Rethinking the Aceramic Neolithic: Insights from an Ethnoarchaeological Study on Cyprus
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1999 Rethinking the aceramic neolithic: Insights from an ethnoarchaeological study on Cyprus Sherry Lynn Marks University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Marks, Sherry Lynn, "Rethinking the aceramic neolithic: Insights from an ethnoarchaeological study on Cyprus" (1999). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 977. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/1ssx-9vnb This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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RETHINKING THE ACERAMIC NEOLITHIC: INSIGHTS FROM AN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY ON CYPRUS by Sherry Lynn Marks Bachelor of Arts University of New Mexico 1991 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment o f the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology Department of Anthropology University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1999 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1394808 UMI Microform 1394808 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UN3V The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas A p r i l 1 6 , .1 9 9 9 The Thesis prepared by Sherry Lvnn Marks Entitled Rethinking the Aceramic Neolithic: Insights from an Ethnoarchaeological Study on Cyprus is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology _______________________ Examinatian Committee Chair Dean of the Cradiuuej College ExaminationCoowiittee 'Éxaifunation Cç4inntïëe Memjper ( ^ a ^ ia te Coneg/Eaciilty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Rethinking the Aceramic Neolithic: Insights from an Ethnoarchaeological Study on Cyprus by Sherry Lynn Marks Dr. Alan H. Simmons, Examination Committee Chair Professor o f Anthropology University of Nevada, Las Vegas The so-called bizarre Aceramic Neolithic Period on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus is reconsidered in light of an ethnoarchaeological study conducted in conjunction with the Kholetria-Ortoy Project. The ethnoarchaeological study was designed to discover the organizational aspects of agropastoral strategies on the modem landscape and its relevance, if any, to the study of agropastoralism during the Aceramic Neolithic Period. As a result, a number o f strategies considered “irrational” by agricultural policy analysts were identified, posing an analogical conceptual dilemma of contemporary phenomena. The presentation and discussion o f the ethnoarchaeological results from the perspective o f economic uncertainty, however, demonstrates that these strategies are in feet effective responses to environmental variability. The discussion of conceptual frameworks regarding economic uncertainty are considered relevant for rethinking the so-called bizarre Aceramic Neolithic on Cyprus. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................ üi LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... vüi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER 1 RETHINKING THE ACERAMIC NEOLITHIC........................................1 1.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 1.2 îChoIetria-Gr/os Project: Recognition o f the Problem ....................................... 3 1.3 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 5 1.4 Ethnoarchaeology as a M ethodology ..................................................................8 1.5 Analogical Conceptual Dilemma .......................................................................10 1.6 Organization of the Thesis ................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ........................................................... 13 2.1 Physical Setting ...................................................................................................13 2.2 Vegetational History .......................................................................................... 16 2.3 C hronology ........................................................................................................ 22 2.4 Aceramic Neolithic Settlement Patterns and Site Locations ...........................25 2.5 The Subsistence Econom y ................................................................................. 32 2.5.1 Faunal Remains................................................................................... 33 2.5.2 Palaeobotanical R em ains ....................................................................38 2.5.3 Ichthyological and Shell Assem blage ................................................41 2.6 Technological Assemblage .................................................................................46 2.7 Summary .............................................................................................................49 CHAPTER 3 THE VILLAGES OF KHOLETRIA...........................................................51 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 51 3.2 Geographical Setting ..........................................................................................53 3.2.1 Clim ate................................................................................................ 56 3.2.2 Vegetation ..........................................................................................59 3.3 Settlement History and Traditional Land Use P attern s ................................... 61 3.4 Present Land Tenure and Land Use Patterns ..................................................69 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY....................................................................................... 75 4.1 The S am p le ........................................................................................................ 75 4.2 Preparation for Fieldwork .................................................................................77 4.3 Fieldwork .............................................................................................................77 4.3.1 Mapping, Records and Photographs .................................................. 79 4.3.2 Participant Observation ......................................................................82