LEFKANDI Xeropolis - 2008

Lefkandi Xeropolis. I.S. Lemos (BSA/Oxford) reports on the 6th season of excavation. The aims for 2008 were to investigate further the LHIIIC and EIA ‘megara’ in region I and, in region II, to understand the function, extent and date of the ‘walls’ and to excavate further the structures W of them.

In Region I, a LHIIIC (Lefkandi phase 2a) structure was discovered under the LHIIIC ‘megaron’ (Fig. 1). This was equipped with clay bins and pebble floors typical of the period, and is on the same orientation as contemporary houses previously discovered. The building was abandoned and the area reused after a short interval, but with an alteration to the orientation of the building (now N-S), which took place most probably during Lefkandi phase 2b when a number of other houses in this part of the tell maintain the earlier grid lines. The 2nd change was to the plan of the building, which is now a long, rectangular structure. The N end is lost to the erosion of the hill and the construction of a LGeo house, and it is therefore unclear whether or not the building was apsidal. The duration of occupation of the LHIIIC ‘megaron’, as indicated by the pottery, is not yet determined, although it certainly includes White Ware of Lefkandi phase 2b/3, nor is the reason for its abandonment and thorough clearance. Further study is also required to determine the interval between this abandonment and the erection of the EIA successor.
Investigation to the E of the buildings revealed more about the structure termed the ‘annex’, which seems to follow closely the history of occupation of both the LHIIIC and the EIA ‘megara’. Further E, other walls similar in construction imply the existence of further rooms: while these were not investigated, they raise the possibility that there was a series of ancillary rooms or units to serve the needs of the ‘megaron’ during both its LHIIIC and EIA phases. Finally, to the N and just outside the ‘megaron’ was the flexed skeleton of a young girl (to judge from the 2 pins found on the shoulders, a conical button and a pierced shell). The date of the burial is hard to determine stratigraphically: it ought to be later than the pre-LHIIIC building, a date which agrees with the LHIIIC M−L date assigned to the pins.

In Region II, the ‘walls’ are now understood as a complementary series of straight, lengthy constructions which defined the W and S edges of the ‘hollow’ zone (Fig. 2). They may delineate the area through which the site was entered from the N, across the low land isthmus and between the possible 2 lagoons to the E and W of Xeropolis. The date of their earlier phases should be primarily within LHIIIC. Excavation has revealed detailed information about the sequence of construction and reconstruction of these walls, the locations of entrances and the insertion of drains. The final abandonment of the S (interior) wall was accompanied by large-scale landscaping to cover the remains.

The so-called ‘ritual’ zone (at present a term of convenience) was further investigated. Structure A, dating to LHIIIC (Lefkandi phase 1), is the earliest yet recorded. The irregularity of its form and the different construction techniques used indicate a complicated structural history: further excavation is needed to clarify its plan. Two main floor surfaces of yellow clay were separated by a thin layer of intensely carbonized soil, probably not associated with a destructive fire. Above the 2nd floor, a thicker mix of carbonized soil and pisé was observed. The furniture in the rooms is highly distinctive. Associated with the 1st floor are 2 yellow clay drums of different heights set against the middle of the S wall and a red-brown clay bin against the N wall. In the 2nd phase, another and larger yellow clay drum was set in the middle of the room, on the same N-S axis, and with it was found a large and shallow receptacle of reddish clay. On top of the supporting surface for the receptacle, and within its limits, a complete large red-deer antler was carefully set (Fig. 3).
Structure B to the S is a rectangular building (4.6m x 3.75m) similar in form to the partially overlying structure C, although its internal furniture and depositional history resemble that of structure A. An intermediate position in both time and building type is indicated. To its Wan exterior zone contains perhaps the earliest of the circular ‘platforms’ and a large shallow pit.
Structure C, a two-phase building, is the latest so far discovered (in use between LHIIIC L and MPGeo): it overlies structure B, but its internal furnishing and depositional history are quite different. It contained circular ‘platforms’ made of different sized stones and pebbles. A shallow rounded hollow was formed; its edge ringed with medium-sized stones to form a kerb within which similar and smaller stones were laid to make a close-packed ring. Then ever smaller stones, pebbles and near-gravel were sequentially scattered to fill up the cracks. A slightly domed and compacted upper surface is the end result. No ash, burning or bones are associated. A number of spindlewhorls and a few pendants were the only finds. The only intrusive elements are sheets, lumps and flecks of a white plaster. Their appearance (never on a floor, nor attached to a wall or a feature) raises the question of whether structure C was roofed (no postholes were found in or around it). Pottery discovered to the E of structure C includes large to monumental kraters and cooking pots found together with much animal bone. Cooking appears to have taken place where the pots were found: thus eating and drinking took place outside, but close to, structure C.
Although the purpose of these structures is not yet clear, we assume that the whole area associated with the ‘walls’ was devoted to some kind of ritual activity. Indeed, the recovery in area R and to the N of the ‘walls’ of a number of high quality figurines may suggest that they originated from the so-called ritual area to the W. Alternatively, the whole area may have been dedicated to the processing of olive oil or wine. In this case the clay drums might have served as rests for the vessels in which olives or grapes were crushed, with receptacles set lower on the floor or on another drum nearby. In order to resolve this, samples have been taken from the dark soils and from the clay drums for testing. Residues from the environmental samples will be further scrutinized for evidence of any fruits discarded.