THESPROTIA Thesprotia Expedition - 2008

Thesprotia Expedition. B. Forsén (Finnish Institute) reports on the 5th field season, which consisted of continued geo-archaeological work, further palynological sampling from Lake Kalodiki at Morphi and trial excavations at 3 sites. Coring was also undertaken in Lake Acherousia to learn more about its general environmental development.
The first site where trial trenches were opened, PS 12, lies on the lowermost E slope of the Liminari hill in the village of Sevasto. Probes here in 2007 revealed mainly FNeo and EBA pottery, but also some LNeo and ENeo−MNeo sherds. The aim was therefore to explore the ENeo and MNeo presence, and to estimate the site size. In trench D2 more ENeo ‘impresso’ sherds were found, although no ENeo−MNeo layer. The early sherds were found mixed with FNeo and EBA pottery and spindle-whorls. In the hope of finding undisturbed ENeo to MNeo remains, probe H was located on a small terrace uphill. This produced remains of a dramatic erosion phase containing large stones mixed with bone, pottery and some roof tiles. The finds are mostly historical in date, perhaps Ar or Cl, and indicate the existence of a settlement of this date somewhere higher upslope.
The main trench was located N-S through what is believed to be the centre of the site. Initially it was dug in 5 1m x 2m sequences, separated by a couple of metres, but, later, one of the tests was enlarged when remains of a rudimentary wall were found. The wall, which consists of 2 courses of stones to a h. of 0.2−0.3m, was exposed to a l. of 9m without uncovering corners. No floor level was found next to the wall. Pottery of the FNeo and EBA, as well as some of MBA and LBA date, was found just above and around it. Preliminary pottery analysis indicates some parallels with the FNeo and EBA repertoires at Doliana near Ioannina, Servia in Macedonia, Pefkakia in Thessaly and, to some extent, Lerna and Franchthi in the Argolid. Most of the EBA parallels are EHII. Three C¹⁴ samples from trenches A (excavated in 2007) and D date to EHII, whereas the 2 samples taken next to the wall date to the MBA and LBA. In order to study the size of PS 12, soil samples were taken in its immediate surroundings. Preliminary results indicate that the site is much larger than previously thought, perhaps close to 100m x 100m.
The 2nd site excavated was Ag. Donatos, Zervochori (PS 25), a small hill fortified around 300 BC. Investigation focused on the ordinary house walls inside the fortification. On the basis of intensive surface survey these seemed to be mostly ERom (opus incertum), although some pieces looked older (possibly Hel). Four trenches were opened, revealing almost exclusively ERom (1st−2ndCt AD) finds. By combining the opus incertum walls visible above the surface with those found in the trial trenches, the outlines of a large building, built on 2 terraces that open to the S, are seen. The building is at least 140m x 30m, although it remains unclear where it ends towards the W. Due to heavy erosion, especially around the Chapel of Ag. Donatos, the building is badly preserved and most of the trenches contained collapsed and mixed layers. Part of the original concrete floor (cocciopesto) was found only in one trench. It is clear that the building once was of high status, as shown by fragments of wall-painting (panels in different colours) and a few palmette antefixes (Fig. 1). Probably it was a villa rustica founded within the abandoned EHel fortress at some stage during the reign of Augustus or Tiberius. No finds date later than the ERom period, except for a grave ca. 10m N of the Chapel of Ag. Donatos. The burial, 0.2m below the surface, was placed in a simple cist of 1−2 courses of rounded stones. No grave gifts were found with the skeleton, which probably belonged to a young woman. Single human bones from other individuals were found close to the chapel, some even on the surface. Obviously, there was a small cemetery next to the 17th Ct chapel, most likely contemporary with it.
At Kioteza, Agora (PS 34), a small EHel fortification ca. 1km from Ag. Donatos was investigated to gain a better picture of its structure and date. Two small trenches were opened, one in the only tower of the fortification, the other at the probable gate. In the tower the rubble fill was encountered ca. 0.2m below the surface. The trench located at the presumed gate produced very few finds, but supports the assumption that there was a gate here, some 1.15−1.2m w. and protected by indented traces on both sides.