GALATAS - 2002

Galatas. G. Rethemiotakis (ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on continuing excavation of the buildings to the north and northwest of the north wing of the palace. Area 11 in building 2 was perhaps the footing of a staircase in Late Minoan IB. Many cups were found, together with a closed vessel decorated with spirals, and two lead weights.

Two areas of building 5 (west of building 3) were excavated: one may be the footing of a staircase. A bronze axe, a rectangular serpentine offering table, fragments of stone lamps, a miniature pithos, and several Middle Minoan IIIB-Late Minoan IA pots were found. Late Minoan IIIB and perhaps Late Minoan IIIC pottery was collected from the surface.

In the excavation of the fill of a road between buildings 2, 3 and 5, Middle Minoan IIIB- Late Minoan IA pottery was collected.

At the east end of building 3, two successive exedrae were excavated: the first fell out of use in Late Minoan IA. Each had a pit to one side and a channel, and in the earlier cases these were filled with pottery, principally cups. The bothros of the second, smaller exedra was full of burnt soil, animal bones, and pottery, again mostly cups. The loose fill in front also contained much pottery, including rhyta, tubular vessels, and chalices.

Against the wall of the palace under the north courtyard, a large deposit of Middle Minoan IIIB pottery, including cups, plates, jars, a rhyton, and a lamp, is interpreted as a ceremonial deposit predating the construction of the north wall of the palace.

Eight rooms in the north wing of the palace were excavated, some with plaster floors. Domestic pottery was found together with three animal figurines and the head of a human figurine wearing a conical hat. Beneath room 60 was another room with a hearth and pottery dating to Middle Minoan IIIB. Under the floor of room 66 was a fill with Middle Minoan IIIB-Late Minoan IA sherds mixed with Middle Minoan IIIA.