PRINIAS - 2005

Prinias. A. Pautasso (SAIA/CNR Catania) reports on investigation of the seventh-century Temple A and preceding occupation phases conducted in 2002 and 2005.

Removal of earlier repairs and restorations showed that only the foundations of the original building were preserved. A wall projecting for 0.3m on the west side gives the appearance of a platform. Access to the temple was through a small paved yard. To the north and east, a major north-south roadway 2.4-2.8m wide led to the Grand Court TZ. Geometric pottery was recovered under its surface. In a revision of Pernier’s interpretation of Temples A and B, Temple B is shown to connect to the complex of rooms overlooking the square, whilst Temple A connects with structures to the west and north.

Within Temple A, excavation in the north part of the pronaos yielded a mixed deposit with Late Geometric –Early Orientalizing pottery in the upper part, over PGB to Geometric, and with LM IIIC recovered lowest down. The LM IIIC material contained much cooking ware plus some decorated sherds; the PGB-Geometric material included a likely ritual deposit (a krater covered by sherds of a plain vase, both deliberately broken in half in antiquity). A similar sequence was found between the hearth and the south wall of the temple: Geometric cups and cooking wares lay over another unusual and probably ritual PGB deposit, and below a sandy layer and on the kouskouras was an LM IIIC deposit which also exhibited unusual features. The PGB material was deposited in a pit: a krater with cut-marks on the base and side was held in place by stones, and accompanied by dipped cups, two skyphoi and a terracotta figurine. The LM IIIC context yielded drinking and cooking vessels, pumice, bones (young sheep, goats and pigs) and burnt seeds, all deposited in repeated events.

It is unclear whether the gap between LM IIIC and PGB levels was bridged by memory of a ritual event or whether the PGB deposits mark a renewal or reconsecration. The presence of the Archaic hearth over and by earlier areas marked by heavy use of fire and by ceremonial may suggest continuity of focus and practice.