Danilo

A Neolithic culture of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and parts of Bosnia, dating to 4700-3900 BC. The site consists of large numbers of pits and post holes, whose associated material has been subdivided typologically into five phases. There are two associated pottery styles, painted in black and broad red bands on buff ware, and incised on dark burnished ware, belong in the Middle Neolithic. The geometric designs suggest connections with contemporary wares in Italy, particularly Ripoli and Serra D'Alto. There was also a long blade and tanged point stone industry closely related to fishing.

The eponymous site for the Danilo culture, distributed over central and southern Dalmatia from <4700 be to the early 4th millennium be. Excavated by D. Rendic-Miofcevic and J.Korosec, the site, near Sibenik, consists of large numbers of pits and post holes, whose associated material has been subdivided typologically into five phases. Typical finds include incised and encrusted wares, bichrome and trichrome painted wares and a long blade and tanged point stone industry closely related to fishing practices. The economic base of the Danilo culture is broad spectrum in nature, with mixed farming supplemented by fishing, hunting and shellcollecting. The so-called ‘cult rhyton’ (resembling a miniature coal-scuttle in appearance), a form characteristic of the culture, is more plausibly interpreted as a saltpot.