APTERA - 2008
General Information
Record ID
1869
Activity Date
2008
Chronology
Key-words
Type of Operation
Institution
Localisation
Toponym
Aptera
Aptera
Linked Record
2008
Report
Aptera. E. Papadopoulou (ΚΕ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on a tomb excavated in 2008. This lies 150m northwest (Fig. 1) of five other LMIIIA2-B chamber tombs excavated in the late 1960s at Kalami. It was partly destroyed by road-works and had also been looted (Fig. 2). The two underground chambers are unusual: one is less regular (A) (Figs 3-4), the other better fashioned and approached by three steps (B) (Fig. 5). The far ends of the chambers had been destroyed by road building and their roofs had fallen in. The dromos was not fully excavated (Fig. 6). Skeletal remains comprise 23 skulls and some long bones retrieved from chamber A, plus a few fragments in the dromos. Some 100 vases are listed: 72 in chamber A (Figs 7-8), some 15 from chamber B. The five vessels in the dromos (jars, an incense burner and cups) are a typical assemblage associated with rituals concerning the dead. Three bronze pins and a clay whorl were also found. Some of the decorated wares are smaller shapes dating to LMII (e.g. Ephyrean goblets and cups) (Figs 9-12). Others, such as kalathoi, stirrup jars, juglets and domestic wares, date to LMIIIA. Apart from one Mycenaean import, the pottery is from the Chaniot workshop. The two chambers appear to be virtually contemporary, and it is therefore possible that the tomb marks a transition between multi-chambered Minoan tombs and the more regulated Mycenaean variety.
Author
Don EVELY
Bibliographic reference(s)
AEK 1 (2010), 686-95
Legend :
location of excavation/archaeological operation
location of modern place
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Date of creation
2011-02-21 00:00:00
Last modification
2023-10-06 11:50:29
Picture(s)
Fig. 1/ Map with tombs located in Aptera and Kalami.
Fig. 2/ Tomb after removing the earth-soil from south.
Fig. 3/ Tomb with entrance of chamber A from south.
Fig. 4/ The interior of chamber A from north.
Fig. 5/ The interior of chamber B from northeast.
Fig. 6/ Dromos of the tomb.
Fig. 7/ The interior of chamber A with vessels in situ.
Fig. 8/ Drawing of the interior of chamber A with vessels in situ.
Fig. 9/ LMII kylix.
Fig. 10/ Fragment of LMII kylix.
Fig. 11/ Handleless cup.
Fig. 12/ Cup with handle.