368 ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΝ ΔΕΛΤΙΟΝ 19 (1964) : ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ

MACEDONIA : ΝΕΑ NIKOMEDEIA, 1963 which extended the entire length of the build­ ing. The 1963 excavations of the British School Close by, and nearer to the centre of the of Archaeology at Nea Nikomedeia were limited mound was a large house, about 8 m. broad to that part of the Early mound which and at least 11 m. in length. was disturbed in 1958/59 by mechanical ex­ cavators digging for roadfill. Professor Gra­ Outside the central area, the houses of the first building period are smaller, measuring ham Clark and Mr. Robert Rodden continued the investigations begun in 19611, with the about 8 m. by 8 m. Generally they are single- close cooperation of Mr. Ph. Petsas, Ephor of roomed structures. One, however, has a long, Antiquities for Western , and assi­ narrow subsidiary room along one side, and sted by students from Cambridge, Edinburgh a fenced-off porch area along the opposite wall. and Harvard Universities. A hearth basin, possibly for parching grain, The Early Neolithic occupation-layer was and a storage bin were found on a raised plat­ exposed in two areas. In the first, which mea­ form at one end of the long, narrow room of sured ca. 32 m. by 50 m., complete plans of this house. houses and part of the settlement pattern of The houses of the second building phase fol­ the first village were uncovered (P 1. 424 a ). lowed a slightly different orientation. They were The second area, measuring 27 m. by 8 m. two-room structures; the main (west) part was excavated in the hope of defining one edge of the house measured approximately 8 m. by 8m. of the Early Neolithic settlement. and to this was attached ( on the east) a se­ In the areas excavated, there is stratigraphi- cond, less substantially constructed room of cal evidence for two major Early Neolithic about the same dimensions. building periods: the foundation-trenches and In both building periods walls were made of wall-slots of buildings belonging to the primary mud plastered onto reeds which were woven settlement are clearly overlaid by later two- between a sturdy framework of posts. Where roomed structures at a different orientation. preserved, the floors were made of mud pla­ The houses of both building levels are deta­ stered onto matting made from the leaves of ched rectangular structures, generally conform­ marsh reeds or grasses. ing to a common plan and orientation. Among the more notable of the many objects Attributable to the primary building phase found during the excavations are the comple­ are four detached houses surrounding a much te, or practically complete female figurines larger central building. It is not unlikely that from the central structure. One was a very this central structure, which underwent re­ unusual figure of rather coarse workmanship, building after a bad fire, served a special — with a thick head and outstretched arms (PI. perhaps a «ritual» — function. In the burnt- 424 c). Another comprised only a large, coni­ cal head with incised eyes and mouth (PI. rubble fill above the floor of this structure, a 424 b ). Clay models of sheep and goats were number of unique finds were discovered: com­ also made. The most remarkable animal figu­ plete, or practically complete female figurines rines however, are three frogs, executed in of unbaked clay, two outsized greenstone axes, polished greenstone; no parallels for these are unusual gourd-shaped vessels, several known, but the obvious care with which they caches of unused flint blades (each containing were made, and the quality of the manufa­ up to four hundred blades) and many small, cture, emphasize their importance. Fragments irregularly-shaped clay pellets of unknown use. of five anthropomorphic pottery vessels were The building itself was a very large structure, discovered; these bear faces modelled just measuring 12 m. each side; two rows of very beneath the rim, and are similar to examples large posts divided it into three parts. When known from the early sites of Hacilar and Has- rebuilt after the fire, this tripartite division suna in Western Asia. The unique small stone was preserved: on each side of this large cen­ studs and marble nails, which also have di­ tral room were two much narrower rooms, rect parallels in Western Asia, were again 1. See A Δ 17 ( 1961/62): Χρονικά, σ. 231 -233, also found in large numbers. Robert J. Rodden, «Excavations at the Early Neolithic site at Nea Nikomedeia: 1961 Season» Proceedings of the Prehi­ During the 1963 season twenty-three burials storic Society vol. XXVIII ( 1962 ) pp. 267 - 288. of Early Neolithic date have been discovered.

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All lay in contracted positions in pits dug out­ B.G. + 150 years for the first settlement on the side the walls of existing houses or in the fill site, particular attention has been given to the of collapsed ones. There is no evidence for as­ collection and preservation of the animal bo­ sociated grave-goods, although in one instan­ nes, carbonized grains and carbon from the ce a smooth pebble was thrust intentionally Early Neolithic occupation layer. Over 2000 between the open jaws of the skull. carbonized grains have been collected, repre­ Pottery has been found in very large quanti­ senting wheat, barley, lentils, peas and possib­ ties, including well over forty complete or re- ly wild cereal - type grasses. A preliminary storable vessels. The wares from the Early examination of over 15.000 identifiable ani­ Neolithic occupation level (both building mal bone fragments suggests that sheep and phases) are the same as those described in goat played the most important role in the the 1961 report, and belong to the earliest cer­ husbandry of these early farmers, and that pig tainly verifiable village - farming groups in no­ and cattle ( wild pig and bison may also be rthern . present) were of secondary importance. In view of the radio - carbon date of 6180 R. J. RODDEN

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Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 06/10/2021 19:28:28 EEST - 170.106.51.11 ΠΙΝΑΞ 424 ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ Α.Δ. 19(1964)

Nea Nikomedeia, 1963: a. Aerial view of the main area, from the north (with grateful aknowledgement to the Royal Hellenic Air Force), b. Conical head with incised features, c. Figurine from collapsed central building

R. J. RODDEN Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 06/10/2021 19:28:28 EEST - 170.106.51.11