Friday, May 29, 2015, 6:30pm – 6:50pm
Presented by Anna Panti
In track I. SOCIAL SPACES, COMMUNITIES, AND LIFEWAYS

Τhe study of prehistory of Aegean Thrace due to its key position to the crossroads between the Balkan penislula and the Mediterranean world is significant in defining the cultural influences exercised between these regions. Our knowledge about the prehistory of Aegean Thrace is limited. Only a few sites, such as Paradimi, Paradeisos and Makri have been thoroughly investigated. In the region of Aegean Thrace there are several cavities, caves and small rock shelters which were inhabited from prehistoric times to late byzantine era. The peak period of caves inhabited by human communities not only in Aegean Thrace but generally in Northern Greece is the Early Bronze Age.
In the southern foot of Rodopi, on Mount Ismaros, there are situated the Maroneia cave, known as the Cyclops’ cave and the cave complex of the Strymi gorge, caves A and B. Several smaller cavities are observed along the cliffs of the ravine. The distance between them is rather small, about 5km and both of them have easy access to the sea. The cave of Maroneia is 5km distant from the sea and the Strymi complex 11km.
The first has been excavated by the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Speleology of Northern Greece. In the Srtymi complex was recently conducted a survey.
The examination of the pottery indicates that the earliest human use of these caves is dated in Late Neolithic period. The study of the pottery of both sites reveal similarities with Paradimi IV, Paradeisos, Karanovo IV, Vinča etc.
The stratigraphy of Late Neolithic period of the Maroneia cave consists of successive red clay masses, black layers representing open fire remains and lenses of grey-white ash densely packed. The main organic material preserved consist of burnt coprolites. Obviously shepherds used to set fire to the whole internal space for sanitary purposes. It seems that the Maroneia cave was inhabited by transhumant pastoralists that moved through the district of Rodopi and the valley of the Strymon river on a regular base as it is known for the inhabitants of other neighbour sites.
It is hoped that the examination of the pottery will reveal the cultural influences among the sites on Ismaros as well as with the neighbouring regions of Aegean Thrace and the Balkan peninsula.