CHERSONISSOS - 2010

Chersonissos. K. Galanaki (ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on rescue excavation conducted between 1991 and 2010 in the Polis area of modern Limeni, where the centre of the late Classical and early Hellenistic cemetery lies below Roman and Early Christian occupation debris.

150 tombs with human burials were found, plus two horse burials. Most are pit graves usually covered with earth or sand and occasionally with terracotta or stone slabs: there are a few terracotta-lined cists. Grave goods comprise a large range of black- and red figure vessels (plus occasional marble vessels), including lekythoi, skyphoi, kantharoi, pyxides, miniatures, unguent and perfume vessels, jugs, amphorae, lamps, lachrymateria, alabastra, and egg-cups. (Figs 1-4). Jewellery comprises wreaths, diadems, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches and pins. Other personal items include strigils, mirrors, knucklebones, plus bronze nails, bone, silver and bronze discs and pellets, and bronze buckles, perhaps from shoes.