444:
342:
throughout the
Neolithic in northern Greece—of wattle and daub on a timber frame. Items unearthed at the site include "flint blades, stone adzes, clay figurines with cruciform eyes and beak-shaped noses, seals for the adornment of the body, a frog-shaped pendant from steatite as well as clay spindle whorls for spinning wool, and bone tools." Archaeologists excavating the ancient town also discovered clay sculptures of plump women with phallic heads and folded arms. Pottery, especially large vessels, have been found at the site, some as tall as 60 cm and with a capacity as high as 85 litres. The site was originally situated on the shores of the
334:
523:. "Sling bullets, particularly with a fairly standardized ovoid or biconical shape with pouted ends and average length of 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) were found both baked and unbaked. They are common in Early and Middle Neolithic Greece, southeast Europe, and Near East, and have been found variously interpreted for use as fighting or hunting weapons, shepherd implements, equipment used to determine oven temperature or transfer heat to food and possibly to rooms, counters, gaming pieces and even loom weights."
50:
818:
57:
371:, given Macedonia's strategic location as the "gateway to Europe". R.J. Rodden observed that the site was "the oldest dated Neolithic community yet found in Europe" and observed that although it was similar in many respects to the Early Neolithic villages further east, it had "its own exclusively European characteristics."
359:
of about 24,200 square metres (260,000 sq ft). They were carried out by the anthropologist R.J. Rodden and his team in three phases in 1961, 1963 and 1964. The excavations were significant in determining the early
European way of life especially in farming and potential links and influences between the
526:
It is also surmised that the findings at Nea
Nikomideia could be for many daily uses and even for production of early period stone artifacts. About 140,000 material pieces were also unearthed from the small excavated area, which included 1,115 vessels indicative of pottery as a major activity with an
401:
made of reeds and branches. These huts encircled a central hut of 12 metres (39 ft) square, which was initially thought to be a place of worship, as 12 images were found housed inside the hut. In subsequent stages of the Early
Neolithic period, the houses were made in a rectangular plan and with
384:
Two types of building were identified during the excavations, both reflecting the agricultural and stock-raising vocations of the settlers. In the first phase, the houses were of square shape, measuring 8 metres (26 ft) on each side with wooden columns made of thin tree trunks, spaced at 1.2–1.9
375:
has given a range of 6650 BC to 5530 BC, but mostly between 6190 BC and 6150 BC. Rodden also estimates that the site was abandoned towards the end of the Early
Neolithic, possibly due to floods, fire or attacks by neighbouring tribes. It was re-inhabited during the Later Neolithic
358:
Nea
Nikomideia is the largest excavated Early Neolithic settlement in area, and consists of a mound of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) height (composed of both natural soil and also debris of habitation). The excavations cover some 1,690 square metres (18,200 sq ft) from a total mound area
341:
It was excavated extensively in three phases (in 1961, 1963 and 1964) by R. J. Rodden and his team. The site, covering an area of about 1,690 square metres (18,200 sq ft), has square dwellings measuring 12 by 12 metres; the houses at Nea
Nikomideia were constructed—as were most structures
410:
The economic activity was basically of the subsistence level of farming and livestock. Carbonized botanical and animal remains were found which also indicated the subsistence economic activities practiced by the settlers. The crops grown were cereals and pulses such as naked-six row
653:
R.J. Rodden and K.A. Wardle, Nea
Nikomedia: The Excavation of an Early Neolithic Village in Northern Greece 1961–1964, Vol I, The Excavation and the Ceramic Assemblage, British School at Athens Supplementary Volume 25,
393:. Foundation trenches and holes for fixing posts or columns consisted of clay and were plastered. Flooring was clay mixed with boulders. The roofs, supported on wooden columns, were of the
431:. Livestock consisted of sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs. Hunting, which was also practiced, included deer, wild boar, tortoises, and birds, and there was also fishing. Wild nuts such as
594:
385:
metres (3 ft 11 in – 6 ft 3 in). The walls, built with thin branches and reeds, were plastered over, both externally and internally, with
1061:
578:[Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
78:
598:
455:
The tools and tackles found consisted of 118 fragmented and 75 complete ground stone implements, found polished. Some of these are
36:
791:
757:
723:
1051:
849:
535:
Images of human figures made of clay and adorned with frog-shaped pendants were found. The eyes of the figures were in a
298:
402:
narrow corridors. Kitchen features identified were hearths, ovens, pots, various types of vessels and clay lined pits.
156:
144:
631:
575:
443:
49:
822:
283:. It received its present name ("New Nicomedia") in 1953. According to the 2021 census, its population was 607.
244:
211:
333:
495:, all indicative of use in wood crafting, animal skinning, grinding to prepare pigments for decorative
842:
132:
747:
621:
781:
713:
499:; there was about a thousand chipped stone items, mainly consisting of blades, flint flakes,
190:
827:
200:
677:
8:
1025:
885:
835:
488:
484:
327:
248:
1014:
787:
753:
719:
627:
125:
120:
749:
The Gods and
Goddesses of Old Europe: 7000 to 3500 BC Myths, Legends and Cult Images
295:
settlement of Nea
Nikomideia is located some 2 km NE of the village itself, at
868:
715:
A Social Archaeology of Households in Neolithic Greece: An Anthropological Approach
576:"Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό"
476:
161:
552:
292:
256:
1056:
970:
364:
347:
330:, dated to 6250–6050 BC, it may have had a population of up to 500 - 700.
272:
224:
1045:
540:
480:
372:
343:
313:
300:
231:) is a village approximately 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) to the northeast of
93:
80:
1009:
416:
346:
or possibly a lake or lagoon. As recently as the 1930s, the marsh of the
930:
280:
536:
520:
508:
368:
337:
Excavation of an Early Neolithic house at Neo Nikomideia in July 1963
276:
181:
539:
shape and the nose looked like a beak. The body was beautified with
548:
544:
516:
448:
394:
597:(in Greek). Imathia Regional Unit official website. Archived from
975:
956:
512:
496:
492:
420:
360:
240:
137:
901:
817:
504:
487:
made of clay to spin wool, 400 worked pebbles, black and green
472:
468:
412:
398:
252:
207:
186:
149:
113:
1030:
986:
859:
857:
500:
464:
460:
456:
432:
428:
236:
232:
424:
386:
390:
783:
Balkan Prehistory: Exclusion, Incorporation and Identity
1043:
527:estimated annual production rate of 25-90 pots.
752:. University of California Press. p. 153.
619:
707:
705:
703:
701:
699:
697:
695:
843:
397:, also covered with clay and hay placed over
1062:Neolithic settlements in Macedonia (region)
739:
692:
326:. It is one of the earliest known sites in
850:
836:
718:. Cambridge University Press. p. 64.
570:
568:
773:
589:
587:
585:
271:(Μπρανιάτα) and was settled in 1922 with
259:settlement, one of the oldest in Europe.
745:
711:
595:"Nεολιθικός οικισμός της Ν. Νικομήδειας"
555:vessels were also part of the findings
442:
332:
565:
551:. Three green stone frog figurines and
286:
1044:
779:
582:
56:
831:
780:Bailey, Douglass (5 September 2000).
712:Souvatzi, Stella G. (14 April 2008).
672:
670:
668:
666:
664:
662:
660:
613:
858:Subdivisions of the municipality of
786:. Taylor & Francis. p. 86.
746:Gimbutas, Marija Alseikaitė (1974).
438:
405:
13:
680:. Foundation of the Hellenic World
657:
267:Originally, the village was named
255:. It is best known for the nearby
14:
1073:
811:
816:
55:
48:
647:
1:
623:European Prehistory: A Survey
558:
530:
379:
16:Village in Macedonia, Greece
7:
1052:Populated places in Imathia
10:
1078:
353:
350:covered much of the area.
262:
984:
954:
928:
899:
866:
626:. Springer. p. 182.
447:Female figurine, marble,
228:
197:
180:
172:
167:
155:
143:
131:
119:
109:
74:
43:
34:
24:
620:Milisauskas, S. (2011).
28:
314:40.604156°N 22.264982°E
235:in the municipality of
452:
338:
173: • Community
825:at Wikimedia Commons
507:. Bone implements or
446:
336:
199: • Summer (
121:Administrative region
435:were also gathered.
319:40.604156; 22.264982
287:Neolithic settlement
601:on 17 February 2013
515:, points, needles,
310: /
239:, regional unit of
94:40.5877°N 22.2498°E
90: /
19:Community in Greece
985:Municipal unit of
955:Municipal unit of
929:Municipal unit of
900:Municipal unit of
867:Municipal unit of
453:
339:
1039:
1038:
964:Metochi Prodromou
821:Media related to
793:978-0-415-21598-5
759:978-0-520-01995-9
725:978-0-521-83689-0
439:Tools and tackles
406:Economic activity
245:geographic region
218:
217:
126:Central Macedonia
1069:
869:Apostolos Pavlos
852:
845:
838:
829:
828:
820:
805:
804:
802:
800:
777:
771:
770:
768:
766:
743:
737:
736:
734:
732:
709:
690:
689:
687:
685:
678:"Nea Nikomedeia"
674:
655:
651:
645:
644:
642:
640:
617:
611:
610:
608:
606:
591:
580:
579:
572:
325:
324:
322:
321:
320:
315:
311:
308:
307:
306:
303:
279:in northwestern
230:
204:
162:Apostolos Pavlos
105:
104:
102:
101:
100:
99:40.5877; 22.2498
95:
91:
88:
87:
86:
83:
59:
58:
52:
22:
21:
1077:
1076:
1072:
1071:
1070:
1068:
1067:
1066:
1042:
1041:
1040:
1035:
980:
950:
924:
895:
862:
856:
814:
809:
808:
798:
796:
794:
778:
774:
764:
762:
760:
744:
740:
730:
728:
726:
710:
693:
683:
681:
676:
675:
658:
652:
648:
638:
636:
634:
618:
614:
604:
602:
593:
592:
583:
574:
573:
566:
561:
553:anthropomorphic
533:
441:
408:
382:
356:
318:
316:
312:
309:
304:
301:
299:
297:
296:
293:Early Neolithic
289:
265:
257:Early Neolithic
198:
98:
96:
92:
89:
84:
81:
79:
77:
76:
70:
69:
68:
67:
66:
65:
64:
60:
39:
30:
27:
20:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1075:
1065:
1064:
1059:
1054:
1037:
1036:
1034:
1033:
1028:
1023:
1020:
1019:Profitis Ilias
1017:
1012:
1007:
1004:
1001:
998:
995:
991:
989:
982:
981:
979:
978:
973:
968:
965:
961:
959:
952:
951:
949:
948:
945:
942:
939:
935:
933:
926:
925:
923:
922:
919:
916:
913:
912:Agios Georgios
910:
906:
904:
897:
896:
894:
893:
891:Nea Nikomideia
888:
883:
880:
877:
873:
871:
864:
863:
855:
854:
847:
840:
832:
823:Nea Nikomedeia
813:
812:External links
810:
807:
806:
792:
772:
758:
738:
724:
691:
656:
646:
632:
612:
581:
563:
562:
560:
557:
532:
529:
485:spindle whorls
451:, 5300–3300 BC
440:
437:
407:
404:
381:
378:
355:
352:
348:Giannitsa Lake
288:
285:
273:Greek refugees
264:
261:
229:Νέα Νικομήδεια
221:Nea Nikomideia
216:
215:
205:
195:
194:
184:
178:
177:
174:
170:
169:
165:
164:
159:
157:Municipal unit
153:
152:
147:
141:
140:
135:
129:
128:
123:
117:
116:
111:
107:
106:
72:
71:
63:Nea Nikomideia
62:
61:
54:
53:
47:
46:
45:
44:
41:
40:
35:
32:
31:
29:Νέα Νικομήδεια
26:Nea Nikomideia
25:
18:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1074:
1063:
1060:
1058:
1055:
1053:
1050:
1049:
1047:
1032:
1029:
1027:
1024:
1021:
1018:
1016:
1013:
1011:
1008:
1005:
1002:
999:
996:
993:
992:
990:
988:
983:
977:
974:
972:
969:
966:
963:
962:
960:
958:
953:
946:
943:
940:
937:
936:
934:
932:
927:
920:
917:
914:
911:
908:
907:
905:
903:
898:
892:
889:
887:
884:
881:
878:
875:
874:
872:
870:
865:
861:
853:
848:
846:
841:
839:
834:
833:
830:
826:
824:
819:
795:
789:
785:
784:
776:
761:
755:
751:
750:
742:
727:
721:
717:
716:
708:
706:
704:
702:
700:
698:
696:
679:
673:
671:
669:
667:
665:
663:
661:
650:
635:
633:9781441966339
629:
625:
624:
616:
600:
596:
590:
588:
586:
577:
571:
569:
564:
556:
554:
550:
546:
542:
538:
528:
524:
522:
518:
514:
511:consisted of
510:
506:
502:
498:
494:
490:
486:
482:
478:
474:
470:
466:
462:
458:
450:
445:
436:
434:
430:
427:, and bitter
426:
422:
418:
414:
403:
400:
396:
392:
388:
377:
374:
373:Carbon dating
370:
366:
362:
351:
349:
345:
344:Thermaic Gulf
335:
331:
329:
323:
294:
284:
282:
278:
274:
270:
260:
258:
254:
250:
246:
242:
238:
234:
226:
222:
213:
209:
206:
202:
196:
192:
188:
185:
183:
179:
175:
171:
166:
163:
160:
158:
154:
151:
148:
146:
142:
139:
136:
134:
133:Regional unit
130:
127:
124:
122:
118:
115:
112:
108:
103:
75:Coordinates:
73:
51:
42:
38:
33:
23:
994:Agia Varvara
890:
815:
797:. Retrieved
782:
775:
765:16 September
763:. Retrieved
748:
741:
729:. Retrieved
714:
682:. Retrieved
649:
637:. Retrieved
622:
615:
603:. Retrieved
599:the original
534:
525:
471:, pounders,
454:
409:
383:
357:
340:
290:
268:
266:
251:in northern
220:
219:
145:Municipality
1010:Kato Vermio
909:Agia Marina
489:serpentines
417:emmer wheat
389:mixed with
317: /
97: /
1046:Categories
1026:Tripotamos
1003:Georgianoi
967:Palatitsia
941:Polydendro
931:Makedonida
886:Makrochori
882:Lykogianni
799:17 October
731:17 October
684:17 October
605:19 October
559:References
547:made from
521:fish hooks
509:bone tools
305:22°15′54″E
302:40°36′15″N
281:Asia Minor
168:Population
85:22°14′59″E
82:40°35′16″N
537:cruciform
531:Figurines
380:Dwellings
369:Near East
328:Macedonia
277:Nicomedia
249:Macedonia
243:, in the
182:Time zone
37:Community
1015:Koumaria
1006:Kastania
944:Rizomata
879:Kouloura
876:Diavatos
549:steatite
545:pendants
517:spatulas
481:grinders
477:palettes
463:, stone
459:made of
449:Thessaly
395:hip type
376:period.
367:and the
269:Braniata
1000:Asomata
976:Vergina
957:Vergina
921:Trilofo
918:Patrida
639:24 June
497:pottery
493:marbles
469:pestles
421:lentils
361:Balkans
354:History
263:Village
241:Imathia
138:Imathia
110:Country
947:Sfikia
938:Daskio
915:Fyteia
902:Dovras
790:
756:
722:
630:
505:quartz
473:querns
457:blades
433:acorns
413:barley
399:thatch
365:Aegean
363:, the
253:Greece
150:Veroia
114:Greece
1057:Veria
1031:Veria
1022:Rachi
997:Ammos
987:Veria
971:Sykia
860:Veria
541:seals
501:chert
465:adzes
461:flint
429:vetch
275:from
237:Veria
233:Veria
225:Greek
208:UTC+3
187:UTC+2
801:2012
788:ISBN
767:2012
754:ISBN
733:2012
720:ISBN
686:2012
654:1996
641:2015
628:ISBN
607:2012
543:and
519:and
513:awls
503:and
491:and
425:peas
387:clay
291:The
212:EEST
391:hay
247:of
201:DST
191:EET
176:607
1048::
694:^
659:^
584:^
567:^
483:,
479:,
475:,
467:,
423:,
419:,
415:,
227::
851:e
844:t
837:v
803:.
769:.
735:.
688:.
643:.
609:.
223:(
214:)
210:(
203:)
193:)
189:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.