Lithic Industry from the Aceramic Levels at Knossos (Crete, Greece): an Alternative Approach

Malgorzata Kaczanowska & Janusz K. Kozlowski Eurasian Prehistory 8:1-2 (2011): 67-87.

Περίληψη (στα Αγγλικά)

The paper deals with lithic artefacts from aceramic levels excavated by J. Evans at Knossos (layer X) and offers an alternative interpretation to that proposed by J. Conolly (2008). A series of 376 artefacts from the collection of the British School in Athens (Stratigraphic Museum in Knossos) has been analyzed in terms of raw materials, technology (notably: reduction sequences and their stages carried out on-site and off-site), also morphological structure of retouched tools. The assemblage from layer X at Knossos is compared with Mesolithic industries and the Initial Neolithic in Peloponnese (especially phase X in Franchthi Cave), with the Mesolithic of the Aegean islands and with the Pre-Neolithic flake industries of Cyprus. Moreover, the relation of the Aceramic assemblage (Initial Neolithic) to the chipped stone industry from Early Neolithic I from Knossos has been examined and a number of common features of technology and tool morphology are pointed out.