Neolithic: The end of Late Neolithic II
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The end of the Late Neolithic II
For a long time, it was thought that this period lasted almost 1500 years (c. 4800–3300 BC), thus covering the whole interval between the end of Late Neolithic I and the beginning of Early Bronze I. However, several indices now show that a brief break existed at the beginning of this period that lasted one or two generations. More importantly, we know now that the period ended much earlier. This fact has been confirmed by both radiocarbon (C14) and thermoluminescence (TL) dates that place the destruction of the last Late Neolithic II village by fire around 4300/4260 BC. Some parts of the tell continued to be inhabited for another century or two, but so far there is no trace of settlement in any part of the site after 4000 BC (that is, before the resumption of occupation in the Early Bronze Age). Similar phenomena have been observed in numerous other sites in Greece and the Balkans, but for the moment there is no satisfactory explanation. It is possible that these gaps need not be considered as part of one sweeping phenomenon, but instead could have independent explanations.
Last Update : 2/02/12 |
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