Early Neolithic clay labrets from Southwestern Bulgaria. A case study from Dzherman

Abstract

The present article focuses on four labrets that were discovered in an Early Neolithic layer at the prehistoric site of Dzherman, which is located in the Struma River valley in Southwestern Bulgaria. A more comprehensive examination encompasses an analysis of their diachronic and geographical distribution, as well as their functions. The accurate placement of the Dzherman labrets within the broader context of known Balkan finds has been facilitated by the application of existing typologies tailored for this category of artefacts. The analysis enabled the formulation of more general conclusions about their function and potential social dimensions, as well as the more precise positioning of the Early Neolithic settlement at Dzherman within the cultural milieu of the Central and Northern Balkans during the first half of the 6th millennium BC. This period was significantly influenced by the Starčevo culture, which experienced a notable expansion towards the east, encompassing the Struma River valley. The analysis presented herein enabled the drawing of more general conclusions about the complex processes of Neolithisation in the Balkans and the role of labrets in this process.