KASTROULIA - Ampheias - 2000

Kastroulia Ampheias. X. Arapogianni reports the systematic excavation of two tumuli, ca. 40m apart, on a small hill ca. 500m from the Mycenaean cemetery of Ellinika and 450m west of the village of Ampheia. Prehistoric sherds have previously been noted on and around the hill. A fuller study of the tombs has subsequently been published by J. Rambach.
Tumulus 1 had previously been the target of illegal excavation which may also have destroyed parts of the central burial pit: this was cut into stereo and had unworked stones placed around the rim. The rich sherd material from the fill dates almost exclusively to EHII, and includes the typical vase forms of the period (sauce-boats, ring-based phialae, askoi, ladles, frying pans, and deep bowls with flattened lip and decorative relief bands). In situ skeletal remains were found only in one undisturbed corner of the grave, together with a depas cup with incised decoration, a closed vessel, a censer, and three bronze double-axe pendants. Considered in combination with the displaced sherd material, it is likely that this burial was as rich as tomb 2 in tumulus 2.
Tumulus 2 was undamaged. The fill produced a large quantity of EHII pottery, plus a very few MH and LH sherds. Beneath were three MHI single burials, sunk into the ground. Tomb 1, of a small child (at most four years old), contained a prochous and a MHI matt-painted kantharos. Tomb 2, of a young woman (16-19 years old) who had born at least one child, was exceptionally rich: more than 30 vessels formed a complete dining and drinking set for a large gathering. Grey Minyan, black and brown burnished, matt-painted, dark burnished, incised and lustrous decorated wares are all represented. By the head and on the breast of the deceased were small offerings - two incised loomweights, a large number of small bone beads, beads of semi-precious stones, a bronze ring and several bronze pendants in the form of double axes. Tomb 3, partially destroyed by vegetation, held the burial of a male ca. 30 years of age, with two matt-painted closed vessels, a small flask, a kantharos and a bronze knife and dagger, plus an imported Cretan prochous.