EUROPE, NORTHERN AND WESTERN | Early Neolithic Cultures

Abstract

During the 6th millennium cal BC, farming populations gradually spread westwards out of southeastern and central Europe. In Mediterranean regions the Neolithic begins with Impressed Ware, largely confined to Italy but developing later into Stentinello, Catignano, and Cardial, the latter expanding across the west Mediterranean through southern France, as far as Spain and Portugal. Pottery is often decorated with shell-impressed motifs. A few houseplans are known from the Catignano culture and there are early examples of lakeside settlement in the Cardial. Further north, in western Germany, Benelux and northern France, the earliest Neolithic forms part of the central European Linearbandkeramik (LBK) culture. LBK pottery is typically decorated with incised motifs. The significance of the Limburg and La Hoguette pottery styles which occur on some LBK sites remains unclear. Settlement patterns in the LBK are relatively well-documented. Generally located on fertile loess soils, sites can contain large numbers of characteristic rectangular houseplans. These longhouse villages were occupied for varying lengths of time. Some are associated with cemeteries. All these Early Neolithic cultures used flint blades, polished stone axes or adzes, grinding equipment in abrasive stone, and a range of tools made from animal bone. Various cereals and legumes were cultivated. The main domestic animals were caprines in the Mediterranean regions and cattle in the LBK.