Chapter 25 Thoughts On The Preliminary S
Chapter 25 Thoughts On The Preliminary S
Chapter 25 Thoughts On The Preliminary S
Edited by
Apostolos Sarris
Evita Kalogiropoulou
Tuna Kalayci
Lia Karimali
International Monographs
in Prehistory
Archaeological Series 20
© 2017 by International Monographs in Prehistory
All rights reserved
Paperback:
ISBN 978-1-879621-47-3
Hard Cover:
ISBN 978-1-879621-48-0
List of Contributors.........................................................................................................................vii
List of Figures............................................................................................................................... xiii
List of Tables................................................................................................................................. xxv
Maps............................................................................................................................................ xxvii
Introduction
1 - Evita Kalogiropoulou and Apostolos Sarris
Communities, Landscapes, and Interaction: An Introduction.......................................................1
iv
20 - George Kazantzis
Animal Husbandry and the Use of Space in the Greek Sector of the Late Neolithic Settlement
of Promachon-Topolnica.................................................................................................................292
Color Plates..............................................................................................................................465
v
- 25 -
Thoughts on the Preliminary Study of Early Neolithic Decorated Pottery from
the Central Origma at Mavropigi-Filotsairi
Lily A. Bonga
374
sequently, the focus of the excavation—was in the EN houses had been abandoned (Papageorgopoulou 2014;
settlement, which dates to ca. 6590/6450–6200/6010 Papathanasiou and Richards 2011). An abundance
cal B.C. (2σ) (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2013, of charred emmer and a new glume wheat type in a
2016; Maniatis 2014). child and juvenile burial (Burials 1 and 2) may be
The architectural remains of 10 houses were un- an indication of a funerary rite (Valamoti 2011); the
covered (Figure 2). These consisted of three earlier only other evidence for grave goods is a collection
pit-dwellings and at least seven later freestanding, of polished, chipped, and bone tools and a stone frog
post-framed houses with sunken foundation trenches. amulet in Burial 7.
The rectilinear houses ranged in size from 50 m² to 90 The study of the small finds from Mavropigi-
m², comparable to the houses at EN Nea Nikomedeia. Filotsairi is ongoing, and only the analyses of the
Seventeen prehistoric (and one historic) burials of archaeobotanical materials (Valamoti 2011), chipped
adults, teenagers, and infants were buried throughout stone (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2016), and buri-
the site in pits inside and around the houses after the als (Papageorgopoulou 2014; Papathanasiou and
Richards 2011) have been completed.
Three main phases (see below) of the EN settle-
ment were identified by the excavators based on the
ca. 2-m deep deposits of a large pit dwelling in the
center of the settlement, dubbed the “Central Origma”
(Karamitrou-Mentessidi 2007:524–526, Karamitrou-
Mentessidi et al. 2016:51–53, Figures 7–11). Due to
the longevity of the Central Origma throughout the
settlement’s habitation, it is the only feature at the
settlement that preserves all three phases. Phase I is
only found within the Central Origma. Outside the
Central Origma, Phase II was detected in the Western
Origma and in an ellipsoidal structure (Ellipsoidal
House). Phase III was found in all areas of the settle-
ment (including the Central Origma), and it has at least
two sub-phases (IIIa and IIIb), although it remains to
be determined if these sub-phases represent different
specific tasks and activities performed in the various
zones of the settlement, or if they are of chronological
significance (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2016:77).
All of the rectilinear houses belong to Phase III, al-
though they were not all contemporary, as some of
Figure 1. Map showing the location of Mavropigi- their plans overlap. It is hoped that the study of the
Filotsairi in relation to other Early Neolithic finds, in conjunction with the radiocarbon dates, will
sites: (1) Mavropigi-Filotsairi; (2) Pontokomi- help to clarify the situation.
Souloukia; (3) Pontokomi-Vrisi; (4) Pontokomi- The Central Origma was the first structure built by
Ksirolimni; (5) Kremastos; (6) Knidi; (7) Gevena- the early farmers at the settlement, and it remained in
Xiropotamos; (8) Mavranei-Panagia; (9) Konispol use throughout the occupation of the site (Karamitrou-
Cave; (10) Sidari; (11) Vlusha; (12) Vashtëmi; Mentessidi et al. 2016:51, Figures 7, 10). Its size
(13) Podgorie; (14) Velušina; (15) Porodin; (16) expanded over time, and the structure evolved from a
Amzabegovo; (17) Vršnik; (18) Kovačevo; (19) semi-subterranean pithouse to an aboveground house
Dikili Tash; (20) Mikri Volvi; (21) Lete; (22) built on gently sloping ground. The deposition of
Mesimeriani Toumba; (23) Giannitsa B; (24) Axos pottery in the Central Origma appears to have been a
A; (25) Paliambela Kolindrou; (26) Nea Nikome- gradual accumulation of material through habitation,
deia; (27) Roditis-Paliambela; (28) Servia; (29) followed by intentional deposition and abandonment.
Varemenoi-Goules; (30) Nessonis I; (31) Gediki; The Central Origma is interpreted as a dwelling
(32) Otzaki Magoula; (33) Argissa Magoula; (34) based on the existence of a series of floors, hearths,
Prodromos; (35) Magoulitsa; (36) Choirospilio and associated artifacts. The existence of pithouses
Cave; (37) Sesklo; (38) Achilleion; (39) Vardali in EN Greece continues to be a debated topic, as
4; (40) Koutroulou Magoula; (41) Elateia; (42) many sites with so-called pithouses have been rein-
Chaeronea; (43) Corinth; (44) Franchthi Cave. terpreted as clay digging, rubbish, or work pits (Perlès
375
Lily A. Bonga
376
25 - Thoughts on the Preliminary Study of Early Neolithic Decorated Pottery…
2001:184–185, 193–194), although there is concrete stemming from houses may have provided semi-
evidence of pithouses in the later Neolithic periods covered or shaded spaces for domestic work.
in Greece, as well as in neighboring Starčevo culture
sites (e.g. Divostin in Serbia, Polyanitsa in Bulgaria, Mavropigi-Filotsairi’s Contribution
and Zadubravlje in Croatia). to Traditional Chronologies Based on
In the first phase (Phase I), the Central Origma Painted Pottery
began as a 2-roomed, semi-subterranean “pithouse,”
25 m2 in size (15 m2 for the western room, and 10 m2 for In absolute terms, the EN in Greece is tradition-
the eastern room; Karamitrou-Mentessidi 2007:525), ally dated to 6540/6400–5950 B.C. (Perlès 2001:110).
with hard-packed earthen and clay floors and a built Recent fieldwork in northern Greece, along with
plaster hearth; no evidence of roofing was found in improvements in the methodology and calibration
this phase (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2016:51–52, accuracy of radiocarbon dates (Maniatis 2014; Per-
Figure 8). The depths of the deposits ranged from 40 lès et al. 2013; Reingruber and Thissen 2005, 2009;
cm to 60 cm. Thissen 2000) reveal that sites in Macedonia are as
In Phase II, the Central Origma doubled in size, and old, if not older, than those in Thessaly and western
the amount of small finds of all types (pottery, ground Anatolia, and that the majority of EN sites in Greece
stone tools, lithics, animal bones) also increased, while belong to the end of the period, with only a few sites
bits of clay and roofing material were recovered, as toward the beginning.1
was a lime-plaster floor (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. In relative terms, the EN period is divided into
2016:51–52, Figure 9). This phase ended in fire, as three sub-phases, the EN 1–3, on the basis of excava-
indicated by a change in soil color and a concentration tions in Thessaly (Figure 3). These subdivisions are
of burnt artifacts. The depths of the deposits ranged based primarily on ceramic sequences from early
from 20 cm to 70 cm (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. excavations and remain poorly defined, particularly
2016:51). the EN 2–3 transition (Wijnen 1981:35). Although the
In Phase III, the Central Origma became a large shortcomings of this old chronology have been known
aboveground structure, 100 m2 in size (Karamitrou- for some time (e.g. the lack of clearly stratified sites
Mentessidi et al. 2016:51, Figure 11). A series of ex- that span the duration of the EN, and the fact that the
ternal postholes surrounded the Central Origma, along earliest radiocarbon dates come from pits which may
with a number of small pits functionally related to it. or may not be stratified), Mavropigi-Filotsairi read-
In the earlier part of this phase (Phase IIIa), a series dresses them and also raises new problems. Addition-
of three clay and lime-plaster floors and a circular ally, the Aceramic period is no longer substantiated
plastered hearth, together with the existence of a stone on the mainland (Reingruber 2008), although it may
mortar, ground stone tools, and cooking pots found on still apply to Crete.
the floors, indicate that the Central Origma continued The EN 1 (ca. 6400–6350/6300 B.C.) is tradi-
to be used as a dwelling. This notion is reinforced by tionally conceived as a purely monochrome phase
the recovery of numerous pieces of daub with branch lacking decorated pottery. Although monochrome
impressions form this phase (Karamitrou-Mentessidi phases have been reported from sites outside of Thes-
et al. 2016:52). By the end of Phase IIIb, however, saly (e.g. Elateia and Corinth), it is doubtful that this
the structure may have fallen out of use, as House 1 truly represents a chronological horizon, as the sites
infringed upon its boundaries and a deep pit was cut either range in date or the data are limited to small
into the southern part of the floor for the interment of areas or trial trenches. The same can be said for the
two child burials. These burials were accompanied earliest phase at Mavropigi-Filotsairi in the Central
by charred seeds and stone beads (Papageorgopoulou Origma, a 25 m2 area containing only 76 sherds, none
2014; Papathanasiou and Richards 2011; Valamoti of which were decorated.
2011). The depth of the deposits is ca. 80 cm. These are important considerations because, based
Within and around the houses are numerous small on analogy with Greece, a hypothetical monochrome
pits that seem to have been primarily used for refuse, phase has been proposed for the definition of Starčevo
although they may have been used for storage or as Ia (Lazarovici 1979), as well as for sites in Bulgaria
workspaces at different times throughout the duration (e.g. Krainitsi I, Koprivets I, and Polyanitsa-Plateau
of the settlement. The larger pits outside the rectilinear I). Furthermore, there is no documented monochrome
houses may have been dug initially for mud or clay to phase in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
be used in the house construction, and subsequently (FYROM; Naumov 2009:4). This fact argues that the
used for other purposes (such as workspace, storage, concept of a monochrome phase as a chronological
or refuse). Rows of postholes either in isolation or horizon is a construct of modern archaeologists rather
377
Lily A. Bonga
than an accurate representation of the past. tery, although generally contemporary, are unrelated
Lastly, it should also be noted that sites closer (Pavúk 2007).
to the Adriatic Sea with monochrome phases, such Although this distinction between Red-on-White
as Sidari on Corfu, Vlusha and Konispol Cave in and White-on-Red has been noted occasionally (Tasić
Albania, and Samograd I in Central Dalmatia, have 2007:113, Urem-Kotsou et al. 2014), it is generally
monochrome layers followed by Impresso rather than overlooked in the scholarship on early painted pottery,
painted pottery (Bunguri 2014). much of which is focused on whether or not the painted
The EN 2 is defined by the appearance of Red-on- pottery bears (Tasić 2003, 2007; Naumov 2009, 2010)
White painted pottery in Thessaly around 6300–6200 or does not bear (Schubert 1999, 2005) a relationship
B.C. (Schubert 1999; ca. 6250 B.C. according to Mül- with Anatolian precedents. Furthermore, the debate
ler 1988, 1994; and ca. 6350/6300 B.C. according to about painted pottery’s origins is further obfuscated
Wijnen 1981). Its inverse, White-on-Red ware, begins by the potential existence of a monochrome phase of
shortly after in Greek Macedonia (e.g. Giannitsa B, chronological significance in certain places or times
Axos A, Nea Nikomedeia, Mesimeriani Toumba), in Southeastern Europe. The EN 3 traditionally begins
also around 6300/6200 B.C. (Maniatis 2014). Further with the appearance of “Magoulitsa-phase” Impresso
north, White-on-Red painted pottery begins slightly in Greece and with the first White-on-Red painted
later, around 6100–6000 B.C. in the central Balkans pottery.
(e.g. Gura Baciului, Amzabegovo, Ocna Sibiului, In the Central Origma, no White-on-Red painted
Donja Branjevina), western Bulgaria (e.g. Kovačevo, pottery was recovered, although it was present in other
Čavdar, Slatina, and Gălăbnik, but also at Karanovo), areas of the settlement. Instead, 149 Red-on-White/
and Aşağı Pınar in Turkish Thrace (Schubert 1999). Cream sherds were revealed (Figure 4). The Red-on-
These three clusters of White-on-Red painted pot- White/Cream bears simple large geometric designs
Figure 3. The traditional ceramic chronology for the Early Neolithic in the Balkans, based on pottery styles.
378
25 - Thoughts on the Preliminary Study of Early Neolithic Decorated Pottery…
and broad bands, similar to that of Nea Nikomedeia et al. 2015), particularly in the Late Neolithic in terms
in Thessaly and the Haliakmon Valley (Washburn of imported pottery in each region, including “rhyta”
1984). (four-legged vessels with oblique openings and thick
Yet the majority of the painted pottery (290 sherds) basket handles), Čakran or “straw-impressed” incised
belongs to polychrome painted ware (Figure 5). The pottery, and brown-on-buff in the Classic Dimini style;
polychrome consists of broad curvilinear and linear these interactions are now understood to have begun
motifs painted with a red slip and outlined with thin much earlier.
white lines to give contrast with the tan-pink back- Recent fieldwork in the Korça Basin (including
ground. These compositions and motifs are distinct re-excavation of Vashtëmi) and radiocarbon dates
from the contemporary Red-on-White/Cream. This from soil cores confirm the antiquity of Podgorie and
type of polychrome pottery is not characteristic of Vashtëmi and clarify their relationship, which was
other known EN sites, in Greece and only one sherd previously unclear and contradictory within vari-
has been published from Nea Nikomedeia (Yiouni ous excavation reports (Ruzi 2012:4; Andoni 2017).
1996:Figure 5.35 [No. 12]) and from Pontokomi- Furthermore, Podgorie and Vashtëmi were previously
Souloukia (Karamitrou-Mentessidi 2014:247, Figure dated to the end of the EN period and the Early Middle
6 [second sherd from right, bottom row]). This picture Neolithic (in Greek terms). The dates from Vashtëmi
shall surely change when the material from sites in seem to indicate that it (at 6470–6370 B.C.) is older
the immediate vicinity of Mavropigi-Filotsairi is fully than Podgorie I (6070–5970 B.C.) (Allen and Gjipali
examined. 2014). This makes “ceramic” sense, as the Podgorie
Until then, the closest parallels for the polychrome I White-on-Red and polychrome is of a better qual-
pottery come from the EN sites of Podgorie I in the ity (Ruzi 2012) than that of Podgorie IA, and also
Korça Basin in Albania. The relationship between because it shares some motifs with later sites such
Thessaly, the Korça Basin, and central Macedonia is as Giannitsa B and Axos in central Macedonia and
well documented in other periods of Neolithic (Lera Kovačevo in Bulgaria—these sites also have similar
Figure 4. Early Neolithic Red-on-Cream painted pottery from the Central Origma.
379
Lily A. Bonga
radiocarbon dates (Maniatis 2014; Reingruber and I, Gediki, Argissa Magoula, Otzaki Magoula) at the
Thissen 2005). end of the EN, ca. 6000 B.C. (Müller 1988, 1994; or
6000/5900 B.C. according to Reingruber 2011), but is
Impresso Pottery from Mavropigi- now documented throughout Thessaly and is shown to
Filotsairi have continued into the early Middle Neolithic at sites
in southern Thessaly (e.g. Magoulitsa, Prodromos,
As with the painted pottery, the finds from Achilleion, Vardali, Koutroulou Magoula). Single
Mavropigi-Filotsairi demonstrate that Impresso pot- or double nail-marks, elongated “slash” or “dash”
tery begins much earlier than previously thought, ca. marks, rows of small punctuations (pseudo-Cardium
6400 B.C. Generally speaking, it is a slightly later imitation shell impressions), and arcaded and “fluted”
Impresso B type that was thought to be a localized barbotine decoration characterize this later phase.
phenomenon in northeastern Thessaly (e.g. Nessonis Earlier Impresso pottery, similar to that of Mavropigi-
380
25 - Thoughts on the Preliminary Study of Early Neolithic Decorated Pottery…
Figure 6. Early Neolithic Devollite-style Impresso pottery from the Central Origma.
381
Lily A. Bonga
Filotsairi, is also documented elsewhere in western 2007; Prendi and Andrea 1981). Nails, finger pinches,
and central Macedonia (e.g. Paliambela Kolindrou, and fingertips are also common (Figure 7). Several
Giannitsa B, Mavranei-Panagia, Varemenoi-Goules). techniques may also be combined on the same pot.
A distinctive feature of the early Impresso from The choice for the simultaneous use of these two
Mavropigi-Filotsairi is characterized more by the decorative systems (and also different painted styles)
use of tools than fingers, whereas shell impressions may stem from sensatory/symbolic experience of pot-
are absent (Figure 6). Interestingly, it again finds its ting—painting is done when the vase is hard and dry,
closest parallels in the Korça Basin at Podgorie I and while impression and pinching must be performed on
also at Vashtëmi, particularly what is known in the a moist pot. Similarly, the choice of temper (mineral
Albanian literature as the Devollite type, in which and often micaceous for painted pottery but generally
various tools (including reeds, bone tools, and sticks) more chaff for Impresso) may also have symbolic or
are used to create impressions and rough surfaces, tactile meaning aside from functional aspects.
including barbotine decoration (Korkuti 1982, 1995, While chaff tempering may seem “crude,” es-
Figure 7. Early Neolithic nail-pinched, fingertip-impressed, or nail-impressed Impresso pottery from the
Central Origma.
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25 - Thoughts on the Preliminary Study of Early Neolithic Decorated Pottery…
pecially when used for pots decorated in the easiest Nikomedeia, Axos A, Giannitsa B, and at Vashtëmi
way possible (and perhaps also unaesthetic to some and Podgorie. White-on-Red painted pottery is rare
modern eyes), it surely contrasts with the high level of at Mavropigi-Filotsairi, but not at Nea Nikomedeia,
potting knowledge necessary to create a polychrome Axos A, and Giannitsa B, or at Vashtëmi and Podgorie.
pot, which required the knowledge of particular clay Similarly, choices of imported material in the
and mineral sources as well as firing techniques.2 Thus, chipped stone also hint at these east-west connec-
the contemporaneous use of Impresso and painted tions between basins. Imported “honey” flint (silex
pottery—and of two different stylistic traditions— blond) most likely arrived at the settlement from
demonstrates a cultural preference and intentional southwestern Albania (not Bulgaria), likely through
choice to employ divergent technologies and decora- sites like Vashtëmi and Podgorie in the Korça Basin
tive systems. (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2016:72). Imported
The data from Mavropigi-Filotsairi also suggests Melian obsidian may have circulated from Nea Niko-
that the skill or tradition of polychrome painted pottery medeia itself or from other sites near the Thermaic
was lost by the end of the EN period and demonstrates Gulf, or alternatively from EN communities in Thes-
that pottery technology did not develop in a linear saly (Karamitrou-Mentessidi et al. 2016:57) via sites
fashion in terms of technological or stylistic achieve- like Nea Nikomedeia and Servia.
ment. It remains to be determined, however, whether These variations between basins probably arose
the abandonment of polychrome painted pottery was from cultural, social, and economic interactions of the
the result of a deliberate cultural choice (e.g. switching EN communities. The plains and basins in western
to easier technologies to produce decorated pottery, and central Macedonia were important centers not
or if polychrome pottery no longer served a social/ only during the EN, but also throughout antiquity,
symbol function), or if its disappearance was due to because of their position as inland routes, which
regional and/or chronological differences with other often followed river courses despite the fact that the
sites. rivers themselves were not navigable. These plains
Lastly, particular parallels in plastic decoration are still invaluable resources, although they are now
(e.g. a monochrome pot with a an added plastic being reshaped and exploited for the production of
spiral) with sites further north in the Iron Gates with electricity through strip mining and the creating of
similar radiocarbon dates (e.g. Lepenski Vir [Borić artificial lakes, such as Polyfytos Lake on the course
2011:Figure 13] and Banja [Srejović 1988:Cover im- of the Aliakmonas River (Karamitrou-Mentessidi
age]) may reflect adventurous pioneers, but are more 2007).
likely coincidental rather than reflections of actual These locations were chosen first to meet certain
contacts; this highlights the problems raised when natural requirements of Neolithic people, plants, and
comparing relatively similar ceramics over broad animals, such as alluvial soils for crops, land for
geographical distances. pasture, fresh water, and a salt source (Biagi et al
2005; Tasić 2000), and secondarily to provide security
Mavropigi-Filotsairi’s Relationship against crop failure (van Andel and Runnels 1995; for
with Surrounding Early Neolithic an opposing opinion, see Wilkie and Savina 1997) by
Communities having secondary resources readily available (e.g. the
marshy Kitrini Limni Lake), even if they were not
In addition to the parallels in decorated pottery to otherwise exploited. Each of these basins developed
the east, west, and south, other aspects of the material its own peculiarities in terms of material culture,
culture reinforce the relationships between sites like architecture, settlement layout, and ceramic identity,
Mavropigi-Filotsairi, Vashtëmi, Podgorie, and Nea and may confirm the “leap-frogging” (Spataro 2010;
Nikomedeia. Each of these sites may be representa- Zilhão 1997) from one micro-environment to the next.
tive of other settlements in their respective basins. Paleo-landscapes also may have dictated the
For example, frog amulets; face pots; vessels with communication routes. For instance, interaction to
small, low feet; rhyta; Impresso; Red-on-White pot- the north, either in Pelagonia (FYROM) or beyond,
tery; and stamp seals are found at Nea Nikomedeia, seems limited, and most of the known sites in Pela-
Mavropigi-Filotsairi, and Ksirolimni-Portes, as well gonia itself are of later date (e.g. Velušina and Poro-
as Vashtëmi and Podgorie. Yet triangular altars and din)—perhaps due to the presence of swampland in
spoons seem to be found at either Vashtëmi or Pod- the earlier part of the EN (Naumov 2009:26). Instead,
gorie. Polychrome is found in the Korça Basin only the plains and basins of FYROM appear to have been
at Podgorie, and while rare at Mavropigi-Filotsairi, accessed through the Axos/Vardar River plains, based
White-on-Red painted pottery is common at Nea both on similarities in material culture (including pot-
383
Lily A. Bonga
tery and white-painted decoration) between sites like white paint (either a kaolin or marl slip) to heighten
Nea Nikomedeia, Giannitsa B, and Amzabegovo and the contrast between the natural, self-slip (mechanical
Vršnik in the Ovče Pole, Polog, and Skopje regions slip) of the pot and the area painted red. The pot was
(Naumov 2009:26) as well as on radiocarbon dates then lightly burnished to ensure that the paint would
(contra Perlès 2001:60). adhere and then fired in a oxidized or weakly reduced
Our understanding of EN Greek Macedonia (and atmosphere, which kept the iron-based pigments red
particularly western Macedonia) is rapidly changing and left the background a light buff color.
and will continue to evolve and expand. While the
EN settlement of Nea Nikomedeia has remained the
best-known EN site in Macedonia since its excavation Acknowledgements
in the 1960s, in the past 20 years surveys and excava-
tions conducted by the University of Thessaloniki, The author would like to thank the conference organiz-
local ephorates, and foreign projects have enhanced ers and sponsors, Apostolos Sarris, Evita Kalogiropou-
the dataset. lou, Tuna Kalayci, and Evagelia Karimali, the staff at
Within the Grevena and Kozani prefectures alone, the Archaeological Museum of Aiani Museum, and the
44 EN sites are now known (23 and 21, Karamitrou- 30th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities,
Mentessidi 2014; respectively; Wilkie and Savina the Institute for Aegean Prehistory Study Center for
1997), although only two have been subject to ex- East Crete, and especially Dr. Nikos Efstratiou and Dr.
tensive rescue excavation (Mavropigi-Filotsairi and Georgia Karamitrou-Mentessidi for their permission
Ksirolimni-Portes). The rest are known only from to study the material, and Stephania Michalopoulou
either surface material or small trial trenches (e.g. for her all her indispensable help.
Pontokomi-Vrisi, Knidi, Pontokomi-Souloukia,
Roditis-Paliambela, Varemenoi-Goules, Kremastos). References Cited
The picture will continue to fill in with recent fieldwork
in the Amindeon Basin (Chrysostomou et al. 2015) Andoni, Edlira
and full publication of the Kitrini Limni and Grevena 2017 Investigating Ceramic Differences During
surveys. the Early Neolithic in the South-eastern of
As the analysis of cultural material from Mav- Albania: The Settlements of Podgori and
ropigi-Filotsairi moves forward, it is clear that it will Pogradec. Anglisticum Journal 6(2):20–
contribute actively to the debate and understanding 28.
of EN Greece and the process of Neolithization, as Allen, Susan, and Ilirjan Gjipali
well as regional variability and cultural choice within 2014 New Light on the Early Neolithic Period in
the early farming communities of Southeastern Eu- Albania: The Southern Albania Neolithic
rope. Determining which of the cultural differences Archaeological Project (SANAP), 2006–
are chronological or regional variations and to what 2013. In Proceedings of the International
extent they reflect the choice and agency of pottery Congress of Albanian Archaeological Stud-
and potters remains to be determined. ies. 65th Anniversary of Albanian Archae-
ology, 21–22 November, Tirana 2013, pp.
107–119. Center for Albanian Studies and
Notes Institute of Archaeology, Botimet Alban-
ologjike, Tirana.
1
The 2010 soil cores from Dikili Tash also confirm Biagi, Paolo, Stephen Shennan, and Michela
the early habitation of eastern Macedonia, which Spataro
until now had remained problematic (Lespez et al. 2005 Rapid Rivers and Slow Seas? New Data for
2013). It should also be noted that specialists are not the Radiocarbon Chronology of the Balkan
in complete agreement regarding the interpretations Peninsula. In Prehistoric Archaeology and
of radiocarbon dates, some of whom argue that the Anthropological Theory and Education, ed-
dates in Greece that are earlier than those from west- ited by Lolita Nikolova, John Fritz, and Jude
ern Anatolia should be rejected, since the “Neolithic Higgins, pp. 43–51. Reports of Prehistoric
package” was introduced from Anatolia. Research Projects, 6–7. Wiley-Blackwell,
2
From macroscopic inspection, it seems that the Salt Lake City.
polychrome pots were produced by “painting” or Borić, Dusan
selectively slipping the areas desired to be red with 2011 Adaptations and Transformations of the
a ferruginous slip and then outlining it with a thin Danube Gorges Foragers (c. 13.000–5500
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387