KAROUMES - 2001

Karoumes Zakrou (Minoan Roads Research Programme). S. Chrysoulaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on work on the ‘guardhouse of the sea’ and the ‘Mitriko guardhouse’.

Study of finds from the ‘guardhouse of the sea’ was completed. The first phase of habitation dates to the late Protopalatial period or shortly thereafter (Middle Minoan IIB-IIIA). During this phase the site took the form of a megalithic terrace used for the manufacture of red dye. In the Neopalatial period two megalithic buildings were constructed. The eastern one was built in Middle Minoan IIIB-Late Minoan IA, remained in use until late in Late Minoan IB, and was then reused until LM IIIA2. Later, an Early Roman building occupied the site: this remained in use until the second century AD. A double axe at the foundation of the northeast wall of the main building is interpreted as a foundation deposit.

At the ‘Mitriko guardhouse’, the oldest deposits were Neopalatial, two areas had Late Minoan IB floors, habitation ended in Late Minoan IIIA2/B. From the Archaic to the Hellenistic period the site is said to have been occupied by a sanctuary.