Kyllini - Kaykalida Island - 2012

Kyllini - Kaykalida Island. Christos Mantzanas (Z’ EPKA) reports on the excavation in Kaukalida Island, located two kilometers W of the French castle in Glarentza. The project was initiated due to the deliverance to the EPKA of two human skulls, located on the island. The excavation was precedented by a survey of the area, which revealed the area had been in use since the early Helladic times (EHII) (fig. 1). It appeared that the habitation had been mostly continuous, all throughout the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times, up until very recently (fig. 2). 

Most of the findings dated in the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times were pottery sherds, but the excavation yielded some stone tools, amongst which were obsidian blades, dated in the Helladic times (fig. 3 – 5). 

A survey on the area where the two skulls were found revealed that there were rows of burials, oriented E/SE-W/NW, with the head on the W side. The rescue excavation in situ unveiled three burials (fig. 6), dated around the same time. Their orientation, as well as their general appearance, indicated that they were probably Christian burials (fig. 7). One of the individuals had coal in their stomach area, and the skeletons seemed to be in a rather good preservation state and in the correct anatomical position. Some sort of chain jewelry was found between the legs of two of the burials. Upon better investigation, the chains revealed to be the press-studs which held the deceased’s shoes or pants in place (figs. 8, 9). The chain must have buckled on the deceased’s hip (as signs of rust were found in the same spot on the bone), which indicated that the shoes the deceased wore must have been poulaine style. This shoe type had a large extension at the front side of the shoe, mimicking the ship’s prow, and it first appeared around 1350. It was only in use until 1400, due to the fact that it was uncomfortable for the knights to wear during battle. 

This led the excavators to believe that the three burials were part of a larger Middle Age cemetery, possibly extending towards the N, and that they belonged to 14th century knights. 

[Entry created by E. Kourti]