Early Islanders: Neolithic pottery from Soline, island of Korčula (Croatia)

Abstract

The Late Neolithic period in the Eastern Adriatic was characterized by the emergence of settled communities along the coast and on the islands, including Soline, a Hvar culture site off the north-eastern coast of the Island of Korčula (Croatia). This open-air coastal site with stone architecture contrasts with preferentially preserved cave-sites, providing an opportunity to gain further insight into the organization and interactions of these seafaring communities during this period. The present study aims to ascertain whether this island community was producing their own pottery and if so, to reconstruct their technological choices. This has been carried out through a combination of ceramic petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF) analysis of sherds recovered from the site. Geochemical and petrographic analysis revealed two distinct pottery traditions—both consistent with local raw materials though with different tempering practices, forming techniques, and firing conditions—while also identifying evidence of marine post-depositional alteration. Most of this assemblage was characterized by coarse calcite temper, with two untempered sherds resembling coarse figulina wares generally associated with the Danilo Culture. The analysis of the present samples suggests the local production of pottery, with material and technological similarities to vessels found elsewhere in Dalmatia. This fits the interpretation of Soline as a permanently occupied site that was part of a larger regional tradition, though future analysis of material from Soline will provide further insight into its role and interactions in Neolithic Dalmatia.