Cavdar

A tell site in western Bulgaria of the first temperate Neolithic, dating to c 5100-4700 BC. There are Kremikovci occupation levels and one Karanovo level. The farming economy grew emmer wheat and barley and raised cattle. Kremikovci painted wares include a rich polychrome assemblage dating to the end of the Early Neolithic.

[Cevdar]. One of the few tell sites of the west Bulgarian regional group of the First Temperate Neolithic, located in the southern part of the upland Sofia basin and dated c5100-4700 bc. Five Kremikovci occupation levels are stratified below a Karanovo VI level. The mainstays of the mixed farming economy were emmer wheat and six-row barley, cattle and caprine husbandry. Kremikovci painted wares include a rich polychrome assemblage dating to the end of the Early Neolithic. cave art. Possibly the best-known feature of the Upper Palaeolithic of Western Europe is the painted caves. Some caves contain extensive paintings, some only a few. Only two pigments are known to have been used: iron oxide and manganese dioxide. In addition many caves have engraved figures on their walls. Altogether over 150 caves have wall art dated to Palaeolithic times, although such art is very difficult to date, except by comparison with mobiliary art. Most of the decorated caves are in southern France, though Spain also has a large number. Some examples are known from Portugal and Italy, but there is a big geographical gap between Italy and the only known Russian site, Kapovo Cave. The main subject matter is animals, especially the horse and bison; there are also numerous signs and symbols. Human figures are exceedingly rare and usually hard to make out. The purpose of the art is largely unknown, though it is likely that the caves were used for ceremonies of a magic or ritual kind, perhaps for initiation rites. Youthful footprints are found in some caves and hand silhouettes were made on the walls round hands which were too small to belong to adult males. Occupational evidence is rarely found with the art and there are major problems in investigating it; even the authenticity of some examples is in doubt. See Addaura, Altamira, Angles sur L’Anglin, Arcy-sur-Cure, Covalanas, Font de Gaume, Gabillou, Lascaux, Laussel, Les Combarelles, Les Eyzies, Niaux, Pair-non-pair, Roc de Sers, Teyjat, Tuc D’audoubert.