La diffusion du Néolithique en Méditerranée

The spread of Neolithic agriculture from the Near East to North Africa through the Mediterranean occurred in distinct phases, with key transitions marked by technological and cultural innovations. Early maritime exchanges during the Mesolithic facilitated the movement of domesticated animals, such as pigs, to islands like Kythnos by 9000–8000 BCE. The Neolithic expansion reached Cyprus precociously around 9000 BCE, where the Khirokitia culture emerged with notable conservatism. By 7000 BCE, farmers arrived in Crete at Knossos, while monochrome pottery appeared in Corfu by 6300 BCE and impressed ware by 6000 BCE, signaling a shift toward coastal settlements. Cardial ware cultures (5500 BCE onward) completed the Neolithization of Northwest Africa, including Morocco, where domesticated wheat and sheep were introduced around 5300–5200 BCE. This synthesis integrates chronological and cultural evidence to map Mediterranean Neolithic diffusion pathways.

Jean, G. (2016). La diffusion du Néolithique en Méditerranée. Géoarchéologie Des Îles de La Méditerranée, 23–32. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.editionscnrs.28482