Sourcing macrolithics: Mineralogical, geochemical and provenance investigation of stone artefacts from Neolithic Avgi, north‐west Greece

Abstract

AbstractThe provenance of the lithic raw materials employed in the production of macrolithic artefacts at Neolithic Avgi (Middle–Late Neolithic, c.5700–4500 cal bce) in Kastoria, north‐western Greece, is studied. Mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical analysis was conducted on selected samples of the archaeological material, supported by geological fieldwork and outcrop sampling. The majority of the macrolithic stone artefacts was manufactured by local raw materials, originating from either the neighbouring ophiolites at Maniakoi or the alluvial sediments of the Aliakmon River and its tributaries. A minor amount of artefacts was produced from ‘exotic’ rocks, such as marble, malachite and amber. The study of two marble artefacts indicates that the raw material is from the island of Naxos in Aegean, although the neighbouring island of Paros is not excluded, suggesting the participation of the Neolithic community of Avgi in social and/or exchange networks.