8. 1 The Late Neolithic of Central Italy and Neolithic economies - a pacific

Introduction to the final lesson regarding the Late Neolithic phase in Central Italy and its economic implications.

The Late Neolithic phase connects to the cultural aspect known as Diana from the Lipari Islands, which has been adopted throughout Southern Italy.
Dating of this phase begins around 4,100 BCE.
The influence of Chassis pottery from Southern France is evident, particularly its square-mouthed pottery style, which affected the northeastern part of Italy and parts of Southern Italy.

Increased cultural mobility and connectivity characterized the end of this Neolithic period.
Distinct pottery styles emerged:
- Chassis pottery:
  - Characteristic black varnished appearance.
  - Pottery often has vertical or horizontal pierced handles and small holes for suspension.
  - Incised decorations are common.
- Diana pottery:
  - Distinguished by a typical red burnished finish, primarily found in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
  - Diminishing presence of tubular handles, transitioning to smaller, simpler designs over time.

Casale di Valeronello:
- Exhibits cultural influxes from both Ripley (Eastern) and Diana (Southern).
- Features ditches interpreted as landscape infrastructures rather than clear housing structures.
Quadrato di Torres Paccata:
- Shows northern Chassis influx and has both Late Neolithic and Copper Age phases.
- Close proximity to Rome indicates connectivity to significant areas.

The region's geography, including the Alban Hills and the Tiber river basin, contributes to rich soils suitable for agriculture and herding.
Late Neolithic hints at the emergence of plowing practices, marking progress toward more advanced agricultural methods.
The site conditions and availability of resources indicate a complex economic practice centered on agriculture and possibly pastoralism.

Animal husbandry:
- Dominance of sheep (ovica primes) identified in cattle and pig economies.
- The significance of cattle also noted, indicating a well-rounded pastoral economy.
Plant cultivation:
- Late Neolithic economy featured a notable presence of pulses, which may reflect diversified agricultural practices.
- Evidence suggests possible rotation with cereals for soil fertility but remains inconclusive due to lower pulse presence in subsequent periods.

The Neolithic practices likely disrupted local ecosystems.
Patterns in pollen diagrams suggest increasing anthropogenic influences, especially with slash-and-burn agricultural techniques.
Sedimentation rates point towards human-induced erosion and varying settlement dynamics over time.

Early Middle Neolithic settlements concentrated in the Tavolato area, suggesting a close-knit network of communities.
By the late Neolithic, more distinct clusters form, indicating evolving land-use strategies and possibly increased sedentism.
This change in settlement patterns foreshadows continuity into the Early Bronze Age and later agricultural developments, including plowing.

The final examination of the Late Neolithic period in Central Italy reveals significant insights into the socio-economic dynamics and their environmental consequences.
This phase sets the stage for the subsequent Copper Age, with further discussions to come regarding the introduction and implications of plowing agriculture.