Settlement pattern changes during the Central Balkans Copper Age

Abstract

Three case studies are presented in this paper, with the goal to outline some basic characteristics and changes in settlement patterns during three different prehistoric periods – from the Late Neolithic until the Late Eneolithic (in terms of absolute chronology: 5400/5300–4600/4500, 4600/4500–3900/3800 and 3200–2800).The paper is organized into three sections: the first section follows these patterns in Vinča, the second in Bubanj-Hum I, and the third in Late Eneolithic Coţofeni-Kostolac culture. Emphasis is placed on the spatial distribution of settlements in different regions of the Central Balkans, their topographic placement and regional characteristics.