MIDEA - 2006
General Information
Record ID
1933
Activity Date
2006
Chronology
Key-words
Type of Operation
Institution
Δ' Εφορεία Προϊστορικών και Κλασικών Αρχαιοτήτων (Δ' ΕΠΚΑ)
Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο (National Archaeological Museum)
Localisation
Toponym
Midea, Gkermpesi (193/1928)
Midea, Gkermpesi (193/1928)
Linked Record
Report
Midea. K. Demakopoulou (Director emerita, National Museum), and N. Divari-Valachou (Ministry of Culture) review evidence for Middle Helladic settlement on the acropolis of Midea resulting from recent Greek-Swedish excavations.
Midea was occupied throughout the Middle Helladic period, with extensive settlement, expanding to cover almost the entire area within the Mycenaean fortification circuit (significant Neolithic and Early Helladic remains occupy a smaller area on the northwest terrace of the upper acropolis) (Fig. 1). Architectural remains and burials are found especially in the northeast of the acropolis (the Megaron complex area) and the northeast part of the upper acropolis, with a large quantity of pottery mostly from mixed contexts. Three disturbed tombs were found on the lower acropolis, and four on the upper (Figs 2-5).
All categories of Middle Helladic pottery are present, with Minyan and matt-painted predominant. Grey, black and yellow Minyan are found (Figs 6-12), the matt-painted is subdivided into coarse and fine classes with parallels from Aigina (Figs 13-15), and there are examples of the white-slipped and polychrome classes (Fig. 16). Some sherds of the lustrous decorated category with light-on-dark or bichrome decoration are noted, as well as red-slipped sherds, coarse sherds of incised or ‘Adriatic’ ware, and much coarse household pottery (especially pithoi and cooking pots) (Fig. 17). Lustrous decorated and yellow Minyan wares were produced into LHI/II, as reported elsewhere in the northeast Peloponnese (Figs 18-20). Minoan imports are noted.
E. Palaiologou (Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ) publishes two late Middle Helladic pit graves found in 1984 during the construction of a road leading to the acropolis of Midea (Figs 21-22). One was unfurnished, and the other one contained a single pot (Fig. 23). Six vessels of the same period were delivered to the Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ by a farmer from the village of Dendra, who found them in his field on the slopes of the Midea hill. (Figs 24-32). They probably came from a grave.
Midea was occupied throughout the Middle Helladic period, with extensive settlement, expanding to cover almost the entire area within the Mycenaean fortification circuit (significant Neolithic and Early Helladic remains occupy a smaller area on the northwest terrace of the upper acropolis) (Fig. 1). Architectural remains and burials are found especially in the northeast of the acropolis (the Megaron complex area) and the northeast part of the upper acropolis, with a large quantity of pottery mostly from mixed contexts. Three disturbed tombs were found on the lower acropolis, and four on the upper (Figs 2-5).
All categories of Middle Helladic pottery are present, with Minyan and matt-painted predominant. Grey, black and yellow Minyan are found (Figs 6-12), the matt-painted is subdivided into coarse and fine classes with parallels from Aigina (Figs 13-15), and there are examples of the white-slipped and polychrome classes (Fig. 16). Some sherds of the lustrous decorated category with light-on-dark or bichrome decoration are noted, as well as red-slipped sherds, coarse sherds of incised or ‘Adriatic’ ware, and much coarse household pottery (especially pithoi and cooking pots) (Fig. 17). Lustrous decorated and yellow Minyan wares were produced into LHI/II, as reported elsewhere in the northeast Peloponnese (Figs 18-20). Minoan imports are noted.
E. Palaiologou (Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ) publishes two late Middle Helladic pit graves found in 1984 during the construction of a road leading to the acropolis of Midea (Figs 21-22). One was unfurnished, and the other one contained a single pot (Fig. 23). Six vessels of the same period were delivered to the Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ by a farmer from the village of Dendra, who found them in his field on the slopes of the Midea hill. (Figs 24-32). They probably came from a grave.
Author
Catherine MORGAN
Bibliographic reference(s)
K. Demakopoulou and N. Divari-Valakou, ‘The Middle Helladic settlement on the Acropolis of Midea’, in A. Philippa-Touchais, G. Touchais, S. Voutsaki and J. Wright (eds), Mesohelladika (BCH supp. 52), Paris/Athens 2006, 31-44; E. Palaiologou, ‘Μεσοελλαδικοί τάφοι από τη Μιδέα’, op.cit. 357-365.
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Date of creation
2011-03-18 00:00:00
Last modification
2023-10-06 14:30:30
Picture(s)
Fig. 1/ Plan of the fortified area of the Acropolis of Midea.
Fig. 2/ Partly restored large horizontal-handled jar (probably used for a burial).
Fig. 3/ View of a rock-cut chamber tomb in Trench A.
Fig. 4/ Proto-Minyan one-handled cup from the rock-cut chamber tomb.
Fig. 5/ View of the pit grave in Trench A with the remains of a skeleton.
Fig. 6/ Proto-Minyan kantharos from Trench A.
Fig. 7/ Parts of two Grey Minyan goblets from Trench A.
Fig. 8/ Fragments of Grey Minyan goblets.
Fig. 9/ Upper part of an Argive Minyan carinated goblet.
Fig. 10/ Fragments of Yellow Minyan goblets.
Fig. 11/ Rim fragments of Yellow Minyan goblets.
Fig. 12/ Handle fragments with plastic pellets of Yellow Minyan goblets and rim-handled jars.
Fig. 13/ Fragments of Matt-Painted vases.
Fig. 14/ Fragments of Matt-Painted sherds of Aegina ware.
Fig. 15/ Sherds of fine Matt-Painted ware.
Fig. 16/ Fragments of Polychrome and Lustrous Decorated pottery.
Fig. 17/ Fragments of Coarse Burnished Incised pottery.
Fig. 18/ Disturbed cist grave of the Shaft Grave period.
Fig. 19/ Yellow Minyan rim-handled small jar (amphoriskos) from the cist grave.
Fig. 20/ Ivory knobs from a wooden box (not preserved) found in the cist grave.
Fig. 21/ Topography of the acropolis of Midea.
Fig. 22/ Plan and section of the two tombs on the road to the Midea Acropolis.
Fig. 23/ Cup, ΜΝ 32495.
Fig. 24/ Prochous (part of a double vessel), ΜΝ 32493.
Fig. 25/ ΜΝ 32493, detail of the base.
Fig. 26/ Sherd from Midea.
Fig. 27/ High-footed cup, ΜΝ 32496.
Fig. 28/ One-handled cup, ΜΝ 32494.
Fig. 29/ Prochous, ΜΝ 32492.
Fig. 30/ Prochous, ΜΝ 32498.
Fig. 31/ Detail of the base, ΜΝ 32498.
Fig. 32/ Pithoid vessel, ΜΝ 32497.