CucuteniTrypillia

The Cucuteni-Trypillia culture, also known as the Cucuteni-Trypillian or Trypillian culture, was a Neolithic to Copper Age archaeological culture that flourished in the Carpathian-Balkan region, primarily in what is now modern-day Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, from around 4800 to 3000 BCE. It is named after two of its principal sites, Cucuteni in Romania and Trypillia in Ukraine.

This culture is renowned for its exceptionally large settlements, some of which were among the most extensive in prehistoric Europe. These settlements often featured densely packed houses arranged in concentric circles, and evidence suggests that some may have been inhabited for a few generations before being deliberately burned down and abandoned.

Cucuteni-Trypillia is also famous for its distinctive pottery. The ceramics are characterized by intricate painted decorations, often featuring geometric patterns, spirals, and zoomorphic or anthropomorphic motifs, executed in red, white, and black pigments. This pottery is considered some of the finest in prehistoric Europe.

The economy of the Cucuteni-Trypillia people was based on agriculture and animal husbandry. They cultivated crops like wheat and barley and raised livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. Evidence also suggests they engaged in hunting and fishing. Their social structure appears to have been complex, with indications of social stratification and organized labor, particularly in the construction of their large settlements. The precise reasons for their eventual decline and disappearance remain a subject of scholarly debate.