GOURNES - 2006

Gournes (ΕΛ.ΚΕ.Θ.Ε property). K. Galanaki (ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on a Minoan structure which partly overlay an EM I cemetery (36 cist tombs), plus cisterns of historical date built over MM II layers.

The rectangular structure (10.3 x 6.15m), oriented north-south and close to the shore, sits over three EM graves, with two more close by at the north and east. The walls, of local stones from the beach, are preserved to a height of 0.5m: the exterior walls are 0.64m thick and the interior 0.4m. The main entrance (with a sandstone threshold) is at the south end of the west wall. The northeast part of the building is partly destroyed. The north half is subdivided into three rooms: communication between rooms 1 and 3 was originally through the west end of the east-west cross wall but this was later closed, and there is no indication of how room 2 was entered. There is no evidence of an upper storey or any open-air space within the building, and no furniture or small finds which indicate its use.

Diagnostic sherds are rare, and dating is largely on the basis of fabrics. Of the 873 sherds, the majority (582: 67%), are Protopalatial with a modest but clear Neopalatial presence (48: 6%), and an even small proportion contemporary with the earlier EM cemetery and other Pre-Palatial phases. Cups of various forms dominate (260), with closed vessels (188) and cooking pots (171) equally represented; there are 70 sherds of other open shapes, and 22 storage vessels. The building’s construction and main phase of occupation are thus dated in the Protopalatial period, with continuity at a lesser level into Neopalatial. The quantity of sherds outside the building is taken to imply open-air activities including cooking and the handling of liquids.

Petrographic analysis identified three major fabric groups. The first, a local fabric used for cooking wares, was a non-calcareous fabric with added calcite, grog and vegetable matter. The second, also used inter alia for cooking vessels, had inclusions from a phyllite/quartzite nappe present in two different quantities (as different recipes): it might originate at Mallia or in the Pediada. The third, with ophiolite inclusions, is perhaps from the Mesara. A Knossian origin is indicated for the non-calcareous fabrics, especially those used for cups.