CHANIA - 2009

Chania. 83 A. Papandreou Street (Lendari property). S. Preve (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) publishes one of the six LM IIIA-B chamber tombs excavated in 1987, alongside other grave types (including at least one pit-cave). These belong to a larger necropolis (over a 1km2) under the southeast part of the modern town (Ag. Ioannis, Dikastiria, Ano Koum Kapi).

The dromos, running down from the west, is 14.5m long and up to 6.75m deep. The square chamber (2.65 x 2.7m and up to 1.9m high, with a vaulted roof) had been plundered both in the Late Bronze Age and in historical times. One burial, covered with stones, lay in situ in the dromos, while three disturbed LM IIIB burials in the dromos fill had probably been ejected from the chamber. Within the chamber, the disturbed remains of three more individuals were found in heaps: an LM IIIA/B spouted cup and two askoi were preserved in the entrance fill (one on a stone in the entrance blocking); another LM IIIB cup was probably associated with the remains in the dromos. Earlier use of the tomb is indicated by a pit containing the bones of two individuals and a small domestic animal, plus one glass-paste and one bronze bead. Two other pits each held the bones of a child (one with a mass of coloured faience beads). Two incense burners (LM IIIA/B), amidst a scatter of carbon, had been ritually placed close to the top of the entrance fill. An agate seal (LM IIIA) displays a deer between two lions.

Four other chamber tombs contained one or more burials with scanty grave goods - clay vases and traces of colouring (red, blue and brown) perhaps from a wooden coffin.

Over part of the dromos lay the remains of a hypocaust from a Late Roman bath.