Athens - Koukaki - 2010

Athens - Koukaki. Eugenia Tsalkou (Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica) reports the following:

Rescue excavations carried out during 2009-2010 on a plot at 9-11, Th. Renti street at Koukaki, south of the Acropolis, brought to light part of a cemetery dated to the Submycenaean period. More specifically, thirty-four (34) graves were uncovered, sixteen (16) of which were cist graves, twelve (12) pit graves partially stone-lined, five (5) pit graves and one (1) of unknown type.

The cist graves consist of an oblong earth-cut shaft, which in most cases is lined on all four sides with stone slabs. Nineteen (19) of these graves had covering of stone slabs, fully or partly preserved. The graves normally contained only one body (grave 22 with a double burial is the only exception). They were oriented N-S or N/NW-S/SE with the head of the dead at N or N/NW. The skeletons were placed on their sides or in an outstretched, supine position. Twenty-seven (27) graves contained grave offerings, among which there were various types of vases, pieces of jewelry made of bronze, silver, iron, glass and a carved gem of steatite.

In conclusion, these graves provide us with valuable information on burial practices and types of offerings. In addition, they have a significant contribution to our knowledge of the cemetery, which was developed at the area south of the Acropolis during Submycenaean times.