The Dawn of Greek Neolithic Culture (c. 6800 BCE)
The Emergence of Neolithic Greece
Around 6800 BCE, the Neolithic Revolution—a transformative period marked by the shift from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities—reached the Greek peninsula. This era laid the foundations for later Greek civilization, introducing agriculture, pottery, and permanent settlements.
Key Developments
- Agriculture {content}amp; Animal Domestication
- Early Greek Neolithic communities cultivated wheat, barley, and legumes, adopting farming techniques from the Near East.
- Domesticated animals, including sheep, goats, and cattle, became vital for food and labor.
- Settlements {content}amp; Architecture
- Permanent villages emerged, such as Sesklo (Thessaly) and Nea Nikomedeia (Macedonia), featuring mudbrick houses with timber frames.
- Some structures had stone foundations, indicating increasing architectural sophistication.
- Pottery {content}amp; Craftsmanship
- The Greek Neolithic saw the earliest pottery in the region, initially simple and undecorated (e.g., Proto-Sesklo ware), later evolving into painted styles.
- Tools made of obsidian (imported from Melos) and polished stone axes became widespread.
- Cultural {content}amp; Religious Practices
- Clay figurines (possibly fertility deities) suggest early religious beliefs.
- Burial customs varied, with some graves containing offerings, hinting at spiritual traditions.
Legacy
The Greek Neolithic set the stage for later Bronze Age civilizations (e.g., Minoans, Mycenaeans). While much remains uncertain due to limited archaeological evidence, ongoing excavations continue to reveal how these early farmers shaped Greece's cultural trajectory.
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