Aigio - Trapeza - 2013

Aigio - Trapeza. Andreas G. Vordos (ΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the ongoing systematic excavation at Trapeza Aigiou. The excavation in the S half of the section A/12 east of the late Archaic temple was completed. Under the Geometric layer, where signs of early worship had been observed, a submycenaean layer was located, characteristically different and probably unrelated to ritual activity. Furthermore, a Mycenean cemetery was located in an adjacent area the previous years of the excavation. Its exploration this year yielded late Helladic remains.

At the temple itself, horizontal exploration of the stratigraphy of the Geometric floor found below the eastern colonnade revealed primary pyres in situ, adjacent to Geometric wall no. 2 (Fig. 1). They belonged in the last phase of the Geometric building’s use, indicating ritual meals. Mud brick parts were also found and are probably related to the preparations to fill the colonnade area during construction of the late archaic temple. A series of mud bricks parallel to wall 2 are possibly part of an internal division structure. 

Under the Ε half of the S colonnade, where the earliest floor had been located, section IE/13 was opened adjacent to the S wall of the late Archaic temple cella. Sings of a primary pyre and meal were found on the floor and ritual offerings, amongst which were an iron lance and a bronze ring with an engraved head, were revealed nearby. Many of the tile blocks of the pronaos, the peristasis and its foundations were found to have been reused. Furthermore, architectural study confirmed that the pronaos and peristasis were constructed in the last quarter of the sixth century as part of the remodeling of an earlier temple of the first quarter of the same century. 

Exploration below the floor level of the N colonnade revealed part of wall 2 of the Geometric building (Fig. 2). Its foundations and superstructure were disturbed in places to build the N wall of the cella and the crepis of the N peristasis of the late Archaic temple. Along the S part of wall 2 the foundation trench for the N wall of the cella was found as well as pyres, related to the use of the geometric building. A burnt wooden trunk was found adjacent to the wall. 
Section ΙΔ/13 was opened and revealed the layers below the pronaos floor to the geometric building, where a continuation of the previously mentioned series of mud bricks was spotted (Fig. 3).

In the W colonnade section ΙΣΤ/13 opened to the W of wall 1 and outside of the building to reveal the foundations of the Geometric wall (Fig. 4). To the E of wall 1 and inside the building horizontal exploration of the stratigraphy yielded the superimposed layers of primary pyres containing residue of meat consumption (Fig. 5). A large hand-made Corinthian jug was found standing adjacent to the wall (Fig. 6).

The Mycenaean cemetery. Exploration of chamber ‘Tomb no. 1’ continued, its floor yielding painted vessels, mostly dated in the Late Helladic IIIC period, although the tomb’s filling pointed to its first use either in the late Helladic IIIA2-B or the early late Helladic IIIB (Fig. 7). The collapsed ceiling of tomb no. 2, found in close distance, was at the end of the road leading to the tomb (Fig. 8). Tomb no. 2 was in use for a prolonged period, from the late Helladic IIIA1-2 or the late Helladic IIIA2 onwards. It was reused, as was suggested by its refilling, including two sherds dated within the late Helladic IIIC period. These were possibly ritually smashed and placed by the tomb’s entrance. Both tombs were carved into sand, unlike the tombs of many areas, which were carved into the soft rock. On the above level of tomb no. 2, late finds indicated that the symbolic significance of the interment area was remembered long after its sealing in the Classical times.

[Entry created by I. Iraklidi]