Early Neolithic Settlement Patterns in Northern Dalmatia

Kristina Horvat

doi:10.1515/opar-2020-0159

Abstract

Abstract This article focuses on the early Neolithic settlement patterns in northern Dalmatia, located in the middle of the eastern Adriatic. At the present state of research, a total of 35 Neolithic sites have been known in this region, 26 of which belong to the Early Neolithic. Observing the type and character of the early Neolithic sites, their micro-topographic features, proximity and availability of resources, organization of life in relation to environment requirements, continuity of life at a particular location, and economic strategies, we come to the conclusion that the early Neolithic settlement patterns in northern Dalmatia were determined by natural landscape and its resources. They are the postulate and basis for the development of different aspects of social life and economy, as well as the starting point for the interpretation of the character and dynamics of the development of the early Neolithic communities in this area. The site locations, stratigraphic relations, and radiocarbon dating also suggest movements of the early Neolithic communities. The movements seem to have taken place exclusively within the fields. Discussion whether it was one or several simultaneous communities/settlements remains limited, since the state of research does not allow precise attribution of the site to certain chronological segments of the Early Neolithic.

Highlights

In the central part of the eastern Adriatic, northern Dalmatia is one of the most distinct agrarian regions of coastal Croatia
A majority of the currently known Neolithic sites in the eastern Adriatic are situated in northern Dalmatia
On the basis of radiocarbon analyses and collected archaeological material, it has been determined that the sites of the Impressed Ware culture in the region of northern Dalmatia cover the entire chronological and development range of the Early Neolithic, i.e. the period from c. 6100 BC to c. 5300 BC (Forenbaher & Miracle, 2012, 2013; McClure et al, 2014; Moore et al, 2019, pp. 27–29)

Summary

Introduction

In the central part of the eastern Adriatic, northern Dalmatia is one of the most distinct agrarian regions of coastal Croatia. Systematic collection of exact data on palaeoenvironment, settlement systems, and survival strategies of the Neolithic communities of the eastern Adriatic started only by the end of the 20th century, but on a small scale (Combourieu-Nebout et al, 2013; Ilijanić, 2014; Miracle, 1995; Surić, 2006; Surić & Juračić, 2010; Wunsam, Schmidt, & Müller, 1999) This was followed by few individual regional projects such as The Pupićina Peć Project in Istria (Miracle, 2006) and Neolithic Landscape of Central Dalmatia: Archaeological Survey, Excavation and Spatial Analysis in central Dalmatia (McClure & Podrug, 2016), as well as systematic research of certain Neolithic sites. This has been evident from the recent considerations of the Neolithization process of the eastern Adriatic (Forenbaher & Miracle, 2005; Legge & Moore, 2011; Marijanović, 2007)

Northern Dalmatia – Settlement Patterns in the Early Neolithic

Conclusion