Kazantzis, G. 2014. Preliminary Results from a Faunal Assemblage in Greek Central Macedonia: the Case of the Late Neolithic Promachon Sector (original) (raw)
Related papers
Excavations on the border between Greece (sector Promachon) and Bulgaria (sector Topolniča) in the basin of the river Strymonas, in Macedonia northern Greece, have revealed a flat-extended' settlement dating to the Late Neolithic. In addition to the rich array of material culture evidence, the excavation yielded a substantial quantity of animal bones, thus offering an unparalleled opportunity to study the human–animal relationships. This book focuses on the study of the faunal assemblage from the Greek sector of Promachon and examines the role and the contribution of domestic and wild animals in subsistence. This information is especially valuable considering the scarcity of faunal data from contemporary settlements across the basin of the Strymonas during a time period (the 5th millennium BC) that is considered one of the most dynamic eras in the prehistory of southeastern Europe. This study also clarifies trends in animal management at both the micro and the macro scales, through a detailed comparison of faunal data between Promachon and other contemporary sites from northern Greece and the Balkan regions.
Greece lies on the hypothesized migration route of archaic humans into Europe, and its paleolithic record is critical in addressing issues of timing and routes of dispersal of the earliest European colonization. The Aliakmon Paleolithic survey, conducted on the Aliakmon river terraces in 2004-05, is the first systematic survey for this time period in the region. The area preserves Plio-Pleistocene fluvial fossiliferous sediments and has yielded paleolithic artifacts. We confirmed the existence of the terrace systems at previously proposed levels but with more complex dating than originally proposed. Faunal specimens collected include equids, rhinocerotids, suids, bovids, cervids, rodents, canids, proboscideans, and cf. Hippopotamus. Two possible Lower Paleolithic sites were located. Given the scarcity of such sites in Greece, these findings are pivotal in documenting early human presence in the area.
ICAZ, 2012
the present research aims to focus on one site of Western macedonia, dispilio (prefecture of Kastoria), dating mainly to the beginning of the Late Neolithic period. this lakeside settlement is located in the south shore of the lake of Kastoria, and it is the first lakeside settlement to be excavated in Greece. a total of 74,190 bone fragments (NiSP) have been recorded during this study, of which 27,512 (37%) have been identified to species or element. the importance of domestic fauna is evident in all phases. domesticates' management, carcass utilisation, processing and exploitation are explored in detail. depositional and post-depositional taphonomy, seasonality of occupation and palaeopathology are three additional topics included in this research. Biometrical data, age and sex data of a selection of species are also analysed. the relation of the bones with the other artifacts and subsistence sources are taken into account. Still under process, additional laboratory analyses will enrich the information given by the macroscopic analysis.
The Palaeolithic record of Greece: A synthesis of the evidence and a research agenda for the future
The Palaeolithic record of Greece remains highly fragmented and discontinuous in both space and time. Nevertheless, new surveys and excavations, along with the revisiting of known sites or old collections, and the conduction of lithic and faunal laboratory analyses, have altogether enriched the Greek Palae-olithic dataset with important new evidence and novel interpretations. The goal of this paper is threefold: 1) to critically review the most important aspects of the Greek Pleistocene archaeological record, from the Lower to the Upper Palaeolithic; 2) to provide a synthesis of current knowledge about the Palaeolithic of Greece and in the framework of broader discussions in human evolution research; and 3) to put in prospect the Greek record by addressing a research agenda for the future. The review of the evidence shows that Palaeolithic research in Greece has expanded its focus not only geographically but also temporally: it now includes investigations at previously under-studied areas, such as the insular settings of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, as well as formerly overlooked targets, such as Lower Palaeolithic open-air sites. The synthesis and discussion which follows offers a state-of-the-art perspective on how the primary Palaeolithic data can be assessed within local or regional geomorphic, paleoenvironmental and chronological contexts; here, our focus is on spatio-temporal discontinuities, trends in subsistence strategies and lithic technology, as well as potentially emerging biogeographical patterns. Finally, we highlight the complex topography and mosaic landscapes of the Greek peninsula in order to address two major themes for a future research agenda: the potential role of Greece as a glacial refugium, and how the Greek record could contribute to our knowledge of early hominin mobility patterns.
Smith, D.M. (2013b) Mainland Greece (Prehistoric). Archaeological Reports 59, 22-34.
The absence of the prehistoric Peloponnese and central Greece from last year's new format Archaeology in Greece has provided a slightly larger volume of data for this year's report than might otherwise have been expected, although the ongoing financial difficulties faced by Greece and the recent uncertainty over the status of the Archaeological Service itself continue to have a substantial impact on archaeological research and its dissemination through traditional channels; a problem which e-publication and webcasting is going some way toward addressing. In light of this, the decennial volume of the former Ministry of Culture and Tourism (www.yppo.gr/0/anaskafes), the appearance of which was noted in last year's AG, represents a welcome summary of excavation undertaken by the service between 2000 and 2010 to add to the newly-published volume of ADelt covering the Peloponnese. Some of this work has previously been reported in AG, although this is certainly not true of all.Several other publications have appeared since 2011 which offer new data or new perspectives on the prehistory of the Greek mainland, several of which are discussed below. Of particular note are two volumes which will go some considerable way toward furthering our understanding of the Early Bronze Age in southern Greece: Daniel Pullen's The Early Bronze Age Village on Tsoungiza Hill (2011) and Elizabeth Banks' The Architecture, Settlement and Stratigraphy of Lerna IV (2013), the companion piece to Jeremy Rutter's 1995 volume detailing the pottery from the Early Helladic III settlement. Banks' volume, unfortunately, has appeared too late to be properly incorporated into this year's AG.