Hello everyone! Today, I would like to take you back to some old times and present you with an interesting place, which, after a visit, never leaves anyone indifferent.
When we say "Stone Age", it is probably that our first thought will be that primitive people lived then, but there is evidence to refute this claim. If you have ever thought that way, I am sure this post will change your opinion.
There is one place in Serbia that has great significance for the history of European civilization. It is Vinča, an archaeological site of outstanding value, located on the right bank of the Danube in the village of Vinča, not far from the center of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of the most important Neolithic sites in Serbia and Europe, where the remains of prehistoric settlements were studied. Since it is located on the bank of the Danube, where you will find true peace, Vinča is a fishing village and has a special charm. There you can always eat fresh fish and fish soup and enjoy the silence of nature.
Archeology is an exact science and everything I will write is based on the exact facts I learned from an archeologist, who works as a curator of the museum in Vinča. After listening to his story, my view of the world changed and left a stunning impression.
The remains of the Vinča civilization date from the period from 5300 to 4500 BC. It was really a long time ago and it is amazing that the inhabitants of Vinča at that time lived an urban lifestyle. This Neolithic Age describes the period when human communities shifted from hunting and gathering to agriculture and food production. When they started producing food, they were no longer nomads and they started to build permanent settlements.
Based on the remains found, it was concluded that they lived like real hedonists. They were focused on their needs and there is no evidence that they lacked anything. They had everything they needed for a happy life. Everything they needed to know, they learned in the period from 6 to 12 years of age. They enjoyed life and were very happy people, self-confident, and focused on the well-being of the community. Unlike today's man, the Neolithic man was not selfish. There was no competition and no privileges and they solved all the problems together. Even leaders did not have privileges. The goal was to achieve happiness in life and for the leader, the pinnacle of happiness was to take responsibility for the whole community.
It was a time of equality. Time without fear and domination. Instead of the selfishness, we have today, in the Stone Age, we have a high level of responsibility towards others. They lived in harmony with nature, not against nature as is the case today. There is very little evidence of burial which means that they did not celebrate death. They celebrated life.
What fascinated me the most were the houses in which they lived. Their houses are a symbol of the continuity of life, family, and traditional values and they were highly functional.
It is astonishing that they had such comfort in the houses that they even had an oven instead of a fireplace which later began to be used and which indicates that society is going backward. The houses had a roof, insulation, furniture, several rooms, and an oven in each room. Extremely advanced construction has been identified a long time ago.
Vinča created innovations the world had never seen before. They made amazing stone tools and were able to successfully satisfy all their material needs.
The world's first metalworking took place in Vinča. In pouring the first few drops of metal out of the fire, the people of Vinča started to change the course of civilization.
Every aspect of Vinča's life was woven with aesthetics. Even an everyday bowl for food becomes a masterpiece of aesthetics and functionality.
What is particularly striking is that the bowls were properly shaped and they had bowls for everyday use that were different from bowls for special occasions such as bowls with holders.
The bowl in which they kept the seeds is interesting. The cap is in the shape of a head with big eyes which signifies vigilance. The most important thing was to feed the family and being awake meant to keep food and be responsible.
The people of Neolithic Vinča made a variety of woven and knitted products including clothes, sleeping pads, covers... I was completely impressed when I saw a figurine of a woman wearing a short skirt and V-neck blouse, as women wear today. Two-piece outfits are clearly recognizable - skirts and blouses, dresses, socks...
Vinča inhabitants in the Stone Age celebrated great mothers. The mother was a god for them. There was no gender inequality but the cult of the mother was celebrated as very important for the community. The mother takes care of the family and she is a symbol of life, and they celebrated life. This figure is a symbol of the mother. She spreads her arms and her heart is open to her family.
Judging by archaeological finds, the inhabitants of Vinča in the Stone Age had a much higher level of consciousness than we have today. They were happier because everyone lived from their own work and lifestyle was better. Whatever they needed, they made it. Instead of advancing as a society, we have actually gone backward, when it comes to awareness and responsibility towards others. Inhabitants of Vinča kept others from themselves and not themselves from others. Living without fear is the ideal of that time, which was destroyed with the appearance of conflicts and wars. When the wars began, a new system of values was imposed. Vinča inhabitants could not accept something that denied them, and that is why that civilization is dying out. They were not ready to accept a value system that was a step backward.
In the end, I can say that the Stone Age is a symbol of a progressive society and not primitivism as it is sometimes misunderstood. We could learn a lot from these ancient people.
Thank you very much for reading.
The images and writing are original and mine.
Greetings!
Jelena