The cretan mesolithic in context: New data from Livari Skiadi (SE Crete)

Abstract

Investigations at Livari (south-eastern Crete) produced a small Mesolithic chipped stone assemblage, whose techno-Typological characteristics situate it within an 'early Holocene Aegean island lithic tradition' (9000-7000 cal BC). The material provides antecedent characteristics for the lithics of Crete's founder Neolithic population at Knossos (c. 7000-6500/6400 cal BC). The idiosyncrasies of the Knossian material can be viewed as a hybrid lithic tradition that emerged from interaction between migrant Anatolian farmers and indigenous hunter-gatherers. Small quantities of Melian obsidian at Livari attest to early Holocene maritime insular networks, knowledge of which likely enabled the first farmers' successful voyage to Crete.