88 JOURNAL OF THE TURKISH INSTITUTE OF ARCHAELOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
- 01 Neolithic Clay Figurines The Neolithic Mil Steppe sites also yielded a rich variety of anthropomorphic figurines
made from well-levigated clay and lightly fired. In general, the figurines are highly stylized or
simplified in shape, and some are decorated with straight impressions. From the pit in MPS 124
comes a group of small figurines (Fig. 13), all made from clay cylinders and further shaped into
cylinders or cones and sometimes flattened in the upper part to resemble a human head in profile.
Some were widened in the lower half to a pear-shape. Impressed small lines made with a finger-
nail or possibly a shell form zigzags or groups of parallel lines. Similar small figurines occurred in
MPS 4, where a fragmented but originally larger clay figurine was also found that could be partly
reassembled (Fig. 14) after its parts had been found in two different ditches. The lower part is
formed like a ball and has a round cavity at the front side; the upper body part is thin and narrow
with a small, pastille-like breast. The preserved left arm extends along the body. The figurine was
well burnished and has traces of red slip, and fine impressions form patterns on the body.
Neolithic Ways of Life The Neolithic settlements in the Mil Steppe thrived on a mixed economy, combining ag-
riculture, horticulture and the gathering of wild fruits, the rearing of animals, and occasional
hunting.
44 In the semi-arid Mil Steppe, seasonal flooding of the valley floors in spring provided
sufficient moisture during the growing season. Compared to regions of primary domestication,
sets of domesticated plants in South Caucasia initially comprised only a limited range of species,
and barley was the main crop as it produced better yields in dry conditions. Not well suited for
baking bread, barley was used for brewing beer and also as animal fodder. Emmer and einkorn
were cultivated to a lesser degree. Among the legumes, lentils and peas are attested, and linseed
was also cultivated. The animal economy is based on domesticated caprids, in particular sheep,
and cattle plus a few pigs, with only a small proportion of bones from hunting game and fishing.
The size of the individuals suggests that already domesticated populations were brought to South
Caucasia and that no local domestication occurred. The slaughter age suggests that the primary
purpose of rearing was to provide meat. Gazelles, typical steppe animals, were among the main
prey, together with little bustard that were seasonally hunted as migratory birds.
