| The
Neolithic ditch of Murgia Timone (Matera). The thicker vegetation
makes the ditch visible. On the right the double ring mausoleum
of the Bronze Age is evident. |
|
| Types
of Neolithic villages. The layout shows the perimeter of the ditches.
The entrances always face east-west. The perimeters are often open
and have a semi-circular shape or ramifications. This proves their
water function rather than a defensive purpose. |
|
| Neolithic
village of Murgia Timone (Matera). Perimeter of the ditch in the
original survey carried out by Domenico Ridola. |
|
| Woodhenge
in Great Britain is a prehistoric site characterised by a big circular
wooden house surrounding a central courtyard (figure above). An
explanation of its functions is possible thanks to a comparison
with an Eritrean pastoral settlement (figure on the right). The
latter consists of: a big roof made of trunks (abur) to shelter
the herds; the house (daza); an external fireplace (ma); a ditch
for manure collection (haduf). |
 |
| Reconstruction
of the Neolithic village of Köln-Lindenthal (the region of the Rhine).
The village is subdivided into different enclosures and meanders
for breeding and hydro-agricultural purposes. |
|
| Reconstruction
of the Neolithic village of Banpo (China). |
|
