KAROUMES BAY AREA (Minoan Roads Research Program) - 2002

Minoan Roads Research Programme – surface survey. S. Chrysoulaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports.

In the area of Karoumes bay, the neighbouring coastal zone, and the inland valley of Chochlakia, second millennium BC occupation took the form of scattered, isolated buildings (with annexes) at the edge of cultivated areas. Habitation was denser during the Neopalatial period, and some buildings were distinguished by megalithic architecture. Late Minoan IIIA1 occupation was identified at three locations, while Late Minoan IIIA2-B occupation was denser.

Individual sites identified included a small Late Neolithic-Early Minoan settlement at Kastella, north of the village of Chochlakoi; a limestone quarry at Skoinias bay; and a cave in the bay at the foot of Traostalos, which contained a pyre, miniature stone double-axes, bones, and fine pottery in its deepest part. The pottery (mostly drinking cups) dates to Late Minoan IIIA1, noting also some Late Minoan II sherds.