THORIKOS - 2007

Thorikos. R. Laffineur (Belgian School/Liège) reports that a topographic plan of the Myc necropolis on the Velatouri hill has been completed, giving a complete record of all tombs.

Between the peribolos wall of tomb V and the group of 2 upright stones of prassinite on the SE, a stone (now moved to the Laurion Museum) was found which the excavator interprets as having inscribed Linear B numerals upon it. To the SW of the Myc necropolis, on the NW slope of the Great Velatouri, 4 squares were opened. In square G56b8, intentionally placed stones suggest a tomb which remained either unused or was emptied in a later phase (thus explaining the absence of almost all material). Alongside the N section of square G56a8, a rich inhumation of the LGeo period was identified (Fig. 1). A cylindrical pit was dug deep into the natural bedrock and is related to a small platform upslope, bordered by a flat stone on the SE. Reddened earth and charcoal from atop the platform suggest a ritual funerary installation. A large amphora decorated with lines and horizontal bands in a washy paint contained bone and teeth fragments, whitened by incineration. Between the platform and the shoulder of the amphora, a black-painted cup and a pyxis were found, decorated with zones of lines and meanders (Fig. 2). A bronze fibula was found in the filling of the cylindrical pit, and a gold ring shaped as a simple ribbon was deposited at the bottom.

Cleaning took place at the Thorikos settlement and industrial quarter under the direction of R. Docter (Ghent) and P. Iossif (Belgian School). The area to be cleaned was restricted to the E sector of the settlement. Work on the ‘industrial’ road revealed traces of chariot wheels. A lekythos was found in SW corner of room E of the oikos, probably coming from the lower part of the wall. Fieldwork continued in the W sector of the shrine of Hygeia and to the S of the Street of the Herms. Particular attention was given to the cleaning of washery 1, cistern AO, the settling tanks and to the ergasteria of the surrounding area.