KIFISSIA, Koukounarias and S. Kontou - 2009

Kifissia, Koukounarias and S. Kontou (O.T. G927, property of P. Oikonomou, I. Vassarioti). Maria Stefanopoulou (B’ ΕΠΚΑ) and Dimitrios Palaiologos (B’ ΕΠΚΑ) report on the discovery of a Neolithic settlement (Fig. 1). An elongated ditch containing thirteen smaller ditches attest to the first phase of use of the area. At a later date, a hut was placed within the ditch. The hut preserves a stone floor and one posthole. At an even later date the hut acquired a circular shape and was reduced to occupying only the centre of the aforementioned ditch. Seven postholes contemporary to this construction phase were found. A second hut was constructed east of this one. This later hut is also circular in shape, had a stone floor and preserves two postholes. Two stone axes and two flint blades were found in the huts, which are dated in the early Neolithic period.

At a later time, the area was used more extensively. Specifically, numerous small structures placed tightly together were identified. Additionally, another 3 huts were excavated. The first hut is circular and was delimited by a stone step. Four postholes were found around its beaten-earth floor and another one in its middle. The second hut had a rough-cut stone as a threshold (Fig. 2) and contained a stone axe, a stone pendant and few sherds from cups. The third hut had a beaten earth floor. A stone structure identified as a hearth was found nearby and is contemporary to these huts.

Two deposit pits containing rubble and pottery, part of a rubble wall, a shaft and a small stone axe appear to postdate the aforementioned phase of use of the area. It appears that these consecutive construction phases were the result of floods, caused by a nearby river.

The area was used again in the Classical period. A rubble wall, pottery sherds and tiles, and 17 shafts dug parallel to one another date to this period. Few prehistoric and Classical pottery sherds, obsidian blades, a flint arrowhead and a 4^th c. B.C. bronze coin were found in the shafts. The excavation was conducted by A. Goutou, A. Mpouvi and Ruben Sanz.