An Aurignacian Assemblage from the Island of Lemnos (Greece): Some Aspects of the Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Northeast Aegean
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The Pournias Site
3. Materials and Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Efstratiou, N.; Biagi, P.; Starnini, E.; Kyriakou, D.; Eleftheriadou, A. Agia Marina and Peristereònas: Two Epipalaeolithic sites in the Island of Lemnos (Greece). J. Paleolit. Archaeol. 2022, 5, 5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Efstratiou, N.; Biagi, P.; Starnini, E. The Epipalaeolithic Site of Ouriakos on the Island of Lemnos and its Place in the Late Pleistocene Peopling of the East Mediterranean Region. Adalya 2014, XVII, 1–23. [Google Scholar]
- Vacchi, M.; Rovere, A.; Chatzipetros, A.; Zouros, N.; Firpo, M. An updated database of Holocene relative sea level changes in NE Aegean Sea. Quat. Int. 2014, 328–329, 301–310. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lambeck, K.; Purcell, A. Sea-level change in the Mediterranean Sea since the LGM: Model predictions for tectonically stable areas. Quat. Sci. Rev. 2005, 24, 1969–1988. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lambeck, K. Sea-level change and shore-line evolution in Aegean Greece since Upper Palaeolithic time. Antiquity 1996, 70, 588–611. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lambeck, K.; Rouby, H.; Purcell, A.; Sun, Y.; Sambridge, M. Sea level and global ice volumes from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2014, 111, 15296–15303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lykoussis, V. Sea-level changes and shelf break prograding sequences during the last 400ka in the Aegean margins: Subsidence rates and palaeogeographic implications. Cont. Shelf Res. 2009, 29, 2037–2044. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Koukousioura, O.; Kouli, K.; Gkouma, M.; Theocharidis, N.; Ntinou, M.; Chalkioti, A.; Dimou, V.-G.; Fatourou, E.; Navrozidou, V.; Kafetzidou, A.; et al. Reconstructing the Environmental Conditions in the Prehistoric Coastal Landscape of SE Lemnos Island (Greece) Since the Late Glacial. Water 2025, 17, 220. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bar-Yosef, O. Defining the Aurignacian. In Towards a Definition of the Aurignacian, Proceedings of the Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal, 25–30 June 2002; Bar-Yosef, O., Zilhão, J., Eds.; Trabalhos de Arqueologia: Lisbon, Portugal, 2006; Volume 45, pp. 11–20. [Google Scholar]
- Galanidou, N. Advances in the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology of Greece for the new millennium. Pharos 2014, 20, 1–40. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Galanidou, N.; Cole, J.; Iliopoulos, G.; McNabb, J. East meets West: The Middle Pleistocene site of Rodafnidia on Lesvos, Greece. Antiq. Proj. Gallery 2013, 87, 1–7. [Google Scholar]
- Sakellariou, D.; Galanidou, N. Aegean Pleistocene Landscapes Above and Below Sea-Level: Palaeogeographic Reconstruction and Hominin Dispersals. In Under the Sea: Archaeology and Palaeolandscapes of the Continental Shelf; Bailey, G., Harff, J., Sakellariou, D., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Germany, 2017; pp. 335–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Howitt-Marshall, D.; Runnels, C. Middle Pleistocene sea-crossings in the eastern Mediterranean? J. Anthropol. Archaeol. 2016, 42, 140–153. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Simmons, A.H. Stone Age Sailors. In Paleolithic Seafaring in the Mediterranean; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2016. [Google Scholar]
- Hoffecker, J.F. The Spread on Modern Humans in Europe. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2009, 106, 16040–16045. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Haws, J.A.; Benedetti, M.B.; Talamo, S.; Bicho, N.; Cascalheira, J.; Ellis, M.G.; Carvalho, M.M.; Fried, L.; Pereirai, T.; Zinsious, B.K. The early Aurignacian dispersal of modern humans into westernmost Eurasia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2020, 117, 25414–25422. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shao, Y.; Limberg, H.; Klein, K.; Wegener, C.; Schmidt, I.; Weniger, G.-C.; Hense, A.; Rostami, M. Human-existence probability of the Aurignacian techno-complex under extreme climate conditions. Quat. Sci. Rev. 2021, 263, 106995. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shao, Y.; Wegener, C.; Klein, K.; Schmidt, I.; Weniger, G.-C. Reconstruction of human dispersal during Aurignacian on pan-European scale. Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 7406. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chu, W.; McLin, S.; Wöstehoff, L.; Ciornei, A.; Gennai, J.; Marreiros, J.; Doboş, A. Aurignacian dynamics in Southeastern Europe based on spatial analysis, sediment geochemistry, raw materials, lithic analysis, and use-wear from Românești-Dumbrăvița. Sci. Rep. 2022, 12, 14152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kozłowski, J.K.; Otte, M. The Formation of the Aurignacian in Europe. J. Anthropol. Res. 2000, 56, 513–534. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yalçinkaya, I.; Otte, M. Début du Paléolithique supérieur à Karain (Turquie). L’Anthropologie 2000, 104, 51–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Koumouzelis, M.; Ginter, B.; Kozłowski, J.; Pawlinowski, M.; Bar-Yosef, O.; Albert, R.-M.; Litynska-Zajac, M.; Stworzewicz, E.; Wojtal, P.; Lipecki, G.; et al. The Early Upper Palaeolithic in Greece: The Excavations in Klisoura Cave. J. Archaeol. Sci. 2001, 28, 515–539. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Douka, K.; Perlès, C.; Valladas, H.; Vanhaeren, M.; Hedges, R.E.M. Franchthi Cave revisited: The age of the Aurignacian in south-eastern Europe. Antiquity 2011, 85, 1131–1150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kozłowski, J.K. The Problem of Cultural Continuity between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic in Central and Eastern Europe. In The Geography of Neandertals and Modern Humans in Europe and the Greater Mediterranean; Bar-Yosef, O., Pilbeam, D., Eds.; Peabody Museum Bulletin; Harvard University: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2000; Volume 8, pp. 77–108. [Google Scholar]
- Sidiropoulou, M.; Fouache, E.; Pavlopoulos, K.; Triantaphyllou, M.; Vouvalidis, K.; Syrides, G.; Greco, E. Geomorphological Evolution and Paleoenvironment Reconstruction in the Northeastern Part of Lemnos Island (North Aegean Sea). Aegaeum 2014, 37, 49–57. [Google Scholar]
- Bond, C.J. The value, meaning and protection of lithic scatters. Lithics 2011, 32, 29–48. [Google Scholar]
- Runnels, C.; Karimali, E.; Cullen, B. Early upper Palaeolithic Spilaion: An artifact-rich surface site. In Landscape Archaeology in Southern Epirus, Greece I; Wiseman, J., Zachos, K., Eds.; Hesperia Supplement 32; American School of Classical Studies at Athens: Athens, Greece, 2003; pp. 135–156. [Google Scholar]
- Laplace, G. Essai de typologie systématique. Ann. dell’Università Ferrara 1964, I (Suppl. II), 1–85. [Google Scholar]
- Martini, F. L’Epigravettiano di Poggio alla Malva (Firenze). Atti Della Soc. Toscana Sci. Nat. Mem. 1981, 88, 303–326. [Google Scholar]
- Le Bruns-Ricalens, F. Chronique d’une reconnaissance attendue. Outils “carénés”, outils “nucléiformes”: Nucléus à lamelles. Bilan après un siècle de recherches typologiques, technologiques et tracéologiques. Productions lamellaires attribuées à l’Aurignacien: Chaînes opératoires et perspectives technoculturelles. In Proceedings of the XIVe Congrès de l‘UISPP, Liège, Belgium, 2–8 September 2001; ArchéoLogiques: Luxembourg, 2005; Volume 1, pp. 23–72. [Google Scholar]
- Innocenti, F.; Manetti, P.; Mazzuoli, R.; Pertusati, P.; Fytikas, M.; Kolios, N.; Vougioukalakis, G.E.; Androulakakis, N.; Critelli, S.; Caracciolo, L. Geological map (scale 1:50,000) of Limnos Island (Greece): Explanatory notes. Acta Vulcanol. 2009, 21, 123–134. [Google Scholar]
- Anifadi, A.; Parcharidis, I.; Sykioti, O. Hydrothermal alteration zones detection in Limnos Island, through the application of Remote Sensing. Bull. Geol. Soc. Greece 2016, 50, 1595–1604. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bataille, G. Extracting the “Proto” from the Aurignacian. Distinct Production Sequences of Blades and Bladelets in the Lower Aurignacian Phase of Siuren I, Units H and G (Crimea). Mitteilungen Der Ges. Für Urgeschichte 2016, 25, 49–85. [Google Scholar]
- Gennai, J.; Peresani, M.; Richter, J. Blades, bladelets or blade(let)s? Investigating early Upper Palaeolithic technology and taxonomical considerations. Quartär 2021, 68, 71–116. [Google Scholar]
- Laplace, G. Recherches sur l’Origine et l’Evolution des Complexes Leptolithiques; l’École française de Rome: Rome, Italy, 1966; Volume 4, Available online: https://www.persee.fr/doc/efr_0000-0000_1966_mon_4_1 (accessed on 9 October 2024).
- Carter, T.; Daniel, A.; Contreras, D.A.; Holcomb, J.; Mihailović, D.A.; Karkanas, P.; Guérin, G.; Taffin, N.; Athanasoulis, D.; Lahaye, C. Earliest occupation of the Central Aegean (Naxos), Greece: Implications for hominin and Homo sapiens’ behavior and dispersals. Sci. Adv. 2019, 5, 10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Teyssandier, N. Les débuts de l’Aurignacien dans leur cadre européen: Où en est-on? [The beginnings of the Aurignacian in a European framework: Where do we stand?]. Gall. Préhistoire 2023, 63, 103–152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Teyssandier, N.; Bolus, M.; Conard, N. The Early Aurignacian in central Europe and its place in a European perspective. In Towards a Definition of the Aurignacian, Proceedings of the Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal, 25–30 June 2002; Bar-Yosef, O., Zilhão, J., Eds.; Trabalhos de Arqueologia: Lisbon, Portugal, 2006; Volume 45, pp. 241–256. [Google Scholar]
- Kuhn, S.L.; Brantingham, P.J.; Kerry, K.W. The Early Upper Palaeolithic and the Origin of Modern Humans. In The Early Upper Palaeolithic Beyond Western Europe; Brantingham, P.J., Kuhn, S.L., Kerry, K.W., Eds.; University of California Press: Berkeley, CA, USA; London, UK, 2004; pp. 242–248. [Google Scholar]
- Kozłowski, J.K. A dynamic view of Aurignacian technology. In Towards a Definition of the Aurignacian, Proceedings of the Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal, 25–30 June 2002; Bar-Yosef, O., Zilhão, J., Eds.; Trabalhos de Arqueologia: Lisbon, Portugal, 2006; Volume 45, pp. 21–34. [Google Scholar]
- Higham, T.; Wood, R.; Moreau, L.; Conard, N.; Ramsey, C.B. Comments on ’Human-climate interaction during the early Upper Paleolithic: Testing the hypothesis of an adaptive shift between the Proto-Aurignacian and the early Aurignacian’ by Banks. J. Hum. Evol. 2013, 65, 806–809. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Teyssandier, N.; Zilhão, J. On the entity and antiquity of the Aurignacian at Willendorf (Austria): Implications for modern human emergence in Europe. J. Paleolit. Archaeol. 2018, 1, 107–138. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tourloukis, V.; Harvati, K. The Palaeolithic record of Greece: A synthesis of the evidence and a research agenda for the future. Quat. Int. 2017, 446, 48–65. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ligkovanlis, S. Megalo Karvounari Revisited. In Thesprotia Expedition II. Environment and Settlement Patterns; Forsén, B., Tikkala, E., Eds.; Finnish Institute at Athens: Athens, Greece, 2011; Volume XVI, pp. 159–180. [Google Scholar]
- Darlas, A. Palaeolithic Research in Western Achaïa. In The Palaeolithic Archaeology of Greece and Adjacent Areas, Proceedings of the ICOPAG Conference, Ioannina, Greece, September 1994; Bailey, G., Adam, E., Panagopoulou, E., Perlès, C., Zagros, C., Eds.; British School at Athens Studies: Athens, Greece, 1999; Volume 3, pp. 303–310. [Google Scholar]
- Siddall, M.; Rohling, E.J.; Thompson, W.G.; Waelbroeck, C. Marine isotope stage 3 sea level fluctuations: Data synthesis and new outlook. Rev. Geophys. 2008, 46, RG4003. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Benjamin, J.; Rovere, A.; Fontana, A.; Furlani, S.; Vacchi, M.; Inglis, R.H.; Galili, E.; Antonioli, F.; Sivan, D.; Miko, S.; et al. Late Quaternary sea-level changes and early human societies in the central and eastern Mediterranean Basin: An interdisciplinary review. Quat. Int. 2017, 449, 29–57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chalkioti, A. Reconstructing the Coastal Configuration of Lemnos Island (Northeast Aegean Sea, Greece). In Géoarchéologie Des îles De La Méditerranée; Ghilardi, M., Ed.; CNRS Éditions: Paris, France, 2016; pp. 109–118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kuhn, S.L.; Pigati, J.; Karkanas, P.; Koumouzelis, M.; Kozłowski, J.K.; Ntinou, M.; Stiner, M.C. Radiocarbon dating results for the early Paleolithic of Klissoura Cave. Eurasian Prehist. 2010, 7, 37–46. [Google Scholar]
- Darlas, A.; Psathi, E. The Middle and Upper Paleolithic on the Western Coast of the Mani Peninsula (Southern Greece). In Paleoanthropology of the Balkans and Anatolia Human Evolution and Its Context; Harvati, K., Roksandic, M., Eds.; Springer Science + Business Media: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2016; pp. 95–117. [Google Scholar]
- Hauck, T.C.; Ruka, R.; Gjipali, I.; Richter, J.; Vogels, O. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania. J. Field Archaeol. 2016, 41, 148–161. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bernabò Brea, L. Città preistorica nell’isola di Lemnos. In Monografie della Scuola Archeologica di Atene e delle Missioni Italiane in Oriente; Poliochni II.1, II.2; Bretschneider: Rome, Italy, 1976; Volume 2. [Google Scholar]
- Triantaphyllou, M.V.; Firkasis, N.; Tsourou, T.; Vassilakis, E.; Spyrou, E.; Koukousioura, O.; Oikonomou, A.; Skentos, A. “Geo-Archaeo-Routes” on the Island of Lemnos: The “Nalture” Experience as a Holistic Geotouristic Approach within the Geoethical Perspective. Geosciences 2023, 13, 143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Menelaou, S.; Kouka, O.; Müller, N.S.; Kiriatzi, E. Longevity, creativity, and mobility at the “oldest city in Europe”: Ceramic traditions and cultural interactions at Poliochni Lemnos, northeast Aegean. Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci. 2024, 16, 179. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sakellariou, D.; Galanidou, N. Pleistocene submerged landscapes and Palaeolithic archaeology in the tectonically active Aegean region. In Geology and Archaeology: Submerged Landscapes of the Continental Shelf; Harff, J., Bailey, G., Lüth, F., Eds.; Geological Society: London, UK, 2016; Volume 411, pp. 145–178. [Google Scholar]
- Bulut, H.; Taşkıran, H.; Özçelik, K.; Karahan, G. Lower and Middle Palaeolithic evidence from the North Aegean coastline of Çanakkale, Turkey. Antiquity 2022, 96, 981–988. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Erdoğu, B.; Yücel, N.E.; Demir, K. The new evidence for the Palaeolithic on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros), north-eastern Aegean. J. Lithic Stud. 2021, 8, 5121. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Svoboda, J.A. The Aurignacian and after: Chronology, geography and cultural taxonomy in the Middle Danube region. In Towards a Definition of the Aurignacian, Proceedings of the Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal, 25–30 June 2002; Bar-Yosef, O., Zilhão, J., Eds.; Trabalhos de Arqueologia: Lisbon, Portugal, 2006; Volume 45, pp. 259–274. [Google Scholar]
- Bar-Yosef, O.; Pilbeam, D. (Eds.) Afterword. In The Geography of Neandertals and Modern Humans in Europe and the Greater Mediterranean; Peabody Museum Bulletin; Harvard University: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2000; Volume 8, pp. 183–187. [Google Scholar]
- Kuhn, S.L.; Stiner, M.C.; Güleç, E. Initial Upper Palaeolithic in south-central Turkey and its regional context: A preliminary report. Antiquity 1999, 73, 505–517. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Grøn, O.; Hermand, J.-P. Settlement archaeology under water. Practical, strategic and research perspective. In Proceedings of the 2015 IEEE/OES Acoustics in Underwater Geosciences Symposium (RIO Acoustics), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 29–31 July 2015; IEEE Foundation: Piscataway, NY, USA, 2015; pp. 1–5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Grøn, O.; Boldreel, L.O.; Smith, M.F.; Joy, S.; Tayong Boumda, R.; Mäder, A.; Bleicher, N.; Madsen, B.; Cvikel, D.; Nilsson, B.; et al. Acoustic Mapping of Submerged Stone Age Sites—A HALD Approach. Remote Sens. 2021, 13, 445. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Balci, S. The Chipped Stone Industry of Aktopraklık C (Bursa). Preliminary Results. Anatolia Antiq. Eski Anadolu 2011, 19, 1–11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Atakuman, C.; Erdoğu, B.; Gemici, H.C.; Baykara, I.; Karakoç, M.; Biagi, P.; Starnini, E.; Guilbeau, D.; Yücel, N.; Turan, D.; et al. Before the Neolithic in the Aegean: The Pleistocene and the Early Holocene record of Bozburun—Southwest Turkey. J. Isl. Coast. Archaeol. 2022, 17, 323–355. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Flörke, O.W.; Köhler-Herbertz, B.; Langer, K.; Tönges, I. Water in microcrystalline quartz of volcanic origin: Agates. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 1982, 80, 324–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Schmidt, P.; Bellot-Gurlet, L.; Slodczyk, A.; Fröhlich, F. A hitherto unrecognised band in the Raman spectra of silica rocks: Influence of hydroxylated Si–O bonds (silanole) on the Raman moganite band in chalcedony and flint (SiO2). Phys. Chem. Miner. 2012, 39, 455–464. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Artefact Type | Complete | Fragment | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Core | 2 | 6 | 8 (4.32%) |
Core rejuvenation | 1 | 0 | 1 (0.54%) |
Carinated end scraper | 13 | 20 | 33 (17.83%) |
Semicircular end scraper | 3 | 1 | 4 (2.16%) |
Long end scraper | 0 | 1 | 1 (0.54%) |
Short end scraper | 4 | 6 | 10 (5.40%) |
Side/transversal scraper | 3 | 3 | 6 (3.24%) |
Backed bladelet | 1 | 0 | 1 (0.54%) |
Bladelet | 2 | 4 | 6 (3.24%) |
Microbladelet | 0 | 2 | 2 (1.08%) |
Flakelet | 5 | 31 | 36 (19.45%) |
Microflakelet | 10 | 61 | 71 (38.37%) |
Tablette/Cornice | 3 | 0 | 3 (1.62%) |
Cortex beach pebble | 0 | 1 | 1 (0.54%) |
Chunk | 0 | 2 | 2 (1.08%) |
Totals | 47 (25.40%) | 138 (74.60%) | 185 (100%) |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Biagi, P.; Starnini, E.; Agafonova, Y.; Efstratiou, N.; Campomenosi, N.; Cabella, R. An Aurignacian Assemblage from the Island of Lemnos (Greece): Some Aspects of the Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Northeast Aegean. Heritage 2025, 8, 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040141
Biagi P, Starnini E, Agafonova Y, Efstratiou N, Campomenosi N, Cabella R. An Aurignacian Assemblage from the Island of Lemnos (Greece): Some Aspects of the Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Northeast Aegean. Heritage. 2025; 8(4):141. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040141
Chicago/Turabian StyleBiagi, Paolo, Elisabetta Starnini, Yulia Agafonova, Nikos Efstratiou, Nicola Campomenosi, and Roberto Cabella. 2025. "An Aurignacian Assemblage from the Island of Lemnos (Greece): Some Aspects of the Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Northeast Aegean" Heritage 8, no. 4: 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040141
APA StyleBiagi, P., Starnini, E., Agafonova, Y., Efstratiou, N., Campomenosi, N., & Cabella, R. (2025). An Aurignacian Assemblage from the Island of Lemnos (Greece): Some Aspects of the Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Northeast Aegean. Heritage, 8(4), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040141