KASTELLI Pediados - 2001

Kastelli, Pediados. K. Galanaki (ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on finds made in the region of Kastelli between 2001 and 2004. Remains of domestic character were found on the eastern and southern flanks of the Kephali hill, southeast of the modern settlement, with pottery from the Archaic to Early Christian periods (the excavators note Archaic relief pithos fragments, Hadra-style vessels, and the small quantity of terra sigillata). Thirty-nine cist graves were also found on the hill: many were disturbed but two contained inscribed sherds of the fifth to seventh centuries AD. The dead were laid supine, arms crossed at the waist and with the head to the west but turned to face north. On the top of the hill was a round building.

Within the archaeological site, on the east slope of the Kastelli hill, building remains of at least three Bronze Age phases were discovered on the property of A. Kalaitzaki. A complex of five small rooms dates to Middle Minoan II-III. Obsidian in the fill is interpreted as evidence of nearby workshop activity. Outside, to the east was a paved L-shaped court. The building is said to have been abandoned rather than destroyed in Late Minoan IA. A monumental building to the south is dated to Late Minoan IA. A third, Late Minoan IIIB-C building, with rooms to the north and south of a long corridor, lay to the west of the court. The east part of the court in this phase was walled off and used as a dump from which thousands of sherds were recovered. On the western slope of the Kastelli hill (G. Papadantonaki property), a Late Classical workshop complex continued in use with two Roman building phases.

At Petras (G. Mourtzaki property), a Middle Minoan III complex of small rooms with strong walls, situated on either side (to the east and west) of a paved area, was uncovered. The Minoan walls were re-used in Roman times to support the sides of three built cist graves.