ALIAKMON Ilarion dam - 2006

Ilarion dam. G. Karamitrou-Mendesidi (Director, Λ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on research in the area due to be flooded for this dam. Surface survey revealed a further 7 sites (bringing the total known to 20), at 3 of which trial trenches produced significant results. At Longas (Elati) trenches opened in the known LBA−EIA and Hel settlement produced remains of buildings and other finds from all these periods. In addition to PH handmade pottery (mostly from storage vessels), finds include 2 rings (one with a female figure on the bezel), bronze sheet, iron nails, 21 loomweights, part of a clay sealing, 3 pestles, part of a hand-mill and stone tools. Just below the hill, illegal excavation had revealed cist tombs: this area was not investigated further as it is not scheduled to be flooded. No further information was uncovered to confirm the provenance of the 13th−12th Ct BC Myc bronze sword said to come from this site. At Gefyra (Panagia) remains of Hel buildings were discovered (a hearth and part of a floor, plus a destruction deposit), as well as handmade Macedonian matt-painted pottery of the LBA. At Keramario (Paliouria) sections of a large cemetery on 2 hills were excavated: graves on the E hill are Ar and Cl, while those on the W are Cl−LCl (mostly 4th Ct). 30 burials were excavated on the E hill, all but one of which had been looted: apart from one cremation, all were inhumations in pit graves. They contained weapons (spearheads, arrowheads and knives), jewellery, pottery, clothing accessories and cosmetic items similar to those in the cemeteries of Aiane, noting the presence of ‘local’ pottery (possibly from Aiane). In addition to 2 bronze bowls, sheet bronze in 10 further tombs indicates the presence of bronze cooking vessels. On the W hill were 33 burials (of which 3 were unlooted) containing 33 pots (mostly local), a bronze jug and kantharos, weapons, jewellery (including 3 electrum beads and 2 silver earrings) and other accessories. Two bronze mouth-pieces probably come from leather aryballoi, similar to finds from Aiane. Each grave was marked by one or more stones. The presence of earlier finds (a figurine, for example, and a skyphos of the L6th Ct) likely indicates destroyed Ar tombs. In addition, surface remains are noted at the following sites: Ag. Kyriaki (Paliouria) Neo−EBA settlement (handmade pottery, stone tools); Sioutsa Rema (Dimitra) BA handmade pottery and stone tools; Megas Ai-Giorgis (Dimitra) (a known Ar−Rom site) BA handmade pottery and stone tools; Keramario (Paliouria) BA handmade pottery; Ag. Konstantinos (Dimitra) (a known Hel−Rom site) spolia of an earlier church built into the church of Ag. Konstantinos, a Byz cemetery (revealed in illegal excavation) and surface finds of PH, mostly EBA, handmade pottery; Mikro Karperou a cist tomb cemetery of uncertain date. Trenches opened at Gorna Tsapa, Parakoustis and Plaka produced only a very little BA handmade pottery plus some wheelmade sherds.