Pera Galinoi, Mylopotamos - 2007

Pera Galinoi, Mylopotamos. Eleni Tsivilika and Eleni Banou (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) report that the excavation in Pera Galinoi of Mylopotamos in Rethymno continued during 2007, at the top and towards the south of the hill of Souda.

The excavation on the top continued E of building A, at the extension of a large space that has already been excavated to an extent during previous expeditions. This room consists of a rectangular part and a narrower extension towards the E (length: 9.60 m.) forming a Γ in plan, and is one of the largest known buildings that are not linked to a palatial centre.

A paved floor is present, as well as a build bench covered in mortar alongside the N wall. The pottery seems to be of the MMII and III periods, although still unstudied, with handless conical cups and rims from pithoi being collected, as well as two legs of a bull figurine potentially related to some ritualistic use of the building.

South of the narrow extension of the aforementioned building, the excavation of another room whose size is still investigated commenced. An entrance was discovered towards the E. This room also had a paved floor, the largest part of which was restored and remained in situ, as well as a small bench covered in mortar. A basket and three conical cups were located on that floor. Southwest of the entrance, approximately a meter away from it, a fragment potentially belonging to a column was discovered.

Two partially preserved curved structures were also unearthed, along with a built pipe (width: 0.40 m., length: 2.40 m.). The curved structure located towards the W includes an elongated cavity whose walls are defined by two large slabs and other smaller ones, and a room where burnt soil and stones were found along with stone grinders, a cup and part of a stone nozzle.

The investigated structures, as suggested by the finds, their relation to nearby excavated trenches, as well as the artefacts around and outside of the trenches which consist of crucible fragments with or without bronze traces, slags, querns, gridstones etc. may be linked to different stages of metallurgy and it is expected that the ongoing research will provide further evidence.

[Entry created by C. Koureta]