The Neolithisation of the central and western Mediterranean represents a pivotal chapter in European prehistory, characterised by the introduction of farming, animal husbandry and new material culture. This cultural and economic transformation, which began in the first half of the 7th millennium BCE, saw the spread of Neolithic communities from the eastern Mediterranean to its westernmost coasts (Guilaine 2001; 2003; Gronenborn 2009). Despite the significant progress made in understanding this process, questions remain regarding the timing, routes and dynamics of this transition, as well as the interplay between migrating farming communities and local hunter-gatherer populations. The objective of this chapter is to provide new insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of the Neolithic expansion by analysing calibrated radiocarbon dates from a comprehensive dataset spanning the Adriatic to the Iberian Peninsula. By focusing on plant seeds, animal bones, human bones and wood charcoal samples, this study investigates material-specific differences in radiocarbon chronologies and their implications for understanding the spread of agriculture. The results reveal significant temporal and spatial variability, also between sample types. Dates obtained from plant seeds and animal bones consistently pre-date human bones, suggesting different depositional contexts and later adoption of burial practices. In contrast, wood charcoal samples often yielded older dates, attributed to the ‘old-wood’ effect. The spatial interpolation provides a detailed visualisation of Neolithic diffusion, emphasising the interplay between environmental constraints, maritime colonisation, terrestrial migrations and local adaptations. Together, these findings underscore the complexity of the Neolithic transition in the Mediterranean and highlight the need for continued multidisciplinary approaches to unravel the dynamics of this transformative period.
The Neolithic expansion across the central and western Mediterranean: revisiting the radiocarbon framework
Niccolo Mazzucco
Primo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Thomas HuetSecondo
Writing – Review & Editing
;
2025-01-01
Abstract
The Neolithisation of the central and western Mediterranean represents a pivotal chapter in European prehistory, characterised by the introduction of farming, animal husbandry and new material culture. This cultural and economic transformation, which began in the first half of the 7th millennium BCE, saw the spread of Neolithic communities from the eastern Mediterranean to its westernmost coasts (Guilaine 2001; 2003; Gronenborn 2009). Despite the significant progress made in understanding this process, questions remain regarding the timing, routes and dynamics of this transition, as well as the interplay between migrating farming communities and local hunter-gatherer populations. The objective of this chapter is to provide new insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of the Neolithic expansion by analysing calibrated radiocarbon dates from a comprehensive dataset spanning the Adriatic to the Iberian Peninsula. By focusing on plant seeds, animal bones, human bones and wood charcoal samples, this study investigates material-specific differences in radiocarbon chronologies and their implications for understanding the spread of agriculture. The results reveal significant temporal and spatial variability, also between sample types. Dates obtained from plant seeds and animal bones consistently pre-date human bones, suggesting different depositional contexts and later adoption of burial practices. In contrast, wood charcoal samples often yielded older dates, attributed to the ‘old-wood’ effect. The spatial interpolation provides a detailed visualisation of Neolithic diffusion, emphasising the interplay between environmental constraints, maritime colonisation, terrestrial migrations and local adaptations. Together, these findings underscore the complexity of the Neolithic transition in the Mediterranean and highlight the need for continued multidisciplinary approaches to unravel the dynamics of this transformative period.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
