Abstract
AbstractOrigins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Pottery culture after the mid-sixth millennium BC, as in other parts of Central Europe. During these migrations, a careful selection of settlement regions took place, in terms of the ecological conditions most favourable for agriculture. The enclave-like pattern of the Neolithic settlement persisted into the fifth millennium BC when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. The remaining areas, inhabited by hunter-gatherers, were not subject to direct Neolithisation. However, there are some indications of contact between farmers and hunter-gatherers. This situation changed from c. 4000 BC onwards because of the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). This archaeological unit for the first time covered in a relatively compact way the territory under consideration. The human substratum of this process consisted of both hunter-gatherers and farmers. Consequently, one can discourse about Neolithisation as such only in the former case. Not all Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers accepted TRB patterns. Those communities still successfully carried on traditional lifestyle, gradually supplementing it with pottery (para-Neolithic). Their Neolithisation ended perhaps only in the first half of the second millennium BC.
Highlights
The geographical extent of this contribution has been defined as the north-eastern part of Central Europe (Figure 1)
This term could be an equivalent of present-day Poland
From the late fifth millennium BC onwards, the spread of a new model of farming culture can be seen within a significant part of Central Europe, including territory under consideration (Nowak, 2009, 2017)
Summary
The geographical extent of this contribution has been defined as the north-eastern part of Central Europe (Figure 1). Part of Europe under consideration constituted and still constitutes a transitional territory between different environmental and cultural, prehistoric and historic, formations. It was a case during the period of dawn and the development of the Neolithic. We are dealing here with a situation unique on a European scale, in which Neolithisation took different forms and proceeded according to different scenarios This was due, among other things, to the occurrence of phenomena that were either not subject to Neolithisation at all or only to a limited extent. They can, be better characterised by capturing local contrasts. This situation, creates a very rewarding field for consideration and reflection on the understanding of concepts such as Neolithisation and Neolithic
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