THE MESOLITHIC SETTLEMENT AT MAROULAS, KYTHNO

Abstract

The prehistoric site at Maroulas Kythnos, is the only Aegean Mesolithic site, which has provided domestic remnants and burials, dated from the 9th and 8th millennium BC. This evidence is contemporary to the ones from the Cyclops Cave and from the site at Franchthi. Although the research is still ongoing,some preliminary results have benn obtained. Till now, the study of the Mesolithic tools has shown varied forms, which differ from those found in the Greek mainland. This difference is most probably due to some specific insular adaptation and the limited sources of raw material. Obsidian is however abundant indicating that Kythnos was along the main navigation route for transporting this material from Milos to Attica and Argolis. The food remains indicate a preference to marine resources while animal bones are rare.