The pile-field and the wooden structures of the Neolithic lakeside settlement Anarghiri IXb Western Macedonia, Greece
BORIS DOI
Subtitle
Volume 1: Text / Volume 2: Figures / Volume 3: Plans
Abstract
The PhD thesis entitled: “THE PILE-FIELD AND THE WOODEN STRUCTURES OF THE
NEOLITHIC LAKESIDE SETTLEMENT ANARGHIRI IXb, WESTERN MACEDONIA, GREECE” is
structured in three distinctive parts.
In the first part (General Introduction) the general aim and objectives of the study are set,
and the basic methodological choices followed for the implementation the research are
presented. A short review to early interpretations and modern research trends regarding
structural wood in central European wetlands is made for the specification of the general
framework of the study. In the same direction, an attempt is made for the contextualization of
the study with a reference to the history and current state of research of Southern Balkans’
wetlands and the relatively scarce archaeological information regarding structural wood,
In this introductory part, the schematized description of Anarghiri IXb settlement’s general
profile, constitute one preliminary presentation of the Neolithic lakeside habitation as one of the
newly investigated settlements during the realization of the Rescue Excavations Project of
Florina Ephorate of Antiquities in Amindeon Basin. According to the available 79 14C dates, the
earliest building activities of Late Neolithic I in 55th-54th centuries BC and their intensification at
least on the periphery of the settlement in the succeeding 53rd-49th centuries BC could be
correlated with the excavational context of a habitation influenced by the presence of water.
The form and preservation of the building remains, as well as of the movable finds discovered in
the upper excavational layers constitute indications for the gradual development of the
settlement into a dryland habitation in the next 48th-44th centuries BC until Final Neolithic,
while the existence of a Late Neolithic II habitation’s phase remains questionable.
In the second part of the study (Analysis) the documentation of all the available data
regarding the Anarghiri IXb pile-field is presented, with a subsequent systematization of the
information about the structural wood discovered in the lowest layers on the peripheral zone of
the Late Neolithic I habitation. The basic physical and technical attributes, combined with
specific observations regarding their stratigraphic and horizontal distribution, permitted the
categorization and analytical presentation of a total of 3643 elements documented as structural
wood in the excavational record. Vertical posts constitute the abundant elements of Anarghiri
IXb pile-field, bearing variable metric characteristics, with the almost exclusive exploitation of rather young oak trees (80% of samples) and the relatively limited presence of conifers (20% of
samples). Their irregular spatial and stratigraphic distribution is similar to typical wetlands’ pilefields,
posing certain restrictions to the recognition of specific features’ layouts. As second
distinguishable category of wooden elements of Anarghiri IXb assemblage, those found
horizontally deposited within the lowest layers are recorded. Their stratigraphic and spatial
distribution, as well as their physical and technical characteristics usually did not facilitate their
correlation to specific features.
The most prominent outcome of the pile-field’s analytical approach is the recognition,
description and dating of some accessing and enclosing wooden structures that for now
constitute exceptional findings for southern Balkan prehistoric research. Accordingly, the Late
Neolithic I Trackway 2 (early 53rd-late 51st centuries BC) and Trackway 3 (50th-49th centuries
BC) most probably constituted the main crossings that joined the habitation with the opposite
dryland covering a distance of 80-120m, most probably as ground-level features comprising a
walking surface of horizontal elements retained and supported by vertical posts. Furthermore,
two similar, still partially investigated double posts’ row alignments were characterized with
specific reservations as Trackway 3(?) and Trackway 3b(?). The dating of Trackway 1 in the Early
Bronze Age (mid-26th to mid-25th centuries BC) possibly explains its obvious structural
differences compared to the earliest features, namely the elaborately processed vertical posts
arranged to form a bridge-like crossing. In addition, the slightly earliest remains of the
fragmentary double posts’ row characterized as Trackway 4(?) (mid-29th to early-26th centuries
BC) are cautiously integrated in the general discussion regarding Anarghiri IXb accessing
structures.
The spatial organization of at least the northern and southeastern margins of the Late
Neolithic I habitation was seemingly determined by the presence of the Fence 2, 4, 5 possibly
complemented by the ambiguous double posts’ row alignment characterized as Fence 1. The
general structural characteristics, as well as the arrangement of these features dated between
53rd-49th centuries BC led to the supposition that they were parts of the settlement’s
delimitation system. The possibility of general rearrangements of the habitation’s space during
Late Neolithic II/Final Neolithic could be supported by the shifting of the enclosing system
towards the central area of the settlement indicated by the location of Fence 3 and 8(?), while Fence 6(?) and 7(?) constitute fragmentarily investigated alignments that cannot easily
integrated into the discussion regarding spatial organization.
In the third part of the study (Synthesis), some general interpretative notions regarding
Anarghiri IXb pile-field and peripheral wooden structures are presented with references to the
chronological framework, the form and their spatial arrangement. It is proposed that these
structures constituted a complex system built to demarcate the settlement’s limits and to
provide access to its inhabitants to the broader region of Chimaditis wetland. The comparative
discussion of these structures with cross-references to similar settings discovered in European
wetlands led the candidate to the examination of various notions regarding alternative functions
of this system. Among them, the old but still debated defensive role and the conventional ideas
about the supportive function of the structures to the so-called practical needs (protection from
water and wind, control of access) are discussed. Moreover, approaches that attribute to these
features’ functions such as the symbolic demarcation of the communal space or the passage
from the world of water to this of the land could are also incorporated into the general
interpretative discussion.
Based on the aforementioned data, propositions as well as on working hypotheses regarding
aspects of Anarghiri IXb peripheral zone’s spatial organization, the study provides some
preliminary information for the integration of Anarghiri IXb into the chronological and cultural
framework of Late Neolithic period of the cross-border area and the neighboring regions of
western and central Macedonia. The rarity of investigated prehistoric wetlands in southern
Balkans and the sparsity of information regarding their spatial organization do not permit any
specific comparative remarks of Anarghiri IXb with other sites except from the possible
contemporaneity with some of them. Nevertheless, the form and arrangement of the
habitation’s enclosing structures bear evidence for its inclusion into the gradually growing
group of Late Neolithic settlements of the broader region whose residential space was
delimitated by similar works approached with various interpretative propositions.
NEOLITHIC LAKESIDE SETTLEMENT ANARGHIRI IXb, WESTERN MACEDONIA, GREECE” is
structured in three distinctive parts.
In the first part (General Introduction) the general aim and objectives of the study are set,
and the basic methodological choices followed for the implementation the research are
presented. A short review to early interpretations and modern research trends regarding
structural wood in central European wetlands is made for the specification of the general
framework of the study. In the same direction, an attempt is made for the contextualization of
the study with a reference to the history and current state of research of Southern Balkans’
wetlands and the relatively scarce archaeological information regarding structural wood,
In this introductory part, the schematized description of Anarghiri IXb settlement’s general
profile, constitute one preliminary presentation of the Neolithic lakeside habitation as one of the
newly investigated settlements during the realization of the Rescue Excavations Project of
Florina Ephorate of Antiquities in Amindeon Basin. According to the available 79 14C dates, the
earliest building activities of Late Neolithic I in 55th-54th centuries BC and their intensification at
least on the periphery of the settlement in the succeeding 53rd-49th centuries BC could be
correlated with the excavational context of a habitation influenced by the presence of water.
The form and preservation of the building remains, as well as of the movable finds discovered in
the upper excavational layers constitute indications for the gradual development of the
settlement into a dryland habitation in the next 48th-44th centuries BC until Final Neolithic,
while the existence of a Late Neolithic II habitation’s phase remains questionable.
In the second part of the study (Analysis) the documentation of all the available data
regarding the Anarghiri IXb pile-field is presented, with a subsequent systematization of the
information about the structural wood discovered in the lowest layers on the peripheral zone of
the Late Neolithic I habitation. The basic physical and technical attributes, combined with
specific observations regarding their stratigraphic and horizontal distribution, permitted the
categorization and analytical presentation of a total of 3643 elements documented as structural
wood in the excavational record. Vertical posts constitute the abundant elements of Anarghiri
IXb pile-field, bearing variable metric characteristics, with the almost exclusive exploitation of rather young oak trees (80% of samples) and the relatively limited presence of conifers (20% of
samples). Their irregular spatial and stratigraphic distribution is similar to typical wetlands’ pilefields,
posing certain restrictions to the recognition of specific features’ layouts. As second
distinguishable category of wooden elements of Anarghiri IXb assemblage, those found
horizontally deposited within the lowest layers are recorded. Their stratigraphic and spatial
distribution, as well as their physical and technical characteristics usually did not facilitate their
correlation to specific features.
The most prominent outcome of the pile-field’s analytical approach is the recognition,
description and dating of some accessing and enclosing wooden structures that for now
constitute exceptional findings for southern Balkan prehistoric research. Accordingly, the Late
Neolithic I Trackway 2 (early 53rd-late 51st centuries BC) and Trackway 3 (50th-49th centuries
BC) most probably constituted the main crossings that joined the habitation with the opposite
dryland covering a distance of 80-120m, most probably as ground-level features comprising a
walking surface of horizontal elements retained and supported by vertical posts. Furthermore,
two similar, still partially investigated double posts’ row alignments were characterized with
specific reservations as Trackway 3(?) and Trackway 3b(?). The dating of Trackway 1 in the Early
Bronze Age (mid-26th to mid-25th centuries BC) possibly explains its obvious structural
differences compared to the earliest features, namely the elaborately processed vertical posts
arranged to form a bridge-like crossing. In addition, the slightly earliest remains of the
fragmentary double posts’ row characterized as Trackway 4(?) (mid-29th to early-26th centuries
BC) are cautiously integrated in the general discussion regarding Anarghiri IXb accessing
structures.
The spatial organization of at least the northern and southeastern margins of the Late
Neolithic I habitation was seemingly determined by the presence of the Fence 2, 4, 5 possibly
complemented by the ambiguous double posts’ row alignment characterized as Fence 1. The
general structural characteristics, as well as the arrangement of these features dated between
53rd-49th centuries BC led to the supposition that they were parts of the settlement’s
delimitation system. The possibility of general rearrangements of the habitation’s space during
Late Neolithic II/Final Neolithic could be supported by the shifting of the enclosing system
towards the central area of the settlement indicated by the location of Fence 3 and 8(?), while Fence 6(?) and 7(?) constitute fragmentarily investigated alignments that cannot easily
integrated into the discussion regarding spatial organization.
In the third part of the study (Synthesis), some general interpretative notions regarding
Anarghiri IXb pile-field and peripheral wooden structures are presented with references to the
chronological framework, the form and their spatial arrangement. It is proposed that these
structures constituted a complex system built to demarcate the settlement’s limits and to
provide access to its inhabitants to the broader region of Chimaditis wetland. The comparative
discussion of these structures with cross-references to similar settings discovered in European
wetlands led the candidate to the examination of various notions regarding alternative functions
of this system. Among them, the old but still debated defensive role and the conventional ideas
about the supportive function of the structures to the so-called practical needs (protection from
water and wind, control of access) are discussed. Moreover, approaches that attribute to these
features’ functions such as the symbolic demarcation of the communal space or the passage
from the world of water to this of the land could are also incorporated into the general
interpretative discussion.
Based on the aforementioned data, propositions as well as on working hypotheses regarding
aspects of Anarghiri IXb peripheral zone’s spatial organization, the study provides some
preliminary information for the integration of Anarghiri IXb into the chronological and cultural
framework of Late Neolithic period of the cross-border area and the neighboring regions of
western and central Macedonia. The rarity of investigated prehistoric wetlands in southern
Balkans and the sparsity of information regarding their spatial organization do not permit any
specific comparative remarks of Anarghiri IXb with other sites except from the possible
contemporaneity with some of them. Nevertheless, the form and arrangement of the
habitation’s enclosing structures bear evidence for its inclusion into the gradually growing
group of Late Neolithic settlements of the broader region whose residential space was
delimitated by similar works approached with various interpretative propositions.
Date of Publication
2019
Year of graduation
2019
Theses Type
dissertation
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Giagkoulis, Tryfon |
Faculty/Graduate School
Institute
Access(Rights)
open.access
Primary OA Publication
true