Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement in Western Macedonia

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.