KYTHERA Sklere - 2008

Kythera Sklere. T. Gregory (Ohio) reports on a survey of the fortified site at Sklere, identified with the fortress of Ag. Dimitrios, conducted as part of the Australian Palaiochora-Kythera Archaeological Project of the Australian Institute in Athens.
Sklere is a ridge running NW-SE immediately W of Aroniadika, which dominates the plain between Aroniadika and Potamos. There is a significant concentration of 16th Ct pottery on the central part of the ridge and in the immediate vicinity of the church of Ag. Dimitrios, as well as well-preserved walls and large stone piles E of the church and just below (W of) the high point of the ridge. The stone piles stand out for their size and for the fact that they retain the distinct shapes of collapsed features. Thus two large stone features on the N, each over 1m h. (that on the W being 15m l. and ca. 5m w.), have clearly defined E-W walls ca. 1.5m w. The walls are broken by a probable passageway ca. 2.5m w. mid-way between the stone piles. Another similar stone pile is located on the SW, ca. 12m x 5m and up to 1.5m h., with a depression in the top. To the E of this is an elongated feature running SW-NE, with a distinct circular depression in the E side: this feature reaches the high point of the ridge and meets the stone feature on the E end of the N part of the site. Taken together, it is possible to see these stone features as towers and strong points joined into a rudimentary defensive circuit, ca. 40m². This cannot have been a true castle, as the high point of the ridge is left outside anything that can be considered part of the fortifications. Furthermore, all the construction is in drystone technique, which is not appropriate for any significant Ven fortification. It may rather be a local attempt to provide a place of concealment and safety from Ot raids after the sack of Palaiochora in 1537 (noting the local petition to Venice for assistance in 1543).