered from middle to late Neolithic traditions with several multi-layered telloid sites attested in the period, having Koros-Starcevo, Sakalhat and early Vinca presence, on the opposite bank, in the north Backa area, the late Neolithic period remains elusive. In the paper, we will analyse and compare several aspects of the living environment, the landscape and subsistence strategies to compare two neighbouring regions and attempt to isolate and identify factors that may have influenced the absence of the late Neolithic in the area of Serbian north Backa.