Greece unearths Neolithic home, household equipment

Archaeologists in northern Greece have unearthed the ruins of a Neolithic house, a rare find that offers valuable information about everyday life 6,000 years ago, according to the Greek culture ministry. A kitchen area with two ovens, clay pots and stone tools, and two more rooms show stone age farmers processed grains in the house, which appears to have burned down.

"This is a rare case. All findings have remained untouched by farming or any other activity for about 6,000 years," the ministry said in a statement.

"This excavation has given us valuable information about architecture at the time."

Archaeologists excavated for five months in the northern Greek region of Pella to uncover the base of the 58 square metre building, which was made from wooden poles, branches and mud.

"The building was destroyed by fire. Residents had time to abandon it, taking with them stone tools, which were difficult and time-consuming to make," the ministry said. "They left behind heavy objects, such as milling stones."