An Investigation of Neolithic Settlement Pattern and Plant Exploitation at Dikili Tash:

Abstract

Dikili Tash appears today to be one of the prehistoric settlements with the longest occupational sequences in the Aegean and the Balkans (ca. 6500-1100 B.C.). In the last fifty years, research at the site and in the surrounding Philippi Plain has offered information for understanding the role of natural and anthropogenic processes in tell formation and landscape change. In this paper, we discuss a particular time-window of this long sequence, the years around 4300-4200 cal B.C., for which we now have a large range of high-resolution data from secure contexts. Excavation of large areas in Sector 6 allowed for the exploration of the spatial arrangement and household organization of the settlement in the above period. The buildings that were fully excavated in Sector 6 had been destroyed by fire. Thus they preserved in-situ organic evidence of human activities otherwise undetectable in the archaeological record. The architectural, artifactual, and archaeobotanical (seed/fruit and wood charcoal macroremains) evidence from these buildings is examined here together in an integrated manner in order to reveal different ways of interaction between people and the natural environment in Dikili Tash toward the end of the fifth millennium B.C. Among the issues discussed here is plant exploitation for various purposes, such as food, fuel, construction, and crafts, as well as specific archaeological contexts through which such activities can be discerned.

Earthen Architecture as a Community of Practice: A Case Study of Neolithic Earthen Production in the Eastern Mediterranean

“…For instance, during the middle of the sixth millennium bc , Makri presents both wattle-and-daub and mudbrick constructions (Efstratiou et al 1998), while a fortuitous conflagration event at Dikili Tash allowed excavators to recognize the presence of wattle-and-daub as the only technique implemented at the site during the same period (Koukouli-Chrysanthaki et al 1996; Malamidou et al . 2018, 61–6; Martinez 2001; Prévost–Dermarkar 2019). Moving south towards central Greece, Dimini, Nea Makri and Sesklo are well-known Neolithic sites that provide evidence of mudbrick architecture on top of a stone socle.…”

“…The bricks were then sun-dried for multiple days or weeks depending on the climate. In addition, this technique usually required the participation of more than one individual, since a team of a minimum of three to four peoples was required to assist in the different steps of production, including: mud working, transporting the mud and moulding the bricks. Earth ceiling: the mix presented a higher clay concentration and was spread on top of the ceiling structure to cover it and make it impermeable (Malamidou et al 2018, 61–6; Prévost–Dermarkar 2019). Mud mortar: a mix of clay and water with minimal organic matter was used as a binder between stones or bricks.

Figure 2.Chart of earthen architecture chaîne opératoire .

…”

“…Earth ceiling: the mix presented a higher clay concentration and was spread on top of the ceiling structure to cover it and make it impermeable (Malamidou et al 2018, 61–6; Prévost–Dermarkar 2019).…”

“…The creation of a communities of knowledge is also visible in the endurance of specific earthen techniques within the same site (i.e. Dikili Tash; Servia), proving that knowledge and expertise were being shared between members of the community over time (Koukouli-Chrysanthaki et al 1996; Malamidou et al 2018, 61–6; Martinez 2001; Mould & Wardle 2000; Prévost–Dermarkar 2019).…”