Prehistoric settlements in the nome of Imathia A'

No AbstractThe surface research in the N.-N.W. part of the nome of Imathia and specifically in the region N. of Véroia, E. of Naousa and W. of Nea Nikomedia, had as a result to locate four new settlements and to collect surface findings from nine other bibliographically known sites. The thirteen sites in total, are presented in alphabetical order together with facts about their topography. Further are published for the first time the most representative findings of the collection, mainly pottery and stone tools. The study of the organisation at the place of these sites as well as the surface findings, led to the following verifications: a) there is a rather high density of settlements during the Early Neolithic period, an element which states that the case of Nea Nikomedia does not constitute a unique chronologically phaenomenon in the region, b) In the Late Neolothic, the number of sites grows, a fact which is observed also in the remaining valey of Giannitsa and the rest of Macedonia, c) The Early Bronze Age is represented by only few sites, a fact which is not in accordance with the high density of settlements of the same period in the remaining plain of Giannitsa. d) Three sites of the Late Bronze Age have been located, a rather large number for the area under research and in comparison with facts from the remaining valey of Gianitsa.As to the form of the settlements the tumulus type is mainly encountered, but there is proof of dwellings in caves, in natural elevations and in flat sites.The study of the pottery has given the possibility for comparison with pottery from other sites and similarities and relations with settlements in Macedonia, but also it has given the possibility to recognise styles in pottery.As a conclusion, it seems that the region of the present nome of Imathia is especially important for the study of Macedonian prehistory, because of its location between southern Greece and the remaining units of Macedonia. However it is necessary that our conclusions should be supported by excavational researches that are absent until the present