NEA ERYTHRAIA, Ethnikis Antistaseos and Lemnou - 2008

Nea Erythraia, Ethnikis Antistaseos 104 and Lemnou 8 (O.T. 315, property of Constrakt B & Bobos Co. and O.T. 315, property of S. Vorgia). Dimitrios Palaiologos (B’ ΕΠΚΑ) and Maria Stephanopoulou (B’ ΕΠΚΑ) report on the discovery of an extensive EHI-EHII settlement (Figs. 1, 2). The remains attest to three building phases. The first dates to the EHI and the other two to the EHII period.

EHI: 4 huts preserving post holes were found. 2 of these were rectangular, 1 was circular and the last rectangular. The first three had been founded on the bedrock while the last one had a stone-paved floor. A shallow rock-cut pit was excavated from the interior of the last hut. 2 circular stone-paved areas, 4 rectangular stone-paved areas, 3 oval-shaped stone-paved areas and 6 pits were also excavated. Some of the pits contained EHI pottery sherds and a bowl (Fig. 3). In addition, a rock-cut pit was found containing ashes, Final Neolithic and EHI pottery sherds, and animal bones. North of this pit another 2 pits were found, which were most likely used for storage. 3 postholes attest to these pits being roofed.

EHIIA: 10 stone-paved areas, a large rock-cut pit, the stone-paved floor of a hut preserving postholes and 4 smaller pits were excavated.

EHIIB: 6 stone-paved areas, 2 stone-paved floors of huts preserving postholes, 8 pits, a hearth and remains of walls were excavated. One of the two huts contained two pits, which were most likely used for storage. LHII pottery sherds were collected from inside these.

Numerous obsidian blades and flakes were found in the area as well as EHI and EHII pottery sherds including sherds from a sauceboat and bowls.

This area appears to have been used in the Classical period too. Five drains running parallel to each other were excavated and few undecorated and black-glazed sherds were collected. Finally 2 Late Classical hearths were found.

The excavation in the first plot was conducted by D. Tsochatzi and in the second by S. Katsi, both under the supervision of the authors of this report.