CHANIA - 2003

Chania. 9 Renieri Street (Rovlia property). V. Niniou-Kindeli (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the excavation in 2003 of a poorly-preserved loculus tomb near those recovered on G. Hatzidaki Street.

The roof and side wall had collapsed. A sloping dromos with a few shallow steps leads into the main access chamber with nine loculi (four on each side and one opposite the entrance). Traces of plaster remain especially in the loculi (which are 2 x 0.8-0.9m, and 1.6m high to the ceiling vault). There are no closing slabs. Two loculi have side niches for secondary burials, cut at the main chamber floor level.

The original, late fourth- to mid third-century BC inhumations were in four loculi undisturbed. Grave goods typically include vases, glass unguentaria, terracotta figurines, bronze mirrors, an iron strigil; a ring each of silver and of bronze, earrings and necklaces of gilded terracotta; and a silver Charon’s obol. Roman and Hellenistic finds were scattered elsewhere. Looting occurred before the Roman interments and perhaps again in the Early Christian period. Roman finds, of the first-second centuries AD comprise many lamps and other clay vessels, glass vases, bronze fibulae, coins, and gold earrings depicting Eros. Traces of burning in the main chamber indicates ritual behaviour.

Nearby, tombs of other types, set deeper, date a little earlier in the fourth century BC. Five were tile graves, associated with the poorer social classes. Three were pit graves and one a double cist neatly built of stone and plastered.