In the Po Plain of northern Italy, Fiorano, Fiorano culture, or the Fiorano Modenese area is unique. An early neolithic phenomenon

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Roughly contemporary with, or slightly later than, early LBK/Transdanubian groups. Fiorano was known for characteristic pottery types, pit-structured settlements, episodes of large animal/food deposits, and simple timber/wattle architecture

Dwellings were primarily perishable (timber/wattle) with pits, palisades/ditches and occasional structural traces.
Early neolithic settlements were small and nucleated. Many have been excavated and identified in the 19th and 20th century. Archaeologists infer houses from pits, postholes and hearths; rather than large stone foundations. The record therefor shows ephemeral timber architecture, rather than long-lasting stone buildings. Palisades, ditches and stake-holes have been documented.

Pottery diagnostic of the region included carinated cups, and decorated wares

Evidence indicates domestic animals and intensive hunting/fishing, but no convincing evidence that fully domesticated fruits were cultivated there
European wild crabapples existed, and could have been gathered by the prehistoric people. As well as smaller nuts and berries.

The evidence for booze consumption is indirect
Large communal deposits, and feasting signatures are consistent with communal drinking. There’s no published chemical residue analysis directly demonstrating alcohol at Fiorano itself. Fermentation is plausible and likely at feasts, but not chemically proven.

We can’t read minds, but the material culture points to social activities that likely involved pleasure, display and group participation
Things like pottery making and decoration: they had distinctive regional vessels;
Feasting and communal meals: large animal bone deposits and pit assemblages were found; and,
Personal ornament manufacture, and exchange of raw materials.
All activities that involve social gatherings and performance. And, that would have functioned like social/leisure events for the community.

There are no reported boats from the Fiorano excavations
Wet/waterlogged preservation is needed to preserve wood. Most Po plain Fiorano deposits were not waterlogged, so no intact wooden boats survive from these sites. It doesnt mean people didnt use them though.

A unique part of Europe and northern Italy. Check out Fioranos neolithic culture and more neolithic architecture today.

Bibliography: Micheli, R. (2021). La “dolce vita”: The Early Neolithic in northern Italy and its connections to southeastern Europe. In M. Budja (Ed.), Documenta Praehistorica, 48, 131–147. https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.48.9

Starnini, E. (2018). The beginning of the Neolithic in the Po Plain: New data and old problems. Documenta Praehistorica, 45, 274–286. https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.45.18

Micheli, R., & Starnini, E. (2015). Communal consumption and structured deposits in the Neolithic Po Plain. Preistoria Alpina, 49, 123–138

Barfield, L. H., & Broglio, A. (1984). The Neolithic of northern Italy: Settlement and subsistence. In D. R. Harris (Ed.), The origins and spread of agriculture and pastoralism in Eurasia (pp. 209–222). University College London Press

Forenbaher, S., & Kaiser, T. (2011). Adriatic prehistory: New research perspectives. Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology, 24(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1558/j

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