CHANIA - 2009

Chania. 86-88 A. Papandreou Street (Manolikaki property). E. Kataki (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the excavation in 1992 of 11 looted LM IIIA-B tombs (seven chamber tombs, one pit-cave and three simple pits) from the main LBA necropolis

Tomb 4, the largest and best preserved, extends east into the neighbouring Tzinevrakis plot. Its dromos is steep, 12m long and 5m deep; the chamber is approximately 7m2, with a flat ceiling. The chamber floor is cut deeper along the alignment of the dromos, forming two side benches. Three phases of deposition occurred. The remains of at least three individuals were placed on the west bench, with two on the east (and a squared block of stone). A burial pit within the central channel held the remains of a man laid supine, head towards the entrance (northwest): a lentoid agate seal by his right hand depicted a creature with a goat’s forequarters on human legs. Vases broken and dispersed throughout the chamber and dromos due to looting comprise amphoroid kraters with octopuses, plain kylikes, a deep bowl, footed one-handled cups, jugs and burnt cooking vessels (mostly tripod cooking pots). These vessels, and traces of fire by the entrance, argue for ritual acts also known in similar tombs elsewhere in Chania.

Of the other tombs, Tomb 5 (a pit-grave) contained two skeletons with a double vase of local manufacture between them, perhaps emphasizing their connection.