Neolithic economy of the east Slavonija and Baranja - the first steps

According to the results of the archeological researches at some neolithic settlements in the eastern part of Slavonija and in Baranja (Cepin, Knezevi Vinogradi, Belisce, Osijek) it is possible to get the insight into the beginning of the prehistoric economy of that region. The first neolithic population of the mentioned region is called Starcevo culture. With its appearance (end of 7th millenium) the economy based on agriculture and breeding of some animal species, fe. cattle, begins. The first trade routes which provided stone of high quality, are established. Neolithic economy of that time was in its very beginnings. Starcevo culture in the east part of Slavonija and Baranja was replaced by Sopot culture (about 5500 BC), which in that region lasted till the end of Neolithic and the first signs which announced the beginning of the next period – the Eneolithic or the Copper Age (about 4300 BC). Population of Sopot culture is represent of the developed neolithic economy, primarily agricultural with the great participation of cattle breeding. At all mentioned sites, some kinds of stone imported from very distinct areas were found. That presumes well organised trade and trade routes. The example is opsidian, volcanic stone that is possible to find only at the region of volcanic activity in the past. It is ascertained that all opsidian found at the sites in the north Croatia, including those in Slavonija and Baranja, comes from the northern Carpathian region, which means several hundreds km distance. Population of Sopot culture in the mid- and late neolithic had sufficient economical power to acquire such highly valued gooods. The second example that prooves the existance of trade routes is spondylus gaederopus, thorny oyster, the marine mollusc which occurs in Adriatic and Aegean sea and at some spots in Mediterranean sea. Jewelry made of its shells have been found at almost every site of Sopot culture. At the very end of Neolithic, that is time of late Sopot culture, appears elementary use of copper – metal that has marked the next prehistoric period. The purpose of the paper is to present that at the beginning of the Neolithic origins the economy of which some aspects can be followed until today, such as agriculture and cattle breeding, production of various artefacts for everyday's needs or trade, even the earliest beginning of metalurgy. Also, starting with some general facts about neolitihic economy, on some examples from the mentioned excavated sites, its development during the Neolitihic will be presented, as well as some details specific to the region in question.