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EARLY NEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT OF MAVROPIGI IN WESTERN GREEK MACEDONIA

*HRUJLD.DUDPLWURX0HQWHVVLGL 1, Nikos Efstratiou 2, 0DáJRU]DWD.DF]DQRZVND 3-DQXV]..R]áRZVNL 4

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Abstract Recent excavations at the Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Macedonia, Greece have provided new and important evidence for early farming developments in the region and over a wide geographical zone from western Anatolia to the Adriatic coast and adjacent areas. The site represents a rare archaeological example of a fully uncovered early farming community which settled in western Greek Macedonia just before the middle of the 7 th millemium cal BC. The rich material record of Mavropigi offers valuable insights into important aspects of the cultural identity of early farmers, and of the technological WUDGLWLRQV DUFKLWHFWXUDOEXLOGLQJ SURGXFWLRQ DJULFXOWXUHKXVEDQGU\ DQGLGHRORJLFDOSUDFWLFHV ¿JXULQHVEXULDOV 7KHIXOO exposure of the settlement, the clarity of its spatial features and their high chronological resolution provides a controlled context of reference for the study of the material record as will become clear in the presentation of the chipped stone industries which LVWKHPDLQIRFXVRIWKHSDSHU,WLVFOHDUWKDWWKHHDUO\GDWHRIWKHOLWKLFDVVHPEODJHRIWKHVLWHSURYLGHVDIDLUDFFRXQWRIWKH FKLSSHGWHFKQRORJ\LQWURGXFHGE\WKH¿UVWDJULFXOWXUDOLVWVWRQRUWKHUQ*UHHFHLQWKH(DUO\1HROLWKLFSHULRGDQGRIDI¿QLWLHVZLWK contemporary communities in the area and the preceding local tradition.

Keywords: Greek Neolithic, early farming, Early Neolithic architecture, LPSUHVVR ceramic

INTRODUCTION 2005:511) (Fig. 1). This is seen as a welcome opportunity to enrich the otherwise outdated The archaeology of early farming groups in archaeological record of the Early Neolithic QRUWKHUQ*UHHFHKDVEHHQVLJQL¿FDQWO\HQKDQFHG period in the region which, with the exception LQ UHFHQW \HDUV E\ D QXPEHU RI QHZ ¿HOG RI D IHZ UHFHQW H[FDYDWLRQV 3DOLDPEHOOD projects in western Macedonia, including both .ROLQGURV 5HYHQLD.RULQRV *LDQQLWVD $ DQG surface reconnaissance work and large scale B), includes sites excavated during the 60’s and rescue excavations triggered by public works in 70’s (Nea Nikomedeia, Servia) and characterized the area (construction of highways, electricity by a predominantly rescue character (Rodden, SRZHUSODQWV  .DUDPLWURX0HQWHVVLGL 1964:110; Andreou HWDO ., 1996:33; Perlès, 2001). 48 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

Fig. 1. Map of Greece and the region of western Macedonia

0RUHRYHUUHFHQW¿HOGZRUNLQZHVWHUQ0DFHGRQLD SDUWLDOO\ .DUDPLWURX0HQWHVVLGL   ,W marks an involuntary but noticeable shift of is clear, therefore, that the quality of the evidence archaeological interest from the plain of Thessaly provided by each of these archaeological cases  D SULPH DUHD RI (DUO\ 1HROLWKLF UHVHDUFK IRU varies depending on the extent of the investigated many decades in Greece – to the lake basins and area and the prompt study and publication of its the low hills of the northwest (Fig. 2). More than material record. This renewed interest in northern forty Early Neolithic sites have been recorded *UHHFHDQGPRVWVSHFL¿FDOO\ZHVWHUQ0DFHGRQLD so far in the wider western Greek Macedonia is particularly welcomed because it brings region although, regretfully, only a handful together evidence for early farming developments of them have been excavated, most of them from western Anatolia to the Adriatic coast and Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 49

Fig. 2. The location of the site of Mavropigi in the Ptolemaida basin and area of .LWULQLDQG/LPQL adjacent areas, and their dynamic relationships gradually revealing aspects of the cultural identity (Perlès, 2014:403). This is the demarcation of a of these early farmers, and of the technological geographical zone which witnessed the transfer traditions (architectural, building) and, production RI SHRSOH DQG REMHFWV DV ZHOO DV WKH ÀRZ RI (agriculture, husbandry) and ideological practices habits and practices in all directions, involving ¿JXULQHVEXULDOV ZKLFKWKH\EURXJKWZLWKWKHP different scales of interaction and suggesting a when they arrived in the area sometime around dynamic early farming archaeological scene; the 6,600 cal BC; one can also trace how all these chronology of these early farming groups in this developed during the next seven hundred years extended cultural zone covers a period of over of uninterrupted settled life through social, 500 years, with a series of radiocarbon dates economic and technological interaction within the converging to just after the beginning of the 7 th YLOODJHDQGZLWKRWKHUFRPPXQLWLHV .DUDPLWURX PLOOHQLXPFDO%& g]GR÷DQ  Mentessidi HWDO ., 2013; Bonga, in press). 7KH WZR\HDU ORQJ LQYHVWLJDWLRQV DW WKH VLWH What follows is a summarizing presentation RI 0DYURSLJL )LORWVDLUL (thereafter Mavropigi) of the different categories of archaeological in the Ptolemaida basin – a former marshy land material from Mavropigi, which will help to put known as .LWULQL /LPQL  HOHYDWLRQ  DVO  in chronological and cultural context the chipped between the mountains of Vermion and Askiou stone production of the site, discussed later in DQGDQDUHDULFKLQSUHKLVWRULFVLWHV .DUDPLWURX WKH SDSHU ,W LV FOHDU WKDW WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI WKH 0HQWHVVLGL   ± KDYH IXO¿OOHG PDQ\ lithic assemblage of Mavropigi lies in its early of the initial expectations; in fact, it is a rare date, providing a fair account of the chipped archaeological example of a fully uncovered early WHFKQRORJ\LQWURGXFHGE\WKH¿UVWDJULFXOWXUDOLVWV farming community which settled in western to northern Greece around the middle of the 7 th Greek Macedonia just before the middle of the PLOOHQLXP%&DQGRIDI¿QLWLHVZLWKFRQWHPSRUDU\ 7th millenium cal BC (Fig. 2). The ongoing study communities in the area and the preceding local of the rich material record of Mavropigi is Mesolithic tradition. 50 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

The excavation Energy Board (and unfortunately lost forever), was impressive for its large scale exposure and The archaeological site of Mavropigi – the full complete architectural plan (Fig. 5). Without extent of which covers half a hectare – was XQGHUHVWLPDWLQJWKHGLI¿FXOW\RIIXOO\LQWHUSUHWLQJ systematically investigated by opening a number the architectural plan of the settlement, it is fair of trenches and excavation squares (5 by 5m) to say that most of the dominant ground features and employing rigorous recovery techniques (dry (dwellings, pits, burials, foundation channels VLHYLQJ ÀRWDWLRQ VDPSOLQJ HWF  )LJ   7KH FXW RQ WKH VXUIDFH  DUH ZHOO GH¿QHG )LJ   opportunity to fully expose an Early Neolithic Although the use of some minor features, like the village to enable comprehensive studies of the multidirectional series of postholes and structures arrangement of built space (architectural layouts, seen in the plan, is still ambiguous, Neolithic construction techniques), open areas and burial Mavropigi provides unique contextual evidence, grounds, as well as of everyday activities carried of varying scale, quality and intensity, depending out in the settlement (workshops, refuse areas, RQWKHH[FDYDWHGSDUWRIWKHVHWWOHPHQW,QGHHG etc.) was fully taken advantage of (Fig. 4). The a number of habitation units are represented by view of the site, after it was fully exposed and ZHOOGH¿QHG DUFKLWHFWXUDO IHDWXUHV GHVFULEHG before the area was expropriated by the Greek as ‘houses’ and ‘pits’ and supported by sound stratigraphic sequences and architectural features and often by a consistent series of absolute dates which fall within the time span of the Early Neolithic period in Greece (Perlès, 2001; 0DQLDWLV¿J ,WLVLPSRUWDQWWRVWUHVVWKDW the settlement at Mavropigi lasted without any noticeable interruption for a few hundred years, roughly from 6,600 to 5,900 BC (see chronology section). The full exposure of the settlement, the clarity of its spatial features and their high chronological resolution provided a controlled context of reference for the study of the material record as will become clear in the presentation of the chipped stone industries.

Fig. 3. View of the excavation The architecture

After two years of systematic excavation the architectural plan of Mavropigi appears almost FRPSOHWH )LJ   0RUH VSHFL¿FDOO\ WKH EXLOW area of the settlement is marked by an impressive large oval pit, the &HQWUDO 2U\JPD  3LW+RXVH thereafter) which dominates the central part of WKHVLWHDQGDQXPEHURIZHOOGH¿QHGUHFWDQJXODU structures (Houses) arranged to the north and east of it (Figs 5 and 6). The remains of other LOOGH¿QHGVWUXFWXUHV±PRVWSUREDEO\GZHOOLQJV – have also been revealed in the southwest part of the :HVWHUQ2U\JPD together with the remains RI D VHULHV RI SRVWKROHV VXFFHVVLYH ÀRRUV DQG Fig. 4. A panoramic view of the excavated area after the end IHDWXUHVPDGHRIFOD\RUOLPHVWRQH ¿UHSODFHV of the dig etc.) (Fig. 5). Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 51

Fig. 5. The architectural plan of Mavropigi

The 3LW+RXVH ( &HQWUDO2U\JPD ZDVWKH¿UVW FKDUDFWHU GHSWK RI GHSRVLW P  KDG D structure built by the newly arrived farmers and it SDUWLDOO\SUHVHUYHGSODVWHUÀRRUGRXEOHGLQVL]H remained in full use during the whole life of the and its contents (pottery, polished stone tools, settlement, adequately representing, therefore, animal bones, lumps of clay, etc.) increased. all three stratigraphic phases of the site (Phases This second phase of the structure seems to have ,,,,  VHHEHORZ  )LJ ,WLVLPSRUWDQWWRQRWH VXIIHUHGGHVWUXFWLRQE\¿UH EODFNHQHGFHUDPLFV WKDWWKH3LW+RXVHVWDUWHGDVDVHPLVXEWHUUDQHDQ etc.) (Fig. 9). By the third construction phase structure (a common practice in EN Greece), 3KDVH,,, WKH3LW+RXVHKDGEHFRPHDJURXQG 2 m deep and 25 sq. m in size, and arranged in level structure with its size reaching 100 sq. m. WZR URRPV ZLWK WZR ZHOO GH¿QHG FOD\ ÀRRUV D The overall plan is more complex, with a number URXQG ¿UHSODFH DQG D PDLQ HQWUDQFH 1R FOHDU of adjacent features, like the pits founded in its HYLGHQFH IRU URR¿QJ ZDV IRXQG )LJ   ,Q perimeter and functionally related to it, but is at WKH VHFRQG VWUDWLJUDSKLF SKDVH 3KDVH ,,  WKH the same time made clearer by the presence of a 3LW+RXVH DOWKRXJK NHHSLQJ LWV VXEWHUUDQHDQ series of postholes around it (Fig. 10). The state 52 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou of preservation of features like the three house impressive (Fig. 11). Given the many pieces of ÀRRUV PDGH RI KDUG OLPHVWRQH  FP WKLFN cooking vessels, polished stones and a mortar DQGVTPLQVL]HDQGDURXQG¿UHSODFHLV IRXQGRQWKHÀRRUWKHGRPHVWLFFKDUDFWHURIWKH KRXVHLV¿UPO\HVWDEOLVKHG0RUHRYHUSLHFHVRI daub with imprints of branches, reeds and straw and lumps of dissolved clay provide interesting FRQVWUXFWLRQGHWDLOVRIWKHZDOOVDQGWKHURR¿QJ of the structure. At the end of this last phase of

Fig. 6. The northeast part of the settlement next to the power plant

Fig. 9. 7KH VHFRQG SKDVH RI WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ 3LW+RXVH 3KDVH,,

Fig. 7. A general view of the &HQWUDO2U\JPD  3LW+RXVH

Fig. 8. 7KHHDUO\SKDVHRIWKH3LW+RXVH 3KDVH, Fig. 10. 7KH¿QDODUFKLWHFWXUDOSODQRIWKH3LW+RXVH Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 53

Fig. 11. 7KHWKLUG RYHUJURXQG FRQVWUXFWLRQSKDVHRIWKH3LW +RXVH 3KDVH,,, habitation a deep pit was opened, destroying the PRVWVRXWKHUQSDUWRIWKHÀRRUZKHUHWZRFKLOG EXULDOVZHUHIRXQGLQÀH[HGSRVLWLRQVZLWKPDQ\ charred seeds and stone beads (Burials 1 and 3, see burial section) (Fig. 5). The seven UHFWDQJXODU KRXVHV (Houses thereafter), arranged to the north and east of the 3LW+RXVHUHSUHVHQWDKDOOPDUNRIWKHEXLOWVSDFH of the EN settlement of Mavropigi (Figs 4 and 12). They all belong to the third (and last) habitation Fig. 12. The seven rectangular buildings (Houses) of SHULRG RI WKH VLWH 3KDVH ,,,  VHH FKURQRORJ\ 0DYURSLJL 3KDVH,,, section). Their size varies from 50 to 60 sq. m with the exception of House 7 which is much larger (90 sq. m) (Fig. 12). They are architecturally almost complete (except for House 5), are constructed of ZRRGHQ SRVWV KDYH FOD\ ÀRRUV DQG VKRZ VLJQV of repeated reconstructions (Fig. 13). But what, LQGHHGPDNHVWKHLUSODQFOHDUFXWLVWKHWUDGLWLRQ of opening ditches or channels (0.30 to 0.50 m wide and 0.30 to 0.40 m deep) where the walls of the houses – made of different sized wooden posts, branches and reeds and covered by clay – ZHUHIRXQGHG )LJ ,WVKRXOGEHDOVRQRWHG that similar trenches, often sketchy, were found in many places in the settlement and are thought to be the remains of other, poorly preserved, houses Fig. 13. A typical rectangular house of the settlement (House 3) or wooden fences used for different purposes with a number of pits and postholes found inside and outside it (e.g., animal enclosures) (Fig. 15). ,WPD\EHKHOSIXODWWKLVSRLQWWRKDYHDFORVHU look at one of the seven rectangular houses which can be seen in the four corners of the (House 4) which is situated about 30 m north of building plus a central one most probably for WKH 3LW+RXVH )LJV  DQG   7KH SODQ RI WKH supporting the wooden roof (Fig. 17). A large pit KRXVHDERXWVTPLQVL]HLVZHOOGH¿QHGE\ was excavated in the middle of the house ( 3LW ) its four ditches and an equal number of postholes with a second one ( 3LW ), 0.50 m deep, rich in 54 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou ceramics and lithics, just outside its western wall (Fig. 5). Two burials (no 5 and 7) relate to House WKH¿UVWLQVLGHWKHVRXWKZHVWHUQFRUQHURIWKH ditch and the second (a child burial) outside the structure (Fig. 18).

Fig. 16. The view of House 4

Fig. 14. The foundation channels of the houses (detail) Fig. 17. The architectural plan of House 4 and its features

Fig. 15. Rows of postholes in the settlement; the remains of wooden fences and partitions Fig. 18. A child burial with a stone found outside House 4 Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 55

The third highly visible spatial feature in the probably for grinding seeds or nuts) (Fig. 22) – village of Mavropigi are the over 100 mainly DQGVHTXHQFHVRIVXFFHVVLYHÀRRUVIRXQGLQVRPH rubbish and rarely storage SLWV either shallow or SODFHV )LJ /DVWO\DZHOOGH¿QHGVWUXFWXUH± deep, found adjacent to the houses (rarely inside the so called :HVWHUQ2U\JPD (probably another them), and functionally related to them (Figs 5, SLWKRXVH ±LVORFDWHGLQWKHQRUWKZHVWSDUWRIWKH 19, 20). A characteristic example is the large pit settlement and has revealed a series of habitation found outside the northeast corner of House 1, ÀRRUV )LJVDQG  ULFKLQSRWWHU\DQLPDOERQHVDQGOLWKLFV,QVRPH The complex ground plan of the Mavropigi RWKHU FDVHV SLWV KDYH UHYHDOHG LQWHUHVWLQJ ¿QGV settlement is complemented in some areas by like 3LW  where over 80 pottery bases were rows of postholes, often not leading to any found (discarded?) together with faunal remains meaningful combination (Fig. 5). They may be (Fig. 5). seen as wooden fences serving to keep animals A number of other constructions of different LQVLGH WKH YLOODJH RU DV SRVWIUDPHG SDUWLWLRQV sizes were found scattered across the settlement: RU VHPLFRYHUHG VSDFHV IRU GRPHVWLF DFWLYLWLHV an HOOLSVRLGDO VWUXFWXUH (Ellipsoidal House) (Fig. 25). They all point, however, to a complex was revealed in the southwest of the site (Figs habitation space with structural remains related to 5 and 21) – 20 sq. m in size and with a large YLOODJH OLIH DQG VSHFL¿F KDELWDWLRQ SUDFWLFHV DOO stone mortar with double concavities (used most parts of a dense early farming social space.

Fig. 19 . A typical pit of Mavropigi (pit 2) found inside House 4 Fig. 21 . The view of the (OOLSVRLGDO+RXVH

Fig. 20 . A pit of different construction and possibly use found Fig. 22. A mortar with concavities found at the center of the outside a house (OOLSVRLGDO+RXVH 56 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

The burials

Burial practices in Early Neolithic Mavropigi are well documented by eighteen undisturbed inhumations (Fig. 5). They come from pits located in different parts of the settlement with all the VNHOHWRQV H[FHSW RQH IRXQG LQ D ÀH[HG SRVLWLRQ (Fig. 26). The exceptionally good preservation of the skeletal remains and their context – of DGXOWV PDOHDQGIHPDOH VXEDGXOWVDQGLQIDQWV (Papathanasiou and Richards, 2011:257) – has provided a unique opportunity to carry out detailed paleodietary reconstruction studies and laboratory Fig. 23 $VHTXHQFHRIVXFFHVVLYHÀRRUVIRXQGLQSODFHV analysis with the purpose of understanding some of the anthropological characteristics of this early agricultural population (Papageorgopoulou, 2014:477) (Fig. 27). Although studies like ancient DNA analysis are still in progress,

Fig. 24. 6XFFHVVLYHKDELWDWLRQÀRRUVLQWKH :HVWHUQ2U\JPD

Fig. 26. A pit burial in Mavropigi

Fig. 25. Remains of postholes in the settlement of Mavropigi

Fig. 27. A well preserved Early Neolithic burial in the settlement Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 57 successful analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of bone collagen seems to indicate that the early farming group of Mavropigi had above average living conditions, based on an entirely terrestrial (plant and animals) derived diet which may provide, through detailed future biodistance and migration analyses, some clues as to their origin. Although the evidence is preliminary, the UHFHQWVXJJHVWLRQWKDWWKH¿UVWIDUPHUVDUULYHGLQ 0DFHGRQLD E\ VHD 0DQLDWLV  ¿JV  8) and not by following a land route either from the west (Thrace) or the south (Thessaly), looks less likely (see the chipped stone report in this paper which supports a ‘Thessalian’ route). More Fig. 28. A picture of Burial 1 comparative data provided by skeletal analysis show that, despite signs of considerable physical stress (osteoarthritis, skeletal infections), the Early Neolithic population of Mavropigi consumed considerable amounts of animal protein (domesticated, wild), much higher than those of later Neolithic periods (Papathanasiou and Richards, 2011:257). Unfortunately, the lack of Mesolithic skeletal remains hampers any FRPSDULVRQZLWKSUHH[LVWLQJORFDOSRSXODWLRQ There are some points of particular interest as regards the burials of Mavropigi. First, the SLWEXULDOVKDYHEHHQV\VWHPDWLFDOO\UDGLRFDUERQ dated through a number of AMS dated samples (charred seeds of 7ULWLFXP GLFRFFXP HPPHU Fig. 29. A typical burial with grave goods 7ULWLFXPPRQRFRFFXP HLQNRUQ 7KH\DOOEHORQJ WRWKHODVWRFFXSDWLRQRIWKHVLWH 3KDVH,,, VWDUWLQJ roughly around 6,300 cal BC (Papathanasiou and 5LFKDUGV.DUDPLWURX HWDO ., 2013:336). Secondly, the study of their rich archaeological context has led to some interesting discoveries, as the concentration of charred seeds of emmer or new glume wheat type grain in Burials 1 and 3, of a child and a juvenile respectively (Valamoti,    )LJV  DQG   ,W LV WRR HDUO\ to say whether the presence of this carefully treated quantity of grain seeds interned with the dead is part of an Early Neolithic burial ritual, considering the paucity of relevant data from other contemporaneous sites in Greece. Another Fig. 30. A picture of burial goods point is the grave goods which accompany some of the burials; in burial 7 (Fig. 29), for instance, polished, chipped and bone tools were found together with a stone frog amulet (Fig. 30) (see VPDOO¿QGVVHFWLRQ  58 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

The stratigraphic sequence The pottery

The depth of the archaeological deposit varies Ceramics were systematically collected during from 0.80m in and around the seven Houses to excavation, including the surface material. The PLQWKHDUHDRIWKH3LW+RXVH &HQWUDO2U\JPD  rich ceramic assemblage is currently under (Fig. 5). The sequence of Mavropigi consists of systematic study by Dr. L. Bonga with statistical WKUHHFXOWXUDOSKDVHV ,,,,, HDUO\PLGGOHDQG analysis and completion of the stratigraphic late with the last one subdivided into two phases sequence still pending. The pottery comes from ,,,DDQG,,,E DOOSKDVHVEHORQJH[FOXVLYHO\WRWKH GLIIHUHQWFRQWH[WVDQGDUHDV 3LW+RXVH+RXVHV Early Neolithic. The cultural phases correspond SLWV  )LJ ,QPDQ\ZD\VLWRIIHUVDUDUHSLFWXUH to an equal number of stratigraphic units moving of the pottery tradition of the early farming groups from top to bottom (Stratum 1 to 3). ȉhis means which arrived in this part of northern Greece that the upper Stratum 1 corresponds to the late around the middle of the 7 th millenium BC, their FXOWXUDO 3KDVH ,,, DQG WKH GHHSHU 6WUDWXP  WR WHFKQRORJ\ FXOWXUDO DI¿QLWLHV DQG SRVVLEO\ WKHLU WKH HDUO\ 3KDVH , 7KH WKUHH VWUDWLJUDSKLF XQLWV origin; from this point of view the Mavropigi FRPSULVH QXPHURXV H[FDYDWLRQ VSLWV FRQ¿UPHG pottery should be considered as an important E\VRXQGFRQWH[WXDOHYLGHQFHSURYLGHGE\ZHOO source of new information for the Early Neolithic GH¿QHG IHDWXUHV OLNH VXFFHVVLYH ÀRRUV DQG SLWV of Greece and the Balkans. which help to establish a, sometimes uneasy, Ceramics at the settlement were produced contemporaneity between them (Fig. 5). for everyday needs (cooking, serving, storage) 0RUHVSHFL¿FDOO\WKHHDUOLHVWSKDVH , ZDV and vessels vary in shape, decoration and surface found exclusively in the &HQWUDO 2U\JPD  3LW treatment; at the same time there is a noticeable House) which seems to be the area where the decline in pottery technology (i.e. a recession QHZO\ DUULYHG JURXS RI IDUPHUV ¿UVW VHWWOHG of the polychrome tradition) by the end of the ȉhis no doubt gives some clue about their initial Early Neolithic period (Bonga, pers. comm.; see number, most probably no more than a handful also the chipped stone report for the evolution of families. The rough date of the founding of RI LQGXVWULHV WKURXJK 3KDVHV , WR ,,, $OWKRXJK the settlement is 6,624 ± 133 BC and the length the study of the ceramics is in its early stages RI3KDVH,LVHVWLPDWHGWREHDURXQG“\HDUV (petrographic analysis, etc.), with only that of the (Maniatis, pers. comm.). This is a reasonable SRWWHU\IURPWKH3LW+RXVH &HQWUDO2U\JPD ) so lifespan considering the limited occupation far complete, some preliminary observations are area. The second phase of the settlement (Phase of particular interest. ,,  VDZ D FRQVLGHUDEOH HQODUJHPHQW RI WKH 6SHFL¿FDOO\ WKH PRQRFKURPH SRWWHU\ RI VHWWOHPHQW:KLOHWKH3LW+RXVHFRQWLQXHGWREH WKH LQLWLDO RFFXSDWLRQ SHULRG RI WKH 3LW+RXVH occupied, habitation extended to the northwest 3KDVH,  )LJ DOWKRXJKLWLVQRW\HWFOHDULI (:HVWHUQ 2U\JPD ) and the south ( (OOLSVRLGDO it describes a ‘monochrome phase’ as proposed +RXVH ) including also some pits ( 3LW ). Phase for areas like Thessaly or further north in the ,, EHJLQV DURXQG  “  %& DQG VHHPV %DONDQV ZDV IROORZHG LQ 3KDVHV ,, DQG ,,, E\ to lasts for 64 ± 45 years. The last period of decorated ceramics which belong to two groups RFFXSDWLRQRI0DYURSLJL WKHZKROH3KDVH,,, LV RI SDLQWHG SRWWHU\ µUHGRQZKLWH¶ )LJ   GRFXPHQWHGLQWKHXSSHUOD\HUVRIWKH3LW+RXVH but mainly ‘polychrome’ (Fig. 33), a distinct and a number of pits and seems to begin around painted technique (red curvilinear motifs on pink “%&DQGODVWIRUFD\HDUV,WLVWKH background) seemingly rare in Greece but more lengthiest period of occupation of Mavropigi. common in sites to the northwest of Mavropigi All seven houses, although not contemporary OLNH 9DVKsPL DQG 3RGJRULH LQ WKH .RUoD EDVLQ VHQVX VWULFWȠ belong to the last period of the %RQJDLQSUHVV µ5HGRQZKLWH¶SDLQWHGSRWWHU\ VLWH 3KDVH,,,E DVGRDOORIWKHEXULDOV DIWHU is similar to that of Nea Nikomedeia and other 0DQLDWLV ¿J  VHH UDGLRFDUERQ $06 more recently studied Early Neolithic sites to GDWHV2[$DQGVHFWLRQ WKH VRXWKHDVW RI 0DYURSLJL HJ 3DOLDPEHOD Economy). .ROLQGURV 2WKHUSDLQWHGZDUHVOLNHWKHµZKLWH Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 59

Fig. 31. The monochrome pottery of Mavropigi

Fig. 32 7KHUHGRQZKLWHSRWWHU\ 60 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

Fig. 33. The ‘polychrome’ pottery

RQUHG¶ IRXQG LQ VLWHV LQ WKH 0DFHGRQLDQ SODLQ charred seeds found in comparison to the total (Giannitsa B, Axios), are rather rare at Mavropigi, number of samples collected is not unusual for at least in the material studied so far (Bonga, pers. Neolithic sites of northern Greece and is thought comm.). to be the result of unfavourable preservation The presence of LPSUHVVR pottery at Mavropigi FRQGLWLRQV LH QRW EXUQHG  7KH UDUH ¿QG RI (Fig. 34) – characterized by the use of different a rich concentration of emmer or new glume kinds of tools (bone, reed, sticks; no shell wheat type grain in a mortuary context has been impressions have yet been found) for making mentioned above. impressions on the surface of the vase – is of 7KH IROORZLQJ VSHFLHV KDYH EHHQ LGHQWL¿HG particular interest because of its early date (6,400 at Mavropigi: einkorn wheat ( 7ULWLFXP cal BC) and in view of the debate about the origin PRQRFRFFXP ), emmer wheat ( 7ULWLFXP GLFRFFXP ), and spread of this enigmatic decorative technique new glume wheat type and barley ( +RUGHXP to the northwest (Adriatic) (for further discussion sp.); lentils ( /HQV sp.), as well as wild vegetation see the chipped stone section). (6DPEXFXV sp., 3LVWDFLD sp. and &RUQXVPDV ) are UHSUHVHQWHGE\VHHGV 9DODPRWL ,WLV unfortunate that the archaeobotanical evidence The economy is limited and cannot be used to establish meaningful stratigraphic, chronological or The analysis of the plant remains from the site cultural correlations regarding some observed is still in progress and the report presented here preferences (for instance, that of einkorn over is preliminary (Valamoti, 2011:246). Although emmer wheat; Valamoti, 2009). However, it is V\VWHPDWLFÀRWDWLRQZDVFDUULHGRXWWKHUHWULHYHG worth mentioning that three samples of grain material is rather poor. The limited quantity of from the site ( 7ULWLFXP GLFRFFXP and  7ULWLFXP Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 61

Fig. 34. The ‘impresso’ ceramics of Mavropigi

PRQRFRFFXP  submitted for analysis and dating UHVLGXHRIÀRWDWLRQDUHRISDUWLFXODULQWHUHVW7KLV produced interesting results regarding the spread is especially the case as regards the evidence for of domesticated cereals in the Balkans (see in Fig. the presence in the early deposits of Mavropigi 2[$  2[$ of the house mouse ( 0XVPXVFXOXVGRPHVWLFXV ), UHVSHFWLYHO\  which seems to have arrived with the early The picture of the faunal remains is much farmers in Greece either from the Near East or richer. Although still in progress the study South Caucasus as suggested recently (Cucchi HW KDV DOUHDG\ LGHQWL¿HG PRUH WKDQ  ERQH DO  ,IWKHVWUDWLJUDSKLFFRQWH[WLVVHFXUH specimens. The majority belong to domestic the early date of their occurrence (middle of the animals (ca. 88%) with wild animals not 7th millenium BC) could be considered one of the H[FHHGLQJ  'RPHVWLF VKHHS RXWQXPEHU HDUOLHVWLQ(XURSH .3DSDJLDQQLSHUVFRPP  goats by 2:1, followed by pigs and cattle with Overall, the archaeozoological material PRUHRUOHVVHTXDOSHUFHQWDJHV FD 'RJV of Mavropigi is important since thoroughly do not seem to be numerous but their presence excavated Early Neolithic sites in Greece are still (as well as that of other carnivores) is noticeable, rare and what is known for the period comes from judging from the high percentage of chewed old faunal studies. Considering in particular the bones. Among wild animals cervids, both roe renewed interest in studies dealing with animal and red deer (mainly the latter), are the most domestication processes (genetically local or numerous with aurochs, boars, foxes, hares and introduced populations) in Greece, the Balkans birds to follow in far lower percentages; a small and Europe, the bone material from early sites number of bones of bear, wolf, wild cat, badger, like Mavropigi becomes very important indeed. marten, weasel and hedgehog are also reported (S. ,QWKLVFRQWH[WZHOOGDWHGVHOHFWLYHERYLQHERQH Michalopoulou and A. Curci, pers. comm.). The samples of both wild and domesticated cattle from PLFURIDXQDO UHPDLQV FROOHFWHG IURP WKH KHDY\ the site have undergone palaeogenetic analysis at 62 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

WKH³,QVWLWXWH-DFTXHV0RQRG´LQ3DULVZLWKWKH pottery sherds with a hole – found together with purpose of studying genetic diversity. Preliminary clay scrapers, burnishers and polishers (Figs results (E.M. Geigl, pers. comm.) indicate that 37, 38). Over 200 varied types of worked bone the aurochs population in Mavropigi, dated (tools), like awls, needles and burnishers, were around the middle of the 7 th millenium cal BC, found (Fig. 39). Personal ornaments include was comprised of both European and Asian origin beads made of clay, bone and stone, and the lineages and shows an unexpectedly high genetic W\SLFDOHDUVWXGVRIWKHSHULRG )LJV 6L[ diversity. This is important new information stamp seals, three with linear impressions, were which could contribute to a better understanding also found (Fig. 42). of cattle presence in Early Neolithic sites in Figurines constitute a separate and rich group Greece and the Balkans. RI¿QGVZKLFKDUHFXUUHQWO\EHLQJVWXGLHGE\'U (OLVDEHWWD6WDUQLQLPRUHWKDQFOD\¿JXULQHV representing anthropomorphic and zoomorphic 7KHVPDOO¿QGV types were recovered (Fig. 43); three bull ¿JXULQHV±RQHRIWKHPFRPSOHWH±DUHSDUWLFXODUO\ 0RUHWKDQVPDOO¿QGVZHUHUHFRUGHGIURP interesting in view of the strong bovine presence the site, besides the chipped stone tools (see in the faunal record of the site (Fig. 44). A below). These include: polished stone tools (axes, IUDJPHQWRID¿JXULQHPDGHRIPDUEOHDQGDVWRQH chisels) and mortars and pestles in different sizes frog amulet – similar to those found in other EN (Figs 35, 36). Among the clay objects there are VLWHVLQ0DFHGRQLD 5RGGHQ.DUDPLWURX over 80 complete or fragmentary spindle whorls Mentessidi, 2014) – completes this interesting and loom weights – often in the form of reworked part of the material record at Mavropigi (Fig. 45).

Fig. 35. Polished stones of different sizes from Mavropigi Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 63

Fig. 36. Typical ground stones of the settlement

Fig. 37. Reworked pottery sherds used as spindle whorls

THE CHRONOLOGY negative feature of Neolithic studies in the region, hampering detailed and thorough discussions Dating the Early Neolithic settlement of about the spread of farming westwards. This is 0DYURSLJLZDVIURPWKH¿UVWVWDJHVRIWKH¿HOG especially so when one realizes that absolute research of great importance for a number of GDWLQJMXVWL¿DEO\RUQRWEHDUVWKHKHDY\EXUGHQRI reasons. The paucity of early absolute dates documenting archaeologically routes, processes, in Greece has been a frustrating and overall a choices or even concepts of Neolithization ‘Out 64 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

Fig. 38. Clay loom weights

Fig. 39. Bone tools Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 65

Fig. 40. Beads of different sizes made of stone

Fig. 41. Personal ornaments of the Near East’. Although this may sound UHFHQWO\FKDQJHG IRUDQXSWRGDWHSUHVHQWDWLRQ like an overstatement, in fact, absolute dating of the new radiocarbon data and discussion see exercises a particular attraction for narratives of Maniatis, 2014:205). Today, it appears imperative Neolithic expansion. Having said that, relying to be able to document chronologically (in on radiocarbon dates from excavations carried absolute dates) the very presence of early farming RXW LQ WKH ¶V DQG ¶V RU IURP VSRUDGLF UH communities in mainland Greece (Peloponnese, counting of old charcoal samples has been a Thessaly, Macedonia) and their chronological serious drawback for dating the emergence of relationship to other areas like the Aegean island farming in the Greek peninsula; this picture has VLWH RI .QRVVRV LQ &UHWH DQG FRDVWDO $QDWROLD 66 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

Fig. 42. Examples of stamp seals from Mavropigi

Fig. 43. $QWKURSRPRUSKLFFOD\¿JXULQHVIURPWKHVLWH Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 67

Fig. 44. =RRPRUSKLFFOD\¿JXULQHVUHSUHVHQWLQJEXOOV

Fig. 45. A stone amulet representing a frog found in a burial context (see Fig. 30)

(Reingruber and Thissen, 2009:751; Efstratiou HW WKHDQDO\VHVRIWKHUHWULHYHGPDWHULDO±ÀRWDWLRQ DO , 2013). More recent studies based on new AMS dry sieving, anthracology, skeletal remains – to dates from Franchthi Cave show that the spread obtain samples (wood charcoal, charred seeds, of farming to Greece involved groups of people human bones) suitable for radiocarbon analyses advancing mainly from south to north (Perlès HW and ultimately for the dating of the site. Thus, DO    ,Q WKLV FRQWH[W WKH HDUO\ GDWHV there are more than thirty AMS dates which cover of the site become even more important. On top all three cultural phases of the site occupation of it, one should take into consideration the fact .DUDPLWURX0HQWHVVLGL  SODWH ,9 that Mavropigi is so far the only fully exposed .DUDPLWURX0HQWHVVLGL HW DO ., 2013), while a and systematically investigated Early Neolithic number of samples are still being processed with settlement in Greece. more results expected soon (Fig. 46). Except for Therefore systematic efforts were made during three (marked with a question mark), all C14 the different stages of the excavation itself and dates show a remarkable consistency when it 68 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou comes to the stratigraphic sequence of the site, The absolute date of the founding of Mavropigi IDOOLQJLQWRWKUHHZHOOGH¿QHGJURXSLQJV 3KDVH coincides with a number of recently acquired ,WR,,, 7KXVLWVHHPVWKDWWKHVLWHZDVIRXQGHG radiocarbon dates from Early Neolithic sites in 3KDVH, MXVWDIWHUFDO%&ZLWKWKHVHFRQG QRUWKHUQ *UHHFH 3DOLDPEHOD.ROLQGURX $[RV SKDVH 3KDVH,, IDOOLQJURXJKO\EHWZHHQ 3HOODV*LDQQLWVD%9DUHPHQRL*RXOHV  0DQLDWLV DQG  %& WKH ¿QDO SHULRG RI 0DYURSLJL 2014:207). This gives a strong indication of a date, 3KDVH ,,,  VWDUWV MXVW EHIRUH  DQG HQGV just before or just after 6,600 cal BC, for the arrival DURXQG%&ZLWKWKH¿QDODEDQGRQPHQWRI RI WKH ¿UVW IDUPLQJ FRPPXQLWLHV LQ ZHVWHUQ DQG the settlement. central Greek Macedonia.

Fig. 46. The Mavropigi absolute chronological sequence (after Maniatis 2014) Early Neolithic settlement of Mavropigi in western Greek Macedonia 69

MAVROPIGI- FYLOTSAIRI Moving to stratigraphy, it clearly documents IN CONTEXT changes in the spatial arrangement of the site and its technological traditions (see the chipped This short introduction to the material record VWRQH UHSRUW  0RUH VSHFL¿FDOO\ WKH FKRLFH RI of Mavropigi is a preliminary reference FRQVWUXFWLQJ D ODUJH 3LW+RXVH DW 0DYURSLJL to this important Early Neolithic site of 3KDVH ,  LV DQRWKHU H[DPSOH RI WKH HQLJPDWLF Northern Greece; the full study of the different practice in Greece of opening pits and using FDWHJRULHV RI WKH ¿QGV LV LQ SURJUHVV DQG ZLOO them as dwellings, a predominantly Early DSSHDU HOVHZKHUH ,W LV HYLGHQW IURP WKLV VKRUW Neolithic, little understood tradition (Perlès presentation that the new evidence for the early 2001:184) (Fig. 8). This widespread form of IDUPLQJ SHULRG LQ WKLV SDUW RI *UHHFH KDV UH early housing in Greece (the actual presence invigorated the discussion on the beginning of RI D µSLWKRXVH¶ SKDVH LQ (1 *UHHFH LV VWLOO the Neolithic in the Balkans and its relations with debated) provides evidence for the dynamics of the adjacent areas (Anatolia, the Aegean islands a seemingly awkward building tradition – the use and mainland Greece) with which the region has of a limited living space – which prevails over been, culturally and chronologically, traditionally its negative practicality. The deep stratigraphy associated. The range of this new evidence is RI WKH 3LW+RXVH µIRUP¶ DW 0DYURSLJL VKRZV wide and multifaceted, including both the kind that it had a long ‘underground’ (subterranean of data archaeologists are comfortable with, like construction) life, a strong indication that, after chronological sequences, routes of movement of all, this practice has neither been misunderstood ceramic typologies and the transfer of objects, by archaeologists – who have often argued that plants and animals between different areas, but pits were not dwellings but holes opened for the also providing an opportunity to explore less extraction of clay for building purposes – nor IDPLOLDU ¿HOGV RI DUFKDHRORJLFDO UHDVRQLQJ OLNH involved some atypical habitation features (for a the often imperceptible changes in social and discussion on the subject see Perlès 2001:184). economic practices on a community level which ,QGHHGLWLVHYLGHQWWKDWLQ3KDVH,,WKH3LW+RXVH may throw light, however sketchy, on pivotal of Mavropigi not only retained its round shape domains of the historical process. The material DQG VHPLVXEWHUUDQHDQ FKDUDFWHU EXW HYROYHG culture of Mavropigi contributes effectively to into something larger in size and richer in content both kinds of evidence as it comes from a fully VHH DUFKLWHFWXUH VHFWLRQ  ¿QDOO\ E\ LWV WKLUG exposed Early Neolithic settlement. SKDVH RI FRQVWUXFWLRQ 3KDVH ,,,  WKH 3LW+RXVH To start with, the series of AMS dates from had become a ground level complex retaining, Mavropigi, derived from different contexts QHYHUWKHOHVV LWV LQLWLDO FLUFXODU SODQ ,Q VXP and materials (charcoal, charred seeds, human based on the evidence from Mavropigi it could be bones), provide a secure context of chronological DUJXHGWKDWWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQFRQFHSWRIWKHµSLW reference especially regarding the arrival of house’ was well thought out and acquired over WKH ¿UVW IDUPHUV LQ ZHVWHUQ 0DFHGRQLD DURXQG a period of at least 300 years the characteristics 6,600 BC and the founding of the site. The of an EN building tradition (see chronology chronology coincides with the dating evidence VHFWLRQ  7KLV LV FRQ¿UPHG E\ WKH IDFW WKDW WKH from neighboring sites which suggests that by houses with rectangular plan at Mavropigi were the middle of the 7 th millenium cal BC the region QRWFRQWHPSRUDU\ZLWKWKH3LW+RXVHEXWIROORZ ZDVVHWWOHGE\WKH¿UVWDJULFXOWXUDOLVWJURXSV IRU at the very end of the Early Neolithic (Fig. 47); a thorough discussion see Maniatis, 2014:205 and this is the same date that rectangular buildings ¿J   PRUH SUHFLVH GDWLQJ LV UDWKHU SUHFDULRXV appear in the neighboring settlement of Nea although Bayesian analysis points to a slightly Nikomedeia (Pyke and Yiouni, 1996). earlier arrival date for these groups by a few Moving to the economy of Mavropigi and GHFDGHV 0DQLDWLV¿J /LIHLQ0DYURSLJL based on the evidence for agricultural and stock continued uninterrupted until around 5,900 cal breeding activities, though still preliminary in %& ZKHQ WKH VHWWOHPHQW ZDV ¿QDOO\ DEDQGRQHG FKDUDFWHU QR VLJQL¿FDQW FKDQJH LV REVHUYHG (end of EN). during the 700 years of settled life. This general 70 G. Karamitrou-Mentessidi, N. Efstratiou

Fig. 47. The reconstruction of the typical rectangular house plan of Mavropigi statement, of course, does not underestimate the -. .R]áRZVNL DQG 0 .DF]DQRZVND VHH WKLV GLI¿FXOWLHVRIUHFRJQL]LQJVKRUWWHUPTXDQWLWDWLYH paper) – indicates well established long distance and qualitative changes in subsistence LQWHUDFWLRQVZKLFKQHYHUWKHOHVVWRZDUGV3KDVH,, strategies and social relations, which after all DQG,,,H[SHULHQFHGVRPHQRWLFHDEOHÀXFWXDWLRQV FRQ¿JXUH HFRQRPLF SUDFWLFHV DW WKLV OHYHO RI (see chipped stone section). observation, nevertheless, the productive basis ,QHYLWDEO\WKHLVVXHRIWKHRULJLQRIWKHIXOO\ of the Mavropigi community seems to have ÀHGJHGIDUPLQJJURXSZKLFKIRXQGHG0DYURSLJL remained relatively stable through the Early important for the direction of the spread of Neolithic period. Although animals and plants agriculture in the Balkans, remains speculative, were introduced to the area fully domesticated, DZDLWLQJPRUHHYLGHQFH7KH¿UVWVWHSV±LQWKH paleogenetic analyses, in progress, are expected form of palaeogenetic analysis of the rich and well to contribute to a better understanding of preserved skeletal remains of the site – have been genetic diversity. Other aspects of the economy, already taken and they are profoundly instructive however, seem to have been more dynamic. The (see burial section). At the same time, the process community’s network of contacts and exchange, RIUHFRQVWUXFWLQJVSHFL¿FµSHQHWUDWLRQURXWHV¶WR including the acquisition and circulation of the west is becoming increasingly problematic UDZPDWHULDOV±DQGQRGRXEW¿QLVKHGJRRGVDV g]GR÷DQ  3HUOqV   +DYLQJ VDLG well – seems to experience noticeable changes that, however, one cannot ignore the presence or GXULQJ 3KDVHV , WR ,,, 7KH SUHVHQFH RI 0HOLDQ absence of technological traits which are either REVLGLDQ DQG µVLOH[ EORQG¶ ÀLQW LQ WKH HDUOLHVW shared or not shared by early farming groups in settlement at Mavropigi – most probably in both WKHUHJLRQDVDUJXHGE\0.DF]DQRZVNDDQG-. cases acquired via Thessaly as suggested by .R]áRZVNL VHHEHORZ