 The development of animal husbandry during the Neolithic Period met the largest part of dietary needs. Hunting and fishing, that had been the main source of diet during the Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic, played a secondary role in the economy of the Neolithic farmer and stock-rearer. The degree to which they were practised depended on the geographical position of the settlement, that is whether it was situated inland or on the islands. 
Among wild game, red deer, wild bull, wild boar, wild goat, roe deer, hare as well as birds (geese, ducks) and tortoises were hunted. In inland settlements mammals predominated, while on the islands birds were more numerous. During the Final Neolithic there was in fact an increase in hunting activity. In the archaeozoological material of the period, badger, wild cat, bear, wolf, fox, beaver, squirrel, insectivores and rodents have been identified. On coastal and island areas the practice of intensive fishing has been observed, already developed from the Mesolithic Age, the products of which had little though nutritional value. Tunny, serranid, amberjack, mackerel, gilthead, cod are predominant among the fragile fish bones originating from Neolithic settlements (Franchthi-Hermionid, Tharrounia-Euboea). In river settlements, carps were mainly fished. The collection of fish bones has been carried out by archaeologists using water-sieves and the method of flotation: from the excavations light bones float in soil washed with water, and the charred grains of plants are collected in fine sieves. Molluscs (land or marine) and Gastropods (limpets, snails, topshells etc.) were also part of the diet of Neolithic man. Hunting and fishing were practised with the help of stone (arrows) and bone tools (hooks, gaffs). |