DUCKS AND TRUCKS. TRACKING THE ORIGIN OF WATER-BIRDS AND CHARIOTS OF PRE-ROMAN DACIA

The subject of this paper is related with some solar and celestial representation discovered in the intra-Carpathian space dated from the Late Iron Age. The paper will focus on water-birds protomes discovered at Sarmizegetusa Regia and Costești-„Cetățuie”, water-birds shaped handles on some situlae and other birds representation. As well the study will focus on the association of this water-bird representation with wheels or chariots and some vessels. The research is not concerned only on discussion of the symbolism of this group of representation, but as well on understanding the origins and how the idea travelled from one community to other and finally reach the space lived by Dacian communities.