SMARI - 2001

Smari. D. Hatzi-Vallianou (AIK) reports that excavation beneath the floor of megaron B revealed an eschara at a lower level and to the east of the hearth of the Orientalising period. The Geometric floor was found to the east and north of the eschara. In the northwest of the room was a column base (the third) and in the southwest, stone tables beside the benches. Excavation went down to the Middle Minoan layer. In megaron D, excavation revealed the stratigraphy under the room. There was a layer (3) with a substantial number of mostly Late Minoan IIIC pots (stirrup jars, pithos sherds, conical cups) and below this Middle Minoan walls and a layer (4) containing Middle Minoan pottery, scattered pieces of clay and intense signs of burning. The large quantity of Middle Minoan pottery consisted mostly of storage jars. Carbonized seeds and specimens of vetch were collected. Below this was another thin layer, also with Middle Minoan sherds but with burnt grey soil. Excavation of space 3 outside the perimeter wall uncovered pithoi including Late Minoan IIIC sherds with repair clamps. Excavation of space 2B, a Late Minoan IIIC room with benches, the northern part of which was covered by the ramp into the Geometric acropolis, revealed two triton shells, animal bone and pieces of bronze.

In 2002, excavation continued into the Middle Minoan spaces (D2.1-4) below megaron D. A patch of beaten earth floor was revealed. Finds included a stone protopalatial lamp, carbonised seeds, animal bones including a bucranium and pottery consisting principally of pithoi and cups. As in 2001, there were intense signs of burning and a thin underlying layer of burnt soil. Excavation in the prodromos of the megaron revealed a bone comb and beads of amber and semiprecious stone. Excavation continued in space 2B which is identified as the central room of another megaron (2). The slight layer above the floor and along the north wall was removed and found to contain Late Minoan IIIC pottery, stone tools, animal bones, charcoal and shells. Household utensils, a pithos, animal bones and tools were found close to the hearth. Late Minoan IIIC sherds were found in the wall 2a, identified as the prodromos of the megaron.

In 2004, excavation in the prodromos of megaron B found that the walls had two Late Minoan III phases, and that the north wall was founded in Middle Minoan fill. Clay spindle whorls were found. The prodromos of megaron A produced small and medium-sized domestic pottery, including parts of a Late Minoan IIIC skyphos and cup, and a strainer, plus animal bones. These finds date the use of the room before the ramp was built over it. Excavations below megaron D continued to produce Middle Minoan pottery.