| Data from the Early Neolithic settlement of Foeni-Salas in southwest Romania are used to test the hypotheses. In order to determine the mode of production, repetition of artefacts within and between houses is studied. The study assumes that if the classes of material remains found in the Early Neolithic pit loci are different from locus to locus, then the hypothesis, that a communal mode of production was utilised, may be supported. If it is found that materials are duplicated within the Early Neolithic pit loci, then it may be concluded that a domestic mode of production was in place.;The research suggests that three of the loci at Foeni-Salas (pit houses 7, 23 and 24) have similar proportional frequencies for various artefact classes and types. The nature of the remains suggests that these three loci might have been used as more than just sleeping areas and may represent industrial locations for the production of textiles. Two pit houses (loci 10 and 41) do not appear to have been used in this fashion and may have been secondary work areas. Loci 7, 23 and 24 probably represent the residences of nuclear family units, while Loci 10 and 41 may have been communal working areas used by members of the extended household unit. It is concluded based upon the patterning of artefact frequencies in the pit loci at the site that activities at the site were organized using a domestic mode of production. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
