GLYPHADA - 2012

Glyphada, Attica. K. Kaza (ASA) reports that excavation at the Early Helladic cemetery at Asteria (Fig. 1) investigated part of a Prehistoric stone pile southeast of the large peribolos defining the cemetery (Figs 2-3). This was 2m tall, measured 9m north-south and 6m east-west, and consisted principally of pebbles, middle-sized stones and a little earth. Many EH I sherds and stone tools were recovered from the surface of the pile and from a trial trench dug into its centre (Fig. 4). Pebbles and stones bearing clear traces of working and use were recovered, as well as parts of grinding and percussion tools of ophite, andesite, sandstone etc., which suggests the presence of a stone workshop.

A chamber tomb cut into the bedrock was marked on the surface by a peribolos (1.95 x 1.55 m) with an open entrance way (Fig. 5) also cut into the rock, 1m deep and up to 0.6m wide, leading to a door opening. The tomb had a large cover slab, upon which was founded a four-sided stone structure, analogous to those in the Tsepi cemetery, and the entrance was blocked with small slabs found at the threshold.

The tomb was repeatedly re-used: it contained one strongly contracted skeleton in front of the door and a pile of bones in the east half of the chamber representing at least 20 individuals (17 adults and 3 children). Among the bones were three miniature vessels (including a small spherical pyxis with incised decoration showing Early Cycladic characteristics), chips of obsidian and sea shells.