< home # store # services # articles # game # app #contact >

Humans were farming and island hopping almost 10,000 years ago in the Aegean seas (1). 

Neolithic people arrived in the area, possibly from Western Anatolia and overseas 
Archaeologists estimated that during the late 8th millennium or early 9th millennium BC, they established primitive communities like at Knossos, Crete’s local hill. (2)

Major sites:

Nea Nikomedeia

Sesklo

Dimini

Athens

Milos

Franchthi Cave

Knossos

The climate was ripe. During this period, growth occurred due to mixed farming’s self-initiating economy growth. In addition, the intelligence of modern human beings. It included agricultural innovations such as associated farming buildings and homes; tool and obsidian manufacturing; elaborate pottery, art; commercialization and trade.

Developments occurred such as the establishment and expansion of a mixed farming and stock-rearing economy, architectural innovations (i.e. “megaron-type” and “Tsangli-type” houses), as well as elaborate art and tool manufacturing.

Periodization

Archaeologists have divided the Neolithic period of Greece into six phases:

Aceramic, or, pre-pottery 6800–6500 BC;

Early neolithic 6500–5800 BC;

Middle neolithic 5800–5300 BC;

Late neolithic I 5300–4800 BC;

Late neolithic II 4800–4500 BC; and

Chalcolithic or final neolithic 4500–3200 BC.

6800–6500 BC: Aceramic, or pre-ceramic

Characterized by the absence of baked clay pots. Communities such as Franchthi, Dedra (Argolid); and, Argissa (Thessaly) had about 50 to 100 people living in partially dug out huts.

Einkorn, emmer wheat, barley, lentils and peas were being cultivated. While others, raised cattle, pigs, sheep, dogs, goats; while some fished and hunted.

Flint and obsidian tools were produced.

Various art was made from clay, seashells, bones, stone and whatever they could find.

Around this time, due to its popularity of being on a local hill, Minoan Knossos palace was established, possibly from migrants of Western Anatolia, from oversea islands, and Africa.

As populations begin to increase, the volcanic island of Milos became very popular. Its natural obsidian base was excellent for the manufacture and trade for tools.  That could also provide weapons and growth. Though, while they mined, no permanent establishments are known here.  People landed intermittently on the island for the periodic supply of stone for tools making. (3)

6500–5800 BC: Early neolithic

Families and clans begin construction of hearths and ovens during the early neolithic. These early neolithic Greeks were now able to build sophisticated kilns, and bake stoneware. (4) For added strength and resistance to punctuality.

It is believed this tremendous accomplishment was accompanied by burial customs. Such as cremation, graves and cemeteries. It was the beginning of a tremendous time. For livelihood, trade, and the Greek economy.

5800–5300 BC: Middle neolithic

Again, living spaces were developed during this period, and it included the development of clay house models.  Additional architectural developments begin for use. Such stone foundations, greater timber beams, and thus an ability to create a higher roof (5). And, an interior hearth and oven.

As, well as, porches. On the eastern Attica peninsula, sites such as Nea Mari became known for using the larger timber posts to support stronger and larger walls and ceilings.

While in Thessaly, extending the life and strength of the home, using carved and painted designs.

Log roof beams begin the commonplace. Known as ‘tsangli-type’ homes. These buildings became the destiny of a better, more secured living space

And, the massive appearance of house models detonated a deliberate reference to this new technology, and societal fact.

Discovery of these house models, buried, close to hearths, near roofs, and below the floor offered insight to the challenges and growth. Offerings and supplications for protection of the household. From things like fires, and pests. Greater home design and clay models presented a new age for Greece and neolithic architecture.

During this period, meander-labryinth motif(s), were also found on seals, and jewelry

A later representation to the Minotaur half man, half bull, and hidden in a maze.

And, Sesklo, and other sites were devastated by fire

5300-3300 BC: Late or final neolithic stages (3)

Late Neolithic I

Characterized by great variety of pottery styles (such as, Tsangli-larisa, and Arapi). Was greater tree, scrub; and, wooded area clearing. Ie. Forestry. This great era of Greek neolithic society secured greater arable lands, and again, increased building.

In order to create fields for animals and agriculture. The also had good timber for erecting fences, gates; and, for beams and posts in log houses.  Not to mention easier function of growing cereal crops such as wheat, rye, millet and oat. And, stabling the animal supply accordingly.

By this period garment weaving also became common. Animals such as sheep and goats were raised. Home, family and population size thus also increased.

The architecture style itself kept evolving.  Consisting of more rectangular and megaron-type (Visviki). Timber-post framed (Sitagroi, Dikili Tash-Macedonia), and with stone foundations.

Additionally during this period, in Dispilio-Kastoria, one of the most important lakeside settlements in Europe formed

Distinctive homes were built upon the lake, using timber post and framed structures. Here, a wooden tablet, incised with linear symbols was even found. It used similar symbols to those found in the southern Balkans and Vinca culture. It has been dated to around 5260bc.

4800-4500 BC: Late Neolithic II

Adding to the larger and more advanced buildings of late neolithic I were more exterior stone enclosures, or stone walls. Combined with the ditches, it aided in security and defense. While also aiding to protect the limits of the settlement. At this point. They may have needed it. Many communities had become overwelmed with 100-300 members.

It became an area of knowledge.  There was trade of silver, gold and copper beads. And, during this period, signs of prestige really started to take course

The elite metallurgy skill became a real threat. Though the farmers, tool makers and the working class relentlessly continued on.

Arts started to increase as well. The growth of leaf shaped arrow heads, from Melian obsidian were shown. Spondylus sea-shell jewelry represented. And, specialized pottery production including the use of symbols

All really aided to this era of knowledge and know-ability.

The era had also been known as Dimini culture, because of the fantastic pottery remains in Dimini at Volos. Painted black on a whitish background, incised pottery was the cumulation from the neolithic period

Among decorative motifs, were spiral and checkerboard patterns.  Some also had the weaving or maze representation though it was also predominated from weaving and basketry motifs.

This era must of been invigorating.

Pottery, and clay designed human figurines were also rendered exceptionally schematic. Along with the more advanced pottery and clay designs; there was metallurgy & jewelry; farming and trade. The late neolithic II or Dimini, became a well known commonplace for European success.

Economic and social life in existing settlements continued uninterruptedly

4500–3200 BC: Final neolithic

Greece was a cool place. They had the pottery and storage containers, art; farming; architecture, buildings, and tool making; climate and strategic location. So begin the transition from stock-rearing and farming. To the economy of the bronze age. The first localized working of metals (gold, silver, copper) begin. For this reason, the final neolithic stage in Greece is also known as chalcolithic.

However, at Alepotrypa cave, in southern Greece, there were signs of warfare

Fractures in the skull; and multiple other areas were found.  That had healed back before the bodies were buried. (6)

It should also be noted social classes became known
Free men and slaves became distinguished (7).

Neolithic changes including agriculture and farming; oceans, location and weather initiated growth phenomenon. Continued until the Minoan, and early Mycenaean period. And, so ended the Greek neolithic age.

Cite: 1) Pashou, Drineas & Yannaki 2014, p. 5: “The earliest Neolithic sites with developed agricultural economies in Europe dated 8500–9000 BPE are found in Greece. The general features of
material culture of the Greek Neolithic and the genetic features of the preserved crops and
associated weeds of the earliest Greek Neolithic sites point to Near Eastern origins. How these
Near Eastern migrants reached Greece is a matter of speculation. […] Our data support the
Anatolian rather than the Levantine route because they consistently show the Aegean islands
to be connected to the Near East through Anatolia. Archaeological evidence from Greek and
Near Eastern and Anatolian Neolithic sites suggests that multiple waves of Neolithic migrants
reached Greece and Southern Europe. Most likely multiple routes were used in these
migrations but, as our data show, the maritime route and island hopping was prominent.”

2) Bleda S., During (2011). The prehistory of Asia Minor. Cambridge University Press. p. 126.

3) Arias, A.; Oddone, M.; Bigazzi, G.; Di Muro, A.; Principe, C.; Norelli, P. (May 2006). “Newdata
for the characterization of Milos obsidians” (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-006-0183-9).
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 268 (2): 371. doi:10.1007/s10967-006-0183-
9 (https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10967-006-0183-9). ISSN 1588-2780 (https://search.worldcat.or
g/issn/1588-2780). S2CID 97361081 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:97361081).

4) “Neolithic Period in Greece: Early Neolithic” (http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/01/en/nl/an/index.html).
Athens: Foundation of the Hellenic World. 1999–2000.

5) “Neolithic Period in Greece: Middle Neolithic” (http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/01/en/nl/mn/index.htm
l). Athens: Foundation of the Hellenic World. 1999–2000.

6) Curtis N. Runnels, Claire Payne, Noam V. Rifkind, Chantel White, Nicholas P. Wolff and Steven A. LeBlanc (2009). “Warfare in Neolithic Thesally”. The American School of Classical Studies at Athens . JSTOR 25622691.

7) Gschnitzer, Fritz; Chaniotis, Angelos (May 2012). Ιστορία της Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Κοινωνίας(in Greek). National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation. pg. 67–68. ISBN 9789602504802.

Bibliography: Milisauskas, Sarunas (2011). “Chapter 7: Early Neolithic, the First Farmers in Europe, 7000–5500/5000 BC”. In Milisauskas, Sarunas (ed.). European Prehistory: A Survey (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Science and Business Media, LLC. pp. 153–222. ISBN978-1-44-196633-9.

French, D.M. (1973). “Migrations and ‘Minyan’ pottery in western Anatolia and the Aegean”. In Crossland, R.A.; Birchall, Ann (eds.). Bronze Age Migrations in the Aegean. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Press.

Pullen, Daniel (2008). “The Early Bronze Age in Greece”. In Shelmerdine, Cynthia W. (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to the Aegean Bronze Age. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 19–46. ISBN978-0-521-81444-7.