MIDEA - 2011

Midea. K. Demakopoulou (Director Emerita, National Museum) reports on study and fieldwork conducted in 2010-2011.

Fieldwork focused on the cleaning, conservation, and recording of the architectural remains on the Midea acropolis, such as the West Gate with the bastion, the megalithic ramp leading to the East Gate, the massive terrace wall outside the north section of the fortifications, the Sally Port and various buildings inside the fortified area. Air photographs of the site were taken, with general views of the acropolis (Fig. 1) and individual views of the fortifications and other monuments. Work to landscape and present the site was resumed.

Study of the finds concentrated on the abundant LH IIIB2 Late pottery, most of which was recovered from destruction deposits in the West Gate area (Fig. 2) and is largely comparable with that from the relevant destruction layers at Mycenae and Tiryns. A large assemblage of stone, bronze and lead objects was examined, as well as objects of ivory and related materials. Documentation and restoration of a large group of wall paintings continued: this material was found in contexts with LH IIIB2 pottery and can thus be connected with structures of the late 13th century BC.