VRYSINAS - 2005

Vrysinas. E. Papadopoulou (KE ΕΠΚΑ) and I. Tzachili (University of Crete) report on excavation at the peak sanctuary, which concentrated on the northeast slope (which has three terraces, the uppermost being the summit on which the modern church sits). Three layers were identified above bedrock. The upper layer was loose and yielded Minoan and more recent finds mixed together. The second layer (said to be Middle Minoan) with a thin solid brown soil which contained the bulk of the pottery and figurines. The third layer was red-brown with a few finds in the upper parts. No pyres were found, and the sporadic finds of bone came mostly from the upper levels. The 516 figurines recovered were mostly were animals, although male and female anthropomorphic figures were also numerous. The animal figurines were mostly cattle, principally solid and ca 0.15m long, but there were also wheelmade and double headed cattle. The human figures were 0.1-0.15m tall and solid, with emphasis on their hats, hairstyles and clothing. There were a few votive limbs, imitation phalloi, and clay lumps. A bronze figurine of a male votary wearing a loincloth was also found. The poorly preserved pottery was mostly undecorated (with the exception of some cups and a few pieces with barbotine decoration), and included scuttles and small one handled jugs.