VRYSINAS - 2011

Vrysinas. E. Papadopoulou (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) and I. Tzachili (Crete) report on continuing excavation at the Minoan peak sanctuary on the north and northeast slopes of the mountain.

Tests under several terraced courts and to the south and west of the Church of Ag. Pnevma revealed material that spans the Old Palace period (1900-1700 BC) and the first part of the Neopalatial. The finds reinforce the picture of links with similar sites in central and East Crete, emphasizing the sanctuary’s local importance. Excavation by the church revealed MM pottery and evidence of landscaping: the centre of worship is presumed to be here. Another open space with undisturbed stratigraphy produced terracotta figurines and vases, many of which were pushed into crevices or hollows in the rock. The largest terrace (the site of K. Davaras’ excavations in 1972-1973) yielded terracotta figurines of both humans (male and female, whole or body parts) and animals (e.g. bulls), clay plaques depicting birds and double horns, and clay spheres. Metal finds include miniature bronze double-axes and objects resembling dagger blades; stone objects incorporate a possible Egyptian vase, two (steatite?) offering tables, and a pair of shallow bowls.

The 100 terracotta figurines recovered in 2011 bring the site total to ca. 800. The single bronze figurine recovered is a simply made piece, with the right hand to the forehead, notable for its rarity. Perhaps the most important find is a four-sided prism seal of deep red jasper, with engraved hieroglyphic symbols on all faces, the earliest example of writing in west Crete. Trials by the church produced traces of other architecture and many glazed and incised Late Byzantine plates and cups.