MAROULAS - Mezaria - 2011

Mezaria, Maroulas. E. Papadopoulou (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on a decade of excavation in this LM III cemetery (the largest of its type in west Crete after Chania and Armenoi).

Fourteen chamber tombs (four robbed) have recently been recorded, ten of which lie in a row (northeast-southwest along a contour line) with others to their west; pithos burials were found in two locations to the east. The typical chamber tomb form is basic, without architectural embellishment. The dromos length ranges from 5-12m; the rectangular chamber entrance may incline (matching the dromos profile) and was generally closed by rough stonework; the chamber is usually ovoid (with two neater, rectangular examples) and mostly quite large (ca. 2m long, with instances 2.5–3.5m). Most tombs contained one or two interments mostly in terracotta larnakes, with just a few on the floor. Tomb 5 held the larnax burials of a (?female) child eight to nine years of age with textile remains adhering to the head and pelvic area, and a woman of 25 over whose bones lay remnants of painted plaster. Tomb 7 yielded a 30-35 year old male.

At least 17 larnakes were found in recent excavations, decorated with spirals, flowers (especially antithetical flowers as papyrus), rosette, octopus and chequered panels, ritual symbols like the double-axe and horns of consecration, and hunting scenes.

Vases (94 in total) are the most common grave offering: stirrup jars (14 small, four larger) are best represented, along with conical cups, kylikes and incense burners. The earliest vessels (e.g. monochrome kylikes) date to LM IIIA1–2, with others dating in LM IIIA2 (e.g. tall alabastron). Most, however, belong to LM IIIB Early and Late. Other forms more sparsely represented include the amphoroid krater, high-handled cup, pyxis and lid, feeding-cup, kalathos, double vase, amphoriskos and alabastron. There were at least six tinned kylikes and cups.

Metal finds are rare, but include a bowl and sword and a number of silver finger-rings. Many beads include one of amber; pins of bone and blue glass-paste are recorded. Eleven sealstones were found, mostly of carnelian and steatite. These include one depicting figure-of-eight shields and a helmet, one with a minotaur (in carnelian), and singletons of amethyst (depicting bulls), lapis lacedaemonius (a bull and man) and blue glass (goats).