LATHOURIZA - VARI - 2008

Lathouriza-Vari, (property of Pittara). Ch. Kazazaki (ΚΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of Classical architectural remains and a Late Geometric cemetery (Fig 1). A pi-shaped structure was excavated. A small room within this structure contained 5 intact, undecorated, pointed amphorae in situ, numerous amphora sherds, a large quantity of table ware, and few bones and shells. The structure appears to have been the enclosure of the Late Geometric cemetery, which was nevertheless constructed in Classical times. An ash layer in the SE corner of the structure contained plain and table ware, large quantities of black- and red-glazed vessels (plates, skyphoi, lekythoi), Classical black- and red-figure vases of various sizes, animal bones, shells, and lead and bronze artefacts. The area of the ash layer is interpreted as a space where offerings were placed. A semi-circular pit nearby is identified as a deposit pit.

The Late Geometric cemetery occupies the north part of the excavated area (Fig. 1). It consists of two burial clusters which include 14 shaft graves and 11 inurned cremations. One burial cluster has a N-S orientation and the second an E-W one. The placement of the bodies in the shaft graves was in accordance with the orientation of the relevant cluster (Figs 2,4,5). Burial offerings from the shaft graves include skyphoi, trefoil-mouthed oinochoae, jugs, phialae, plates, cups and pyxides (Fig 3). 2 of the shaft graves (7 and 13) contained two burials (Fig 6). The inurned cremations were found either amongst or on top of the shaft graves. The amphorae containing the cremations in some cases also contained miniature vessels (cups, phialae, jugs and trefoil-mouthed oinochoae).

6 pyres were found in the south part of the excavation area. These were enclosed by a semi-circular and 3 straight walls. One of the pyres contained 6 Corinthian aryballoi. 2 shallow, rock-cut pits lie SW of the pyres. Intact Corinthian aryballoi, decorated alabastra, terracotta animal figurines, a terracotta figurine of an enthroned female form, and numerous pottery sherds were found in the area of the 2 pits. As a result, this area too appears to have served for the placement of offerings.

Finally, a second pi-shaped structure was found in the SE corner of the plot. It contained numerous bronze and lead artefacts, and plain ware sherds. It also contained a well with rock-cut steps.