Marine Goods in European Prehistory: A New Shell in Old Collection

Abstract

The exchange of marine goods in the interior of the Europeancontinent is traditionally equated with the exchange of Spondylus shellitems. In this long-lasting exchange network, significant role of any othermollusks has not been identified so far. Contrary to this evidence, in theNeolithic settlements of the Aegean and the Adriatic regions, where, it isbelieved, Spondylus had been imported from, many other shells were usedfor manufacturing adornment. Is it possible that shell diversity in theBalkan coastal area is somehow reflected on the interior of the continent? Inthis paper, credibility of this question is assessed through a study of shell-madeitems from the side of Vinca in the vicinity of Belgrade, Serbia.