IKLAINA - 2012

Iklaina, Messinia. At Traganes, excavation of the Mycenaean complex continued under the supervision of M. Kosmopoulos (ASA) (Fig. 1).

New walls in Building Τ define three rooms built in Late Helladic IIA, reconstructed in LH IIB/IIIA1, and destroyed in LH IIIA2 (Fig. 2). Fragmentary wall paintings were found inside them. Building V was constructed in LH IIA and occupied until LH IIB/IIIA1 (Fig. 2). The Cyclopean Terrace which dominates the excavation area appears to have been built in LH IIIA2, after the destruction of Building T.

A deposit, investigated in 2011, was found to contain 50 pots, mostly cylindrical and conical cups, but also storage vessels and cooking wares, within a thick layer of burnt earth and ash (Fig. 3). A large number of burnt bones of small animals were studied, mainly piglets and goats with a maximum age of 18 months. The bones carry no signs of cutting and so the animals were burned with their meat, presumably as burnt sacrifices. The probability that the deposit with the bench constitutes an open air sanctuary is reinforced by study of the finds, which included plaster offering tables and a lead sheet. Pottery in the deposit dates to LH IIIA1/LH IIIA2.