SOUTH EAST CRETE ARCHAEOLOGICAL LAND SURVEY - 2008

SE Crete, Archaeological Land Survey. S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) and N. Schlager (OAI/Vienna) report on the 2008 survey season, a continuation of a collaborative project begun in 1996 (see AR 43 [1996−1997], 117−18) and continued in 2000.
At Aspro Nero (Paletsi) further Cyclopean walls were found abutting the N bastion to the N. These are closely similar in construction technique and size of boulders to the walls of the large MM/LM settlement at Chametoulo (Aletourgio/Vrysi) 1.7km to the N. Aspro Nero may be interpreted as a fortified post controlling the low-lying valley leading from the coast up to Chametoulo. Most datable sherds in the area of these walls (and elsewhere on the site) are MM, with some LM and a few Byz or Emod. glazed sherds. At the S border of the site, S of the S bastion, a huge natural limestone outcrop resembles Horns of Consecration with their long axis oriented N-S. Some distance below to the E lies a small artificial platform. In an outcrop on its E side, deep, narrow crevices contained numerous MM sherds, mainly cooking pots, bowls and cups, deposited deliberately. This assemblage appears to be the debris from outdoor feasting in association with the outcrop.
At Ag. Irini it is evident that the 2 sites previously identified (20 and 21) form part of one large FNeo−EMII settlement extending from the top of Kastri down its S and E slopes. There are no substantial differences in the materials and building techniques of the much eroded, flimsy walls just below the top of the hill compared to those further downslope. The earlier assumption of a later MM date for the terrace buildings must be abandoned, although MM pottery is conspicuous on terrace III. Considering the vast amount of FNeo−EMII material across the site, the MM sherds imply a partial, perhaps temporary, reoccupation of this specific area in the MBA, though no MM architectural remains have been recognized. The top of the hill is devoid of architectural features. Numerous fragments of Melian obsidian blades and cores, and local flints, concentrated on terraces I and II, imply knapping and working areas used by specialized craftsmen, who acquired or imported foreign raw materials and probably produced tools on the spot. Documentation of all visible remains indicates that this is one of the largest FNeo−EMII settlements in the area between Zakros, Xerokampos and Goudouras.
Prior to 2008, the coastal strip and plateau of Livari had not been surveyed in its entirety (Fig. 1). Parts of it were documented in 2000: an ?EM/MM settlement at Cheromylia (site 36), an EM−MMI cemetery and tholos tomb at Skiadi (site 37: see Goudouras below) and a FNeo settlement at Katharades (sites 34 and 35) on high ground above the coast. In 2008, the area was completely mapped, including all anc. and mod. structures, not all of which were previously known: site 38 denotes those structures W of the gorge of Ankastara (N of sites 36 and 37) and site 39 those to the E. Confirmed anc. sites are as follows.
Site 38A (Fig. 2): FNeo−EMII settlement with a minimum N-S extension of 75m along the E slope of the small coastal range of Kastrokephalaki. Site 38B: quadrangular rock-cut feature at the peak of Kastrokephalaki with small cleft in the rock. Site 38C: walled-off and partly robbed cave on the W slope of the same range with many EMI/EMII sherds, including one fragment of fine Vasiliki ware of EMIIB. Since no bones were detected, the function of the cave as a burial place remains doubtful.
Site 36: the site plan was supplemented with the addition of walls and buildings not previously recognized. Pottery and portable finds confirm a date no earlier than MM; the presence of LM pottery indicates continuing activity into the LBA.
Site 37: more EM and later pottery was identified and recorded in and around tholos tomb I within the necropolis of site 37 (Skiadi). Because of its proximity to 38A, it must be seen now as the contemporary cemetery of that settlement.
In addition, site 39A is a 19th Ct AD walled look-out post (vigla) on top of the steep cliff at the E limits of Livari.
This season’s work allows a summary of the local development of settlement in the area: (1) FNeo settlement: Katharades acropolis (site 35) and Katharades bastion (site 34); (2) FNeo−EMII settlement: Kastrokephalaki (38A) with cult place (38B) and cave (burial?) deposit (38C); the necropolis at Skiadi (37) probably built and in use contemporaneously; (3) MM/LM settlement at Cheromylia (36); part of cemetery at Skiadi probably still in use; (4) LBA: end of continuous settlement at Livari. The hypothesis that Cl−Hel Stalai should be located at Livari could not be confirmed archaeologically.