TIRYNS - 2007

W lower town: for a 2nd year, excavation continued in grid squares L51 and L52, offering a rare opportunity to uncover EMyc (LH I−II), EPalatial (LH IIIA) and EIA remains, elsewhere missing or covered by later structures. Undisturbed pre-LH horizons were not reached, but finds in later levels reveal the history of pre-Myc occupation. The earliest pottery dates to the LNeo, while the next clear horizon is EH II. In addition to large quantities of EH sherds, certain finds unexpected in domestic contexts include at least 3 EH clay sealings and building materials, such as terracotta and slate tiles, used to roof major constructions during the ‘Period of the Corridor Houses’. Such finds suggest that significant EH architectural remains linked to administrative practices are to be expected.

The earliest architectural phase is EPalatial (LH IIIA), continuing into the incipient LPalatial period (LH IIIB). Two Myc building phases in L52 exhibit marked differences in construction techniques, orientation and probably also size. Architecture of the earlier phase appeared only at the end of the excavation: accordingly, the layout and size of the emerging building remain unclear. The uppermost part of a carefully built, solid wall was uncovered, which closely resembles in construction and width the walls of the large LH IIIA complex found in 1969−1974 S of the new excavation. A multiple-room building of similar size and construction dating to LH IIIA1 and IIIA2, with its origins possibly reaching back into LH II, is therefore expected. The later Myc phase (LH IIIA2 and possibly LH IIIB1 E) is represented by a partially uncovered building with painted walls (noting plaster fragments with blue, and sometimes one further colour). Finds, such as lumps of unused clay, fragments of unfired or slightly fired vessels and a spiral clay coil used to build up vessels, indicate the use of the building for pottery manufacture − the first such discovery in Tiryns. Domestic wares and coarsewares were produced, but a smaller number of pieces are thin-walled and made of fine clay. The choice of this particular area for a potter’s workshop may have been guided by the proximity of the acropolis. The workshop is very close to the acropolis rock and to the upper citadel in particular. When the first megaron was built in the 14th Ct, the workshop was immediately visible to its occupants. Therefore, although only one disputable sealing has so far been discovered, an immediate relationship between palace and potter’s workshop is postulated.

A decisive break in settlement in the W lower town occurred early in LH IIIB1: the lack of LH IIIB2 and IIIC occupation, indicated by previous excavation, was confirmed. The potter’s workshop and contemporary neighbouring buildings were abandoned without destruction and there are no signs of Myc reoccupation of the area. The abandonment of this part of the lower town may be connected with the creation of a new approach to the citadel from the W in LH IIIB2 with the construction of the W staircase and the associated gate in the W bastion. No construction in the area of the W lower town bordering on this approach was thenceforth tolerated, perhaps for reasons of security or aesthetics (to preserve the view of the palace and fortification on the low acropolis).
Further investigation of an EIA construction of large horizontal slabs and stones discovered in 2006 and thought to be a grave, revealed no grave pit or post-Myc finds. The possibility of a burial at a greater depth cannot be ruled out, but the structure was probably part of a well-built slab pathway built when the foundations of the Myc potter’s workshop were used for a new PGeo building. This phase was short: MGeo or LGeo horizons cut into the ruin of the reused Myc building.

Fresco project: A. Papadimitriou (Δ' ΕΠΚΑ) and U. Thaler continued the restoration and analysis of a large complex of wall-paintings found in Archaeological Service excavations in the area of the W staircase (1999−2001). Wall-paintings in the National Museum from earlier excavation in the same area are also included (in co-operation with L. Papazoglou-Manioudaki), since they form part of the same complex. A systematic search for joins between fragments from the new complex began by focusing on friezes showing imitations of wooden beams and spirals. These probably belong to the famous Tirynthian procession of life-size women, and are thus important for clarifying the relation to the old frescoes published by Rodenwaldt. It was thus possible to assemble large parts of the friezes as well as new compositions of figural fresco painting.