AEGAEUM 37Annales liégeoises et PASPiennes d’archéologie égéenne

PHYSISL’ENVIRONNEMENT NATUREL

ET LA RELATION HOMME-MILIEUDANS LE MONDE ÉGÉEN PROTOHISTORIQUE

Actes de la 14e Rencontre égéenne internationale,Paris, Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA),

11-14 décembre 2012

Edités par Gilles TOUCHAIS,

Robert LAFFINEUR

et Françoise ROUGEMONT

PEETERSLEUVEN - LIEGE

2014

97631_Aegaeum 37 vwk.indd Sec1197631_Aegaeum 37 vwk.indd Sec11 11/12/14 08:2611/12/14 08:26

SOMMAIRE

Préface 11 A. Cadre naturel : Georgia KOURTESSI-PHILIPPAKIS, Local vs exogène ? L’impact du milieu naturel sur la composition des assemblages lithiques néolithiques en Grèce 15 Georgia STRATOULI, Anaya SARPAKI, Maria NTINOU, Eleni KOTJABOPOULOU, Tatiana THEODOROPOULOU, Vasilios MELFOS, Niels H. ANDREASEN, Panagiotis KARKANAS, Dialogues Between Bioarchaeological, Geoarchaeological and Archaeological Data: Approaches to Understanding the Neolithic Use of Drakaina Cave, Kephalonia Island, Western Greece 23 Erika WEIBERG, Timing, Perception and Response. Human Dimensions of Erosion and Sedimentation in the Greek Bronze Age 33 Evangelia STEFANI, Nikos MEROUSIS, Living on the Edge. People and Physis in Prehistoric Imathia, Macedonia, Greece 41 Mimoza SIDIROPOULOU, Eric FOUACHE, Kosmas PAVLOPOULOS, Maria TRIANTAPHYLLOU, Konstantinos VOUVALIDIS, George SYRIDES,Emanuele GRECO, Geomorphological Evolution and Paleoenvironment Reconstruction in the Northeastern Part of Lemnos Island (North Aegean Sea) 49 Thomas F. STRASSER, Anne P. CHAPIN, Geological Formations in the Flotilla Fresco from Akrotiri 57 B. Ressources naturelles : Katerina ATHANASAKI, A Serpentine Quarry-Scape in Gonies, North-Central Crete 67

Gerald CADOGAN, Water Worries and Water Works in Bronze Age Southern Crete 73 Jonathan M. FLOOD, Jeffrey S. SOLES, Water Management in Neopalatial Crete and the Development of the Mediterranean Dry-Season 79 Nagia SGOURITSA, Eleni SALAVOURA, The Exploitation of Inland Natural Resources on an Island Environment: The Case of the Mycenaean Settlement at Lazarides and the South/Southeast Aegina 85

Thomas G. PALAIMA, Harnessing Phusis: The Ideology of Control and Exploitation of the Natural World as Reflected in Terminology in the Linear B Texts Derived from Indo-European *bheh2u- ‘Grow, Arise, Be’ and *h2eg-ro- “The Uncultivated Wild Field’ and Other Roots Related to the Natural Environs 93

6 SOMMAIRE

C. Paysage et climat : Miriam G. CLINTON, Sarah C. MURRAY, Thomas F. TARTARON, Gis in Action: Analyzing an Early Bronze Age Coastal Landscape on the Saronic Gulf 103 Peter PAVÚK, Magda PIENIĄŻEK, Simone RIEHL, Troy and the Troad in the Second Millennium: Changing Patterns in Landscape Use 111 Fritz BLAKOLMER, Meaningful Landscapes: Minoan “Landscape Rooms” and Peak Sanctuaries 121 Vincenzo AMATO, Fausto LONGO, Maria BREDAKI, Amedeo ROSSI, Matthieu GHILARDI, David PSOMIADIS, Maxime COLLEU, Laetitia SINIBALDI, Doriane DELANGHE-SABATIER, François DEMORY, Christophe PETIT, Geoarchaeological and Palaeoenvironmental Researches in the Area of Ancient Phaistos (Crete, Greece): Preliminary Results 129 Christos DOUMAS, Le paysage côtier de la région d’Akrotiri, Théra, avant l’éruption volcanique du Bronze récent 141 Anne P. CHAPIN, Brent DAVIS , Louise A. HITCHCOCK , Emilia BANOU, The Vapheio Tholos Tomb and the Construction of a Symbolic Landscape in Laconia, Greece 145 Athanasia KRAHTOPOULOU, Rena VEROPOULIDOU, Linking Inland and Coastal Records: Landscape and Human Histories in Pieria, Macedonia, Greece 153 Assaf YASUR-LANDAU, Nurith GOSHEN, The Reformed Mountains: Political and Religious Landscapes in the Aegean and the Levant 159 Georgios FERENTINOS, Maria GKIONI, Maria GERAGA, Georgios PAPATHEODOROU, Neanderthal and Anatomically Modern Human Seafarers in the Aegean Archipelago, Mediterranean Sea 165 D. Iconographie : Fragoula GEORMA, Artemis KARNAVA, Irene NIKOLAKOPOULOU, The Natural World and its Representations: A View from Akrotiri, Thera 175

Andreas VLACHOPOULOS, Lefteris ZORZOS, Physis and Techne on Thera: Reconstructing Bronze Age Environment and Land-Use Based on New Evidence from Phytoliths and the Akrotiri Wall-Paintings 183 Elsa PAPATSAROUCHA, Minoan Landscapes: Plant Communities and their Artistic Representations 199 John G. YOUNGER, The “World of People”: Nature and Narrative in Minoan Art 211 Karen Polinger FOSTER, Fur and Feathers in Aegean Art 217 E. Agriculture : Georgia KOTZAMANI, Alexandra LIVARDA, Plant Resource Availability and Management in Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Greece 229

SOMMAIRE 7

Harriet BLITZER, Preliminary Notes on Olive Domestication and Cultivation in the Prehistoric Aegean 239 Orestes DECAVALLAS, Plant Oils from Neolithic Aegean Pottery: Chemical Proof of the Exploitation of Oleaginous Plants and the Question of “Early” Oil Production 245 Leonidas VOKOTOPOULOS, Gerhard PLATH, Floyd W. McCOY, The Yield of the Land: Soil Conservation and the Exploitation of Arable Land at Choiromandres, Zakros in the New Palace Period 251 Robert Angus K. SMITH, Mary K. DABNEY, Georgia KOTZAMANI, Alexandra LIVARDA, Georgia TSARTSIDOU, James C. WRIGHT, Plant Use in Mycenaean Mortuary Practice 265 Evi MARGARITIS, Katie DEMAKOPOULOU, Ann-Louise SCHALLIN, The Archaeobotanical Samples from Midea: Agricultural Choices in the Mycenaean Argolid 271 Evi MARGARITIS, Acts of Destruction and Acts of Preservation: Plants in the Ritual Landscape of Prehistoric Greece 279 Petra VAIGLOVA, Florent RIVALS, Amy BOGAARD, Rebecca FRASER, Armelle GARDEISEN, William CAVANAGH, Christopher MEE, Josette RENARD, Angela LAMB, Interpreting Ancient Crop and Animal Management Strategies at Neolithic Kouphovouno, Southern Greece: Results of Integrating Crop and Animal Stable Isotopes and Dental Micro- And Mesowear 287 Jörg WEILHARTNER, The Influence of Aegean Iconography on the Design of the Linear B Logograms for Animals, Plants and Agricultural Products 297 Marianna NIKOLAIDOU, Ernestine S. ELTER, Hunting, Fishing and Gathering at Sitagroi and Beyond: Strategies of Wild Resource Use in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age 305 F. Ressources animales : Pietro MILITELLO, Wool Production in Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Aegean 317 Stavroula APOSTOLAKOU, Philip BETANCOURT, Thomas BROGAN, Dimitra MYLONA, Chrysa SOFIANOU, Tritons Revisited 325 Alexandra KARETSOU, Robert B. KOEHL, The Minoan Mastiffs of Juktas 333 Olga KRZYSZKOWSKA, Cutting to the Chase: Hunting in Minoan Crete 341 Anna Lucia D’AGATA, Sara DE ANGELIS, Minoan Beehives. Reconstructing the Practice of Beekeeping in Bronze Age Crete 349 Tatiana THEODOROPOULOU, Excavating the Sea: Recent Advances in Marine Zooarchaeology of the Prehistoric Aegean 359

8 SOMMAIRE

Nancy R. THOMAS, A Lion’s Eye View of the Greek Bronze Age 375 Ruth PALMER, Managing the Wild: Deer and Agrimia in the Late Bronze Age Aegean 391 Cyrille RIEAU, Armelle GARDEISEN, Florent RIVALS, Alimentation des troupeaux durant l’âge du Bronze à travers l’analyse des micro-usures dentaires, les exemples d’Angelohori et Archontiko (Macédoine, Grèce) 401 Aurélien CREUZIEUX, Armelle GARDEISEN, Evangelia STEFANI, L’exploitation du monde animal en Grèce septentrionale durant le Bronze récent : l’exemple d’Angelochori 409 Rena VEROPOULIDOU, Molluscan Exploitation in the Neolithic and Bronze Age Communities at the Former Thermaic Gulf, North Aegean 415 G. Peuplement et population : Pascal DARCQUE, Haïdo KOUKOULI-CHRYSSANTHAKI, Dimitra MALAMIDOU,Zoï TSIRTSONI, Laurent LESPEZ, Cécile GERMAIN-VALLÉE, The Impact of Environmental Changes on the Neolithic Settlement of Dikili Tash (Northern Greece) 425 Sylvie MÜLLER CELKA, Dario PUGLISI, Frédéric BENDALI, Settlement Pattern Dynamics and Natural Resources in MM-LM I Crete: The Case of Malia 431 Gert Jan VAN WIJNGAARDEN, Pavlos AVRAMIDIS, Nikolaos KONTOPOULOS, Dealing with Extreme Dynamics. Prehistoric Landscapes of Zakynthos 441 Michael L. GALATY, William A. PARKINSON, Daniel J. PULLEN, Rebecca M. SEIFRIED, Mycenaean -Scapes: Geography, Political Economy, and the Eastern Mediterranean World-System 449 H. Posters : Marcus J. BAJEMA, Mycenaean Snail-Lovers? 457 Dora CONSTANTINIDIS, Physis and Space: Aegean Bronze Age Depictions and their Architectural Context 459 Janice L. CROWLEY, Images of the Earth in Aegean Art 465 Mary K. DABNEY, Representations of Fig Cultivation in Aegean Art 469 Bryan FEUER, Environmental Aspects of the Northern Mycenaean Border in Thessaly 473 Walter L. FRIEDRICH, Annette HØJEN SØRENSEN, Samson KATSIPIS, Santorini Before the Minoan Eruption: The Ship Fresco from Akrotiri - A Geological and Archaeological Approach 475 Mercourios GEORGIADIS, The Physical Environment and the Beliefs at Leska, a New Peak Sanctuary on Kythera 481

SOMMAIRE 9

Effie GEMI-IORDANOU, The Meaning of Flowers: Symbolism and Interpretation of Flower Iconography in Minoan Art 485 Angelos GKOTSINAS, Angeliki KARATHANOU, Maria-Fotini PAPAKONSTANTINOU,Georgios SYRIDES, Konstantinos VOUVALIDIS, Approaching Human Activity and Interaction with the Natural Environment Through the Archaeobotanical and Zooarchaeological Remains from Middle Helladic Agia Paraskevi, Central Greece 487 Bernice R. JONES, Revisiting the Figures and Landscapes on the Frescoes at Hagia Triada 493 Dimitra KRIGA, Flora and Fauna Iconography on Strainers and Kymbai at Akrotiri: Theran Ceramic Vessels of Special Use and Special Iconography 499 Florence LIARD, Mineral Resources, Potting Techniques and Social Identities in Late Bronze Age Sissi, Crete 505 Stefanos LIGKOVANLIS, The Exploitation of the Thesprotian Wetlands (NW Greece) During the Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic; Different Hominins yet ‘Similar’ Strategies? Reflections from the Material World 509 Joanne M.A. MURPHY, The Wealth of Nature and the Nature of Wealth: Aspects of Pylian Ideologies 513 Heleni PALAIOLOGOU, Water Management, Climatic, Social Changes and Agriculture in the Plain of Mycenae during the 13th C. B.C. and Later: The Case of Chania 517 Christina PAPOULIA, Confronting the Sea: Navigation Skills in Pre-Modern Human Societies 521 Vassilis P. PETRAKIS, The Religious Significance of Insects in the Aegean Bronze Age: Three Notes 525 Anna PHILIPPA-TOUCHAIS, Gilles TOUCHAIS, Oreste DECAVALLAS,Armelle GARDEISEN, Matthieu GHILARDI, Evi MARGARITIS, Odysseas METAXASSevi TRIANTAPHYLLOU, Efi TSIOLAKI, Environnement, alimentation, hygiène et mode de vie dans la Grèce mésohelladique : le cas de l’Aspis d’Argos 531 Maria ROUSSAKI, New Evidence in Minoan Pictorial Wall Painting: ‘The Swallows Fresco’ from the Knossos Area 539 Alessandro SANAVIA, How to Improve on Nature: Some Middle Minoan Triton Shells from Phaistos (Crete) 543 Robert SCHON, The Political Ecology of the Pylian State 547 Andrew SHAPLAND, After Naturalism: Human-Animal Relations in LMII-III Crete 555

10 SOMMAIRE

Giorgos VAVOURANAKIS, The Changing Significance of Nature within Minoan Society 559 I. En guise de conclusion ... Thomas G. PALAIMA, The Linear-B-Inscribed Triton PAR Ph 2012 and its Lessons about Phusis 563

APPROACHING HUMAN ACTIVITY AND INTERACTION WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH

THE ARCHAEOBOTANICAL AND ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS FROM MIDDLE HELLADIC AGIA PARASKEVI, CENTRAL GREECE*

Introduction

The Spercheios Valley, in the heart of mainland Greece, is the subject of an interdisciplinary cooperative project involving archaeologists and geologists and entitled “Archaeological and Palaeogeographical Research of the Spercheios Valley”1. The aim of this project is to reconstruct the palaeolandscape on which the ancient settlements of the Spercheios Valley developed, and the coast line migration through time, as well as to investigate selected prehistoric settlements in relation to their palaeoenvironment2. This paper presents preliminary palaeoenvironmental results from the Middle Helladic layers of one of the settlements under study, Agia Paraskevi, Lamia. The study of these remains aims to illuminate plant and animal exploitation by the inhabitants of the settlement while also providing some insight into the surrounding natural environment that they exploited, in an attempt to approach the interaction of humans with their environment, thus contributing to the definition of the economic and cultural identity of the community.

Regional and archaeological setting of the site

The settlement is located 2km east of Lamia, on the northern margin of the coastal plain formed by the Spercheios River (Pl. CLa). The area is bordered to the north by a rocky, hilly ridge of the Mt. Othrys foothills and by a limited freshwater marsh in the vicinity of a karstic spring immediately to its east, while the present coastline is at a distance of about 5.5km. According to the palaeogeographical research3, the freshwater marsh existed already during the Middle Helladic period, but was more extensive, while the distance of the settlement from the coastline was less than it is today, due to the progression of the Spercheios delta.

The site has the form of a low mound created by anthropogenic deposits4. The substantial

* Gratitude is owed to the Institute of Aegean Prehistory for generous funding. Special thanks are due to Dr. T. Theodoropoulou, post-doctoral fellow at the Wiener Laboratory of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, for her invaluable contribution to this paper especially with the study of fish remains. Acknowledgements are also due to Dr. E. Kyriatzi, Director of the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens, for allowing the use of the Laboratory’s plant reference collection and the photographic stereomicroscope for documenting the plant remains.

1 The “Archaeological and Palaeogeographical Research in the Spercheios Valley”, supported by the Institute of Aegean Prehistory and the 14th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports, has been conducted since 2006 under the direction of Maria-Fotini Papakonstantinou and Konstantinos Vouvalidis.

2 M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU and K. VOUVALIDIS, “Aρχαιολογική και παλαιογεωγραφική έρευνα στην Κοιλάδα του Σπερχειού,” in Πρακτικά 5ου Συνεδρίου Φθιωτικής Ιστορίας, Λαμία, 16-18 Αριλίου 2010 (in press); M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU and K. VOUVALIDIS, “Αρχαιολογική και παλαιογεωγραφική έρευνα στην Κοιλάδα του Σπερχειού,” in A. MAZARAKIS AINIAN and A. DOULGERI-INTZESILOGLOU (eds.), Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Θεσσαλία και τη Στερεά Ελλάδα 2009-2011. Από τους προϊστορικούς στους νεώτερους χρόνους. Proceedings of the 4th Meeting, Volos, 16-18 March 2011 (in press).

3 K. VOUVALIDIS, G. SYRIDES, K. PAVLOPOULOS, M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU and P. TSOURLOS, “Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes in Agia Paraskevi prehistoric settlement, Lamia, Central Greece,” QuaternInt 216 (2010) 64-74; G. SYRIDES, E. AIDONA, K. VOUVALIDIS, M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU, S. PECHLIVANIDOU and N. KOUTSOKERA, “Ιζηματογενείς καταγραφές ανθρωπογενών και φυσικών διεργασιών στον προϊστορικό οικισμό της Αγίας Παρασκευής Λαμίας,” in MAZARAKIS AINIAN and DOULGERI-INTZESILOGLOU eds (supra n. 2).

4 M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU, T. KRAPF, N. KOUTSOKERA, A. GKOTSINAS, A. KARATHANOU, K. VOUVALIDIS and G. SYRIDES, “Αγία Παρασκευή Λαμίας, θέση «Πλατάνια». Το φυσικό και πολιτισμικό περιβάλλον ενός οικισμού στη δελταϊκή πεδιάδα του Σπερχειού ποταμού στη Μέση Eποχή του Χαλκού,” in MAZARAKIS AINIAN and DOULGERI-INTZESILOGLOU eds (supra n. 2).

488 Angelos GKOTSINAS et alii

remains of the prehistoric settlement that have been unearthed are dated, according to the excavation data, from the Neolithic to the Late Helladic. Current archaeological research however, is focused on the upper strata ranging within the second half of the Middle Helladic (Pef kakia 6-7 phases). Excavation has revealed a quite densely built-up residential area comprising apsidal and rectangular buildings with intervening open areas, like cobbled streets5

(Pl. CLb). The importance of the settlement within the Spercheios Valley and Central Greece in general is illustrated by the very well preserved, elaborate architectural remains, abundant artifacts and especially high-quality grey minyan and matt-painted local pottery. Imported products, on the other hand, indicate developed economic and trade relations with the south, thanks to the direct contact of the settlement with the sea and also its strategic location at the junction of important overland routes.

The archaeobotanical remains

Preliminary examination of archaeobotanical remains, collected systematically from the excavated deposits in an open area/street and the interior of the apsidal Building 1, indicates that at least four types of cereals were cultivated: einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.), emmer (T. dicoccum Schübl.), free-threshing wheat (T. aestivum L/durum Desf.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare) (Pl. CLIa). Of those, einkorn seems to have been the most preferred crop. The status of a fifth cereal type, the “new” glume wheat type (possibly T. timopheevi Zhuk.)6, as a crop -even as a maslin- cannot be determined due to the meagre quantity of glume bases identified. Likewise, the sparse available evidence of pulse seeds, such as lentils (Lens sp.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.), precludes any attempt to assess their role in the economy of the settlement. As far as fruit exploitation is concerned, it is unclear whether figs (Ficus carica L.) and grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) (Pl. CLIb) were procured from intensively exploited/cultivated trees, but scarce wild seeds of the genus Rubus, a single pistachio nut (Pistacia sp.) and a few remains of a yet unidentified nut probably indicate that the inhabitants of the settlement supplemented the plant component of their diet by gathering from the wild in addition to crop cultivation.

There is also evidence of cereal crop-processing and use of their by-products as fuel and/or possibly fodder, while the habit of discarding ashes, in which these were contained, in the open areas within the settlement such as the road, is also indicated. Moreover, the presence of a substantial number of wild species typically considered as cultivation weeds (Pl. CLIb), along with the processing by-products of glume-wheats, is very promising in terms of the investigation of crop husbandry practices7. Furthermore, valuable evidence for animal feeding patterns and exploitation strategies of the environment surrounding the settlement will be provided by the analysis of the significant quantity of yet unidentified wild seeds, if they were contained, along with badly preserved glume bases, in animal dung8. For instance, the presence of seeds of the water-loving Cyperaceae family could be related to the grazing of animals in the marshy environment of the settlement (Pl. CLIc).

5 See also the results of the geophysical investigation by G.N. TSOKAS, A. STAMBOLIDIS, G. VARGEMEZIS, P. TSOURLOS, M.-F. PAPAKONSTANTINOU and N. KOUTSOKERA, “Γεωφυσική διασκόπηση και συνακόλουθη σύντομη ανασκαφική έρευνα στη θέση Πλατάνια Αγίας Παρασκευής του Δήμου Λαμιέων,” in MAZARAKIS AINIAN and DOULGERI-INTZESILOGLOU eds (supra n. 2).

6 G. JONES, S. VALAMOTI and M. CHARLES, “Early crop diversity: a “new” glume wheat from northern Greece,” VegetHistArchaeobot 9 (2000) 133-146.

7 As is demonstrated for instance by G. JONES, A. BOGAARD, P. HALSTEAD, M. CHARLES and H. SMITH, “Identifying the intensity of crop husbandry practices on the basis of weed floras,” BSA 94 (1999) 167-189; and G. JONES, “Weed ecology as a method for the archaeobotanical recognition of crop husbandry practices,” ActaPalaeobot 42 (2002) 185-193.

8 E.g., S.M. VALAMOTI, “Detecting seasonal movement from animal dung: an investigation in Neolithic northern Greece”, Antiquity 81 (2007) 1053-1064.

INTERACTION WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AT MH AGIA PARASKEVI 489

The zooarchaeological remains

Preliminary results of the study of animal bones are based on detailed recording of mandibles and loose teeth9 recovered from every excavated area of the Middle Helladic settlement, including both building interiors and open areas. Five taxa of domesticated and two of wild mammals were identified. Domesticated species include pig (Sus domesticus), which dominates, sheep (Ovis aries), cow (Bos taurus), goat (Capra hircus) and dog (Canis familiaris). Wild taxa are represented by red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (Pl. CLIIa).

Consumption of ruminants and pigs is indicated by the traces of carcass processing and cooking, observed on several recorded elements. On the other hand, such traces have not yet been observed in the case of dogs. Furthermore, at least certain domestic animals may have been exploited not only for meat but also for secondary products (milk, wool, hair), as is possibly indicated by a fairly high proportion of adult and elderly individuals of sheep and goat.

Exploitation of the wild terrestial faunal resources is suggested by the remains of wild boar and red deer. Both wild species were hunted and also contributed to meat consumption in the settlement. Another important aspect of animal exploitation, related to the secondary use of bones, antlers and teeth for the manufacturing of tools and other objects, is evidenced by a range of artefacts such as pins, drills and a single helmet-plate (Pl. CLIIb).

The study of aquatic faunal remains suggests that the bulk of shell-collecting activities took place in the muddy bottoms of brackish coastal lagoons that existed along the wider area of Spercheios delta, as well as in the shelter bay close to the site10. Lagoon cockles (Cerastoderma glaucum) make up for more than 80% of the collected molluscs, and seem to have contributed significantly to the diet. The marine diet was completed by purple shells (Hexaplex trunculus), collected in deeper waters, and horn shells (Cerithium vulgatum) (Pl. CLIIc). Fishing was also practiced in the brackish deltaic waters close to the site, providing a range of small euryhaline seabreams (gilthead, striped) and grey mullets. Fishing and collecting in the shallow marine coastal waters covered by Posidonia meadows, further provided small seabreams (saddled, two-banded, axillary, bogue), as well as large-sized fan shells (Pinna nobilis). Occasional catches of small sharks that penetrate lagoons, cuttlefish, sea-urchins and small crabs completed the marine diet. Molluscs dwelling rocky substrates, such as limpets (Patella caerulea), topshells (Monodonta turbinata), oysters (Ostrea edulis) and thorny oysters (Spondylus gaederopus), are very few presumably indicating the absence of rocky coast in the vicinity of the site. Although freshwater environments were available nearby, it seems that the inhabitants of the settlement did not choose to exploit them, at least systematically, as the scarcity of valves of the freshwater mussel (Unio sp.) indicates.

Conclusion

Preliminary archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological results suggest that a range of activities related to the use and management of plants and animals were carried out by the inhabitants of Agia Paraskevi. A variety of cereals were cultivated and domesticated animals were bred, cereals and meat were accordingly processed during food preparation and their secondary and/or by-products were further exploited. At least one discard method has been detected, while valuable information on crop husbandry practices and animal feeding patterns are expected from future analysis. Moreover, it has been proved that the advantage offered by the strategic location of the settlement in the specific regional setting, to exploit a variety of different micro-environments, was fully taken. Fruits and nuts, some possibly procured from

9 Distinction of sheep and goat based on deciduous teeth follows S. PAYNE, “Morphological distinctions between the mandibular teeth of young sheep, Ovis, and goats, Capra,” JAS 12 (1985) 139-147, while the distinction of these species based on permanent teeth follows P. HALSTEAD, P. COLLINS and V. ISAAKIDOU, “Sorting the sheep from goats: morphological distinctions between the mandibles and mandibular teeth of adult Ovis and Capra,” JAS 29 (2002) 545-553.

10 G. SYRIDES, “Marine mollusk fauna and Holocene stratigraphy of the marsh of Agia Paraskevi, (Lamia, Fthiotida) Greece,” BGSG 42/I (2008) 1-14; VOUVALIDIS et al. (supra n. 3).

490 Angelos GKOTSINAS et alii

intensively exploited trees and others collected from wild ones, supplemented the diet while at least two wild animal species were hunted. Additionally, fishing and gathering of molluscs were practiced, mainly in the coastal lagoons of the Spercheios delta area but also in the inshore marine waters of the gulf. Neither the freshwater marsh nor the upper reaches of the river seem to have been exploited systematically for such purposes. However, future archaeobotanical analysis of wild species, possibly contained in burnt dung of livestock, might prove that these areas of the surrounding environment were additionally used for grazing.

Such analyses are of great interest and value, since they shed light not only on the ways in which the people of Agia Paraskevi interacted with their “generous” and challenging natural environment, but also on significant aspects of the settlement’s economy. The economy in question proved to be based on agricultural, breeding and fishing activities, and thus supports the results of the archaeological study that highlight the dominant role of the settlement in the whole Spercheios Valley.

Angelos GKOTSINASAngeliki KARATHANOUMaria-Fotini PAPAKONSTANTINOUGeorgios SYRIDESKonstantinos VOUVALIDIS

INTERACTION WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AT MH AGIA PARASKEVI 491

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Pl. CLa The settlement of Agia Paraskevi, viewed from the south. Pl. CLb Aerial map illustrating part of Central Greece where the settlement of Agia Paraskevi is

located (Google Earth). Pl. CLIa Cereal remains (from top left to bottom right): a) einkorn seeds and glume bases, b) free-

thresing wheat seeds and rachis, c) barley seed and rachis, d) emmer glume bases.Pl. CLIb Fruits (from left to right): a) grape pips and stalk, b) fig seeds.Pl. CLIc Wild seeds (from top left to bottom right): a) Polygonaceae/Cyperaceae, b) Galium sp. and

Avena sp., c) Lolium sp., d) Cynodon cf. dactylon.Pl. CLIIa Diagram showing the relative proportions of the animal species present at the settlement.Pl. CLIIb Bone tools. Pl. CLIIc Diagram showing the relative proportions of the mollusk species present at the settlement.

CL

a

b

CLI

b

c

a

CLII

c

a

b