KALLIGONI - 2004

Leukas, Kalligoni (property of Lidl Hellas and Co., formerly Ch. Georgaki property). M. Stavropoulou-Gatsi (ΛΣτ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on rescue excavation in the Classical-Hellenistic north cemetery of ancient Leukas, ca 40m north of the north arm of the city wall.

Sixty-five closely packed tombs, variously oriented, mostly held child burials – they included 27 tile graves, 23 pits, two cists, five sarcophagi, four inurned cremations, two tombs of idiosyncratic form and a case of reburial of bones. The rich grave goods chiefly comprised pottery, bronze items and vessels, and coins, and many grave stelai were preserved in situ with or without their bases but mostly without inscriptions. Several were re-used in tomb structures. Structures of unfired clay and tile, and the burnt remains of offering pyres were examined. The structures contained large quantities of pottery (vessels for storage, drinking and offerings) but no bone, leading to their association with a funerary cult.