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Late Neolithic remains at Tharrounia, Euboea: a model for the seasonal use of settlements and caves1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

Adamantios Sampson
Adamantios Sampson
Affiliation:
Ephoreia of Palaeoanthropology–Speleology, Athens
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Abstract

Systematic excavation from 1986 to 1990 in the Skoteini cave indicated that it was heavily used during LN I–II (5300/5200–3300/3200 BC); Early Helladic, Mycenaean, and later finds were insignificant. The abundance of Neolithic pottery and the detailed study of the stratigraphy have elucidated the LN pottery sequence. A trial excavation was carried out in the immediate vicinity of the cave, where remains of a Neolithic settlement exist. In spite of the erosion of ground, parts of the Neolithic buildings and an amount of LN II pottery were found. The work was completed with the excavation of a Neolithic cemetery 300 m from the settlement. Thanks to a systematic survey in the surrounding area, the location of many Neolithic sites was made possible.

The use of the cave was multi-purpose (for brief residence, cult, and burial practices, and particularly for storage). The finds and the ethnoarchaeological research suggest that during the Neolithic period two different models of residence occurred in the area. The settlement was in seasonal use, from spring to autumn, while during the winter the local residents were living in south-facing sheltered sites. At the same time, a number of more or less specialized herdsmen from the Tharrounia or Aliveri area are likely to have driven their flocks up to the mountainous grazing lands of Delphi and Xerovouni.

Type
Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 87 , November 1992 , pp. 61 - 101
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 1992

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References

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