Chassey

A Middle Neolithic culture found over most of France, named for the Camp de Chassey, which appeared c 4300 BC. By this time, Chassey pottery had superseded impressed ware in the south and the new style is found in caves, village sites, cists, pit graves, and megalithic chamber tombs. The earliest Chassey pottery is often decorated with scratched geometric patterns, whereas the later wares are more plain and have pan-pipe (flûte de pan) lugs. In north and central France, the culture appeared c 3800. In many areas the Chassey people were the first Neolithic farmers. The pottery and flintwork of the Paris basin differ in many ways from those of the Midi. One distinctive form of vessel, the vase support with scratched decoration, is confined to the Paris basin and western France. Both cave and open settlements were occupied.

A Neolithic culture of France, named after the site of Camp de Chassey in Burgundy. In southern France, the Chassey culure succeeded the Impressed Ware culture after c4000 be, but in much of central and northern France the Chassey culture represents the earliest Neolithic, and has radiocarbon dates after 3000 be. Both cave and open settlements were occupied, and a well-established mixed farming economy was practised. Burials in pits, in cist graves and in Megalithic chamber tombs occur. The characteristic pottery is dark, burnished and round-based; in the southern Chassey version incised decoration often occurs. Vase supports and pan-pipe lugs also occur.