The geographical position of the northwestern part of Turkey makes it crucial for understanding the past cultural inter- action that took place between the Balkans and Anatolia. Research on the prehistoric sites of this region, after remaining at a standstill for almost a century after initial attempts in the beginning of the 20th century, has taken place at a rapid pace during the last few decades. Much needed evidence in this respect is now available from eastern Thrace. Although it is not possible to draw !nal conclusions, we can at least start exploring the early stages in the emergence of the Neolithic way of life in the Balkans (Özdo°an M. 2011a, 2011b). In this respect, the !rst question to be addressed is de!ning the sequential relationship between the heartlands of primary Neolithization and the Balkans. The appearance of Neolithic elements in western and northwestern Anatolia is not earlier than the 7th millennium BC as revealed by the excavations in the region (Özdo°an E. 2015, 2016); in the Balkans, it is dated to the late 7th and early 6th millennium BC, almost three thousand years after its beginning in the Near East. It is also apparent that all elements of the Neolithic life, such as farming- based settled life, pottery making, polished stone technologies and symbolic elements, appear fully developed without any predecessor. Moreover, the early Neolithic assemblages are notably homogeneous in all Neolithicized areas; tech- nologies, prestige objects, symbols of beliefs systems and subsistence patterns (Çilingiro°lu 2005; Hansen 2003, 2005; Makkay 1984, 2005; Özdo°an M. 2008, 2010; Perlès 2003, 2005; Schwarzberg 2005, 2006a; Sidéra 1998).