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Home , Dimini, Industry (archaeology), Late Neolithic, Pagasetic Gulf, Sesklo

ANKARA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTER FOR MARITIME (ANKÜSAM) Publication No: 1

Proceedings of the International Symposium

The Aegean in the , and the Early

October 13th – 19th 1997, Urla - İzmir (Turkey)

Edited by

Hayat Erkanal, Harald Hauptmann, Vasıf Şahoğlu, Rıza Tuncel

Ankara • 2008 ANKARA ÜNİVERSİTESİ / ANKARA UNIVERSITY SUALTI ARKEOLOJİK ARAŞTIRMA ve UYGULAMA MERKEZİ (ANKÜSAM) RESEARCH CENTER FOR MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY (ANKÜSAM) Yayın No / Publication No: 1

Ön kapak: İzmir - Höyücek’de ele geçmiş insan yüzü tasvirli bir stel. M.Ö. 3. Bin. Front cover: A stelae depicting a face from İzmir - Höyücek . 3rd Millennium BC. Arka kapak: Liman Tepe Erken Tunç Çağı II, Atnalı Biçimli Bastiyon. Back cover: Early Bronze Age II horse- shaped bastion at Liman Tepe.

Kapak Tasarımı / Cover Design : Vasıf Şahoğlu

ISBN: 978-975-482-767-5

Ankara Üniversitesi Basımevi / Ankara University Press İncitaşı Sokak No:10 06510 Beşevler / ANKARA Tel: 0 (312) 213 66 55 Basım Tarihi: 31 / 03 / 2008

CONTENTS

Abbreviations …………………………………………………………………………………...... xi Preface by the Editors ………………………………………………………………………………… xiii Opening speech by the Mayor, Bülent BARATALI …...……………………………………………...... xxiii Opening speech by Prof. Dr. Ekrem AKURGAL ……………………………………...... xxv Opening speech by Prof. Dr. Christos DOUMAS……………………………………………………….. xxvii

LILIAN ACHEILARA Myrina in Prehistoric Times …..……………………………………………………………. 1

VASSILIKI ADRIMI – SISMANI Données Récentes Concernant Le Site Prehistorique De : La Continuité de l’Habitation Littorale depuis le Début du Néolithique Récent jusqu’à la Fin du Bronze Ancien ……………………………………………………………………………… 9

IOANNIS ASLANIS Frühe Fortifikationssysteme in Griechenland ………………………………………………. 35

PANAGIOTA AYGERINOU A Flaked-Stone from Mytilene: A Preliminary Report …………………………… 45

ANTHI BATZIOU – EFSTATHIOU Kastraki: A New Bronze Age Settlement in Achaea Phthiotis …………………………….. 73

MARIO BENZI A Forgotten Island: Kalymnos in the Period ……………………………….. 85

ÖNDER BİLGİ Relations between İkiztepe by the Black Sea Coast and the Aegean World before Iron Age ……………………………………………………………………………... 109

TRISTAN CARTER Cinnabar and the Cyclades: Body modification and Political Structure in the Late EB I Southern Cyclades ………………………………………………………...... 119

CHRISTOS DOUMAS The Aegean Islands and their Role in the Developement of Civilisation …………...... 131

ANTHI DOVA Prehistoric Topography of Lemnos: The Early Bronze Age ………………………………. 141

NIKOS EFSTRATIOU The Neolithic of the Aegean Islands: A New Picture Emerging …………………...... 159

HAYAT ERKANAL Die Neue Forschungen in Bakla Tepe bei İzmir ..…………………………………………. 165

HAYAT ERKANAL Liman Tepe: A New Light on the Prehistoric Aegean …………………………… 179

JEANNETTE FORSÉN The Asea Valley from the Neolithic Period to the Early Bronze Age ……………...... 191

DAVID H. FRENCH Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age of Southwest ………………...... 197 viii Contents

NOEL GALE Metal Sources for Early Bronze Age Troy and the Aegean ………………………...... 203

BARTHEL HROUDA Zur Chronologie Südwestkleinasiens in der 2. Hälfte des 3. Jahrtausends v. Chr ...... 223

HALİME HÜRYILMAZ 1996 Rettungsgrabungen auf dem Yenibademli Höyük, Gökçeada / Imbros …………….. 229

ERGUN KAPTAN Metallurgical Residues from Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Liman Tepe …………………………………………………………………………...... 243

ANNA KARABATSOLI and LIA KARIMALI Etude Comparative Des Industries Lithiques Taillées Du Néolithique Final Et Du Bronze Ancien Egéen : Le Cas De Pefkakia ………………………………………….. 251

NECMİ KARUL Flechtwerkgabäude aus Osttrakien ……………………………………………………….. 263

SİNAN KILIÇ The Early Bronze Age Pottery from Northwest Turkey in Light of Results of a Survey around the Marmara Sea ………………………………………………………….. 275

OURANIA KOUKA Zur Struktur der frühbronzezeitlichen insularen Gesellschaften der Nord- und Ostägäis: Ein neues Bild der sogenannten “Trojanischen Kultur”…………….. 285

NINA KYPARISSI – APOSTOLIKA Some Finds of Balkan (or Anatolian) Type in the Neolithic Deposit of Theopetra , …………………………………………………………………. 301

LAURA LABRIOLA First Impressions: A Preliminary Account of Matt Impressed Pottery in the Prehistoric Aegean ………………………………………………………………………… 309

ROBERT LAFFINEUR Aspects of Early Bronze Age in the Aegean …………………………………… 323

KYRIAKOS LAMBRIANIDES and NIGEL SPENCER The Early Bronze Age Sites of Lesbos and the Madra Çay Delta: New Light on a Discrete Regional Centre of Prehistoric Settlement and Society in the Northeast Aegean ……………………………………………………...... 333

YUNUS LENGERANLI Metallic Mineral Deposits and Occurences of the Izmir District, Turkey ………………… 355

EFTALIA MAKRI – SKOTINIOTI and VASSILIKI ADRIMI – SISMANI Les Sites Du Neolithique Recent Dans Le Golfe Pagasetique : La Transformation Des Sites De L’age De Bronze En Sites Urbains (Le Cas De Dimini) ……………………. 369

ELSA NIKOLAOU, VASSO RONDIRI and LIA KARIMALI Magoula Orgozinos: A Neolithic Site in Western Thessaly, ………………………. 387

EMEL OYBAK and CAHİT DOĞAN Plant Remains from Liman Tepe and Bakla Tepe in the İzmir Region ……………………. 399

Contents ix

DEMETRA PAPACONSTANTINOU Looking for ‘Texts’ in the Neolithic Aegean: Space, Place and the Study of Domestic Architecture (Poster summary) …………………………………...... 407

ATHANASSIOS J. PAPADOPOULOS and SPYRIDOULA KONTORLI – PAPADOPOULOU Some thoughts on the Problem of Relations between the Aegean and Western Greece in the Early Bronze Age …………………………………………………. 411

STRATIS PAPADOPOULOS and DIMITRA MALAMIDOU Limenaria: A Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Settlement at Thasos ……………………… 427

DANIEL J. PULLEN Connecting the Early Bronze I and II Periods in the Aegean ……………………………….. 447

JEREMY B. RUTTER Anatolian Roots of Early Helladic III Drinking Behaviour …………………………………. 461

VASIF ŞAHOĞLU New Evidence for the Relations Between the Izmir Region, the Cyclades and the Greek Mainland during the Third Millennium BC …………………………………. 483

ADAMANTIOS SAMPSON From the to the Neolithic: New Data on Aegean ……………………. 503

EVANGELIA SKAFIDA Symbols from the Aegean World: The Case of Late Neolithic Figurines and House Models from Thessaly …………………………………………………………... 517

PANAGIOTA SOTIRAKOPOULOU The Cyclades, The East Aegean Islands and the Western Asia Minor: Their Relations in the Aegean Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age …………………….. 533

GEORGIA STRATOULI Soziale une ökonomische Aspekte des Chalkolithikums (spätneolithikum II) in der Ägäis aufgrund alter und neuer Angaben …………………………………………….. 559

GEORGE TOUFEXIS Recent Neolithic Research in the Eastern Thessalian Plain, Greece: A Preliminary Report ……………………………………………………………………….. 569

RIZA TUNCEL IRERP Survey Program: New Prehistoric Settlements in the Izmir Region ……………….. 581

HANNELORE VANHAVERBEKE, PIERRE M. VERMEERSCH, INGRID BEULS, BEA de CUPERE and MARC WAELKENS People of the Höyüks versus People of the Mountains ? …………………………………… 593

KOSTAS VOUZAXAKIS An Alternative Suggestion in Archaeological Data Presentations: Neolithic Through the Finds from Archaeological Museum ……………….. 607

Closing Remarks by Prof. Dr Machteld J. MELLINK ………………………………………………. 611

Symposium Programme ……………………………………………………………………………… 615

Memories from the Symposium……………………………………………………………………… 623

Symbols from the Aegean World: The Case of Late Neolithic Figurines and House Models from Thessaly

Evangelia SKAFIDA

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to shed more light on the problems of prehistoric ideologies arising from the study of the figurines of the Final Neolithic period found in various Thessalian sites. In this study we have used material from recent excavations at Dimini and Pefkakia, older excavations as as finds from recent surveys at Neolithic sites of Thessaly.

1. Introduction stratigraphic evidences. These two cultures are contemporary with cultural centers of the Thessaly, situated in the center of the Balkans in the following associations: 1. West Hellenic peninsula, occupies an important -South : Mandalos II, Maliq I- location along the main inland roads connecting IIa; 2. Pelagonia: Bakarno Gumno I-II; 3. Southern and Central Greece. In addition it Bulgaria: Karanovo VI-Gumelniţa – Sâlcuţa I-II; communicates with the Aegean islands and the 4. Eastern Macedonia: Dikili Tash II B-C, world of the East through the , Sitagroi III B-C; 5. Central Macedonia: Vassilika which offers the best access from the plains of IV, Dimitra III4. Central Greece to the sea. It is no coincidence that the Argonauts with Argo, the first eponymous ship in human history, used the 2. Methodological approach Pagasetic Gulf as starting point of their journey The figurines, which are presented in this towards the Euxeinus Pontus. contribution, are examined independently with We should note the problems associated regards to their shape, material, and techniques of with the study of the cultural manufacture. From a methodological point of which are related to the transitional stage from view, the figurines function within the the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Of these ideological system of Neolithic societies, namely we shall mention briefly the most important ones. in the context of those beliefs with which an In many sites during EB, space shaped in a individual and a social group could interpret and specific way. Levellings and constructions of use the representations of the environment and defensive walls, pits and numerous have their surrounding world. The existence of an been observed. Because of such disturbances as ideology can be discerned from the type of social in Dimini useful stratigraphic data are missing1. and economical structure, the use of space, the It is not our aim to discuss the problems of symbolic representations, the funerary practices, chronology of the Late and Final Neolithic in and mainly from the psychological, ecological Thessaly. Nevertheless, we would like to stress and cosmological behavior of the prehistoric that the figurines of this study belong to the people, women, men and children. phases “Classic” Dimini and Rakhmani. In recent excavations at Dimini2 127 figurines were 3. Analysis of figurines 3 found , which have been dated to the above- In a significant number of the Thessalian mentioned cultures without more specific anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines that have been studied, the existence of certain rules 1 Halstead 1984, 5.2.4 2 Hourmouziades 1979. 3 Skafida 1986. 4 Todorova 1978; Demoule 1991; Grammenos 1991; 1997. 518 Evangelia SKAFIDA is apparent. The naturalistic and schematic 11). This motive recalls the ‘telamones’ of the modes of representation coexist already from male Cycladic figurines. the beginning of the Early Neolithic5. The two As far as the anchor shaped figurines are main characteristics of the end of the Neolithic concerned we should mention the fragment of are the schematization of figurines and that they clay "anchor" found in Rakhmani phase III at are made of stone. With regards to the typology Pefkakia9. It has been interpreted as a female of the figurines, these are not very much figurine10, because of the breasts. The 2 holes differentiated either in the Earlier or Middle could then represent the eyes. The question Neolithic, but mainly at the end of the whether the "anchors" with one hole known Neolithic. This fact, we believe, is not related to from the Early Helladic II-III periods could be a lower level of technical expertise of the interpreted as figurines or used in the Neolithic people6, because in Late Neolithic the household still remains open11. But in general coexistence of naturalistic figurines and exist no indications, which allow an ceramics proves it otherwise. Schematization is interpretation as figurine or amulet. Therefore a choice closely related to ideological meaning the general opinion is that such "anchors" were and can be associated with the codes of the probably were used as hooks as first proposed abstract and symbolic human thought. by Müller12. Very often these "anchors" show rests of incisions which might be caused by the threads used for the fixing of objects at the 3.1. The anthropomorphic figurines hook. These are made mainly of clay, stone and C) “Acrolithic” figurines marble. Based on the level of schematization of the figurines, we can classify them into two The majority of the figurines of LN and general types: the schematic and the FN studied here belong to this category. They naturalistic. are characterized by a more pronounced depiction of the head in relation to the torso.

This distinction is made clearer through the use 3.1.1. Anthropomorphic schematized of a different material for the head: the torso is figurines only a base that supports the head (Fig. 1). The following groups belong to this type: The preserved heads are of stone, A) Figurines with pronounced Schema- fastened into a hole in the clay bodies. The use tization, where the anatomical features of the of and bone is still hypothetical but quite sex are depicted. possible13 . There are also heads made of clay B) Cross and anchor shaped figurines, in and seashells. Heads of marble and of seashells, which the anatomical features of sex are not found during surveys in Thessaly (Fig. 2) recall usually depicted. Mainly the clay ones show the type Kusura of the Early Bronze Age in Anatolia. The anatomical details are rarely painted decoration (color was applied after 14 firing: crusted). They have been found in depicted, in added color, applied after firing numerous sites in Thessaly, Macedonia and the or in relief. We can make some technical Southern Balkans7. Marble cross-shaped remarks on the manufacture of the stone and figurines found at Dimini (Fig. 10) and marble heads. It is clear that the prehistoric Magoula Asprochoma8 have painted decoration producers selected small pebbles and stones consisting of added red color. It is important to whose shape was close to that of the figure they stress the repetition of the cross-shaped motive, wanted to represent. These stones must have which surrounds the chest of that figurine and been softer than the stone tools. The shaping of of another clay example, also from Dimini (Fig. 9 Weißhaar 1989, Taf. 82,1-2. 10 Hanschmann 1976, 95, Anm. 224. 5 Theocharis 1967, 149; Hourmouziades 1973, 166, 208. 11 Weißhaar 1989, 50. 6 Treuil 1983, 418. 12 Müller 1938, 64; Cosmopoulos 1991, 92. 7 Marangou 1992. 13 Wace & Thompson 1912, 69. 8 Theocharis 1973. 14 Wace & Thompson 1912, fig. 25 a, b. Symbols from the Aegean World: The Case of Late Neolithic Figurines and House Models from Thessaly 519 the rough materials must have been done with evident from the examples of Rakhmani III dented tools of obsidian or flint. The cleaning phase at Pefkakia28. of the surface was done with flat and thin tools. D) Violin-shaped figurines The smoothing must have been done with sand and other tools or with fish skin which They are numerous during the end of the resembled a dented rasp. Finally, the Neolithic Neolithic in Thessaly and are made of marble. people decorated figurines, even though only in Sex is not depicted and their head is oblong and few examples traces of color have survived15. triangular. The Thessalian violin-shaped figurines show similarities to the Early “Acrolithic” figurines are known from Cycladic ones, mainly because of their form29. numerous Thessalian sites (Fig. 2), from However, their chronological difference is an Dimini, where 46% of the figurines belongs to 16 17 obstacle in their correlation. Their similarities this type , from Pefkakia , from Rakhmani, could be attributed to the contacts and Tsangli, Pyrgos, , Zerelia18, from Agia 19 20 exchanges that existed between Thessaly and Sophia , Chasan Magoula , from Tyrnavos 30 21 Cyclades during the Neolithic period . 2 , Derelia 2, Lygaria 1, Mandra 1, Figurines of this type have been found in many Moschochori 1, Nikea 11, Platanoulia 1, 31 22 Thessalian sites and their number is Rizomylos 2 . This technique of separate, inset constantly increasing32 (Fig. 3). heads was rarely used for animal figurines23. Moreover, the female figurines from Mandalo E) Composite figurines of the end of the Neolithic period can be E.1. Figurines with “two or more heads” compared to the Thessalian figurines with are rare. They are known from Pefkakia and 24 regards to the technique of the inset head . The dated to the phase Rakhmani II33, from naturalistic bodies of these figurines bear no Rakhmani, inside the house Q34 and from relation to those of the schematized Thessalian Dimini35. The most characteristic group of figurines, which show no indication of sex. The figurines with “three heads” belongs to the Mandalo figurines can be related to those of phase Rakhmani II at Pefkakia36. Possibly to Pelagonia (Suplevac, Bakarno-Gumno I-II, the same type belong the figurines which have Grnobuki I-II) and Albania (Maliq II) with three protrusions on their upper part, of which which the Rakhmani culture is obviously in the central one is more pronounced. They have 25 contact and in which the type of figurine with been found at Pefkakia37, Dimini38 and inset head is known. With the beginning of the Sesklo39. There is also the single case of phases Otzaki and Classic Dimini, the figurines with “multiple heads” or in the shape Thessalian elements extended to the north, to of a hand, which at present have been found at the northwest including Pieria, Western Pefkakia40 and in the plain of . Macedonia and Albania26. Thus, it is possible to speak of a cultural area of Dimini towards the E.2. Figurines holding a baby, north and northwest27. To conclude, the “Kourotrophoi”, are known from surveys near 41 Thessalian “acrolithic” figurines are found Larissa, Agios Georgios I, Zappeio . mainly during the end of the Neolithic and continue until the Early Bronze Age, as it is 28 Weißhaar 1989, 49-50. 29 Tsountas 1908, 289; Wace & Thompson 1912, 83; 15 Skafida 1992, 171-172. Hansen 1933, 92. 16 Skafida 1986. 30 Coleman 1974, 335; 1977, 106; Renfrew 1969, 30-31. 17 Weißhaar 1989. 31 Tsountas 1908; Wace & Thompson 1912. 18 Tsountas 1908; Wace & Thompson 1912. 32 Toufexis 1992, Pl III.1; Gallis 1992, fig. 29. 19 Milojčič et al. 1976. 33 Weißhaar 1989, Taf. 66,14. 20 Chourmouziades 1972. 34 Wace & Thompson 1912, fig. 28t. 21 Chourmouziades 1972. 35 Skafida 1986, Tav.6, 13, 19. 22 Gallis 1992. 36 Weißhaar 1989,66,18. 23 Toufexis 1990, fig. 9. 37 Weißhaar 1989, 83,13. 24 Papaefthimiou & Papanthimou 1987. 38 Skafida 1986, no. 14. 25 Kotsakis et al. 1989. 39 Tsountas 1908, fig. 229. 26 Grammenos 1991. 40 Weißhaar 1989, Taf. 66,16. 27 Demoule 1991. 41 Skafida & Toufexis 1994, 18. 520 Evangelia SKAFIDA

F) Ring-shaped figurines-Pendants Peristeria cave at Salamina50. Similarly, stone examples have increased in numbers and, Based on present evidence, this type is besides that from the Kitsos cave of Laurion51, attested in the Chalcolithic civilizations of there are recent finds, made of marble, from Central , the Black Sea, Anatolia and the Makrygialos in Pieria52 and from Dispilio Aegean world42. This fact leads us to suppose Kastoria53. that the Neolithic producers and traders of Europe and Anatolia had created a wide To the Thessalian corpus, we should add network of exchanges and relationships very the following to the gold figurine from Sesklo54 probably via the rivers and the sea. The and the clay one at Pefkakia55: a) Gold ornaments are secure indications of the hammered and smooth perforated discoid strip, inventive participation of the Aegean in the with trapezoid protrusion, rounded sides and development of metal working43. two holes at the upper part (Fig. 4, 12): height 3 cm, dm.3.2 cm, thickness 1 mm, weight 7.14 gr. The ring-shaped figurines-pendants are It was found during surface collection at the made of gold, silver, stone and clay. Recent settlement Platomagoules in the plain of excavations in Greece and the finding of a Velestino and can be dated to the 5th “hoard” of 53 gold ornaments in in millennium B.C.56; b) Gold ring-shaped 1997, have brought to light a large number of pendant with trapezoidal stem and suspension ring-shaped figurines. This suggests that future hole from the Theopetra cave near Trikala: research may provide new evidence especially height 3.4 cm, weight 6.9 gr. and is dated to the regarding their interpretation. To the two Final Neolithic57; c) Perforated disc with known gold ring-shaped figurines from trapezoidal protrusion with two holes at its Aravissos Gianitsa in Macedonia44, we should upper part, made of brownish-gray smooth add the 33 of the “hoard”45 without provenance schist: height 4.1 cm, dm.2.3 cm and thickness and context. Their size varies, while only five 3 mm. (Fig. 5). It was found in Megaron B in have protrusions46 and one (n. 12) has the settlement of Dimini during the 1975 decoration of incised lines at both sides, excavations and is dated to the 5th millennium possibly writing. BC58; d) Perforated disc with trapezoidal Nearly all are variations of the type of a protrusion, which has a hole and is broken (Fig. flat ring with stem and one or more holes, 6). It is made of gray flint, very finely except for three (n. 33-35) which are simple smoothed, height 3.8 cm, dm. 2.5 cm; its rings, without perforated stem and have two provenance is the workshop of the “potter” at projections on their periphery. Dimini59 and is dated to the 5th millennium The silver figurines-pendants of this type BC. come mainly from the Aegean islands. Except We can relate these ring-shaped for the known examples from Poliochni, dated figurines-pendants to the decorative motives of to the Early Bronze Age47 from the Alepotrypa the painted pottery of the phase “Classic cave at Diros in Laconia48 and from the Dimini”. For example the phiale (Fig. 7) and Amnisos cave at Herakleion49 there is another the fragments of two other phialai (Fig. 8-9), example from the recent excavations at the which were found at the settlement of Dimini during the 1975 excavations; there is also a

42 Weißhaar 1982, 321; 1989,51; Fol & Lichardus 1988; Makkay 1989, 38, figs. 1, 2; Avramova 1991; Fray 50 Lolos 1998, 64, no. 62. 1991, 198, fig. 5; Ivanov 1991; Calinescu 1994; 51 Lambert 1981, t. L. Rudolph 1995. 52 Pappa 1998, 67, n. 72-73. 43 Zachos 1996, 166-167. 53 Hourmouziades 1996, 45, f. 14b. 44 Grammenos 1991, 109, t.30, 3-4. 54 Tsountas 1908, 337, Pl. 43.8. 45 Dimakopoulou 1998, 16-17, nos. 3-35. 55 Weißhaar 1989, 51-52, Taf. XVI: 1. 46 Dimakopoulou 1998, n. 3, 7, 9, 14, 32. 56 Skafida & Toufexis 1994, 18, fig. II; Skafida 1996, 339 47 Bernabò-Brea 1964, T. 175.3, 177.25. n. 299. 48 Papathanassopoulos 1996, 227 no. 43. 57 Kyparissi-Apostolika 1998, 63 n. 57. 49 Marinatos 1930, 98 f.9; Vassilakis 1996, 154, 160-162, 58 Skafida 1996, 336, n. 290; Skafida 1997, 25, n. 4. 164-165, 231-232, f.18, pl. 69. 59 Hourmouziades 1977. Symbols from the Aegean World: The Case of Late Neolithic Figurines and House Models from Thessaly 521 fragment of a phiale from Sesklo, with the same 3.1.3. Anthropomorphic figurines motives60. attached on vases or furniture This type of figurines are, according to 3.1.2. Naturalistic anthropomorphic an old Neolithic tradition, naturalistic or figurines schematic. They are occasionally used as handles, but in most cases do not have a These are limited in number and are practical function69. Some handles on vases of made of clay and less often of marble. Most the Rakhmani phase show incised human figurines represent standing female figures. The figures70. human body is depicted in a realistic manner, with incisions and color used to denote We should mention the human shaped anatomical details; there is a tendency towards handle of a vase from Dimini, on which breasts exaggeration in the depiction of volume. are shown as two relief protrusions, which on Characteristic examples include a seated female their upper part have three small holes (Fig. from Pefkakia, phase Rakhmani II, which 13). recalls a male seated figurine from Fafos I and belongs to the Vinča civilization61 and a 3.2 Animal figurines figurine from Magoula Karamourlar in Thessaly62. Decorated figurines are few, Animal figurines in contrast to the implying that decoration was simply a anthropomorphic ones, are generally secondary element. The decorative motives are characterized by pronounced schematization linear, both incised and filled with an added and by a monotonous repetition of old types71. white substance or painted with a brown color All the domesticated animals are represented, on a yellow background. It has been suggested such as oxen, , , pigs, dogs; however that the decoration may denote tattoos, clothing wild fauna is rare72. Most of the animals or that it possibly had a purely decorative represented were destined for the supply of value63. meat73. At Dimini, a decorated model of a table has a bovine head (Fig. 14) and differs from the We should mention two naturalistic known examples from eastern Macedonia and figurines, typical for this period. One, from Thrace, which are very widespread during the Sesklo, shows a woman “kourotrophos”64 while cultures of Vinča and Gumelniţa-Karanovo74. the other, from Larissa, represents a male figure At Pefkakia, two clay figurines of pigs, dated to seated on an unidentified object and described the phases Rakhmani II and III, look very as ithyphallic65. Recent finds, such as the male similar to a figurine from Dimini75 , and have a figurine of a “thinker” from western Thessaly, shallow cavity at the belly, which possibly dated to the earlier or middle Neolithic66, prove represents the navel of the animal. The that the male figurines of Larissa and Zerelia67 depiction of the navel is known from other belong to a very strong Neolithic tradition. Thessalian figurines76 . Belonging to the period we are examining is the known “thinker” of Cernavoda, which has similarities to the Thessalian examples of the 3.3. House Models 68 same type . All the models of buildings from Thessaly are made of clay and depict square, rectangular, detached, one-roomed buildings,

60 Tsountas 1908, 219, t. 21.2. 69 Tsountas 1908, Pl. 23: 3-6; Hauptmann 1981, Beil. 5: 61 Gimbutas 1982, fig. 11-12. 83-88; Skafida 1986, Tav. 8-24, 14: 27. 62 Theocharis 1973, fig. 13. 70 Gallis 1992, Pl. 8: 6, fig. 13: 8. 63 Bànffy 1991; Marangou 1992. 71 Toufexis 1996, 159-160. 64 Theocharis 1973, fig. 56. 72 Toufexis 1990, 38-39. 65 Theocharis 1973, fig. 55. 73 Halstead 1981, 322-323. 66 Gallis 1990, fig. 5. 74 Grammenos 1975; Renfrew et al. 1986; Toufexis 1993. 67 Wace & Thompson 1912, fig. 118. 75 Weißhaar 1989, Taf. XVII: 3. 68 Berciu 1960. 76 Toufexis 1990, fig. 26. 522 Evangelia SKAFIDA some with a second floor77. Most have been Thus, by examining the relationship found in surveys or belong to private between the house models and the architectural collections, mainly from the Larissa region; evidence from excavations, we could note the their number is significantly larger than those following: are from Macedonia and central Greece. The 1. There is some correspondence in size absence of stratigraphic data makes the of the plan between the models and the houses. understanding of their function difficult. With regards to their dating, most appear in the 2. Regarding the pitched and flat roofs, there is Middle Neolithic period. The models are roofed also agreement in the materials and mode of and only their exterior is depicted. The roofs construction and in the opening for the smoke can be pitched, flat or have a basin-like form. In that is situated on the apex or the sides of the some cases one can see decorative architectural roof. 3. The same agreement is observed for the elements, while in a single example a bovine two-storey and underground buildings, those bust is represented78. The roofed-house models with columns and doors. In the latter case we have a large number of doors and openings and have observed that the models have a large some of them probably show houses with a sort number of doors and openings, a that of porch (Fig. 15) at their front and rear faces79. has not been detected in excavation. 4. The The existence of such a porch is plausible for painted, incised or relief decoration on the some Neolithic buildings, for example at models has not been found in excavated Otzaki80 or Sesklo81. material. The same applies for the shallow cavity on the floor of the models. The existence The number of models is fewer in the of holes for central posts has not been Later Neolithic and the roof is no longer confirmed in excavation and the are depicted82. The interior of the house is now located near the walls. 5. Finally, the models represented. The roofless house models are far represent only detached and one-roomed fewer than the roofed ones. In Thessaly, buildings, although excavations at Neolithic roofless-house models were found at Platia settlements have unearthed structures with more Magoula Zarkou83 and near the Magoula Kastro than one room. Taken together, this show that 184 while another model of this type was found what is represented or narrated on the models is at Sitagroi-East Macedonia85. They represent, not reality but an image of reality, which we in a similar way, the interior of a house with the and adjacent “bench” along the wall. could call ‘idea of the oikos’. The decrease and Apparently, these models did not have a final disappearance of models during the Later separate, removable roof, although such a roof and Final Neolithic is related to the socio- is reported from Dimitra in Northern Greece86. economic changes of the time. Quite similar house models are known from Porodin in the former Southern 4. Distribution of figurines 87 88 Yugoslavia , from Ovčarovo in Bulgaria , The problem concerning the circum- 89 from Popudnia in West Ukraine from stances in which the figurines were found is 90 Kissonerga-Mosphilia in Cyprus etc. common. Most of them continue to come from surveys which mean they are detached from

77 Toufexis & Skafida 1998, 339-346. their natural context. We are still far from 78 Toufexis 1994, 165. identifying the social factors determining the 79 Toufexis & Skafida 1998, 340, fig.2. conditions of the figurines ‘existence and 80 Milojčič 1960, Abb. 2-4. function’. We are also far from comprehending 81 Theocharis 1973, 66. 82 Toufexis 1996, 161. the everyday life practices of Neolithic 83 Gallis 1985. in the household and in the community. 84 Gallis 1992, 129. 85 Renfrew et al. 1986, fig. 8:20, Pl. XL: 1a-d. The figurines of Late and Final Neolithic 86 Marangou 1992, 29, 179. in Thessaly have been found in domestic 87 Garašanin et al. 1971, n. 82. contexts, they are very unknown in , and 88 Todorova 1974. 89 Kordysh 1953, fig. 12, 13. they are not related to a specific architectural 90 Peltenburg 1991, 11-27. structure within the settlements. At Dimini, for Symbols from the Aegean World: The Case of Late Neolithic Figurines and House Models from Thessaly 523 example, the figurines were found both inside whole material culture within the relevant and outside houses, in storing and also food social, economic and ideological context. preparation areas, as well as in manufacturing places and ovens. The anthropomorphic and animal figurines are related with each other as well as with pottery, Acknowledgements I would like to thank for their precious help the grinding and tools, spindle whorls, Prof. G. Hourmouziades, the colleagues G. Toufexis, stone and bone tools, jewelry and slings. M. Stamatopoulou, Z. Malakasioti, E. Christmann, A. Moundrea, G. Gardalinou, E. Karimali, S. Souvatzi, In no instance were the figurines grouped M. Avgeri, the topographer Th. Makri and the friends together in a place that could have had a single, G. Psarras, G. Kiassas, D. Goulas, V. Oikonomidou, predetermined function. Moreover, the V. Voulgaris and Hyemeyohsts Storm. distribution of the figurines is not homogeneous and we cannot suppose the existence of manufacturers of figurines at Dimini91. The same is true for Pefkakia, whereas the house Q EVANGELIA SKAFIDA at Rakhmani, where acrolithic figurines were Volos Archaeological Museum 1st Athanassaki St. GR- 38 001 found, has been interpreted as their possible Volos, GREECE place of production92.

5. Conclusions We did not try to suggest new hypotheses for the use or uses of figurines. Nevertheless, the argument for a relatively large differentiation in use and the various interpretations seem to us more plausible. Figurines seem to have had more than one uses related to the place in the settlement they were found and also to the function and symbolic character of the finding location. The figurines as representations and symbols convey different meanings depending on the user, context of their use, the words and gestures that accompany them. The fact that many figurines we found thrown away or broken shows that they had a limited period of use while their presence in houses, store rooms and rarely in graves implies their associations with crops and survival. Neolithic figurines remain some of the most characteristic elements for understanding the identity of neolithic individual, his experienced culture the way he conceived his world and he created his relations. Future researchers should rise the curtain, the web of the fantasy, the idealism, the narrow and fragmental view of the spider. Let’s hope they will include humanism in their research and go forward to associate the neolithic figurines and

91 Skafida 1992, 176. 92 Marangou 1992, 143. 524 Evangelia SKAFIDA

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List of Illustrations: Fig. 1: Neolithic “acrolithic” figurine from East Thessalian plain. Bastis’ Collection, Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 2: Marble heads of Neolithic figurines from East Thessalian plain. Bastis’ Collection, Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 3: Neolithic figurines of marble from settlements of East Thessalian plain. Bastis’ Collection, Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 4: Golden Neolithic ring-shaped figurine-pendant from Platomagoules, East Thessalian plain. Bastis’ Collection, Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 5: Neolithic ring-shaped figurine-pendant of stone from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 6: Neolithic ring-shaped figurine-pendant of stone from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 7: Neolithic phiale from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 8: Fragment of Neolithic phiale from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 9: Fragment of Neolithic phiale from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 10: Neolithic marble cross-shaped figurine-pendant from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 11: Neolithic cross-shaped figurine-pendant of clay from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 12: Golden Neolithic ring-shaped figurine-pendant from Platomagoules, East Thessalian plain. Bastis’ Collection, Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 13: Human shaped handle of Neolithic vase from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 14: Neolithic model of table from Dimini. Archaeological Museum of Volos. Fig. 15: Neolithic house model from Western Thessalian plain. Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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