The growing interest in the cultural dimensions and environmental aspects of the transition to the Neolithic in the 6th millennium BC calls for a brief overview of what we know about the Early Neolithic in the Danube-Tisza interfluve. The idea of a volume drawing together the various strands of evidence on the Early Neolithic in this region resulted in the multi-facetted analysis presented in this volume. One major advance emanating from the study was the elimination of the archaeological blank spot between the Alfold and Transdanubia - earlier, the very existence of this blank spot made any discussion of possible contact between the two thoroughly researched regions virtually impossible and hampered comparisons of any kind."

This study examines the relationship between technology and social organisation in a range of Early and Middle Bronze Age cultural groups and proposes that in the process of material culture production, technological choices not only deliver an end product but are also an essential part of complex, dynamic social strategies. Such strategies may exist both between people, and between people and the environment from which they will draw their resources. This research focuses on a range of Early and Middle Bronze Age settlements in Hungary. In order to gain a wider picture about technological change and continuity, and how technology shaped social relations during the Bronze Age, a number of important Early and Middle Bronze Age sites are examined. In chronological order these are: Ullo (Mako), Ordacsehi-Kis-toltes, Zamardi-Kutvolgyi-dulo (Somogyvar), Dunafoldvar-Kalvaria (Nagyrev), Ordacsehi-Bugaszeg, Harta-Weierhivl (Kisapostag), Kaposvar 61/1 (Transdanubian Encrusted Ware), Turkeve-Terehalom (Ottomany-Gyulavarsand), Fuzesabony-Oregdomb (Fuzesabony) and Esztergalyhorvati-Alsobarandpuszta (Tumulus). The chronological position of these sites makes it possible to investigate change and continuity in ceramic technology and examine whether possible similarities or differences are representative for a particular settlement, a particular group of people or a particular period.