Symbolic behaviour at places of social activity beyond the domestic area in the Ionian Neolithic

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONRecent debate on archaeological theory has shifted interest towards reading material culture as part of the symbolic realm of a society (Hodder 1986). Moving from the study of the physical properties and practical uses of artefacts towards the search for more abstract symbolic meanings, many archaeologists have attempted to unravel and interpret the various ways through which a community expresses and constructs itself in time and space (e.g. Hodder 1991;1995; Thomas 1996.55-83). However, many studies consider specific types of artefacts, such as figurines and ornaments, as the main objects of research on symbolic meaning (e.g. Gimbutas 1982;Séfériadès 1995; Nikolova 2003.chps. 6, 9, 10, 14, 15). Moreover, such categories of material culture are thought to be the dominant symbols of Neolithic society and, consequently, the main mediators of social meaning. Meanwhile, other scholars suggest that the conceptual universe of a community could be directly accessible through other fields of analysis, such as architecture, or spatial arrangements and, thus, space and place (e.g. Parker-Pearson and Richards 1994;Kotsakis 1998).In recent times, even the meaning of the term Neolithic has radically changed; at present, it is synony-

Les pointes de projectile des niveaux néolithiques de la grotte de Drakaina á Céphalonie, iles ioniennes, Grèce occidentale : « conservatisme » technologique et identité sociale

“…Cependant, la construction répétée de «sols» de chaux dans la grotte de Drakaina, quelle que soit sa signification, création de nouvelles surfaces et / ou «scellement du passé», est indicatrice de l'importance de la grotte pour la communauté néolithique occupant la région durant les 6 e et 5 e millénaires av. J.-C. (Stratouli, 2005(Stratouli, , 2007.…”

“…Les pointes de projectile et l'utilisation de la grotte de Drakaina La provenance locale dominante des matières premières utilisées pour les outils taillés et de mouture à Drakaina pourrait avoir contribué à la tendance observée de se débarrasser de nombreux spécimens pourtant encore en bon état. Cependant, si l'on tient compte du fait que la grotte a été utilisée pour des rencontres de caractère spécial (Stratouli, 2005(Stratouli, , 2007, on peut supposer que les outils de pierre taillée, y compris les projectiles (aussi bien que les autres objets, comme les outils de mouture et la poterie), étaient spécifiquement utilisés durant ou en…”

Projectile Tips from Neolithic Layers of Drakaina Cave on Kephalonia, Ionian Islands, W. Greece: Technological ‘Conservatism’ and Social Identity

“…This assumption is based on the absence of evidence supporting any type of storage of agricultural products, as well as the absence or scarcity of many types of tools indispensable in carrying out activities related to permanent residence (Stratouli 2007). However, the repeated practice of constructing lime 'floors' in Drakaina Cave, whatever it may signify, creation of new surfaces and/or "sealing of the past", is indicative of the cave significance for the neolithic community in the region during the 6th and the 5th millennium BC (Stratouli 2005;. Further, the possibly special character of the events (e.g.…”

“…Ηoney-colored chert, which is of superior quality in comparison to the reddish chert, was also used in the case of Drakaina The overwhelmingly local provenance of the raw materials used for chipped and ground stone tools at Drakaina may have contributed to the observed trend of discarding many specimens albeit being at fresh condition. However, assuming that the cave was used for gatherings of special character (Stratouli 2005;, we can speculate that chipped stone tools, including projectiles (as well as other artefacts, like ground stone tools and pottery), were specifically used during, or in connection to those occasions and were afterwards disposed in the cave. Following this assumption, cultural directives or beliefs perhaps inhibited any further use of the implements participating in special social occasions.…”