SMERTOS, SAGIADA - 2002

Smertos, Sagiada. G. Riginos (Η’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a two-roomed structure, two further walls, and 36 tombs (30 cists, three tile graves and three simple pits) during excavation prior to the construction of pylon 20 of the high-voltage electricity supply line from Igoumenitsa to Ag. Vasileios, Corfu.

The building (6 x 3.5m) is at a higher elevation than the tombs, has walls of fieldstones. The destruction deposit contained a large quantity of terracotta rooftiles, a little domestic pottery, six iron nails, two bronze items, an iron ring, a silver ornament, a bronze fibula, a bronze ring, seven bronze coins, and sherds of glass vessels.

The tile graves contained extended inhumations laid either on a gravel layer or on two tiles. One (T26) was small enough to belong to a child. Only one (T18) contained a bronze ring as the only offering. Two of the three free burials (T10, T14) had a bronze ring and a small silver cross. The cist graves, built of roughly worked limestone slabs with gravel floors, were arranged in groups. Although damaged by the pressure of overlying soil, most contained extended inhumations with the head resting on a stone support. Only four (T11, 12, 24 and 32) contained offerings of a little bronze jewellery, with one pot in T12. Because of their small size, seven could be child graves.