Neolithic EuropeNeolithic Europe

Ca. 8,000-4,000 B.P.Ca. 8,000-4,000 B.P.

NeolithicNeolithicNeolithic Revolution: Domestication of Plants Neolithic Revolution: Domestication of Plants and Animals in the Old World.and Animals in the Old World.Defined by the presence of sedentary villages Defined by the presence of sedentary villages and domesticated plants and animals. and domesticated plants and animals. The Neolithic in other parts of the Old World The Neolithic in other parts of the Old World is defined by the appearance of these is defined by the appearance of these characteristics at different timescharacteristics at different times– some parts of the world were still largely "pre-some parts of the world were still largely "pre-

agricultural" early in this century. agricultural" early in this century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Neolithic_Expansion.gif

Neolithic expansion from 7-6,000 BPNeolithic expansion from 7-6,000 BP

Neolithic economies emerge in Neolithic economies emerge in Europe ca. 8000-6000 RCYBPEurope ca. 8000-6000 RCYBP

Origins debated Origins debated – Local development? Local development? – Diffusion from SW Asia? Diffusion from SW Asia?

Neolithic economies spread rapidly Neolithic economies spread rapidly – Generally earlier in southern & eastern Europe Generally earlier in southern & eastern Europe – Neolithic communities vary greatly across space & Neolithic communities vary greatly across space &

through time through time

By 6000-5000 BP most all of Europe was By 6000-5000 BP most all of Europe was utilizing Neolithic lifeways utilizing Neolithic lifeways

Neolithic ClimateNeolithic Climate

The origins and history of European Neolithic The origins and history of European Neolithic culture are closely connected with the culture are closely connected with the postglacial climate and forest development. postglacial climate and forest development. The increasing temperature after the late Dryas The increasing temperature after the late Dryas period during the Pre-Boreal and the Boreal (c. period during the Pre-Boreal and the Boreal (c. 8000-5500 BC, determined by radiocarbon 8000-5500 BC, determined by radiocarbon dating) caused a remarkable change in late dating) caused a remarkable change in late glacial flora and fauna. glacial flora and fauna.

The zonesThe zones

Neolithic farming in Europe developed on its own Neolithic farming in Europe developed on its own lines in the four different ecological zones. lines in the four different ecological zones. These are: These are: – the Mediterranean zone of evergreen forest and winter the Mediterranean zone of evergreen forest and winter

rains; rains; – north of the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Balkans, the north of the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Balkans, the

temperate zone of deciduous forest and evenly distributed temperate zone of deciduous forest and evenly distributed annual rainfall; annual rainfall;

– still farther north the circumpolar taiga, or coniferous forest still farther north the circumpolar taiga, or coniferous forest (the only zone to remain free of agriculture and stock (the only zone to remain free of agriculture and stock breeding); breeding);

– and to the southeast the western end of the Eurasian and to the southeast the western end of the Eurasian Steppe. Steppe.

Three major divisions of the Three major divisions of the temperate zonetemperate zone

DivisionsDivisions– western Europe, from the Atlantic to the Vosges and Alps and western Europe, from the Atlantic to the Vosges and Alps and

including the British Isles; including the British Isles; – the loesslands of central Europe, including the Ukraine and the loesslands of central Europe, including the Ukraine and

limited by the Balkans and the Harz; limited by the Balkans and the Harz; – and the northern province, that portion of the Eurasiatic plain and the northern province, that portion of the Eurasiatic plain

lying between the Rhine and the Vistula and including Denmark lying between the Rhine and the Vistula and including Denmark and southern Sweden. and southern Sweden.

The Neolithic communities that arose by 6000 BC must The Neolithic communities that arose by 6000 BC must have developed from indigenous Mesolithic hunters and have developed from indigenous Mesolithic hunters and fishers. fishers. European technology and economy also had an original European technology and economy also had an original ideological superstructure expressed in monuments, ideological superstructure expressed in monuments, ceramics, and personal ornaments. ceramics, and personal ornaments.

Cultural elementsCultural elements

Rural economy Rural economy In each of the above-mentioned provinces, the In each of the above-mentioned provinces, the archaeological record begins with the early archaeological record begins with the early stages of farming, as in Thessaly. stages of farming, as in Thessaly. In the Mediterranean zoneIn the Mediterranean zone– early farming is connected with cardium pottery early farming is connected with cardium pottery

(decorated by shell impressions of Cardium edule), (decorated by shell impressions of Cardium edule), – cultivation of the land having been proved by pollen-cultivation of the land having been proved by pollen-

analytical methods in France, as elsewhere in analytical methods in France, as elsewhere in temperate Europe, whiletemperate Europe, while

– northern Germany and southern Scandinavia revealed northern Germany and southern Scandinavia revealed grain prints in potsherds (Ertebølle-Ellerbek). grain prints in potsherds (Ertebølle-Ellerbek).

HousesHousesDwelling houses in Greece, Sicily, and the Dwelling houses in Greece, Sicily, and the Iberian Peninsula were built, as in the Iberian Peninsula were built, as in the Middle East, of pisé, or mud brick, on Middle East, of pisé, or mud brick, on stone foundations. stone foundations. But in the Balkans and throughout the But in the Balkans and throughout the temperate zone, wood was used for the temperate zone, wood was used for the construction of gabled houses, stout posts construction of gabled houses, stout posts serving to support the ridgepole and the serving to support the ridgepole and the walls of split saplings or wattle and daub. walls of split saplings or wattle and daub.

Example of Wood construction

Housing ContinuedHousing ContinuedAround the Alps such two-roomed houses and, less Around the Alps such two-roomed houses and, less often, one-roomed huts were raised on piles above the often, one-roomed huts were raised on piles above the shores of lakes or on platforms laid on peat mosses. shores of lakes or on platforms laid on peat mosses. – These are the world-famous Swiss "lake-dwellings" These are the world-famous Swiss "lake-dwellings"

(Uferrandsiedlungen) that have yielded such precious collections (Uferrandsiedlungen) that have yielded such precious collections of the organic substances from wood to bread that are otherwise of the organic substances from wood to bread that are otherwise missing from the archaeological record. missing from the archaeological record.

In northern Europe, too, the earliest villages consisted of In northern Europe, too, the earliest villages consisted of two parallel, long communal houses, but these were two parallel, long communal houses, but these were subdivided by cross walls into 20 or more apartments, subdivided by cross walls into 20 or more apartments, each with a separate door. each with a separate door.

Stone tools Stone tools

Carpenters used celts (ax or adz heads) edged by Carpenters used celts (ax or adz heads) edged by grinding and polishing of fine-grained rock or of flint grinding and polishing of fine-grained rock or of flint where that material was available in large nodules. where that material was available in large nodules. In Greece and the Balkans, all over central Europe and In Greece and the Balkans, all over central Europe and the Ukraine, and throughout the taiga, adzes were used the Ukraine, and throughout the taiga, adzes were used exclusively, as in the earlier Baltic Mesolithic; in northern exclusively, as in the earlier Baltic Mesolithic; in northern and Western Europe axes were preferred. and Western Europe axes were preferred. In the Iberian Peninsula axes and adzes occur in equal In the Iberian Peninsula axes and adzes occur in equal numbers in early Neolithic graves, but the proportion of numbers in early Neolithic graves, but the proportion of axes increased later. Often in Western Europe, and axes increased later. Often in Western Europe, and occasionally in Greece and Cyprus, celts were mounted occasionally in Greece and Cyprus, celts were mounted with the aid of antler sleeves inserted between the stone with the aid of antler sleeves inserted between the stone head and the wooden handle--a device that was already head and the wooden handle--a device that was already employed in the northern European Mesolithic. employed in the northern European Mesolithic.

Stone Tools ContinuedStone Tools ContinuedIn Spain, the British Isles, and northern Europe ax heads In Spain, the British Isles, and northern Europe ax heads were simply stuck into or through straight wooden shafts, were simply stuck into or through straight wooden shafts, but adz heads must always have been mounted on a but adz heads must always have been mounted on a knee shaft (a crooked stick), a method regularly used for knee shaft (a crooked stick), a method regularly used for ax heads, too, by the Bronze Age. ax heads, too, by the Bronze Age. Ax heads like those in modern use, with a hole for the Ax heads like those in modern use, with a hole for the shaft, were rarely used for tools, but the Danubian shaft, were rarely used for tools, but the Danubian peasants on the loesslands may sometimes have peasants on the loesslands may sometimes have mounted adzes in this manner. mounted adzes in this manner. They certainly knew how to perforate stone, using a They certainly knew how to perforate stone, using a tubular borer (a reed or bone with sand as an abrasive). tubular borer (a reed or bone with sand as an abrasive). From them the technique was adopted by various From them the technique was adopted by various secondary Neolithic tribes in northern Europe for the secondary Neolithic tribes in northern Europe for the manufacture of so-called battle-axes. manufacture of so-called battle-axes.

Ax factories and flint minesAx factories and flint mines

Celts, or axes, were manufactured in factories where specially suitable rock Celts, or axes, were manufactured in factories where specially suitable rock outcrops occurred, and they were traded over great distances. outcrops occurred, and they were traded over great distances. Products of the factories at Graig Lwyd, Penmaenmawr, North Wales, were Products of the factories at Graig Lwyd, Penmaenmawr, North Wales, were transported to Wiltshire and Anglesey, those of Tievebulliagh on the Antrim transported to Wiltshire and Anglesey, those of Tievebulliagh on the Antrim coast to Limerick, Kent, Aberdeen, and the Hebrides. coast to Limerick, Kent, Aberdeen, and the Hebrides. Similarly, large nodules of good flint were secured by mining in Poland, Similarly, large nodules of good flint were secured by mining in Poland, Denmark, The Netherlands, England, Belgium, France, Portugal, and Sicily. Denmark, The Netherlands, England, Belgium, France, Portugal, and Sicily. The mine shafts, which were cut through solid chalk sometimes to a depth The mine shafts, which were cut through solid chalk sometimes to a depth of six meters (20 feet) with the aid only of antler picks and bone shovels, of six meters (20 feet) with the aid only of antler picks and bone shovels, may be simple pits, but often regular galleries branching from them follow may be simple pits, but often regular galleries branching from them follow the seams of big nodules. the seams of big nodules. – Although the miners appreciated the necessity of leaving pillars to support the Although the miners appreciated the necessity of leaving pillars to support the

roof, skeletons of workers killed by falls have been discovered at Cissbury, roof, skeletons of workers killed by falls have been discovered at Cissbury, Spiennes, and elsewhere. Spiennes, and elsewhere.

– In the British Isles and Denmark, at least, there is evidence that the ax factories In the British Isles and Denmark, at least, there is evidence that the ax factories and flint mines were exploited and the products distributed by trade, for example, and flint mines were exploited and the products distributed by trade, for example, to the northern parts of Sweden. Still, the operators and distributors need to the northern parts of Sweden. Still, the operators and distributors need nowhere be regarded as full-time specialists. nowhere be regarded as full-time specialists.

Flint Mine in Spiennes, BelgiumFlint Mine in Spiennes, Belgium

Pottery and Art Pottery and Art

Neolithic art, except among the hunter-fishers of the Neolithic art, except among the hunter-fishers of the taiga, was geometric. taiga, was geometric. It is best illustrated by the decoration of pottery. Pots, It is best illustrated by the decoration of pottery. Pots, which were always handmade, were painted in which were always handmade, were painted in southeastern Europe, southern Italy, and Sicily; southeastern Europe, southern Italy, and Sicily; elsewhere they were adorned with incised, impressed, or elsewhere they were adorned with incised, impressed, or stamped patterns. stamped patterns. Many designs are skeuomorphic--i.e., they enhance the Many designs are skeuomorphic--i.e., they enhance the pot's similarity to vessels of basketry, skin, or other pot's similarity to vessels of basketry, skin, or other material. material. But on the loesslands of central Europe and the Ukraine But on the loesslands of central Europe and the Ukraine and in the Balkans, spirals and meanders were favourite and in the Balkans, spirals and meanders were favourite motifs. motifs.

TradeTradeWhile Neolithic societies could be completely self-While Neolithic societies could be completely self-sufficient, growing their own food and making all essential sufficient, growing their own food and making all essential equipment from local materials, luxury objects were equipment from local materials, luxury objects were transmitted quite long distances by some sort of trade. transmitted quite long distances by some sort of trade. Ornaments made of the shells of the Mediterranean Ornaments made of the shells of the Mediterranean mussel, mussel, Spondylus gaederopusSpondylus gaederopus, are found all across the , are found all across the Balkans, up the Danube Valley, and even on the Saale Balkans, up the Danube Valley, and even on the Saale and the Main. and the Main. Products of factories and flint mines were, as stated, Products of factories and flint mines were, as stated, traded widely throughout a single province, such as the traded widely throughout a single province, such as the British Isles, and some especially valued raw materials--British Isles, and some especially valued raw materials--the yellow flint of Grand-Pressigny (France), the obsidian the yellow flint of Grand-Pressigny (France), the obsidian of Melos and the Lipari Islands--became objects of of Melos and the Lipari Islands--became objects of "international trade" as much as shells. "international trade" as much as shells. But the most prized object of commerce was the amber of But the most prized object of commerce was the amber of Jutland and Poland. Jutland and Poland.

Neolithic DefinedNeolithic Defined

Sedentary CommunitiesSedentary CommunitiesCeramics Ceramics Stone Celts and AxesStone Celts and AxesDomestic FoodsDomestic FoodsStone and EarthworksStone and Earthworks

Structures and SitesStructures and SitesLong-barrows were common early Neolithic elongated earthen tombs Long-barrows were common early Neolithic elongated earthen tombs with interior timber or stone chambers containing multiple cremation with interior timber or stone chambers containing multiple cremation burials. burials. Passage Graves werePassage Graves were another kind of early Neolithic collective tomb another kind of early Neolithic collective tomb with an internal stone passage covered by a circular earthen mound.with an internal stone passage covered by a circular earthen mound.Causewayed Camps were large early Neolithic centers evidently used Causewayed Camps were large early Neolithic centers evidently used for gathering, feasting and ritual. for gathering, feasting and ritual. – They were surrounded by a number of circles of discontinuous ditches They were surrounded by a number of circles of discontinuous ditches

with gaps (causeways) allowing access. with gaps (causeways) allowing access. – By the late Neolithic these had evidently been replaced as regional By the late Neolithic these had evidently been replaced as regional

centres by henges. centres by henges. – These were large sites surrounded by circular earthen ditches and banks These were large sites surrounded by circular earthen ditches and banks

and contained circular and other arrangements of standing timber and and contained circular and other arrangements of standing timber and stones. stones.

– By the late Neolithic there was also a change from multiple burials to By the late Neolithic there was also a change from multiple burials to individual burials in usually smaller earthen mounds or barrows.individual burials in usually smaller earthen mounds or barrows.

Important examples of tribal centers of Neolithic settlement include Important examples of tribal centers of Neolithic settlement include Skara Brae in the Orkneys, Clava in Eastern Scotland, and Oslonki, Skara Brae in the Orkneys, Clava in Eastern Scotland, and Oslonki, Poland . Poland .

Skara Brae-Orkney Islands, Skara Brae-Orkney Islands, ScotlandScotland

Informatin from http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/skarabrae/index.html

Orkney MapOrkney Map

Skara BraeSkara BraeBuried into the southern shore of Sandwick's Bay o' Skaill Buried into the southern shore of Sandwick's Bay o' Skaill is the Neolithic village of Skara Brae - one of Orkney's is the Neolithic village of Skara Brae - one of Orkney's most visited sites and rightly regarded as one of the most most visited sites and rightly regarded as one of the most remarkable monuments in Europe.remarkable monuments in Europe.In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney. In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney. Nothing particularly unusual about that, but on this Nothing particularly unusual about that, but on this occasion the combination of Orkney's notorious winds and occasion the combination of Orkney's notorious winds and extremely high tides stripped the grass from a large mound extremely high tides stripped the grass from a large mound known as Skerrabra. This revealed the outline of a series known as Skerrabra. This revealed the outline of a series of stone buildings that intrigued the local laird, William Watt of stone buildings that intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, who began an excavation of the site.of Skaill, who began an excavation of the site.By 1868, the remains of four ancient houses had been By 1868, the remains of four ancient houses had been unearthed but Skerrabra was abandoned, remaining unearthed but Skerrabra was abandoned, remaining udisturbed until 1925 when another storm damaged some udisturbed until 1925 when another storm damaged some of the previously excavated structures. of the previously excavated structures.

Skara Brae HousingSkara Brae Housing

Early Houses were circular

Each house shares the same basic design - a large square room with a central fireplace, a bed on either side and a shelved dresser on the wall opposite the doorway.

The later houses followed the same design as their predecessors but on a larger scale. The shape of the houses changed slightly, becoming more rectangular with rounded internal corners, and the beds were no longer built into the wall but protruded into the main living area.

http://www.stonepages.com/tour/skarabraeqtvr.html

PassagesPassagesA winding network of passages low, narrow stone A winding network of passages low, narrow stone passage linked the houses of Skara Brae. passage linked the houses of Skara Brae. This meant it was possible to travel from one house to This meant it was possible to travel from one house to another without having to step outside - not a bad thing another without having to step outside - not a bad thing in the midst of an Orkney winter!in the midst of an Orkney winter!Just over one metre high, the low passages were roofed Just over one metre high, the low passages were roofed with stone slabs before being covered over with with stone slabs before being covered over with insulating midden. insulating midden. The height of the passages not only helped minimise The height of the passages not only helped minimise drafts but could have served a symbolic, or even drafts but could have served a symbolic, or even defensive, purpose, forcing the person entering the defensive, purpose, forcing the person entering the village to kneel or stoop. village to kneel or stoop.

Life in Skara BraeLife in Skara BraeLife in Skara Brae was probably quite comfortable by Neolithic Life in Skara Brae was probably quite comfortable by Neolithic standards. The villagers were settled farmers who, cultivating the standards. The villagers were settled farmers who, cultivating the land and raising livestock, were entirely self-sufficient. land and raising livestock, were entirely self-sufficient. Bones found within the midden surrounding the houses shows that Bones found within the midden surrounding the houses shows that cattle and sheep formed the main part of the Skara Brae diet, with cattle and sheep formed the main part of the Skara Brae diet, with barley and wheat grown in the surrounding fields. barley and wheat grown in the surrounding fields. To compliment their farming produce, fish and shellfish were To compliment their farming produce, fish and shellfish were harvested in great quantities - and perhaps kept fresh within harvested in great quantities - and perhaps kept fresh within custom-built tanks within the houses. custom-built tanks within the houses. The island's red deer and boar were also hunted for their meat and The island's red deer and boar were also hunted for their meat and skins. Seal meat was consumed and, on the odd occasions when skins. Seal meat was consumed and, on the odd occasions when they found a beached whale, its meat would have provided a they found a beached whale, its meat would have provided a welcome feast.welcome feast.They probably also the collected the eggs of sea-birds and possibly They probably also the collected the eggs of sea-birds and possibly even the birds themselves - a task that took place in the islands until even the birds themselves - a task that took place in the islands until fairly recently. fairly recently.

ReligionReligionThey left no written records of their beliefs and religious They left no written records of their beliefs and religious practices so we are forced to make assumptions based practices so we are forced to make assumptions based on various objects and clues found at the sites they on various objects and clues found at the sites they visited and used on a regular basis.visited and used on a regular basis.Skara Brae's similarity to the architecture of the nearby Skara Brae's similarity to the architecture of the nearby tombs shows that ritual formed a considerable part of tombs shows that ritual formed a considerable part of everyday life and in death. Given the effort put into the everyday life and in death. Given the effort put into the construction of these tombs we can also say with a construction of these tombs we can also say with a degree of certainty that the dead were very important to degree of certainty that the dead were very important to the Neolithic Orcadians.the Neolithic Orcadians.It seems likely, therefore, that some form of ancestor It seems likely, therefore, that some form of ancestor worship took place but whether this took precedence worship took place but whether this took precedence over the veneration over a pantheon of deities is over the veneration over a pantheon of deities is obviously not known.obviously not known.

•The most enigmatic objects found in Skara Brae were four intricately carved stone balls. These items served no obvious practical purpose so are thought to have a ritual or symbolic purpose.•Although we really have no clear idea as to the purpose of the stone balls a few other examples have been found in Orkney, with around 400 found across Scotland.•The most widely accepted theory regarding these objects is that they were symbols of status, marking the owners as significant within the society.•It has even been suggested that the knobbly stones may represent the sun with rays of sunlight emanating from the central orb.  

Why was Skara Brae Abandoned?Why was Skara Brae Abandoned?A common misconception is that Skara Brae was abandoned in the face of an A common misconception is that Skara Brae was abandoned in the face of an apocalyptic disaster that caused the inhabitants to flee. apocalyptic disaster that caused the inhabitants to flee. This dramatic idea was proposed by Professor Gordon Childe, the archaeologist This dramatic idea was proposed by Professor Gordon Childe, the archaeologist who excavated the village in 1928, and like a Northern Pompeii, it immediately who excavated the village in 1928, and like a Northern Pompeii, it immediately caught the public's imagination. caught the public's imagination. Instead, it is now thought the fall of Skara Brae was simply abandoned because Instead, it is now thought the fall of Skara Brae was simply abandoned because Neolithic society in Orkney was changing. This change brought about different Neolithic society in Orkney was changing. This change brought about different ideas and a completely different set of values and way of life. From the construction ideas and a completely different set of values and way of life. From the construction of the henge monuments at Brodgar and Stenness and the construction of of the henge monuments at Brodgar and Stenness and the construction of Maeshowe, we can see the emergence of an elite ruling body who had the power to Maeshowe, we can see the emergence of an elite ruling body who had the power to control the labour of a number of people.control the labour of a number of people.With this development, the need for all-enclosed village communities disappeared - With this development, the need for all-enclosed village communities disappeared - where once families depended on their tight-knit, little village communities they now where once families depended on their tight-knit, little village communities they now were part of a larger, more widespread community, controlled by powerful tribal or were part of a larger, more widespread community, controlled by powerful tribal or spiritual leaders. spiritual leaders. Over time families dispersed across the landscape, settling once again in single Over time families dispersed across the landscape, settling once again in single individual dwellings. As more and more of these younger people drifted from the individual dwellings. As more and more of these younger people drifted from the villages they were not replaced.villages they were not replaced.It seems more likely that those who remained within the ancient village of Skara It seems more likely that those who remained within the ancient village of Skara Brae gradually grew older and died. Brae gradually grew older and died.

Burial chambers of the Neolithic Burial chambers of the Neolithic

Clava cairns, in North East Scotland, near Clava cairns, in North East Scotland, near Inverness.Inverness.

The north-east chamber The south-western cairn

Plan of ClavaPlan of ClavaThe two cairns at Clava, with the ring cairn between The two cairns at Clava, with the ring cairn between them them At Clava, two main tombs are laid out, open to the At Clava, two main tombs are laid out, open to the visitor, one at each end of the complex. Both have their visitor, one at each end of the complex. Both have their entrance passage pointing in the same direction, so that entrance passage pointing in the same direction, so that on Mid-winter's day, the rays of the setting sun point right on Mid-winter's day, the rays of the setting sun point right down the passage. down the passage. Between the two main cairns is a monument of a rather Between the two main cairns is a monument of a rather different type known as a ring cairn. Here there is no different type known as a ring cairn. Here there is no entrance passage, and at the centre, instead of a closed entrance passage, and at the centre, instead of a closed chamber there is an open unroofed area where chamber there is an open unroofed area where ceremonies could take place. ceremonies could take place.

Map of ClavaMap of Clava

The ring cairnThe ring cairnThe second stone has some 'cupmarks' near the bottom, The second stone has some 'cupmarks' near the bottom, small circular depressions, laboriously carved out for small circular depressions, laboriously carved out for some ritual purpose.  some ritual purpose.  The recent radiocarbon dates show that the tombs were The recent radiocarbon dates show that the tombs were much later than expected: instead of  being at the very much later than expected: instead of  being at the very beginning of the Neolithic, they come right at the very beginning of the Neolithic, they come right at the very end, at around 2,000 BC. end, at around 2,000 BC. They also confirm that the whole cemetery was built at They also confirm that the whole cemetery was built at much the same time, in a single operation. much the same time, in a single operation.

The ring cairnThe ring cairn

The ring cairn at Clava under excavation.The ring cairn at Clava under excavation.

Archaeological Research at Oslonki, Poland Archaeological Research at Oslonki, Poland

From 1989 to 1994, six seasons of archaeological research From 1989 to 1994, six seasons of archaeological research took place at the site of Oslonki (pronounced took place at the site of Oslonki (pronounced ohs-won-keyohs-won-key) in ) in north-central Poland. north-central Poland. Oslonki is located about 120 kilometers northwest of Warsaw Oslonki is located about 120 kilometers northwest of Warsaw and about 20 kilometers west of the city of Wloclawek. and about 20 kilometers west of the city of Wloclawek. Archaeological research at Oslonki focuses on the study of Archaeological research at Oslonki focuses on the study of the earliest farmers of the North European Plain, continuing the earliest farmers of the North European Plain, continuing work begun in 1976 at the nearby site of Brzesc Kujawski.work begun in 1976 at the nearby site of Brzesc Kujawski.Excavations by a team of Polish and American Excavations by a team of Polish and American archaeologists have revealed a large village occupied just archaeologists have revealed a large village occupied just before 4000 B.C. with longhouses and graves. before 4000 B.C. with longhouses and graves. In order to understand more fully how these early farmers In order to understand more fully how these early farmers lived, it is important to study not only their settlement and lived, it is important to study not only their settlement and graves but also how they used and changed the local graves but also how they used and changed the local environment. environment.

Neolithic in PolandNeolithic in PolandBetween 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, farming villages were established in Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, farming villages were established in Poland and other parts of central Europe. Poland and other parts of central Europe. The understanding of the earliest European farmers is important since they The understanding of the earliest European farmers is important since they represent the first instance of domesticated plants and animals being grown represent the first instance of domesticated plants and animals being grown outside their native regions in the Near East. outside their native regions in the Near East. he first agricultural communities in Poland probably arrived from south of the he first agricultural communities in Poland probably arrived from south of the Carpathians, but they quickly adapted to the new soils and landforms of the Carpathians, but they quickly adapted to the new soils and landforms of the Polish uplands and plains. Polish uplands and plains. Excavations at Oslonki have revealed a large settlement of these early Excavations at Oslonki have revealed a large settlement of these early farmers with well-preserved archaeological remains. farmers with well-preserved archaeological remains. Nearly 30 trapezoidal longhouses and over 80 graves make it one of the Nearly 30 trapezoidal longhouses and over 80 graves make it one of the richest such settlements in archaeological finds from all of central Europe.richest such settlements in archaeological finds from all of central Europe.Of particular note is a grave excavated in 1990 with an extraordinary Of particular note is a grave excavated in 1990 with an extraordinary amount of copper, among the earliest metal in central Europe, including a amount of copper, among the earliest metal in central Europe, including a copper diadem. copper diadem. In 1992, a grave of an archer with five bone arrow points in a quiver worn at In 1992, a grave of an archer with five bone arrow points in a quiver worn at his back was found. A ditched enclosure and palisade, also discovered in his back was found. A ditched enclosure and palisade, also discovered in 1992, fortified the settlement (photo above right). Oslonki is among a 1992, fortified the settlement (photo above right). Oslonki is among a number of fortified Neolithic settlements in north-central Europenumber of fortified Neolithic settlements in north-central Europe

Excavations at OslonkiExcavations at Oslonki