VRYSINAS - 2004

General Information

Record ID

1841

Activity Date

2004

Chronology

Bronze Age - Middle Bronze Age - Late Bronze Age

Iron Age - Protogeometric / Late Dark Age

Key-words

Sanctuary - Territory

Type of Operation

Survey

Institution

Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης (University of Crete)

Localisation

Toponym
Vrisinas

Linked Record

2004

Report

Vrysinas. G. Kordatzaki (University of Crete) reports on the initial results of macroscopic and microanalysis of the ceramic fabrics found in the Vrysinas Survey. Material from two chronological phases was selected for comparison and contrast. The first set - from the Middle Minoan Peak Sanctuary - is characterized by a wide range of fabric compositions and is believed to represent local production by the various populations who gathered there. The second - LMIIIC and Early Geometric pottery (Figs 1-7) from the surrounding slopes – has a much more restricted range of fabric recipes; high concentrations of calcium (Figs 8-9) in some are thought to reflect social dynamics within the catchment area. In technical terms, this latter period also marks a distinct change in the preparation of the clays themselves. Quite coarse sand and gravel are now employed as temper within the Ca-richer mixes: their grain size covers a wide range and is not especially evenly distributed. It is suggested that this effect is due to the quarrying of alluvial sediments after strong flooding and similar actions had laid them down. Such events may have caused damage to the lowlands, thus encouraging the movement of peoples to higher altitudes.

Author

Don EVELY

Bibliographic reference(s)

AEK 1 (2010), 464-75