- ΚΔ' Εφορεία Προϊστορικών και Κλασικών Αρχαιοτήτων
Dans le cadre d’un programme commun de l’Ecole française d’Athènes et de la XXIVe éphorie des antiquités préhistoriques et classiques de Crète de l’Est, Alexandre Farnoux (EfA) et Vasso Zografaki (XXIVe éphorie) ont poursuivi en 2013 la fouille de la cité antique de Dréros (fig. 1). Les efforts ont été concentrés sur l’agora et sur la maison du four à chaux dans le secteur 5, sur la pente Nord du site. Un sondage a été réalisé sur l’acropole Ouest pour vérifier les...
Ancient Theatre of Ierapetra. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on first exploratory excavations on the ancient theatre of Ierapetra. The site was cleaned and surface ceramics were collected, after which the first trenches were laid. The whole theatre is under large deposits of modern material, 1.5–2m beneath the surface. Structures were probably covered with marble slabs which were found during cleaning of the site (Fig....
Mesorrachi Faneromeni, Siteia. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that during surface work conducted at this site a circular structure was identified, thought to be a tholos tomb and, according to the ceramics, dating to the pre-palatial period. Following excavation, a large circular building was discovered, with internal partitions marking out seven rooms. The burial of a child from the Middle Minoan period was found in one of the rooms.
Dimensions of the building were...
Roussolakko. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that a chamber tomb was found dating to Late Minoan III. A few larnakes were found and many human bones collected. It is thought that the grave contained at least 20...
Ano Plakos Site, Palaikastro. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that test trenches were put down in the area of a large tourist facility. During previous surface study, various structures had been found, including walls 0.534m and 1.281m in length. They were made of unworked stones of various sizes, and preserved 0.5m from the ground.
Test trenches did not find ceramics or foundation walls, so the surface structures’ use and dating remain unclear. Trenches laid...
Itanos. S. Kirkpatrick Smith (Kennesaw/ASCSA) and C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) report on human remains from three disturbed Hellenistic graves excavated in 2003 in the North Cemetery at Itanos. These lay close to burned areas of Geometric and Archaic date. Tomb 3, a stone cist with rectangular covering slabs, had been opened and the bones of a woman scattered inside and outside the tomb. An inscription (ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΧΑ[ΙΡΕ]) gives a terminus post quem of the...
Municipality of Ierapetra, Schinokapsala. Chrysa Sofianou (ΚΔ΄ΕΠΚΑ) reports than in the site Vornospilia Schinokapsalon a salvage excavation took place on a shallow rock shelter. The use of the rock shelter was funerary, and apart from the human skeletal remains, clay vessels of the Early Minoan III period, a stone vessel, an ivory seal as well as jewellery from clay, stone and bone were detected (Fig. 1). Underneath the funerary layer, another layer with small quantity of...
Municipality of Sitia, Faneromeni. Chrysa Sofianou (ΚΔ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that survey was conducted on the sites of Sopata and Messorachi in the area of Faneromeni. The procedure of Intensive survey was deemed necessary because in 2005 a tholos tomb of the EM period was excavated in Messorachi. In the entirety of the investigated area of 3.500 acres, ten sites in total were detected which are chronologically allocated as:
One site of the Final Neolithic period in Sopata, b) five...L’exploration archéologique du site de Dréros a été poursuivie en collaboration avec l’éphorie d’Aghios Nikolaos et l’Université Paris 4 et avec l’appui de la municipalité de Néapolis (Alexandre Farnoux, Paris 4/EfA, Stavroula Apostolakou & Vassiliki Zôgraphaki, KD' EPCA). On présentera les différents secteurs étudiés dans l’ordre où ils se présentent au visiteur. Secteur 5. – Situé sur la pente Nord du site, à une cinquantaine de mètres en...
Alevriko. V. Zographaki (ΚΔ᾽ΕΠΚΑ) reports on trial excavation in the Minoan settlement. Late Minoan architectural and ceramic remains are recorded, along with stone tools, obsidian; loomweights; shells and animal...
Anavlochos. V. Zographaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on excavation at the Geometric-Archaic settlement, which covers three hilltops and the saddles between. Various structures were revealed in areas A (below hills 1 and 2) and B (hill 2). At Mirmingas, at the north foot of the hills, lies the cemetery of the settlement: two clusters of tombs were investigated, yielding clay vases and metal...
Schisma, Elounda. V. Zographaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery in the cemetery of Elounda of vaulted tombs similar to those found at Loutres (Ierapetra). The largest incorporates inscriptions from earlier, dismantled tombs. Further funerary inscriptions and a stele of a warrior were also found. Cist and pit tombs were also discovered both here and in Ag....
Itanos. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the investigation of three Hellenistic and four Geometric tombs in the cemetery. Below the Hellenistic tombs were Geometric cremations: the ash layer contained a large range of Late Geometric to Early Archaic vases - lekythoi, skyphos, an ash-filled kalpis, aryballoi with concentric circles, and a pyxis with a duelling scene (Fig. 1). Protocorinthian and Cypriot vases and Creto-Rhodian aryballoi were found. Other finds of this date include bronze...
Kalamavka. V. Apostolakou and V. Zographaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) report investigation of three Minoan tombs at the sites of Porthias and...
Kaminaki. V. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a Minoan tomb, with rich grave...
Karfi. V. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a further 12 tombs at the known Minoan cemeteries of Astivithero and...
Loutres. V. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on excavation in the extensive Roman cemetery, west of the Ierapetra. Fifty-six tombs have been investigated to date. In addition to pit and tile graves, 12 single-chambered, vaulted tombs have been discovered, built of gypsum or limestone slabs (Fig. 1) or with dry-stone walls, and with brick vaults. Pottery and glass vessels date to the second-third centuries AD, and lamps from the mid-first to late third century AD. Bronze coins...
Palaikastro. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of two Minoan tombs at Vigli and...
Roussa Ekklesia, Kastri. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that excavation along the length of the defensive wall on the acropolis of Kastri, has shown the existence of 11 watch-towers and structures inside the wall. Pottery and two inscriptions previously recovered indicate occupation from Archaic to Roman...
Sarakinou Kephala. V. Zographaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that trial excavation at this known Minoan site, revealed MM I-II and LM IIIC pottery plus the remains of Hellenistic and Roman...
Skopi, Mesorachi. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of an EM tholos tomb of Mesara type. Badly destroyed, it yielded some sherds and steatite...
Tourloti. V. Zographaki (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a tomb containing LM IIIC...
Ziros, Livari. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a tholos tomb of Mesara type. Unrobbed, but much disturbed, it is dated by the pottery contained to EM I–III/MM IA. Traces of burning on the bones are the result of localized attempts at fumigation inside the tomb. Other finds include items of jewellery in gold (one) and silver (five), bronze objects, stone and bone beads and parts of two terracotta figurines. Nearby rock-shelters, contemporary with the tholos tomb,...
Municipality of Sitia, Papadiokampos. Chrysa Sofianou (ΚΔ΄ΕΠΚΑ) reports that the excavation in Sector Γ’ brought three rooms of another Neopalatial house, which was destroyed during the LM IB period, partially to light. The findings, which among others, consisted of a sufficient amount of cups, a tall alabastron and a rhyton, reveal the existence of one house sanctuary in the interior of the house. The Protopalatial habitation phase was detected in deeper layers, with the pottery...
Municipality of Sitia, Dionysades islands. Chrysa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that in Dragonada of Dionysades islands, a survey took place following reports regarding illegal excavations at the cave located on the island. The largest part of the island was investigated and rock carvings as well as pottery of the historic periods were detected (Fig. 1). The cave has suffered extended destruction from the illegal excavations. The collected pottery dates from the Bronze Age until modern...
Dans la continuité du programme entamé sur le site de Latô et après la campagne préparatoire de l’année 2008, l’exploration archéologique du site de Dréros a été entreprise, en collaboration avec l’éphorie d’Aghios Nikolaos et l’Université Paris 4 et avec l’appui de la municipalité de Néapolis (Alexandre Farnoux, Paris 4/EfA, Stavroula Apostolakou & Vassiliki Zôgraphaki, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ). Dans le cadre d’un programme de cinq ans, la mission franco-grecque a...
Skiadi. S. Triantaphyllou (Thessaloniki) reports on the skeletal material from the Early Minoan tholos tomb of Livari. Just over 1,000 long bones have been processed. It is suggested that these bones were removed from their original place of disposal after they were dry and skeletonized. They were subject to burning and trampling associated with reopenings of the communal tomb. Over half were damaged by lengthy and systematic burning, perhaps whilst fat and soft tissue still adhered. No...
Kephala, Petras. M. Tsipopoulou (Director, National Archive of Monuments) reports on excavations conducted between 2004-2006 and in 2009. A Late Neolithic settlement (Fig. 1) lies on the eastern slope (as well as LMIII habitation, linked perhaps to larnax burials on another hill); on the northern side is an extensive EMI settlement (as well as Late Neolithic structures and traces of metallurgy) not yet fully understood. The MMIB-II cemetery includes five built house tombs, as those at e.g....
Livari Skiadi. Y. Papadatos and Ch. Sofianou (University of Athens and ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) report the discovery of an undisturbed (but partially eroded) tholos tomb close to Goudouras. The tomb, 4.4m in diameter, was built from large blocks with smaller stone on the interior: the entrance is located in the southeast. It contained a large quantity of highly fragmentary skeletal material: no large bone was intact, and no primary burials or articulated bones were found. Although much of the funerary...
Mesorrachi Skopi. Y. Papadatos and Ch. Sofianou (University of Αthens and ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ) report the discovery of a looted tholos tomb. The entrance, towards the southeast, was 0.6m wide and the chamber was 3.2m in diameter. Only Early Minoan IA pottery was recovered: other finds included steatite and schist beads and pendants, and the bronze point of a nail or pin. Very few human bones were found. Surface survey revealed a dense scatter of sherds northeast of the tomb (within 50m of it)...
Papadiokambos (Siteia). C. Sophianou and T. Brogan (ΚΔ’ ΕΠΚΑ and INSTAP) report on the excavation of house B1 in the Em. Machairaki plot. Over half of the plan is preserved (the rest having been severely damaged by coastal erosion), with 12 rooms and a staircase (Fig. 1). Room 1 is a large room with a central pillar and the remains of pier and door partitions on two sides. The latter feature may have belonged to an earlier phase and was partially blocked by constructions in the course...
Chryssa Sophianou (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the continuing excavation of a two-storey LM I building. A large room, a staircase with five preserved steps, and bases for wooden pillars were identified. Finds included two large stone mortars, five jars, a bronze dagger and a large clay tub. A second room contained a bronze chisel, a skeuomorphic clay vessel, a lamp and a small jug containing four gold...
Palaikastro. N. Mavrokoukoulaki plot. Chryssa Sophianou (ΚΔ'ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the results of 42 test trenches, of which 6 contained antiquities. Two LM III tombs, cut into the bedrock were discovered. Tomb A (Fig. 1) contained 3 larnakes with skeletal remains, 7 stirrup jars, a perfume vessel, a jug, a cup and a bronze dagger. One larnax contained a double burial and bones probably of a young child with a pithos fragment. Tomb B contained one larnax, 2 vessels and an offering table in...
Palaikastro. G. Mavrokoukoulaki plot. Chryssa Sophianou (ΚΔ'ΕΠΚΑ) reports on 12 test trenches, none of which yielded any finds. A section of wall 12.3m in length and 0.6 to 0.8m in width was located in the SW area of the plot and cleaned. The few ceramics recovered were Roman in date. The excavator suggests it formed a boundary (pomoerium) between settlements or cultivated areas. K. Tziampasis worked on the...
Makriyialos, Plot of N. Lianoudaki. Chryssa Sophianou (ΚΔ'ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a roughly constructed wall of field stones located in the Katovigli location adjacent to the Roman villa excavated in 1979. The fill was very disturbed and contained utilitarian Roman pottery, fragments of glass, bones, shells, traces of burning and modern refuse. Ev. Charitopoulos worked on the...
Municipality of Sitia, Papadiokampos. Chryssa Sofianou (KΔ’ EPKA) reports the completing of the rescue excavation of House B.1. In total, eleven spaces as well as the stairway leading to the upper floor were excavated (Fig. 1). The results of the radioscopy conducted in the area showed that the house was isolated and that the empty space around it was either a yard or a garden. The stairway would separate the house into two wings, the east and the west, which communicated through a small...
Municipality of Sitia, Livari. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ EPKA) reports that pottery of the Late Hellenistic/Early Roman period was detected at the site of Skiadi, in short distance from the rock shelter and the funerary building that were excavated during 2008-2009. The area served as a seasonal shelter for the inhabitants of ancient Lefki which has been developed on the islet located across from Livari, the modern Koufonissi. [Entry created by K. Christakis and translated by C....
Municipality of Sitia, Droggari of Ziros. Chryssa Sofianou (ΚΔ’ EPKA) reports that a built tholos tomb was illegally excavated, and has been partially destroyed due to the removal of the keystone (lintel stone) of the tholos. From the mixed soils in the interior and the exterior of the grave, a multitude of skeletal remains and scant pottery dating to the Sub-Minoan-Early Geometric period were collected. The grave is megalithic, with a square profile and a tholos (Fig. 1). [Entry created...
Papadiokambos. C. Sophianou (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on fieldwork at this M harbour town between the Mirabello and Siteia bays. The excavation and conservation of house A.1 at the W end of the settlement was completed, and a ground-penetrating radar survey of the surrounding yard undertaken (Fig. 1). Ten rooms were uncovered on the ground floor (ca. 80−90% of the original plan): the undisturbed collapsed upper storey will allow for an unusually detailed understanding of the layout and...
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)...
Goudouras (Livari-Skiadi). C. Sophianou (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the excavation of a Prepalatial cemetery, at the site of Livari-Skiadi, 5km E of Goudouras on a small promontory at the edge of a coastal plain. A circular tholos tomb and a rock-shelter were noted: fragmentary walls suggest the existence of additional burial buildings in the area. In 2008, excavation was limited to the interior of the tholos (interior di. 4m), the entrance to which is to the SE. The burial stratum was...
Kephali Aphroditis. P.P. Betancourt (ASCSA/Temple) reports on studies of this site, which was excavated in 1996 by T. Iliopoulos (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) and in 2003 by S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ). The EMI site, which consists of a small 2-room building and courtyard surrounded by a fortification wall, is situated on a hilltop W of the village of Episkopi, overlooking the mod. road across the Isthmus of Ierapetra. The S room of the structure had a stone bin, and the N a bench along the N...
Pacheia Ammos, Alatsomouri. S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the rescue excavation of a rock-shelter exposed during construction work for the cemetery of Pacheia Ammos. In addition to a M pithos burial, an assemblage of Prepalatial pottery was discovered in one of a series of trenches opened along the length of the site, along with stone tools and an almost square pit dug into the soft rock. The latter was probably part of a rock-shelter destroyed by the mechanical digger,...
Pacheia Ammos, Pefka. S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on an exploratory excavation conducted just SE of the rescue excavation at Alatsomouri. Upon removal of the topsoil, 7 rectangular cuttings in the soft limestone were revealed, evenly spaced ca. 2m apart. These are described by the excavator as vats or basins (Fig. 1). To the N of this row, 2 larger rock-cut depressions were found: the 1st is round (2m di.), while the 2nd, a small distance to the E, measures ca. 4m x 2.5m...
Dreros. A. Farnoux (EfA/Paris), H. Wurmser (EfA), S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) and V. Zographaki (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) report a preparatory campaign to produce topographic maps and plans, and re-examine previously excavated monuments (the temple, the agora and the so-called...
Anavlochos. A. Farnoux (EfA/Paris), H. Wurmser (EfA), S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) and V. Zographaki (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) report on a study season conducted with the aim of publishing the material excavated by P. Demargne. While the majority of the material dates from LGeo and the beginning of the Or period, occupation continued in the Ar period, perhaps until the beginning of the 5thCt...
Lato. A. Farnoux (EfA/Paris), H. Wurmser (EfA), S. Apostolakou (Director, ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ), and V. Zographaki (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) report on continuing research. A series of cores was taken in the dolines previously located, in furtherance of the hyromorphological study of the W limits of the territory of...
Chryssi Island. S. Apostolakou (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on excavations at this small Minoan island settlement conducted in 2008 (Fig. 1). The site, marked by large deposits of murex shells, lies at the northwestern edge of the island and consisted of ca. 12-20 residences. Surface sherds suggest an EMI-II phase followed by a strong MMIIB presence, then reduction in MMIII to LMIA. The five houses investigated have two to three architectural phases within LMIB. They are single-storey structures...
Papadiokambos. Ch. Sophianou (ΚΔ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the 2008 season of excavation in the Minoan settlement (Fig. 1), which also produced some Hellenistic finds. House remains have been located along a 250m long stretch of cliff. House A1 (Fig. 2), by the sea to the northwest, was a two-storeyed structure with a yard and perhaps a garden to the south (a stream-course runs nearby). Ten rooms remain on the ground floor, with two more probably lost to the sea; some walls stand to 1.4m...
Chryssi Island, Dragasaki plot. S. Apostolakou (KΔ'ΕΠΚΑ) reports on trial excavations in advance of a new building. A 6m stretch of stone wall with mortar and plaster was identified, oriented SW-NE. It was not possible to identify an associated building. Roman pottery was found. Excavation was carried out by M....