Vinca culture

The Neolithic civilization of Balkans also known as Vinča culture, occupied the Balkans region (Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Greece)

The Vinča culture Map

# **Life in the Vinča**

The people of the Vinča- Danube civilization lived in permanent settlements of hundreds to a few thousands of people – relatively large for communities of the Neolithic era. Houses were made of clay in wattle and daub construction, built on a foundation of stones and gravel and sometimes fixed with mortar.

The use of domesticated animals and the cultivation of crops was common. The Vinča developed cereal agriculture, especially of wheat, oat and barley. A kind of plough, possibly pulled by cattle, was used to cultivate the soil. In addition to farming, villagers relied on hunting, fishing and foraging for sources of food.

Weaving textiles was generally common in the Vinča culture, with the basic material probably flax, though perhaps nettle or wool were also used. Small weights found at some excavation sites give evidence that vertical loom weaving was used, where small weights – made of clay and marked with signs or a number – were placed at the ends to weigh down threads.

## **Cultural innovations**

The first known form of a writing system anywhere in Europe was created in the Vinča culture, with about 700 characters and symbols, mainly carved in pottery goods. Some of the signs are figurative, but more than 80% are abstract.

Though the Vinča symbols have not yet been translated, one kind of symbol is related to numbers and was probably used for notations such as marking or indication.

Vinča pottery had a high level of sophistication, and temperatures up to 1000°C were reached in special pottery kilns. They produced kitchen ware, such as plates, cups, bowls, pots and other vessels, as well as high quality fine ceramics probably used for religious rituals. Most ceramics were decorated and, especially on the fine ritual pieces, signs and symbols were engraved sometimes as seals but often as a type of writing. Many female figurines, figures of males and animals, as well as vases, amulets and various altars were found in the excavations. Strange hybrid figurines, such as female statuettes with bird faces, were typical of the Vinča culture.

Evidence shows the Vinča used copper vessels and other copper items, indicating an early copper age – about 1000 years before it appeared in Central Europe. At that time, copper ore could be found in the Balkan Mountains and possibly also in the Carpathians. Evidence of copper smelting was found south-east of Belgrade, at the excavation sites of Rudna Glava and Belovode.

### **Neolithic neighbours.**

The Vinča culture was the most highly developed culture in south-east Europe in Neolithic times, however other cultures existed in neighbouring regions with many shared influences. All these Neolithic cultures are generally known under the term ‘Old European Danube Civilisation’.

# History

## Neolithic Age

About 30,000 BCE, The Vinca Culture began to appear, the Vinca people were later known as "Βόρεις" meaning "North" in Ancient Greek. And as "Πατρώόν Γεά" by the Makedonians and Romans, Meaning "Land of our parents".

## Minoan Empire

Around 4,190 or 4,200 BCE Midas/Minoas Barbelo, commanded his Aeons to scout and expand his Minoan Empire.

The Aeons attacked the villages forcing many people to migrate south and east creating the first cities in the beaches of Black sea and later in what becaume known as Makedonia.

## Amazonian Empire

Around 2,120 BCE, After the removal of the Barbelos from the world, female warriors traveled from the south east and blended with the people of the vinca culture villages.

Giving Rise to The Amazonian Empire with Capitol city known as "Αέγαστηία" today known as Монтана (Montana) in Bulgaria.

## Archaeology Discovery

In 1908 CE, Serbian archaeologist Miloje Vasić, discovered a prehistoric settlement on Belo Brdo Hill close to the village of Vinča, a site located 14 km downstream of Belgrade on the right bank of the Danube River. This Neolithic archaeological culture was named Vinča Culture after the first excavation site. Additional sites were found in Serbia and in neighbouring countries.

A necropolis near the city of Varna and many golden artefacts were found. This ‘Varna Gold Treasure’ was made between 6,500 and 6,400 BCE and is the oldest known gold-smithy in Europe.

The Cucuteni culture was prevalent in the Carpathian Mountains and further northeast in the Siret and Prut River Basins. The Cucuteni culture is remarkable for huge city-like settlements with populations of up to 10,000 people, which is an enormous number for the Neolithic and Copper Ages. The Cucuteni culture developed a little later than the Vinča, but in quality is rather similar. It is likely that knowledge from the Vinča spread to the Cucuteni.

### Post scriptum

in 2019. archaeologists led by Sanja Crnobrnja Krasić digging in Vitkovo in Serbia made an important discovery, a 6,000-year-old monumental figurine of the female form thought to represent a fertility goddess. The figure, dubbed *Venus of Župa* is the latest such figure to be found. Previously, three more complete “venus” figures were found along with a number of damaged ones.

This discovery made waves in the local media and rekindled an interest in the Vinča culture, a community of people living some 7,000 years ago that once discovered irrevocably changed the scientific and common understanding of life in the Stone Age.