Ανασκαφή στον νεολιθικό οικισμό του Ζαγκλιβερίου νομού Θεσσαλονίκης

Abstract

The Neolithic settlement of Zagliveri was accidentally brought to light in the summer of 1996, during the excavation of foundations for a new building in the centre of the modern village. The dig was confined to two 5x5 metre squares in the only area untouched by the foundations of a pre-existing building. Archaeologists cleared most of a rectangular Neolithic pit and small sections of two others. Although these yielded no traces of structures such as ovens or hearths, they were nonetheless interpreted as houses on the basis of similar finds in the Neolithic settlements of Stavroupoli (Thessaloniki) and Makrygialos (Pieria).

The pottery belongs to the familiar types of the Central Macedonian Late Neolithic, and was classified in accordance with the Vasilika and Thermi categories. Most of the pottery belongs to category 4 (78%), followed by 3a (8.12%), 32 (6.28%), 3b (3.44%) and 18 (1.89%). Smaller quantities of categories 27, 30 and 31 were also found.

The excavation of a “marginal” Neolithic settlement like this one in Zagliveri, which —a unlike the settlements known to date that were established on fertile plains and attracted large populations— is located in a remote area with limited productive potential, proves that by the end of the Middle and in the Late Neolithic periods rock dwellings were known from Pieria to Thrace.