People of the Stone Age had a sophisticated plastering technology

The settlement of Motza dates back to the pre-Ceramic Neolithic B period - around 7100-6700 B.C. During excavations in 2015-2021, archaeologists found extensive building remains there, including numerous plastered floors. A new study has revealed that some of these floors were made not only of the usual calcite-based lime plaster, but also using dolomite.

Details

People learnt how to make ordinary lime plaster a long time ago: to do this, limestone is burnt and then quenched with water. Dolomite plaster is more complicated. It requires more precise control of temperature and processing conditions, but it can be stronger and more resistant to moisture. This is why the discovery in Moza is so important: it shows that Neolithic craftsmen knew the properties of different stones and knew how to use them in different ways.

Researchers found two types of dolomite floors at the monument. In one case, crushed dolomite was used as an additive in the mix. In the other, the analysis showed signs of a more complex process: the dolomite was probably fired and quenched, and then re-formed into crystals as part of the plaster. This result indicates a complete technological cycle similar to the lime cycle, but associated with dolomite.

The remains of two different kilns were also discovered at the settlement. According to the study, one could have been used for the production of ordinary calcite lime and the other for dolomite lime. This is particularly important: different materials require different firing conditions, and the presence of separate kilns suggests a fairly advanced understanding of the technology.

Why it's important

The find changes the way we think about the construction skills of Stone Age people. Motsa shows that Neolithic communities could not just build dwellings, but could use complex chemical and technological processes to create durable floors and coverings.

It also shows that pieces of knowledge could appear, disappear and re-emerge thousands of years later. The authors of the study note that after Moza, such technology is only reported to be reliably recorded again in Roman times. This does not mean that Neolithic craftsmen "invented Roman concrete": we are talking specifically about dolomitic lime plaster, not concrete.

Background

Mozza is considered one of the largest Neolithic settlements in the region. Earlier excavations had already shown that it was a complex settlement with large structures, layout and a developed material culture. The new evidence of plaster floors adds another layer to this picture: the inhabitants of Motza had unexpectedly advanced construction skills.

Dolomite plaster could be particularly useful where dolomite was a local and available raw material. By using it, the Motza people saved resources and obtained a more durable material for floors. But the technology was not easy, which may explain why such finds are so rare in the archaeological record.

Source

A study by Yonah Maor and co-authors of Neolithic plaster floors at Motza: The earliest case of burning dolomite for plaster is published in the Journal of Archaeological Science in 2026. The authors studied the plaster floors of the Motza settlement and concluded that this is the earliest known example of burning dolomite for plaster production.