The use of plants and domestic spaces in the Early Neolithic Pelagonia Valley. Preliminary results of the integrated archaeobotanical and micro-refuse approach

Abstract

This paper summarizes the preliminary results of archaeobotanical analyses coupled with information gathered through the micro-refuse approach with focus on two early Neolithic sites in the Pelagonia Vаlley in North Macedonia; Vrbjanska Čuka and Veluška Tumba. The main topic considered is the use of plants and domestic spaces, with aspects like agriculture,, diet and household activities being discussed. The diet and the economy of these communities is believed to depend mostly on agriculture, and the diachronic observations show its higher relevance in the later phases of the Early Neolithic period. The majority of crops are cereals with einkorn being the dominant one, but other species such as emmer, barley and Timopheevi wheat are also significantly abundant. Pulses; like pea and lentil, were important as well. Nevertheless, wild species were also gathered and brought to the village; most probably for consumption purposes. They were most commonly fruits; nuts and leaf vegetables. Micro-refuse approach illuminated the activities which were performed in the houses and helped us identify cooking waste residues, areas of crop processing, areas of litter disposal, and in that way clarified the use of domestic spaces.