SARONIC HARBOURS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH PROJECT - 2008

Saronic Harbors Archaeological Research Project (SHARP). D. Pullen (ASCSA/Florida) and T. Tartaron (ASCSA/Pennsylvania) report on a 2nd season of fieldwork. In 2008, as in 2007, research focused on the Myc settlement at Korphos-Kalamianos and on the surrounding territory (Fig. 1).
Kalamianos was a major harbour settlement of the Myc palatial period, with a large urban centre that was a focus of Myc activity extending well beyond the site itself. Work continued on the mapping of architectural features. Survey and drawing of structures continued at Kalamianos: sectors 5 and 9 were targeted, in addition to the fortification wall. While over much of the site buildings are set some distance apart, sector 5 has produced the densest concentration of architecture (Fig. 2). Two streets or alleys allow access between structures. One of these, structure 5-1223, seems to be a major organizational feature of sector 5, and can be traced for nearly 60m N-S in 3 segments which are continuous although not perfectly aligned. E of the N part of this street lies building 5-II, a very large structure with numerous rooms, a clear entrance on the W and several inbuilt features (perhaps bins or platforms). To the W lies building 5-VIII, a structure with 6 parallel units oriented N-S, each of which has 3 to 4 rooms running N-S. The structure is thus an insula like those seen elsewhere in the Aegean. One of the units, B2-B3, was apparently rebuilt at a slightly higher level and with somewhat larger stones. Sector 9 has produced some of the clearest evidence for post-Myc reuse at Kalamianos. Building 9-IV (Fig. 3), a large Myc structure of canonical masonry, contains a possible kiln, the stone packing of which is associated with finger impressed Rom tiles and spiral grooved ware. Elsewhere in the vicinity, LRom 1 and 2 amphora rims were found.

Kalamianos had a fortification circuit that enclosed all of the architecture (ca. 4ha), as well as large areas of open land (ca. 3ha). Two probable gates have been identified. A long wall (Fig. 3) runs from the E shore to the W, cutting off the Kalamianos peninsula. Near the middle of the N wall, 2 parallel walls, 7-XXIV and 7-XIX, funnel access past a well-constructed tower (7-XV) to the narrow entrance to the site. To the SE, another possible gate complex, 9-V, controlled access between the lower, built-up portion of the site and the higher, unoccupied but fortified, hilltop. To the Wand SW, the wall is identified only in small sections. Any wall along the S edge of the site would probably lie below the mod. sea level.
Intensive archaeological survey of the Kalamianos site was completed. Finds collected from individual rooms, within walls and between buildings allowed the buildings to be dated with varying degrees of precision. Preliminary analysis suggests that the material is almost entirely LHIIIB in date, with very little earlier or later Myc. Almost half of the site was covered, although a significant percentage of the survey area could not be walked due to steep slopes or dense vegetation.
Beyond Kalamianos, the survey identified FNeo, EBA, LBA, Cl/Hel and Emod. sites. There is widespread evidence for small Myc enclosures, some of which may have had associated towers. In all instances these enclosures have clear views over the surrounding territory and control natural passages into the region. E of Korphos bay, between the mod. village and Kalamianos, a series of stone cairns previously interpreted as Hel boundary markers was re-examined. Based on their form and the ceramics contained in them, they probably represent theremains of another EBA fortified site, as nearby Vayia and Vassa, although they may have been reused in later periods.

On a low ridge between 2 hilltops at Akrotirio Stiri, high above Kalamianos, a 2nd large Myc settlement was discovered, overlooking a steep cliff and with an expansive view of the Saronic Gulf to the E. This settlement is smaller than that at Kalamianos (the main part of the complex is ca. 200m x 70m), but the architecture and chronology are similar (Fig. 4). From the small hill S of the site, Kalamianos and the Saronic Gulf stretching out to the S are in plain view, while from the cliff delimiting the settlement to the E, there is a much broader view of the Saronic coasts, including Attica and Salamis. Thus, the community at Stiri could monitor maritime traffic on the Saronic Gulf, as well as the land passes above Kalamianos.

Geological and geomorphological research (R. Dunn: Norwich, Vermont) focused on problems of erosion and sedimentation, hydrology and coastline change over time, and especially on karstic features and the hydrology of the region. The lines of the bedrock joints were mapped across the site. These joints often split into so-called fissures which occur in association with architecture; as they seem to be sources of fresh water, their distribution may be a factor in the location of buildings. Coring was undertaken on the Kalamianos site and in the region. One core, within building 7-I, had a few particles of partially burnt clay (perhaps burnt mud-brick or daub), indicating the presence of cultural deposits.