Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-xfwgj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-04T17:05:44.789Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement in Western Macedonia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide an account of neolithic and bronze age settlement in one part of Macedonia: the geographical unit which is defined by the rivers Aliakmon and Axios. The choice of the area as the focus of investigation has been suggested by the hypothesis that geographical zones may form a historical basis for human activity, and cultural zones be identified accordingly with distinct physiographic units. The area selected for research is one such unit forming consecutive basins which are divided into valley systems by means of mountain ranges.

The existing archaeological data combined with the results of personal research and original fieldwork are assembled in order to outline the development of human settlement in this part of Macedonia. The catalogue contains ninety six sites. The study involves an attempt to evaluate the nature of prehistoric habitation in a regional context, a study which presupposed some examination of all reported sites, and some study of the history of the landscape. The main issues discussed are the character of habitation patterns and settlement distribution and continuity by period. Finally the specific settlement patterns of the area are compared with patterns observed in neighbouring regions.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Hellenic Army Geographical Service Map, 1:150,000, Regional series (1970); Geological Map of Greece, 1:500,000, Institute for Geology and Surface Research (1954); Faugères, L., Recherches géomorphologiques en Grèce septentrionale, Paris, H. Champion (1978) 2 vols.Google Scholar

2 We should like to thank Dr Maria Karamanoli-Siganidou, Ephor of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities for Western Macedonia, for permission to visit sites and to study material in local museums. We also wish to thank Mr Theodoros Hatjitheodorou for preparing the map.

3 πέτσας, Φ.M., ‘Ἀϱχααιότητες ϰαὶ μνημεια Δυτϰῆς ΜαϰεδονίαςADelt, 17, B. Χϱονιϰὰ (19611962) 225–6.Google Scholar

4 Prendi, F., ‘La civilisation préhistorique de Maliq’, Studia Albanica 3 (1966) 255–80Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Traits du néolithique récent en Albanie, à la lumière de nouvelles decouvertes (la civilisation de Maliq-Kamnik)’, Studia Albanica 9 (1972) 3–13; Ib, ‘Le néolithique et l'énéolithique en Albanie’, Iliria 6 (1976) 49–87; Ib., ‘Aperçu sur la civilisation néolithique et l'âge du bronze en Albanie’, Studia Albanica 4 (1967) 163–82; Ib., ‘The prehistory of Albania’, CAH 3(1) (1982) 187–237; Benac, A., ‘Les groupes néolithiques en Yougoslavie’: Actes du l'Congrès International des Études Balkaniques et Sud-Est Européènes, 29/8–1/9–1966. Sofia, Academie Bulgare des Sciences (1969) 198.Google Scholar

The transition from the late neolithic to the early bronze age has been attested in Tren Cave at the southeastern end of the lake, in Albanian territory, where occupation continues until historical times: Korkuti, M. and Anamali, S., ‘Fouilles archéologiques 1965–1966 en Albanie’, Studia Albanica 4 (1967) 142–5Google Scholar; Korkuti, M., ‘Fouilles archéologiques 1967–1969 en Albanie’, Studia Albanica 8 (1971) 134–9Google Scholar; Prendi, F., ‘L'âge du bronze en Albanie’, Iliria 7–8 (19771978) 27Google Scholar; Ib., CAH, op. cit. 201–6.

5 Karaiskaj, G., ‘Les fortifications illyriennes du premier age du fer dans les environs de Korçë’, Iliria 6 (1976) 197221CrossRefGoogle Scholar; N. Ceka, personal communication.

6 Κεϱαμπουλλος, A., ‘Εϱευναι ἐν Δυτιχῇ Μαχεδονία’, πΑΕ (1938) 5366Google Scholar; Wardle, K.A., ‘The cultures’: Sakellariou, M.B. (ed.), Macedonia: 4000 years of Greek history and civilization, Athens, Ekdotike Athenon (1983) 10.Google Scholar

7 Α. Κεραμόπουλλος, ΠΑΕ op. cit., 58–61; Μαϱινάτος, Σ., ‘Ολιμναῑος οἰχιΣμὸς ΚαΣτοϱιᾱςAAA 1 (1968) 162–7Google Scholar; Ανδϱειωμένου ϰαι Ι.Π. Τουϱάτσογλου, Α.Κ., ‘Αϱχαιότητης ϰαὶ μνημεῖα Ἠμαθίας ϰαὶ Δυτιϰῆς Μαϰεδονίας’, ADelt 24, B2, Χδονιχά (1969) 314Google Scholar; Πέτσας, Φ., ‘Αϱχαιότηες ϰαὶ μνημεῖα Κεντϱιϰῆς Μαϰεδονίας’, ADelt 24, B2, Χδονιχά (1969) 202Google Scholar; Ib., Χρονιχὰ αρχαιολογιχὰ 1968–70, Μαχεδονιχά, 15 (1975) 303.

8 Rodden, R.J., ‘Excavations at the early neolithic site at Nea Nikomedeia, Greek Macedonia (1961 season)’, PPS 28 (1962) 267–88Google Scholar; Simoska, D. et al., ‘The settlement of Crnobuki and the problems concerning the culture of the same name in the light of new archaeological researches’, Makedonica Ada Archaeologica 2 (1976) 6483Google Scholar; Κ. Κωτσάχης, ῾Αποχατάαταση χατόΨεων πασσαλόπηχτων οιχημάτωνμε τη βοήθεια ηλεχτρονιχού υπολογιστή στην ανασχαφή Μανδάλον Δ. Μαχεδονίας᾿, Ειλαπίνη, Τόμος τιμητιχός για τον χαθηγητή Ν. Πλάτωνα, Ηράχλειο, Δήμος Ηραχλείου (1987) 117–24.

9 Prendi, F., Studia Albanica (1966) op. cit. 255Google Scholar; Ib., CAH, op. cit., 205.

10 Rey, L., ‘Observations sur les premiers habitats de la Macedoine’, BCH 41–43 (19171919) 170Google Scholar; L. Faugeres, op. cit., 31.

Sixty nine prehistoric settlements have been recorded in Pelagonia, twenty four being located in the plain south of the river Erigon and the town of Monastiri: L. Rey, op. cit., 170–5; Simoska, D. and Sanev, V., Prehistory in Central Pelagonia, Bitola, Naroden Mysei (1976).Google Scholar Neolithic occupation has been attested at forty eight settlements, and Porodin and Velucina are the key sites for the tracing of pottery development from the early neolithic: Grbič, M. et al., Porodin, Kasnoneolitsko naselje kod Bitolja, Bitolj (1960)Google Scholar; D. Simoska and V. Sanev, op. cit.; Basler, D. et al., Praihistorija Jugoslavenskih Zemalja, Sarajevo, Akademija Nauk Bosne i Hercegovine 2, 3 (1979)Google Scholar; Garašanin, M.V., ‘The stone age in the central Balkan area’, CAH 2 3:1 (1982) 87100.Google Scholar Later phases have been studied at Mala Toumba (middle neolithic), Velika Toumba (late neolithic), Crnobuki (transitional late neolithic-early bronze age) and Varos (late bronze age): D. Simoska and V. Sanev, op. cit.; Garašanin, M.V., ‘The eneolithic period in the central Balkan area’, CAH 2, 3:1 (1982) 136–62Google Scholar; Ib., ‘The bronze age in the central Balkan area’, CAH 2 3:1 (1982) 163–86. In terms of morphological features the majority of settlements can be classified to the tell type, a characteristic tall and steep-sided mound, derived from the residues of long occupation. An average size of 2 to 3 ha and height of up to 8 m has been suggested for the majority of the sites: D. Simoska and V. Sanev, op. cit. 10–11 M.V. Garašanin, op. cit. 97.

11 Beguignon, Y., ‘Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiquesBCH 55 (1931) 498–9Google Scholar; Heurtley, W.A., Prehistoric Macedonia: an archaeological reconnaisance of Greek Macedonia (west of the Struma) in the neolithic, bronze and early iron ages, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (1939) 5758, 76Google Scholar; Treuil, R., Le néolithique et le bronze ancien Egééns: les problèmes stratigraphiques et chronologiques, les techniques, Paris, Bibliothéque des Ecoles Français d'Athènes et de Rome (1983) 8586.Google Scholar

12 Τϱανταλίδου, Κ. ‘Πϱοϊστοϱιϰοί οιϰισμοί στις λεϰάνες Φλώϱινας ϰαι Αμυνταίου’, Αϱχαία Μαϰεδονία 5, θεσσαλονίϰη, IMXA, in press.Google Scholar

13 Φωτιάδης, Μ., ‘Κίϱινη Λίμωη νομού Κοξάνης, 1987. Πϱοϊστοϱιϰή έϱευναΤο αϱχαιολογιϰό έϱγο στη Μαϰεδονία ϰαι Θϱάϰη, 1, 1987Google Scholar, Θεσσαλονίϰη, , Υπουϱγείο Μαϰεδονίας – Θϱάϰης, ΥΠΠΟ, ΑΠΘ (1988), 52.Google Scholar

14 Καλλιπολίτης, Β.Γ., ‘Ἀνασϰαφὴ ἀϱχαίας νεϰϱοπόλεως ἐν Κοζάνῃ’ ΠΑΕ (1950) 291, pl. 7Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Ἀνασϰαφὴ ἀϱχαίας νεϰϱοπόλεως ἐν Κοζάνῃ’ ΠΑΕ (1958) 96; Πέτσας, Φ., ‘Μυϰηναϊϰὰ ὄστϱαϰα ἐϰ Κϱζάνης ϰαὶ Παιονίας’ ΑΕ (19531954) 113–28Google Scholar; Ib., αϱχαιολογιϰά, Χϱονιϰὰ, Μαϰεδονιϰά, 7 (19661967) 350Google Scholar; Ib., Χϱονιϰὰ, αϱχαιολογιϰὰ 1968–1970, Μαϰεδονιϰὰ 14 (1974) 236–7Google Scholar; Ib., Χϱονιϰὰ, αϱχαιολογιϰὰ 1968–70, Μαϰεδονιϰὰ 15 (1975) 300Google Scholar; Hood, M.S.F., ‘Archaeology in Greece, 1954’, AR (1954) 14Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Archaeology in Greece, 1958’, AR, (1959) 13; Française, Ecole, ‘Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques en Grèce’, BCH 79 (1955) 254Google Scholar; Daux, G., ‘Chronique des fouilles en 1958’, BCH 83 (1959) 605Google Scholar; Hope-Simpson, R., ‘A gazetteer and atlas of mycenaean sites’, Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies, University of London, supp. 16 (1965) 113Google Scholar; Ib., Mycenaean Greece, New Jersey, Noyes Press (1981) 178; French, D.H., ‘Pottery distributions and the geographical regions of Macedonia’, Zbomik Narodnog Muzeia, 6 (1970) 519Google Scholar; Κουϰούλη-Χϱυσανθάϰη, Χ. ‘Η Δυτιϰή Μαϰεδονία στην Πϱοϊστοϱία. Νεολιθιϰή εποχή’, Τϱίτο Συνέδϱιο Ιστοϱίας, Λαογϱαφίας, Γλωσσολογίας, Παϱαδοσιαϰής Αϱχιτεϰτονιϰή τής Βοϊαϰής Εστίας Θεσσαλονίϰης (1982) 98128Google Scholar; Καϱαμήτϱου–Μεντεσίδη, Γ., ‘Πϱοϊστοϱιϰοί οιϰισμοί της Κίτϱινης Λίμνης (Σαϱιγϰιόλ) ΚοζάνηςΑμητός, Τιμητιϰός τόμος για τον ϰαθηγητή Μ. Ανδϱόνιϰο, Θεσσαλονίϰη, 1 (1987) 391416Google Scholar; Μ. Φωτιάδης, Αμητός, op. cit.; Κ. Τρανταλίδου, op. cit.

15 Μ. Φωτιάδης, op. cit. 59.

16 D.H. French, Zbornik Narodnog Muzeia, op. cit.; Χ. Κουχούλη-Χρυσανθάχη, Τρίτο Συνέδριο Ιστορίας ...,, op. cit.; Γ. Καραμήτρου-Μεντεσίδη, Αμητός, op. cit.

17 Hammond, N.G.L., An history of Macedonia: historical geography and prehistory, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1 (1972) 266–7Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Grave circles in Albania and Macedonia’: Crossland, R.A. and Birchall, A. (eds), Bronze age migrations in the Aegean: archaeological and linguistic problems in Greek prehistory, London, Duckworth (1973) 190.Google Scholar

18 Cook, J.M. and Boardman, J., ‘Archaeology in Greece, 1953’, JHS 74 (1954) 159CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Française, Ecole, ‘Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques en Grèce en 1953’, BCH 78 (1954) 95224Google Scholar; Daux, G., ‘Chronique des fouilles et decouvertes archéologiques en 1959’, BCH 84 (1960) 767Google Scholar; Schachermeyr, F., ‘Forschungsbericht uber die Ausrabungen und Neufunde zur Agaischen Frühzeit 1957–60’, AA 1 (1962) 187Google Scholar; Φ. Πέτσας, Μαϰεδονιϰά 7, op. cit., 308.

The nature of the middle bronze age is little understood in Macedonia as a whole, since this phase is still difficult to distinguish stratigraphically. Grey Minyan ware, the hallmark of the middle Helladic period in mainland Greece (D.H. French, ‘Migrations and “Minyan” pottery in Western Anatolia and the Aegean’: R.A. Crossland and A. Birchall, op. cit., 51–7) is rare in Macedonia, being restricted to some wheel-made imports on the coast: Heurtley, W.A. and Radford, C.A.R., ‘Two prehistoric sites in Chalcidice’, BSA 29 (19271928) 165–6Google Scholar; French, D.H., ‘Some problems in Macedonian prehistory’, Balkan Studies, 7 (1966) 106, fig. 3.Google Scholar The transition to the middle bronze age was probably gradual, since pottery development continues without drastic change from the early to the late bronze age: Hanschmann, E. and Milojcic, V., Die deutschen Ausgrabungen auf der Argissa-Magula in Thessalien. Die frühe und Beginnende mittlere Bronzezeit, Bonn, Rudolf Habelt, 3 (1976) 217–22.Google Scholar

19 Wilkie, N., ‘Grevena project (in nomos of Grevena, SW Macedonia)’, Workshop on systematic survey in Greece, University of Illinois, Chicago, March 1988 (information sheet).Google Scholar

20 Heurtley, W.A., ‘Excavations at Servia in Western Macedonia’, AJ 12 (1932) 227–38Google Scholar; Ib., Prehistoric Macedonia, op. cit., 43–56, 136–51, 190–1; Ridley, C. and Rhomio poulou, K., ‘Prehistoric settlement of Servia (West Macedonia). Excavation 1971’, AAA 5 (1972) 2734Google Scholar; Rhomiopoulou, K. et al., ‘Prehistoric settlement of Servia (West Macedonia). Excavations 1972’, AAA 6 (1973) 419–26Google Scholar; Rhomiopoulou, K. and Ridley, C., ‘Prehistoric settlement of Servia (West Macedonia). Excavations 1973’, AAA 7 (1974) 351–60Google Scholar; Ridley, C. and Wardle, K.A., ‘Servia 1973’, ADelt 29, B3, Χϱονιχὰ (19731974) 727–8Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Rescue excavations at Servia 1971–73: a preliminary report’. BSA 74 (1979) 185–230.

21 Ρωμιοπούλου, Κ., ‘Ἀϱχαιότητες ϰαὶ μνημεῑα Δυτιϰῆς Μαϰεδονίας’, ADelt, 28, B2, Χϱονιϰὰ (1972) 519.Google Scholar

22 Ἀνδϱειωμένου ϰαι, Α.Κ.Τουϱάτσογλου, ΙΠ., ‘ϱχαιότητες ϰαὶ μνημεῑα Ἠμαθίας ϰαι Δυτιϰῆς Μααϰεδονίας’, ADelt, 24, B2, Χϱονιϰὰ (1969) 331Google Scholar; Μπαϰαλάϰης, Γ., ‘Τοῡ Βασιλάϱα ἡ ϱάχη’ Μαϰεδονιϰὸν Ημεϱολόγιον (1969) 5357.Google Scholar

23 Καϱαμανωλη-Σιγανίδου, Μ., ‘Ἀϱχαιότητες ϰαὶϱχαιότητες ϰαὶ μνημεῑα Δυτιϰεῆς Μαϰεδονίας Μαϰεδονίας’, ADelt, 31, B2, Χϱονιϰὰ (1976) 264Google Scholar; Πάντος, Π., ‘Ἀϱχαιότητες ϰαὶ μνημεῑα Δυτιϰῆς ΜαϰεδονίαςADelt, 32, B1–2, Χϱονιϰὰ (1977) 228–9Google Scholar; Touchais, G., ‘Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques en Grèce en 1984’, BCH 109 (1985) 812.Google Scholar

24 Heurtley, W.A., ‘A prehistoric site in Western Macedonia and the Dorian invasion’, BSA 28 (19261927) 158–94Google Scholar; Ib., Prehistoric Macedonia, op. cit., 40–43, 227–9.

23 Admiralty, ‘Greece: Regional Geography’, Geographical Handbook Series, Naval Intelligence Service Division, 3 (1945) 118–19.

26 French, D.H., Index of prehistoric sites in central Macedonia and catalogue of sherd material in the University of Thessaloniki, Athens (1967)Google Scholar privately circulated. Kokkinidou, D., The neolithic and bronze ages in Central-Western Macedonia: A study of the period from the mid sixth to the end of the second millennium B.C. in the area between the rivers Axios and Aliakmon in Northern Greece, Ph.D. thesis, Birmingham, University of Birmingham (1989)Google Scholar; Κοϰϰινίδου, Δ., Η πϱοϊστοϱια στοχωϱο του νομού Πέλλας. Κατοίϰηση ϰαι φνσιϰό πεϱιβάλλον στη νεολιθιϰή ϰαν εποχή του Χαλϰού Ἐδεσσα (1990).Google Scholar

27 Rodden, R.J., ‘Excavations at the early neolithic site at Nea Nikomedeia, Greek Macedonia (1961 season)’, PPS 28 (1962) 267–88Google Scholar, Ib., ‘Recent discoveries from prehistoric Macedonia (an interim report)’, Balkan Studies 5 (1964) 110–24; Ib., ‘An early neolithic village in Greece’, Scientific American 212(4) (1965) 83–91; Rodden, R.J. and Rodden, J.M., ‘A European link with Chatal Huyuk: uncovering a 7th millennium settlement in Macedonia. Part I. Site and pottery’. Illustrated London News, April 11 (1964) 564–7Google Scholar; Ib., ‘A European link with Chatal Huyuk: the 7th millennium site of Nea Nikomedeia in Macedonia. Part II. Burials and shrine’, Illustrated London News, April 18 (1964), 604–7.

28 Εφημεϱίδα, Μαϰεδονία, Επιλογές (Σεπτέμβϱιος 1990) 186–7.Google Scholar

29 Πιλάλη–Παπαστεϱίον, Α. et al., ‘Νέος πϱοϊστοϱιϰός οιϰισμός στο Μάνδαλο της Δυτιϰής Μαϰεδονίας’, Αϱχκαία Μαϰεδονία 4, Θεσσαλονίϰη, ΙΜΧΑ (1986) 451–65Google Scholar; Πιπαευθυμίου -Παπανθίμου, Α., ‘Τϱία νεολιθιχά ειδωλια από το Μάνδαλο της Μαϰεδονίας’, Ειλαπίνη, op. cit., 171–7Google Scholar; Παπαευμίου-Παπανθίίμου ϰαι, Α.Πιλάλη-Παπαστεϱίου, Α., ‘Ανασϰαφες στο ΜανδαλοΤο αϱχαιολογιϰό έϱγο στη Μαϰεδονία ϰαι Θϱάϰη, op. cit., 173–80Google Scholar; Ib., ‘Νέες ανασϰαφιϰές έρευνες στο Μάνδαλο Δυτιϰής Μαϰεδονἱας, 1985–86’, Εγνατἱα Ι, Επετηρίδα του Ιστοριϰού ϰαι Αρχαιολογιϰού Τμήματος τον Α.Π.Θ. (1989) 15–28; Kotsakis, K. et al., ‘Carbon 14 dates from Mandalo, W. Macedonia’, Archaeometry, Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium, Amsterdam, Elsevier (1989) 679–85.Google Scholar

30 D.H. French, Index …., op. cit.; Kokkinidou, D., The early bronze age in Macedonia: A study of human settlement with particular reference to the Axios valley, M. Phil, thesis, Birmingham, University of Birmingham (1986)Google Scholar: Ib., Ph.D. thesis, op. cit.

31 Bintliff, J.L., ‘The plain of western Macedonia and the neolithic site of Nea Nikomedeia, PPS 42 (1976) 241–62.Google Scholar

32 Jarman, M.R. et al., Early European agriculture: Its foundations and development, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (1982) 152.Google Scholar

33 Α. Παπαευθυμὶου-Παπανθὶμου χαι Α. Πιλὰλη- Παπαστερὶου, ῾Ο προϊστοριχὶς οιχιμὸς του Μανδὰλου Δυτιχὴς Μαχεδονὶας μὲσα στα πολιτιστιχὰ πλαὶσια της ὺστερης νελιθιχὴς ᾿, Εχτο Διεθνὲς Συμπὸσιο Αιγιαχὴς Προῖστορὶας in press.

34 Γϱαμμένος, δ., Νεολιθιχές έϱευνες στην Κεντϱιχή χαι Αναολιχή Μαχεδονία, Διδαχτοϱιχή διατϱιβή Θεσσαλονίχη. A.Π.Θ (1984) III, 148Google Scholar; Η Αγϱοσυχβή, (Νομός Πέλλης) Αϱχαιολογα 18 (1986), 81.Google Scholar

35 D. Kokkinidou, Ph.D. thesis, op. cit., 192.

36 Εφημερίρα Μαϰεδονία, Επιλογές (Αύγουοτος 1990) 46.

37 Γϱαμμένος, δ. ‘Συμπεϱάσματα ασότη μελέτη των σϱοïστοϱιχών οιχσμών της Ανατολιχής Μαχεδονίας’, Н Καβάλα χαι η πεϱιοή της Θεσσαλονίχη IMXA (1980) 235–47Google Scholar; Blouet, B., ‘Development of the settlement pattern’: Renfrew, C. et al. (eds.) Excavations at Sitagroi: a prehistoric village in northeast Greece, Monumenta Archaeologic, 13, Los Angeles, The University of California, The Institute of Archaeology, 133–43.Google Scholar

38 D. Kokkinidou, Ph.D. Thesis, op. cit., 189.

39 Wardle, K.A., ‘Assiros: A Macedonian settlement of the late bronze and early iron age’, ΑρΧαια Μαχεδονΐα Θεσσαλονικη IMXA (1983) 193.Google Scholar

40 Α. Παπαευθυμίου-Παπανθίμου χαι Α. Πιλάλη-Παπαστερίου, ῾Εϰτο Διεθνές Σθμπόσιο…, op. cit.