KRYONERI - Cave of Lechova - 2006

Kryoneri, Lechova Cave. L. Kormazopoulou, I. Zygouri and V. Papathanasiou (EPSNE) report fully on excavations previously noted (AR 50 [2003−2004], 19; citing also reports in press in ADelt B Chr [2000 and 2002]). The cave lies within the boundaries of anc. Sikyon, closest to anc. Titane. It is a single chamber, ca. 45m d.: an ESR date from stalactite samples (NCSR Democritos) of 12,800 years bp provides a control on the artificial widening of the entrance for human use. Destruction of significant archaeological deposits by illegal excavation limits reconstruction of cult practices (a rock altar is tentatively identified). Systematic excavation of undisturbed areas produced a large volume of figurines, terracotta plaques, pottery and some jewellery of the M6th−3rd Ct BC, with a strong focus on the 5th Ct: expanding upon the ADelt report noted in AR 50 (2003−2004), a full analysis of types is presented. Figurines, predominantly females with some males and animals, include most Cor types of the 2nd half of the 6th−4th Ct, noting the popularity of ringdances and the presence of silens, satyrs and comic forms. Plaques mostly represent cockerels, sphinxes and gorgons: a pediment with female caryatids is illustrated. The ceramic assemblage (Attic, Cor and local, Sikyonian, plus local Atticizing) spans the M6th−M4th Ct, with emphasis on the 1st half of the 5th Ct, and includes a wide variety of vessel forms (notably miniatures of known types). Most pottery is Cor or local (end MCor−LCor III, also bg and Cor rf): shapes and decoration are described. Notable among metal finds are a series of rings with engraved bezel, and earrings of known type. Iconography and inscriptions indicate worship of the Nymphs (the inscriptions will be published by A. Matthaiou and Y. Lolos in an appendix to Y. Lolos, Land of Sikyon [forthcoming]).