POROS-KATSAMBAS - 2008

Poros-Katsambas. I. Serpetsidaki (ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on excavation on two plots, one west of the Katsamba stream and the other on the Tripitis hill, immediately south of the eastern part of the modern port.

Early Minoan I-Early Minoan III/Middle Minoan IA pottery and obsidian blades were collected in both plots. Protopalatial building remains, founded on bedrock, were also found in both. The plot west of the Katsambas stream produced rooms and areas with plastered walls, clay and schist floors, and clay benches covered in red plaster. Pottery, including Kamares ware, was found together with terracotta animal figurines, beads, seals, and stone tools (including obsidian blades). The plot on the Tripiti hill had an area possibly associated with the production of plaster, and a deposit containing Middle Minoan IA-B vessels,

The Neopalatial phase is best represented in the plot on the Tripiti hill where building remains include earth and schist floors, red and blue wall plaster, and mudbrick from the upper floors. Pottery included both cooking pots and high quality wares. Many finds relate to craftwork (including crucibles, grindstones, tools, moulds, residues of metal processing, weights): some were in deposits cut into the rock. A potter’s kiln was also found. One rock-cut deposit contained ivory objects, a gold earring, faience beads and pieces of triton. At the plot west of the stream, the Neopalatial phase is represented by a Middle Minoan III-Late Minoan IA deposit (principally of cups) in a room cut into the rock. This room had a narrow corridor, three steps for entry, and cuttings for the supports of wooden stairs, and is noted as originally Protopalatial.

Little Late Minoan IB pottery (floral and marine style) was recovered, while Late Minoan II-IIIA1 is represented by some characteristic types. Late Minoan IIIA2-B is represented by walls and floors overlapping earlier remains. Craft activity is principally attested at the plot on the hill. The plot by the Katsamba stream had a burnt Late Minoan IIIB destruction deposit.