The Argissa-Magoula is a Neolithic (6800-3200 B.C.) archaeological site located near the river Peneios in the Thessalian Plains of Greece. During excavations from 1955 through 1958, a German research party led by Milojcic uncovered what was to give Arigssa-Magoula its name. Argissa is the name of the prehistoric civilization, and Magoula, which means grave in Greek, refers to the shallowly covered pits.
Those pits are now thought to be the flooring for huts in the settlement. Shards of simple, earth baked pottery were found there as well, indicating permanent settlements. Stone tools and blades made of obsidian serve as evidence that a system of commerce and trade was already taking place during the Aceramic Neolithic era.
Another significant discovery made at the Argissa-Magoula site was that of early farming. Grain crops such as barley appeared to have been domesticated there. These findings helped to define the site as being from the Neolithic era and reinforced development guidelines of the time period, such as unsophisticated farming, commerce, and simple pottery.
SOURCES:
“Argissa.” Foundation of the Hellenic World http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/01/en/nl/pkn/argissa.html 16 Oct. 2003
“The Neolithic Cultures of Thessaly, Crete, and the Cyclades.” Classical Studies at Indiana University. http://www.indiana.edu/~classics/aegean/R02.html 16 Oct. 2003
Starr, Chester.
The Origins of Greek Civilization. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961.
Written by Tiffany Shelton