The Neolithic settlement at Dispilio, Kastoria is the earliest lake settlement in Greece and is dated between the end of the Middle Neolithic and the beginning of the Late Neolithic. The site was discovered in 1932 and systematically excavated by Professors G. Chourmouziadis (since 1992) and K. Kotsakis (since 2013) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, while since 2019 it has been thoroughly investigated within the framework of the ERC EXPLO research project.
The settlement is located on the southern shoreline, on a shallow sand ridge and a shore marsh in Lake Orestias. The dwellings were made of wood and clay on wooden platforms. In the 'Western Sector' of the settlement, particularly in excavation block 15, four secondary cremations were found scattered between residential structures. The burnt bones were placed within urns, often accompanied by animal bones, tools, and pottery. All burnt human remains will be extensively studied as part of the TEFRA research project..
References
Kotsakis, Κ. (2017). Δισπηλιό, in: A. G. Vlachopoulos, & D. Tsiafaki, (ed.). Αρχαιολογία: Μακεδονία και Θράκη, 124-127, (Athens, Melissa)
Chourmouziades, G. Ch. (2002). Δισπηλιό: 7500 χρόνια μετά, (Thessaloniki: University Studio Press)
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki