ELEUTHERNA - Mnemata - 2007

Mnemata. E. Tegou (ΚΕ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on a rescue excavation at one of the cemeteries of Eleutherna, resulting from road-works between Alpha and Eleutherna. Sited on the W slopes and terraces of a gorge to the N of the city, the site is extensive: the tombs investigated all lie within the zone of the works, with the mod. road marking its limits to the W. The cemetery has been mentioned in the literature for some time, but only now has it been investigated.
Before work began, traces of rock-cut cist tombs were observable in 6 places. Many more were found: 128 have been definitely identified, in 5 main groupings. All are orientated N−S, except for 11 which lie E−W. They are cut into the bedrock (a soft limestone): some were executed carefully, others less so. Many were disturbed and damaged as a result of the road preparations, so that only 3 preserved in place their triple covering slabs. For many the sides were to be seen in outline as were the sockets cut to receive the cover slabs.
Pottery is the most numerous find: the 657 pieces recorded comprise several sorts of closed and small shapes − perfume bottles, lekythoi, jugs and oinochoai. Important for determining burial customs were 2 gold mouth covers, both inscribed. The burials can be dated broadly to the Hel period, with the earliest assigned to the L4th−E3rd Ct BC.