ISTHMIA - 2006

Isthmia. E. Balomenou (ΛΖ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of settlement remains during rescue excavation on a plot 150m northwest of the archaeological site of Isthmia. House walls were erected on the same type of levelling course (earth, pebbles and clay) as observed at Gonia. A round hearth was found over one floor, storage jars were located within the structure, and outside it, discarded shell likely represents food remains. Four vessels (three undecorated storage vessels – a jar and two hydriae – and a fine, decorated piriform jar) were found in situ inside the house. A tentative date of Late Helladic IIB-IIIA1 is proposed both from architectural observation and from the pottery recovered. The house was at some point modified from a rectangular to an apsidal form: it probably formed part of a larger settlement which is the likely source of pottery found scattered in later levels in the adjacent part of the Isthmian sanctuary.