Ayios Dhimitrios: A Prehistoric Settlement in the Southwestern Peloponnese: The Neolithic and Early Helladic Periods 9781407302591, 9781407332604

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BAR S1770 2008

Ayios Dhimitrios A Prehistoric Settlement in the Southwestern Peloponnese

ZACHOS

The Neolithic and Early Helladic Periods

Konstantinos Zachos AYIOS DHIMITRIOS

B A R

BAR International Series 1770 2008

Ayios Dhimitrios A Prehistoric Settlement in the Southwestern Peloponnese The Neolithic and Early Helladic Periods

Konstantinos Zachos

BAR International Series 1770 2008

ISBN 9781407302591 paperback ISBN 9781407332604 e-format DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9781407302591 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

BAR

PUBLISHING

Table of Contents Preface Chapter one: Introduction Chapter two: Investigations at Ayios Dhimitrios 1. The site and its location 2. Previous investigation of prehistoric Triphylia 3. The development of the excavations 4. The field routine 5. Stratification Chapter three: Period I (Late Neolithic II) 1. The deposits 2. The pottery a. Fabric and technique b. Wares 1. Red monochrome 2. Black burnished 3. Pattern burnished 4. Crusted ware 5. Incised ware 6. Coarse ware c. Plastic decoration d. The shapes A. Bowls B. Jars C. Pithoi D. Miscellanea e. Handles and lugs f. Bases 3. Small objects a. Figurines b. Metal objects c. Beads 4. Catalogue of illustrated pottery Chapter four: Period I in its archaeological context Chapter five: Conclusions Chapter six: Period II (Early Helladic) 1. The deposits and stratification 2. The architecture 3. The pottery a. Fabric and technique b. Wares 1. Red slipped and burnished 2. Urfirnis 3. Blue and yellow slipped and polished 4. Fine black slipped and polished 4. Plain ware c. Decoration 1. Impressed decoration 2. Pattern painted 3. Incised decoration 4. Plastic decoration d. The shapes 1. Saucers 2. Dishes 3. Bowls 4. Cups 5. ‘Frying pans’ 6. Basins 7. Cooking pots 8. Fruitstands i

iii 1 10 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 20 20 20 21 21 22 24 24 24 26 26 26 27 27 28 37 46 49 49 50 65 65 65 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 67 67 67 68 68 68 68 69 69 69 70 70

9. Goblets 10. Tankards 11. Baking pans 12. Sauceboats 13. Pyxides 14. Lids 15. Askoi 16. Jugs 17. Jars 18. Pithoi 19. Kernoi 4. Other utensils and objects made of clay 1. Hearth rims 2. Spoons and ladles 3. Palettes 4. Roof tiles 5. Spit support 6. Tuyére 7. Sealings 8. Spindle whorl 9. Figurines 5. Objects made of metal 6. Catalogue of selected Early Helladic pottery Chapter seven: Period II in its archaeological context Chapter eight: Conclusions Figures 15-72 Colour plates Plates 1-54 Bibliography

71 71 71 72 73 73 73 74 74 74 75 75 75 75 76 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 80 89 96 101 159 161 215

Appendix I: Radiocarbon dates from Ayios Dhimitrios periods I and II Appendix II: The mammal bones from Ayios Dimitrios Christina Rushe and Paul Halstead Appendix III: Neolithic and Early Bronze Age flaked stone industry of Ayios Dhimitrios (Lepreo) Antikleia Moundrea-Agrafioti

223 224

ii

231

Preface This book is based on my PhD thesis which was submitted at the University of Boston in 1987. It circulated in the series of Ann Arbor University Microfilms (87.04824) but it could not be published at the moment due to various personal reasons. Led from the encouragement of my colleagues about the importance of this thesis for the study of the prehistory of Peloponnese, I decided to do this publication. I would like to underline that lack of money and time made impossible the incorporation in the main corpus of the book of new excavations and field works at open sites and caves in Peloponnese. However, a short reference to the most important of them has been added in chapter one. In addition, at the end of this prelude I submit a supplementary bibliography which includes the most important publications of the last twenty years for the prehistory of Peloponnese. Two appendices have been added to the dissertation: one from Christina Rushe and Dr. Paul Halstead (Reader in the University of Sheffield, UK) about the faunal remains and one from Prof. Antikleia Moudrea-Agrafioti (University of Thessaly, Greece) about the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age flaked stone industries. From this position I would like to thank all of them. I would like to express my thankfulness to many individuals who assisted me in various aspects since the beginning of the excavations up to the present time when the dissertation takes the form of the book in hand. First, all those who assisted me in the field work: the local workmen of the village of modern Lepreon who presented an astonishing interest in the research and worked under difficult circumstances, my colleagues Georgia Chadtzi, Aris Lazaridis, Sarah Morris, Katerina Thomas and Pamela Russel, who participated briefly in some of the field seasons. The conservation of the material took place at the laboratories of the Olympia Museum and I would like to thank the conservators of that time. I would also like to thank the Archaeological Society of Athens, which made a small contribution to help defray some of the technical expenses towards the study of the material. Dr. B. Krommer of the Institute für Umweltphysik (University of Heidelberg) and Dr. Yiannis Maniatis of the Demokritos Nuclear Research Center at Athens are thanked for processing the radiocarbon samples from Ayios Dhimitrios. Special thanks are due to my colleagues former Ephors of the Olympia Ephorate, Ismini Trianti, who first took me to the site one morning of the April of 1982, Konstantinos Tsakos, and Angelos Liangouras for their support during the excavation and analysis of the material. Some of the drawings of the pottery were made by my friends Penelope Mountjoy and Stathis Androutsakis. My colleagues and friends professor Frederick Cooper, Sarah Morris , Kostis Iliakis, Dr. Judith Binder, Cullen Zimmerman and Bill Alexander assisted me in various aspects. To all them I express my greatfulness. Sencere thanks are also due to the faculty of the Archaeology and Classical Studies at Boston University. My deepest gratitude is due to my mentor, Professor James Wiseman, for his constant support and encouragement during my studies at Boston University. Professors Karl Petruso, Julie Hansen and Ricardo Elia, offered valuable advice towards the completion of my dissertation work. Casey Elia encouraged me in many aspects and worked towards preparing the manuscript for its presentation as dissertation. I am indebted to Jill Carington-Smith for providing useful comments about the special category of “palettes”. My wife and colleague Dr. Angelika Dousougli (Director of the Archaeological Institute for Epirotic Studies in Ioannina) who assisted in the last year’s field season at the site drew the plans, sections and many of the ceramic profiles. For her constant assistance, support and encouragement in our common scientific task I would like to express my thankfulness. I wish to express my thanks to Jeannette Forsén, an expert of the Prehistory of Peloponnese and to Charalambos Charissis, who both read the manuscript of the present book and made valuable remarks. Finally, I would like to thank the archaeologist Eleni Vassileiou of the 12th Ephorate of Classical and Prehistoric Antiquities of Ioannina, who undertook the task to turn the manuscript into a book and kept reminding me, among all other responsibilities we are facing in our Ephorate, about Ayios Dhimitrios. Special thanks are also due to the topographer Sofia Stergiou and the architect Apostolos Papaioannou who digitized all the drawings, maps and photographs.

iii

Lastly I must express my gratitude to the Aymer Cotton Foundation and the Institute for Aegean Prehistory for their generous contributions towards the expenses of preparing this publication. Supplementary Bibliography: Alram-Stern, E. 2004 Die Ägäische Frühzeit, 2. Serie, Forschungsbericht 1975-2002, 2. Bd., Reihe 1-2, Die Frühbronzezeit in Griechenland mit Ausnahme von Kreta, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien. Cosmopoulos M.B. 1991 The Early Bronze 2 in the Aegean. SIMA 98, Jonsered . Cullen, T. (ed.) 2001 Aegean Prehistory: A Review, AJA Supplement 1. Boston. Davis J. et al. 1997 “The Pylos regional archaeological project. Part I: overview and the archaeological survey”, Hesperia 66 (1997), 391-494. Demoule J-P. and Perlès C. 1993 “The Greek Neolithic: a new review”, Journal of World Prehistory 7, 355-416. Dousougli A. 1987 “Makronouni-Kefalari Magoula-Talioti”, PZ 62, 164-220. Dousougli A. 1998 Άρια Αργολίδος. Χειροποίητη κεραμική της νεότερης νεολιθικής και της χαλκολιθικής περιόδου. Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού. Δημοσιεύματα του Αρχαιολογικού Δελτίου αρ. 66. Αθήνα. Forsén J. 1992 The Twilight of the Early Helladics: A Study of the Disturbances in East-Central and Southern Greece towards the End of the Early Bronze Age. SIMA-PB 116, Jonsered. Forsén J. 1996 “Prehistoric Asea revisited,” OpAth 21, 41-72. Howell R.J. 1992 “Final Neolithic Phase” in McDonald, W.A. and Wilkie, N.C. (eds.) 1992, Excavations at Nichoria in Southwest Greece II. The Bronze Age Occupation. The University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. Jameson M.J. Runnels C.N. and van Andel T.H. A. 1994 Greek Countryside: The Southern Argolid from Prehistory to the Present Day, Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. Katsarou S. and Sampson A. 1989 “Η ανασκαφική έρευνα στο σπήλαιο των Λιμνών στα Καστριά Καλαβρύτων”, ΑΑΑ 22, 161-6. Kontaxi C. Kontzampopoulou E. and Stravopodi E. 1989 “Προκαταρκτική Έκθεση Ανασκαφών στην Α´ Κουβελέικη Σπηλιά Αλεποχωρίου Λακωνίας”, ΑΑΑ 22, 21-30. Κoumouzelis M. 1989 “Η κεραμική από την Α΄ Κουβελέικη σπηλιά Αλεποχωρίου Λακωνίας”, ΑΑΑ 22, 143-60. Manning S.W. 1995 The absolute chronology of the Aegean early Bronze Age Archaeology, Radiocarbon and History. Sheffield Academic Press. Maran J. 1998 Kulturwandel auf dem griechischen Festland und den Kykladen im späten 3. Jahrtausend v. Chr. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie, 53, Bonn. McDonald W.A. and Wilkie N.C. (eds.) 1992 Excavations at Nichoria in Southwest Greece II. The Bronze Age Occupation. The University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. Papathanasopoulos, G.A. (ed.), 1996 Neolithic Greece, Athens. Perlès C. 2001 The Early Neolithic in Greece: The first farming Communities in Europe. Cambridge University Press. Phelps W. W. 2004 The Neolithic Pottery Sequence in Southern Greece, BAR International Series 1259. Pullen D. J. 1987. The Earliest Phases of the Early Bronze Age at Tsoungiza Hill, Ancient Nemea. Paper delivered to 89th general meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, New York, December 1987. Pullen D.J. 1995 “The Pottery of the Neolithic, Early Helladic I, and Early Helladic II Periods, in Runnels, C. Pullen, D. and Langdon, S. (eds.) 1995, 6-42. Renard J. 1989. Le Péloponnèse au Bronze Ancien (Aegaeum, 13) Liège & Austin. Runnels C. Pullen D. and Langdon S. (eds.) 1995 Artifact and assemblage. The finds from a regional survey of the southern Argolid I: The prehistoric and Early Iron Age pottery and the lithic artifacts, Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. Rutter J. 1993 “Review of the Aegean Prehistory II: the Prepalatial Bronze Age of the Southern and Central Greek Mainland” AJA 97, 707-45. Rutter J. 2001 “Addendum: 1993-1999,” in T. Cullen (ed.), Aegean Prehistory: a review (AJA Suppl.1), Boston, Mass. 148-55. Sampson A. 1997 Το Σπήλαιο των Λιμνών στα Καστριά Καλαβρύτων: Μια προϊστορική θέση στην ορεινή Πελοπόννησο. Εταιρεία Πελοποννησιακών Σπουδών, 7. Αθήνα. Sampson A. 1990 “Some chronological problems of the end of the Neolithic and the EBA”, in Maniatis, Y. (ed.), Archaeometry. Amsterdam , 709-18. Sampson A. 1993. Σκοτεινή Θαρρουνίων. Το σπήλαιο, ο οικισμός και το νεκροταφείο. Αθήνα. Stravopodi E. Manolis S. and Neroutsos A. 1997 “Μελέτη του ανθρώπινου σκελετικού υλικού από το σπήλαιο Λιμνών” in Sampson A. 1997 Το Σπήλαιο των Λιμνών στα Καστριά Καλαβρύτων: Μια προϊστορική θέση στην ορεινή Πελοπόννησο Εταιρεία Πελοποννησιακών Σπουδών, 7. Αθήνα. iv

Vitelli K.D. 1993 Franchthi Neolithic Pottery 1: Classification and ceramic phases 1 and 2 (Franchthi 8), Bloomington. Vitelli K.D. 1999 Franchthi Neolithic Pottery 2: The Later Neolithic Ceramic Phases 3 to 5 (Franchthi 10), Bloomington. Wells B. Runnels C. and Zangger E. 1990 “The Berbati - Limnes Archaeological Survey. The 1988 season”, OpAth 18, 207-38. Wiencke M.H. 1989. “Change in Early Helladic II”, AJA 93, 495-509. Wiencke M.H. 2000 Lerna, a Preclassical Site in the Argolid IV: The Architecture, Stratification, and Pottery of Lerna III, Princeton. Weisshaar F. J. 1989 Die Deutschen Ausgrabungen auf der Pevkakia- Magula in Thessalien 1. Das späte Neolithikum und das Chalkolithikum. Rudolf Habelt Verlag, Bonn. Weisshaar F. J. 1990 “Die Keramik von Talioti”, in Tyrins XI, Mainz am Rein, 1-34. Zangger E. et al. 1997. “The Pylos Regional Archaeological Project II: landscape evolution and site preservation”, Hesperia 66 , 549-641.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter one Introduction overlapping periods.” Simpson, 1969, 170).

Prior to the late 1950s, very little research had been conducted on the prehistory of Triphylia and the SW Peloponnese; various theories and misconceptions about the area resulted from the work of scholars who had been unable to identify either local peculiarities or prehistoric phases known from other parts of Greece. Thus S. Weinberg, in view of the lack of Early Helladic I (hereafter EH I) remains at Malthi, suggested that the Neolithic period there lasted through Early Helladic II (hereafter EH II) times (Weinberg, 1947, 172) and N. Valmin took the socalled “Adriatic Ware” as representative of the local tradition extending from Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age (Valmin, 1939, 24-27). The investigations by the University of Minnesota in the SW Peloponnese (hereafter MME) from 1961 to1968 contributed considerably to our knowledge of the prehistory of this area. By the expedition’s last season seven certain and ten probable Neolithic sites and twenty certain and thirteen probable EH sites had been identified (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 171). The expedition was followed by excavations at the Middle Helladic-Protogeometric settlement site of Nichoria. The final publication of their results should help to clarify the pottery sequence of the periods represented there, but from the preliminary reports, it has already become clear that the previously excavated site of Malthi belongs squarely within the Middle Helladic (hereafter MH) period, as does Valmin’s “Adriatic Ware” (Howell, 1974a, 167) .

(McDonald

and

Hope-

The prehistoric settlement of Ayios Dhimitrios in ancient Triphylia is a site of that kind (Sperling, 1942, 86; McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 231-232). Systematic excavations there (1980-1983) have produced stratified Neolithic, Early Helladic, and Middle Helladic deposits and unstratified Late Helladic deposits. The earliest phase of this site represents the only stratified Neolithic deposit from an open site excavated in the SW Peloponnese, so that the results of the excavation should help clarify a stage only recently identified by scholars of prehistory: Late Neolithic II (I have adopted the term “LN II” here in preference to the term “Final Neolithic” or corresponding variants, for reasons detailed below). The tripartite division of the Neolithic period in Southern Greece as proposed by Weinberg (Weinberg, 1947, 165182) has been modified or replaced by various scholars over the last two decades. In 1972, D. French proposed a series of “phase names”, based on series of pottery groups for Central Greece, using as his model V. Milojčič’s arrangement of the Thessalian Neolithic (Milojčič, 1959, 1-56). According to French: “A pottery assemblage at any one “point in time” is a set of components (wares), each component having its own set of characters. It is probably, at this stage, impossible to define these “single points in time” but it is within our power to define lengths or “chunks” of time, phases (or whatever) which have some basis in soil stratigraphy and which can therefore be used as phases of pottery time” (French, 1972, iv).

The MME survey was not “intensive” (for a definition of this term see the discussion in Bintliff, 1976, 57) and this fact has provoked criticism from certain quarters, but one cannot, in any case, dismiss the value of their work in contributing to an initial understanding of the prehistoric settlement patterns in the SW Peloponnese. Certain questions, of course, remain, including the following: What similarities and interconnections can be drawn with other regions of Greece, and what explanations can be given to local peculiarities, such as the absence of EH I?

He distinguished the following six phases: Elateia, Chaeronea, Bothros, Drachmani, Black Burnished, and North Slope phases (lbid., 4-18). Following French’s model, S. Diamant proposed four phases for the Neolithic period in the Peloponnese: Nemea, Lerna II, Dull-Painted Ware, and Agora phases (Diamant, 1974, 6-9).

The answers to these questions lay in the identification of promising sites through surface reconnaissance, the systematic excavation of these sites, and the establishment, subsequently, of a stratified sequence of artifacts. In the words of McDonald and Hope-Simpson:

Phelps adopted Weinberg’s criteria but inserted a fourth period between the LN I and the earliest stage of the Early Bronze Age. He named this period FN and subdivided it into two phases: The early phase includes the Prosymna or Aigina type of Pattern-Burnished, Prosymna Incised, White and Red Crusted Ware and features and shapes which can be connected with the Agora-Kephala group. The late phase comprises the rolled rim bowls of the Kum Tepe Ib type, French’s North Slope group and the typologically latest pottery from Alepotrypa, which is transitional to EH I (Phelps, 1975, 296).

“.. in the case of the SW Peloponnese, however, what is now most needed is a coordinated program of limited excavations aimed at building up a stratigraphic basis for internal relative dating and establishing firmer interrelations with other areas in and beyond Greece. To accomplish this objective the sites tested should be carefully selected settlements inhabited in

1

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 1. Map of Triphylia

arise if some other Neolithic phase is discovered to be later than the one already defined as Final” (Coleman, 1992, 10-11).

Coleman has recently defended the tripartite division of the Neolithic period and proposed the term LN II instead of Final Neolithic for the stage of Late Neolithic represented by the Agora-Kephala cultures. By his account:

Considering the long span of the period (Renfrew, 1972, 68), Coleman’s terminology is more convenient and allows subdivisions within the period.1

“Final Neolithic may have been a helpful term when first formulated by Renfrew (1972, 67-68) at a time when our picture of the end of the Neolithic and the beginning of the Early Bronze Age was still quite vague. Now, however, it is more of a hindrance than an aid to our understanding. Final Neolithic is an arbitrary departure from the usual numerical system of phases within each period and in practice the term proves too vague to define in detail chronologically or culturally. Furthermore, paradoxes are likely to

Late Neolithic II, when first recognized in southern Greece, seemed to be confined only to Attica and the Saronic Gulf region, and therefore the term AtticaKephala Culture was proposed by Renfrew (Renfrew, 1965b, 52; 1972, 71-72, 74-75). Since then sites which 1

For discussions of the advantages or disadvantages of the systems mentioned above see: French, 1972, 1-3; Diamant, 1974, 1-6; Phelps, 1975, 4-10.

2

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE may be assigned to this period have been discovered in the Peloponnese. This suggests a much wider distribution of the Attica-Kephala Culture than was previously Northwest l. ?Teichos Dymaion 2. Portes Cave 3. Kalavryta 4. Speleo Limnon-Kastria

North Coast 5. Akrata 6. Corinth 7. Gonia Inland Corinthia 8. Kionia-Stymphalia 9. Phlius l0. Klenia Cave Inland Argolid 11. Prosymna 12. Chonika Coastal Argolid 13. Halieis 14. Franchthi Cave 15. Argos 16. Kefalari Cave 17. Lerna 18. Aria Arcadia 19. ?Khotoussa-Ayios Yeoryios 20. Kandhila-Bikiza 21. ?Vlakerna-Plessa 22. Dhavia-Kastro 23. Kamenitsa Cave 24. ?Roussis-Merkou 25. Artemision-Ay.Dhimitrios 26. ?Milea-Ay.Nikolaos 27. Merkovounion-Ayiolias 28. Ayioryitika 29. Asea 30.?Dhervenion-Kotroni 31. Livartzi Cave

supposed. A list of sites with LN II finds in the Peloponnese is given below (See Map 2).

Mastrokostas, 1964, 62, pl. 60a. Mastrokostas, 1967b, 216, pl. 155b; 1968, 138. Mastrokostas, 1961/62, 132; Howell, 1970, 96. Mastrokostas, 1967a, 216, pl. 155e; 1968, 138; Hauptmann, 1971, 350; Petrocheilou, 1984, 30-35; A small trial excavation conducted in 1971 by Ph. Petsas remains unpublished; (Petsas, Ph., oral communication); some sherds collected by myself are deposited in the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Speleology; the cave has been identified as the cave of the daughters of the king Proetus mentioned by Pausanias VII, 18, 7-8; Papachatzis,1980, 246. Mastrokostas, 1968, 138; Phelps, 1975, 29-30. Weinberg, 1937; Lavezzi, l978; Diamant, 1974, 99-100; Phelps, 1975, 30-31. Blegen, 1930, 55-80; Diamant, l974, 99-100; Phelps, l975, 30-31. Howell, 1970, 97, fig.2, 31-9, pl. 34b. Biers, l969, fig.3, 34.36.37; Diamant, 1974,101. BCH, 1930, 479; Syriopoulos, l964, 24; Phelps, 1975, 32; Diamant, 1974,100-101. Blegen, 1937, 368-376, 632-635; Diamant, 1974, 102-104; Phelps, 1975, 33-35. Excavations by the Ephorate of Argolid E. Chatzipouliou, oral communication. Jameson, l969, 318. Jacobsen, 1969; 1973a; 1973b; 1979; Diamant, l974, 69-77; Phelps, 1975, 39-40. Daux, 1967, 814; Touchais, 1980, 1-40. Felsch, 1971, fig.15; Phelps, 1975, 46. Caskey, 1958, pls.36a-c; l959, pl.41b, d; Diamant, 1974, 105106; Phelps, 1975, 45-46. A LN II grave has been excavated by the Ephorate of Argolid, A. Dousougli. Howell, 1970, 81, pl. 27a. Howell, 1970, 82, pl. 27c. Howell, 1970, 82. Howell, 1970, 100, pl. 35a. Dimakopoulou, 1967, 203; Howell, 1970, 99. Howell, 1970, 83, pl. 28a. Howell, 1970, 86, pl. 29a. Howell, 1970, 87, pl. 30a. Howell, 1970, 89, pl. 30b. Blegen, 1928a, 533-535. Holmberg, 1944; Howell, 1970, 103-106, 108; Diamant, 1974, 106-107; Phelps, 1975, 47-48. Howell, 1970, 102. Pottery sherds deposited in the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropolo3

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE gy-Speleology. Laconia 32. Koufovouno 33. ?Mount Parnon 34. ?Yeraki 35.Asteri-Karaousi 36.Ayios Strategos 37. ?Goulas-Plitra 38. Alepotrypa Messenia 39. ?Kastro-Kardamili 40. ?Zarnata-Kambos 41. ?Kokkinochomata-Pighadia 42. ?Paliokastro 43. Nestor’s Cave 44. Voidokoilia 45. Kokora Troupa Cave 46. Chora-Katavothra 47. Koufiero Cave 48. Baroutospelia Cave 49. Nichoria Triphylia 50. Ayios Dhimitrios

Walter, 1942, 156; Waterhouse and Hope-Simpson, 1960, 72; Phelps, 1975, 48-49. Walter, 1942, 156. Waterhouse and Hope-Simpson, 1960,85-86. Waterhouse and Hope-Simpson, 1960, 89-92. Waterhouse and Hope-Simpson, 1960, 87-89, fig. 15:1-4, pl. 19a. Waterhouse and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 139-140. Lambert, 1972, fig. 20; Papathanasopoulos, 1971a, 12-26; 1971b, 149-154; 1971c, 289-304; Diamant, 1974, 108-109; Phelps, 1975, 49-53. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 161. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 161. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 251. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 155. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 143; Sampson, 1980, 175-187. passim Korres, 1977, 242-262; 1978, 334-347; 1979, 138155; 1980a, 150-173; 1982, 212-230. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 156, pl. 44a: l, 7, 12; 46:1. Marinatos, 1955, 245; Daux,1956, 285. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 235-236; 1969, pl. 44a: 2-6, 8-11, 13-15; pl. 46: 2, 4; Zachos, 1982. McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 158. Hope-Simpson and Dickinson, 1979, 152; McDonald,oral communication Sperling, 1942, 86; McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 231-232; 1969, 130.

(Data after Phelps, 1975, with additions. The sites with a question mark cannot with certainty be identified as LN II). in such a way as to make it difficult to distinguish the different wares. For example, Phelps has pointed out that Neolithic Matt Painted sherds are sometimes presented together with EH painted ware (e.g., Holmberg, 1944, fig. 77b, e, g, j; Phelps, 1975, 47).

Of the fifty sites listed above thirteen are caves and the remaining are open sites. Some of these sites are known only from surface finds and the excavated sites are known only from preliminary reports or inadequate publications. A brief review of the most important sites is required to point out the incompleteness of our knowledge of the LN II in the Peloponnese.

Prosymna. Blegen identified separate Neolithic deposits in his explorations near the Argive Heraion (Blegen, 1937, 22-29). One deposit, over one meter deep, belongs to a small, collapsed cave containing human remains. Blegen distinguished two strata and divided the pottery into an earlier (A) and later (B) phase. It now appears, however that the deposit was mixed and includes wares of the MN and LN periods (Urfirnis, Matt Painted, Grayand-Black Monochrome; Blegen, 1937, 369-371; Phelps, 1975, 33; Diamant, 1974, 102). The second deposit was found in the East Yerogalaro area. The group includes Coarse Ware with plastic decoration, Coarse Ware with incised decoration, and Polychrome Ware of the Gonia type. Blegen’s third deposit comes from the West Yerogalaro area. Here the pottery includes Red Monochrome Ware, Coarse Ware, Pattern Burnished Ware, a few sherds of Patterned Ware and twelve sherds of Incised

Lerna. The LN II material from Lerna comes from the uppermost Neolithic levels and it was found mixed with Matt Painted, Polychrome, Gray and Black Wares, and EH II sherds. Also, three graves produced material with parallels in the Athenian Agora and Kephala and recently at Aria in the Argolid. Caskey has explained the disturbance of the uppermost Neolithic levels as the result of the levelling activities of the site’s first EH settlers (Caskey, 1968, 314). Asea. LN II pottery found here occurs in EH and Neolithic deposits. In a schematic section the excavator distinguishes a pure EH stratum superimposed on a mixed EH/Neolithic stratum ca. 90 cm deep, which in turn covers a 30 cm layer of pure Neolithic. The LN II material comes from mixed deposits, but the material is presented 4

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Burnished Monochrome and Coarse Ware with plastic or incised decoration. Pattern Burnished Ware is not mentioned in the report, but was found nonetheless (oral communication with excavator).

Ware. The latter ware is named by Phelps “Prosymna Incised” and marks the beginning of his period IV (Phelps, 1975, 300-303). Corinth. Neolithic material of all periods has been found in fills or, more often, mixed with later material. L. Kosmopoulos mentions some stratified deposits on the south side of Temple Hill and in the Forum West Area excavations of 1914 and 1920 (Kosmopoulos, 1948, 16-39). Lavezzi has recently reported stratified deposits of the LN period from west of Temples H and J. In his view these deposits belong to an early LN horizon roughly contemporary with the Tsangli phase in Thessaly and Saliagos in the Cyclades (Lavezzi, 1978, 427). LN II material was found in a trench dug for the extension of the new museum in 1940 (Weinberg, 1948, 197, n. 1). Although mixed, the deposits included Gonia polychrome, Scratch Crusted, Red Pattern-burnished, and a fragment from a “scoop” (Phelps, 1975, 28).

Voidokoilia. The LN II pottery from Nestor’s Cave is closely related to the material from the nearby site of Voidokoilia, excavated by the University of Athens. The preliminary reports indicate that most of the material comes from filled cavities in the bedrock; here and there some thin, undisturbed layers were discovered below the EH strata. The pottery includes Red Monochrome, Black Burnished, Pattern Burnished and Coarse Ware. Plastic cordon decoration as well as incised decoration appears mainly on the Coarse Ware. A few Matt Painted sherds are also mentioned in the reports but their stratigraphic position is not clear. From the same context come also several obsidian or flint arrowheads (passim Korres, 1977, 242-262; 1978, 334-347; 1979, 138-155; 1980a, 150-173; 1983, 212-230).

Franchthi Cave. The excavations have not been fully published and information is available only from preliminary reports. S. Diamant, in his unpublished Ph.D. dissertation on the LN period in Southern Greece, or “Later Farming Stage” as he calls it, gives a detailed account of the stratigraphy of Franchthi. This period in the Franchthi sequence includes levels I-IVa. Level V belongs to the Lerna II phase (MN): Levels II-IVa include the DullPainted phase (LN I) and level I belong to the Agora phase (LN II). In this last level, together with the LN II material, Neolithic Urfirnis Ware appears, constituting 12% of the total (Phelps, 1975, 39). The appearance of Urfirnis Ware can be explained only as the result of disturbances and later pits dug by occupants of the cave. Also from mixed levels comes a small amount of material “which can probably be assigned to level I or a hypothetical later phase which has been cut away by modern digging” (Diamant, 1974, 76, figs. 3.76-3.78). Thus, the LN II levels at Franchthi appear mixed.

Koufiero Cave. The cave is located near the source of Velika River on the northwest slope of a ravine facing the village of Palaio Loutro in the Kontovounia Mountains. The cave is ca. forty meters deep and nine meters wide. The roof is approximately ten meters high, and is characterized by three dome-like cavities. On some parts of the roof of the cave fragments of Byzantine frescoes are preserved, and at the back of the cave there is a chapel of Ayioi Anargyroi. Pottery collected here by the MME (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 235-236; 1969, 145, pl. 44a, nos. 2-6, 8-11, 13-15; 46, nos. 2, 4) included Neolithic and LH III. The presence of LN II material, including a bowl fragment with rolled rim (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, pls. 44a; 46, no.6), induced me to attempt a small trial excavation, in order to compare the stratigraphy and the finds with those from Ayios Dhimitrios.2 The excavation trench reached a depth of 1.50 m without finding bedrock. Below the topsoil three levels were distinguished. The first and the second levels were divided by a layer of reddish clay which rested on flat stones; above the reddish clay rested a thin layer of black soil containing carbonized material, clearly indicating the previous existence of a fixed hearth. The first two levels produced only a large amount of pottery, while the third level produced only a few sherds within its first 10-15 cm; below this depth there were no finds. A catalogueof selected ceramics from Koufiero Cave is presented in chapter three.

Alepotrypa. The material from the Alepotrypa cave in the Mani, discovered in 1958 by the Speleological Society of Greece and excavated later by G. Papathanasopoulos, is still unpublished. Based on an examination of the preliminary reports, most of the material belongs to Phelps’ periods III and IV i.e., LN I and LN II. Nothing can be said, however, of the overall sequence until publication of the final report. Much of the material was found on the floor of the cave when first discovered. The cave was sealed by an earthquake toward the end of LN II, according to Phelps (Phelps, 1975, 49-53). Nestor’s Cave. The excavations by Theocharis and McDonald in 1953 remain unpublished (AJA, 1954, 32; 1961, 243; 1964, 32; JHS, 1954, 158). In 1980, A., Sampson conducted a supplementary excavation. In his preliminary reports (Sampson, 1980, 175-187) he mentions finding unstratified LN I pottery (Black Burnished, Matt Painted and one Urfirnis sherd) and stratified LN II. From the latter period the following wares are reported:

2 A report of the trial excavation was presented at the first Congress of Messenian Studies in Kyparissia (November 1982), Zachos, 1982.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 2. Peloponnese. Distribution of LN II sites. 1. Teichos Dymaion; 2. Portes; 3. Kalavryta; 4. Kastria Kalavryton; 5. Akrata; 6. Corinth; 7. Gonia; 8. Kionia-Stymphalia; 9. Phlius; 10. Klenia; 11. Prosymna; 12. Chonika; 13. Halieis; 14. Franchthi; 15. Argos; 16. Kefalari; 17. Lerna; 18. Aria; 19. Khotousa-Ayios Georghios; 20. Kandilha-Bikiza; 21. Vlakherna-Bikiza; 22. Dhavia-Kastro; 23. Kamenitsa; 24. Rousis-Merkou; 25. ArtemisionAyios Dhimitrios; 26. Milea-Ayios Nikolaos; 27. Merkovounion-Ayiolias; 28. Ayioryitika; 29. Asea; 30. Dhervenion-Kotroni; 31. Livatzi; 32. Koufovouno; 33. Mount Parnon; 34. Yeraki; 35. Asteri-Karadusa; 36. Ayios Strategos; 37. Goules-Plitra; 38. Alepotrypa; 39. Kastro-Kardamili; 40. Zarnata-Kambos; 41. Kokkinochomata-Pighadia; 42. Paliokastro; 43. Nestor’s Cave; 44. Voidokoilia; 45. Kokora Troupa; 46. Chora-Katavothra; 47. Koufiero; 48. Baroutospilia-Vournazi; 49. Nichoria; 50. Ayios Dhimitrios.

The pottery of the first two levels included the following wares: Red Monochrome, Red Slipped and Burnished, Black Burnished, Pattern Burnished, Crusted (red and white), and coarse Ware. From the second level come also a handfull of Neolithic Urfirnis sherds (plain or with patterns), and one sherd of Matt Painted Ware. The third level produced only a few sherds of Urfirnis and of Black Burnished Wares. Among the shapes of the first two levels bowls predominate: hemispherical, carinated, with rolled rim and with S-profile (Fig. 34). Other shapes dis-

tinguished are: pithoi, jars, strainers and baking pans. Three types of bases were found: flat, ring bases and low pedestals. Strap and ribbon handles are common as well as a variety of lugs. Incised, plain and impressed cordon decoration is common, especially on pithoi. Other significant finds are one marble pestle and a triangular point made of flint. It should be evident from the foregoing discussion that the Peloponnese lacks well-stratified LN II sites, and on 6

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Strefi. The site is located near the village Strefi in the Alpheios valley. It was excavated during a rescue operation by the Greek Archaeological Service and has recently been published by Koumouzelis (Koumouzelis, 1980, 27-91). Walls of houses with abundant pottery and three burials were found. Three architectural phases have been distinguished, beginning from a mature stage of EH II and continuing down to the end of the period (as defined at Lerna) (Koumouzelis, 1980, 220-221).

the basis of the available evidence, it is not possible to distinguish different stages within such a long period. Furthermore we are lacking other evidence of the period; for example, architectural remains are not recorded from the excavated sites in the Peloponnese. The number of known graves of this period is very limited; three graves were found at Lerna (mentioned above) and one at Aria in the Argolid. At the latter site salvage excavations uncovered a pit grave and an assemblage of pottery, including LN I material. The grave yielded two vases, a goblet (similar to one known from Lerna) with crusted decoration and a jar with red pattern burnished decoration (Dousougli, A., oral communication).

Olympia-New Museum. A recent and important contribution has been the publication by Koumouzelis of the EH III deposits uncovered during excavations for the foundations of the New Museum in ancient Olympia. In her dissertation Koumouzelis suggests that the peculiar incised and stamped pottery from the apsidal houses of the Altis, excavated by Dörpfeld between 1907 and 1909, belong to the EH III period (Koumouzelis, 1980, 136138, 193, 224, 226-228; Rutter, 1982, 480-488).

Concerning the EH period in the Peloponnese, one should note that its picture is much more solid than that of LN II.From the preliminary reports of the systematic excavations at Lerna and Tiryns a ceramic sequence begins to emerge for the greater part of EH II and III in the NE Peloponnese.The EH I period, conversely, is far less known, since pottery diagnostic of this stage frequently occurs in small quantities and always mixed with EH II wares. Only four sites in all of southern Greece, in fact, have produced EH I stratified material: Eutresis, Palaia Kokkinia, Perachora-Vouliagmeni, and Lithares.

Akovitika. Rescue excavations near the village Akovitika in Messenia revealed two monumental EH II buildings, A and B. Neither building was totaly excavated nor has the surprisingly small amount of pottery recovered been fully published (Themelis, 1970, 303-311; Karagiorga, 1971, 126-129; Koumouzelis, 1981, 202-203; Themelis, 1984, 335-351).

The situation in the SW Peloponnese is even bleaker: There is no record of EH I habitation (as defined in the NE) and only scant evidence for EH II. The latter phase is represented at sites which, for the most part, are situated on or very near the sea; others are concentrated along the Alpheios and Pamisos rivers (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 172). The situation up to 1969 was well-summed up by McDonald and Hope-Simpson in their account of the MME’s last season in the field:

Voidokoilia. The Early Helladic settlement below the Middle Helladic tumulus and the Late Helladic tholos tomb, excavated by the University of Athens, is known only from preliminary reports. The excavator speaks of different walls and buildings but from his reports it is not clear how many building phases are represented there. The erection of a Middle Helladic tumulus and a Late Helladic tholos tomb on the settlement caused a severe disturbance on its greater part. The ceramic assemblage, however, indicates that the settlement covers a long chronological span of the EH II period, from an initial period down to an advanced stage.

“No systematic excavation has been carried out on any EH site. Our description of surface pottery in the catalogue of sites makes clear enough, however, that the southwest was in close touch with better known parts of the country. But until results are in from at least a few well stratified Messenia settlements, it is premature to speculate on the precise nature of the interconnections or on local peculiarities” (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 172).

After having given above a short account of the data for the LN II and the EH periods in the Peloponnese (with particular emphasis on its southwestern part), and before turning to the methodology and the aims of the present study, I consider it necessary to define the theoretical assumptions as they relate to the interpretation of archaeological assemblages from different points of view, and to the limitations in drawing general conclusions based merely on analyses of these assemblages.

Little has changed since that publication. Salvage operations in recent years revealed only a handful of sites whose material has been published only in part or not at all. The most important sites known from salvage or systematic excavations in southwestern Peloponnese are the following.

Material artifacts found in a site constitute the technological subsystem of the culture3 represented at this site. The variation of material artifacts in time and space led to the concept that by tracing these variations one can establish a chronological sequence and spatial distribution of a particular culture. This concept, focused especially on

Kostoureika. The site is located in a small valley near ancient Elis, three km SE of the village of Kentron. Rescue excavations by the British School of Archaeology uncovered a large EH deposit beneath the remains of a Hellenistic farmhouse. The material has not been published (AΔ 23 (1968) B 180; 25 (1970) B 197; AR (196970) 15).

3 Culture is considered here as “a constantly recurring assemblage of artifacts” Renfrew, 1972, 19-23.

7

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE accurate chronological framework. Phelps, who first attempted to draw a precise picture of the spatial and chronological development of the Peloponnesian Neolithic pottery, was led by the lack of well-stratified LN II assemblages to classify the pottery of that period “according to its typological affinities, where they are apparent, with pottery groups outside the Peloponnese that have some sort of chronological status of their own, such as those from the Agora, Kephala and Grotta” (Phelps, 1975, 296). Renfrew has also drawn attention to that situation: “The Final Neolithic period is admittedly little understood as yet: it may be that in it lies the key to our comprehension of many of the subsequent Early Bronze Age developments” (Renfrew, 1972, 80). Diamant expressed a more concrete desideratum for prehistoric research, noting that the validity of the pottery sequence of southern Greece that he proposed, on the basis of the stratigraphy in Franchthi Cave, should be restricted to northeastern Peloponnese “until a reliable sequence has been published for a site in the western Peloponnese” (Diamant, 1974, 401).

ceramic material, is best presented by the following propositions: “Pottery has a large number of variable features that reflect concepts in the minds of the makers; for example, kinds of rocks or minerals used to temper the clay, ways of kneading the clay, methods of smoothing and finishing the surfaces, techniques of decoration, decorative motifs, the forms and appendages given the vessels, and so on. These variable features of pottery, based on cultural compulsives, are particularly susceptible to changes in both time and space. Our use of the pottery from Tehuacan to solve both chronological and cultural problems is based upon a series of assumptions about culture that can be summed up as follows: (1) culture is a continuum of interrelated ideas, concepts, and beliefs through time and space, (2) culture is constantly changing, (3) culture both patterns and gives consistency to customary behavior; (4) pottery, or the concepts involved in the pottery, are reflections of culture. Therefore, the ceramic materials are part of the cultural continuum, are constantly changing, and reflect the internal order of a culture” (MacNeish, 1970, 7-8).

The excavations at Ayios Dhimitrios revealed material assemblages in reliable stratigraphic position that are at first sight easily identified as closely related to artifact units found at various sites in the Peloponnese and southern Greece. One aim of the dissertation is to determine whether and to what extent the finds from Ayios Dhimitrios can first contribute to the building of the missing chronological and cultural bridges connecting western Peloponnese with other areas where similar cultures are identified, and second, furnish the missing evidence that would enable one to conclude that western Peloponnese was not left outside the cultural evolution of the adjacent northern areas, but was involved in and contributed to this evolution.

Does a spatial distribution of material artifacts, however, constitute per se a criterion for an equivalent distribution of a culture and, more precisely, of its non-material aspects like ethnic identity, social organization, religious beliefs, and language? Recent ethnographic studies have shown that Childe was correct in pointing out that “boundaries of the several fields of culture do not necessarily coincide” (Childe, 1951, 47). In a review of the problems in the correlation of distribution of material culture with other aspects of society, Ian Hodder recently concluded:

A further goal is to try to identify which cultural subsystems are reflected in the archaeological assemblages of the various chronological stages represented at Ayios Dhimitrios, and whether or not these subsystems or cultural phenomena, like subsistence economy and technology, are in agreement with the corresponding phenomena observed at other sites, where the same artifacts occur. In the Peloponnese, for example, there has been observed an intensive habitation of caves during LN I that lasted all through LN II. Since most of these caves are located at some distance from arable land, their habitation has been associated with a subsistence economy based more on stock rising than on agriculture. It would be of great importance to examine whether the subsistence economy of an open settlement like Ayios Dhimitrios, contemporary with the cave communities (which were formed under the pressure of some change in the subsistence model), repeats more or less the new model or whether it carries on the traditional agricultural economy that predominates during the previous Neolithic stage.

“…It is apparent that one-to-one relationship between style and artefact clusters and units in other aspects of culture can not be assumed. Although simple correlations are evidenced, this is not always the case” and further he suggests “that the reasons for lack of success in correlating material and non- material culture may be that analysis of material culture has been too simplistic, and that ethnographic and other studies of the correlations have not asked the potentially most fruitful questions” (Hodder, 1978, 24). Before analyzing an archaeological assemblage for the purpose of defining the interrelated cultural phenomena that are reflected in it, it is methodologically necessary to place it into an established chronological frame or, if such a background is missing, to try to put the principally homogeneous assemblages into an order, i.e., to build a sequence in space and time. As far as the LN II period of the Peloponnese is concerned, we still lack a valid and

At Ayios Dhimitrios were revealed assemblages dating to two successive periods, LN II and EH. The earliest as8

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Chapter five summarizes the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the site, i.e., environment, its physical size, population size, its livelihood, and its relationship with other sites of the region.

semblage of the latter, namely Phase IIa, belongs to a transitional stage from EH I to EH II and, as will be discussed below, based on an examination of the pottery, bears many features of the earliest Bronze Age culture. In contrast to that, the assemblage of Phase IIb reflects some changes in many technological and probably economical aspects. We are therefore provided the opportunity to follow changes in material culture and, consequently, in the reflected subsistence economy emerging within the same environment. The material assemblage from the EH strata at Ayios Dhimitrios provides also the opportunity to examine the following questions.

Chapter six begins with a description of the deposits of Period II (EH) and the architectural remains of both phases of this period. The pottery of both phases is subsequently discussed. Each vase shape is treated separately, and emphasis is given to the fluctuation between both phases with respect to form, ware, and decoration. Chapter six also deals with tools and implements of Period II. These are discussed according to material and function. The provenance of each item is given as well as parallels from other sites. Chapter six also includes a catalogue of selected pottery of Period II.

a. To what extent can the phases from Ayios Dhimitrios be correlated with other SW Peloponnesian sites, and help in establishing an artifact sequence for relative chronology?

Chapter seven correlates the material assemblage from both phases with material from western Peloponnesian and Ionian Sea sites, and also with sites of the rest of the Peloponnese and beyond. An attempt also is made to fit Ayios Dhimitrios phases IIa and IIb into the broader scheme of Aegean chronology.

b. To what extent can the EH material from Ayios Dhimitrios be correlated with areas beyond the western Peloponnese? c. To what extent can we identify and classify local peculiarities?

Chapter eight deals with conclusions regarding the dimension of the site, its population and economy, and the settlement patterns of the region.

This study is an attempt to present, analyze, and discuss the material assemblage of the Neolithic and Early Helladic strata from the excavations at Ayios Dhimitrios. The primary objective is to address the problems raised above and to illuminate the cultural affinities or dissimilarities of the region with the rest of the Peloponnese and the Aegean world. I have organized the material in the following manner. Chapter two gives a description of the site and a short history of the previous investigations into the prehistory of Triphylia, including the development of the excavations, the field routine, and the stratification of the site. Chapter three deals with the deposits and the pottery of Period I (LN II) at the site. A discussion of shapes, wares and decoration is followed by a catalogue of the pottery. Chapter three also provides a discussion and catalogue of selected small finds found within the Neolithic deposit. In chapter four an attempt is made to relate Period I of Ayios Dhimitrios to contemporary sites in the Peloponnese, and to fix its position within the Peloponnesian sequence, and the sequence of mainland Greece, the Balkans and the Aegean; the chapter concludes with a scheme for relating the local cultures of the above mentioned areas.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Two Investigations at Ayios Dhimitrios Sheet). In addition to the Tholon River which flows yearround, the closest source of water to the prehistoric settlement is a spring ca. 300 m to its west near the square of the modern village. Identified with “Arene Spring” mentioned by Pausanias, the spring is still an abundant source of water (Pausanias 5.5.6; RE, suppl. 5, s.v. “Lepreon” Loy, 1970, 150, notes that the spring supplies enough water to irrigate 80 hectares of land; see also Skayas, 1978, 66). Another small spring issues forth some 300 m east of the site.

1. The Site and its Location The land stretching north of the Neda River to the Alpheios River in western Peloponnese was named Triphylia in antiquity (Pausanias 5.5.3; Strabo 8.3.12, 22). Two mountains, Smerna (ancient Lapithos) and Minthe, occupy its greater part leaving a narrow plain between their western extensions and the sandy shore of the Ionian Sea. The northern part of the plain is occupied by two lagoons, Kaiafa and Agulinitsa. The mountains along the plain are divided by many small valleys, in one of which, the Tholon River Valley, lays the classical town of Lepreon (Map 1). According to Herodotus, Lepreon was one of the six Triphylian cities founded by the Minyans after their expulsion from Lemnos by the Pelasgians (Herodotus 4. 145-148). As was the case with all Triphylian towns, Lepreon was under the control of Elis for the better part of its history (Herodotus 4. 148; Pausanias 5.5.3). The ruins of the acropolis of Lepreon occupy the summit of the heights of Missokataracho, an extension of Minthe. The walls are dated to the 4th century B.C., and one of the gates and a tower are still visible (Pls. 1, 2a, b; Bisbee, 1937, 537; Winter, 1971, 237, n.9). Within the acropolis there is a small Doric temple which has been associated with the temple of Demeter mentioned by Pausanias (5.5.6; Knell, 1979, 53-59; 1983, 113-147).

The lower parts of the valley today are cultivated with olive trees, grapevines, citrus trees, wheat, and corn. The higher parts of the valley are covered by a conifer forest and the lower, which are not cultivated, with different kinds of shrubs. Because of the narrowness of the valley, agriculture using terracing is practiced on the steeper parts of the hills. Irrigation (without mechanization) is practiced in the area of the modern village using the water of the spring Arene. Flocks of sheep and goat still graze today on the hills surrounding the valley. According to information obtained from the local inhabitants, the number of flocks of the village of Lepreon in the years before the Second World War was much larger. The position of the site is strategically secure, with a commanding view of the sea (a distance of only 7 km), and of the route connecting the Triphylian coast with mountainous Arcadia (Polybius IV. 17; Scylax, Periplus, 44).

Situated south of the acropolis and on a lower spur overlooking the Tholon Valley is the prehistoric site of Ayios Dhimitrios, which owes its name to the little chapel that crowns the hill (Fig. 1). The site is also known as Kastro from the ruins of a medieval castle mentioned by travelers in the 19th century (Blouet, 1831/1838, 1:51-52; Frazer, 1898, 3: 475; Baedeker, 1883, 306). The flat top of the spur, cultivated today with olives and wheat, is an area measuring 60-120 m N-S by 30-70 m E-W. At its highest point the hill reaches 290 m; all sides, save the northern, which connects the spur with Missokataracho, are extremely steep (Pl. 3a).

The Tholon River Valley is located on the warm and moist Ionian Belt which receives a higher average amount of rainfall in comparison with eastern Peloponnese. The climate of the area, like the rest of western Peloponnese, is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters; snow and frost are unusual phenomena in this area (Lavrentiades, 1964, 226231). In order to present a picture of the physical environment of Ayios Dhimitrios in LN II and EH II periods, one must consider factors which could possibly have altered the environment from its present appearance. Three possible factors which could have modified the physical landscape are: climate change, sediment deposition, and deforestation.

The hill of Ayios Dhimitrios commands a spectacular view south across the Tholon River Valley, an exceptionally fertile basin known in antiquity as the Aipasian Plain (Pl. 3b; Strabo 8.3.21; Dodwell, 1819, 2: 347; Bursian, 1868, 278; Zachos, 1984, 325-329). The physical geography of the area of the valley may be summarized as follows. The lowest parts of the valley, especially towards the east side, are covered with Holocene alluvial formations; the rolling hills are covered with Pliocene conglomerates, sandstones, and marls; and the heights of Missokataracho on the north side of the valley, rising above the north limits of the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios, are made of limestone (data after the geological map of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Kiparissia

Most scholars agree that dramatic climate changes that could modify the natural landscape have not occurred in Greece for the last 7.000 years (Bintliff, 1977, 51; Raphael, 1969, 109; Wagstaff, 1981, 254; Davidson and Tasker, 1982, 93; a century-long drought has been suggested recently around the 7th century A.D. in Greece 10

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE and elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, but this is not relevant to the time we are considering here, Liebowitz and Folk, 1980, 40-41).

2. Previous Investigation of Prehistoric Triphylia Until the late 1930s, when Blegen began excavations at Ano Englianos, the western Peloponnese had not been extensively investigated for prehistoric sites. Messenia has been the focus of intensive investigations since then, but Triphylia still remains unexplored.

According to Vita-Finzi, climatic changes in the Mediterranean region are responsible for the deposition of the “Younger Fill”, which was deposited in a period lasting over a thousand years from the late Roman to Medieval times (Vita-Finzi, 1969). This theory developed by VitaFinzi and since widely cited in archaeological literature (Bintliff in his work Natural Environment and Human Settlement in Prehistoric Greece, 1977, is one of the main advocates of this theory), recently has been questioned by various scholars in regard to the time of the formation and the causes of the recent alluvium. Wagstaff for example suggested that the Younger Fill in Greece could not be synchronous and an anthropogenic origin of its formation could not be ruled out (Wagstaff, 1981). Recent research in the Hermionid has revealed a series of alluviation events, which were caused by human activity on the landscape and began as early as the Early Bronze Age (Van Andel et al., 1986). Davidson and Tasker, based on their research on the island of Melos, also concluded that “the geomorphic evidence from Melos, indicating some alluviation as early as 1000 B.C., does not accord with the chronology proposed by Vita-Finzi, and there are reports from elsewhere which also do not agree” (Davidson and Tasker, 1982, 92). Since special studies have not been conducted in the Tholon Valley, one cannot speak with accuracy as to the time of the formation of the recent alluvium. In any case the small extent of it will not have had a large impact on the economy of the prehistoric settlement.

The investigation of prehistoric Triphylia was initiated by Dörpfeld during the first decade of the 20th century with the excavation of the three subsequently famous LH I-II tholos tombs at Kakovatos, and the settlement’s remains on the hill a few meters SW of the tombs (Dörpfeld, 1908a, 295-317). His identification of Kakovatos with Homeric Pylos led him to further exploration of Triphylia in order to identify the towns of Nestor’s realm. The low hill at Kleidi (Kato Samiko), by the fortifications of classical Samikon, was identified with Arene, an attribution mentioned by Strabo. Mazi was identified with Aipy, and Paliopyrgo (formerly Koukoura) with Thryon/ Thryoessa (Dorpfeld, 1908c, 320-322; 1913, 97-139). In 1913, with the collaboration of Greafinghoff and others, Dörpfeld published a map of Triphylia that indicates the ruins of all periods, as well as the various attributions of ancient towns, rivers, and mountains. In 1926 Valmin began a systematic surface exploration of the “Soulima Plain”, an area encompassing the southern fringes of Triphylia that border on Messenia (Valmin, 1926/27, 53-89). He excavated five tholos tombs in the vicinity, and the settlement of Malthi near the modern village Vasiliko (Valmin, 1938). The fortification walls and the most important phase of the site fall within the MH period (Caskey, 197l, 790-791; Howell, 1974a, 167; 1975, 111).

According to various scholars deforestation is the cause for soil erosion and degraded vegetation in modern Greece (Davidson and Tasker, 1982, 93). The palaeobotanical data from Greece, as summarized by Greig and Turner, show that in southern Greece deforestation began during the Bronze Age and perhaps earlier (Greig and Turner, 1974, 191-192). The modern landscape of the Tholon valley, with forest covering a great portion of it, combined with literary evidence from antiquity and 19thcentury travelers, leads one to assume that the valley did not suffer severe deforestation.4 In concluding, one may say that the potential for exploitation of the land today was equally present for the inhabitants of the LN II and EH periods in the area.

In 1939 Sperling, following the advice of Blegen, explored Elis in order to identify new sites. In addition to Elis, his exploration included Triphylia down to the Neda River. The importance of his work, as he notes in his conclusion, lies in the fact that for the first time, EH sites were noticed in this region, namely Tourla (Aspra Spitia) and Ayios Dhimitrios-Lepreon, formerly Strovitsi. He did not report Neolithic sites and he concluded that there was no development in Elis prior to the EH period (Sperling, 1942, 77-89). In 1957 Meyer published Neue Peloponnesische Wanderungen, a work concerned mainly with the topography of Classical Triphylia but also with occasional mention of prehistoric sites, e.g., Makrysia, Trypes, etc. (Meyer, 1957). Two years later a systematic exploration of the southwestern Peloponnese was initiated by a team of scholars headed by W. McDonald from the University of Minnesota. The Minnesota Messenia Expedition was formally organized in 1962, a date which should be considered a hallmark for the prehistoric archaeology of the southwestern Peloponnese. In a series of campaigns during the years 1961, 1964, and 1969, Messenia and part of Triphylia were investigated (McDonald and Hope-

4 Strabo mentions that the people of Lepreon had a wealthy land (8.3.16). Leake describes as follows the landscape of the valley: “At 7:50, before arriving at the hills, we cross a stream, at 9 cross a larger, called Tholo, or Turbid, which issues from a narrow valley, and after traversing the maritime plain, which is here less than half a mile in breadth, falls into the sea at a place where boats anchor in fine weather. This anchorage is the skala of Strovitsi, a small town, situated in the valley of the Tholo, one hour and a half above the entrance of the glen, at which entrance stands a magazine belonging to the Skaloma. At Strovitsi are ruined walls of a Hellenistic town of some magnitude, probably Lepreum. The hills are finely clothed with pines; at their foot are some pleasant copses and woods of the usual wild shrubs, such as mastic, myrtle, bay, paliuri, & c.” Leake, 1830, vol. I, 55-56.

11

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE well as of Classical times (Sperling, 1942, 86). A later visit to the site by McDonald and Hope-Simpson resulted in the discovery, on the surface, of pottery of the LH and Hellenistic periods, in addition to the kinds of pottery Sperling had found. They also noticed limestone blocks belonging to Classical and Hellenistic buildings (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 231-232; 1969, 130).

Simpson, 1961, 221-260; 1964, 229-245; 1969, 123-177). The project was not concerned solely with the discovery of new sites, but also with their natural setting. Thus for the first time, a multidisciplinary project in prehistoric archaeology was introduced into Greece. Though concentrating on Messenia, they also investigated the coast of Triphylia and added new sites to the known ones. The results of their work were published in 1972 (McDonald and Rapp, 1972).

In 1977 the inhabitants of the village of modern Lepreo demolished the old chapel of Ayios Dhimitrios in order to construct a new one. Blocks of ancient material that had been incorporated into the old chapel attracted the attention of the authorities of the Archaeological Service and a small trial excavation soon followed. Two trenches were opened: Trench I (9 m x 1.80 m) cut across the nave of the old chapel and Trench II (12 m x 1.80 m) along the south foundation wall of the chapel and at a distance of 4.10 m from it. Both trenches contained LN II, EH, MH, and LH pottery. At the north end of Trench I a portion of a wall made of unworked stones appeared. Two parallel walls of similar construction came to light at the south end of Trench II. Among the pottery of both trenches, animal bones and tools of stone and obsidian were found.

During the early 1960s French scholars reported MH and LH occupation of the hill of Chlemoutsi, and Palaeolithic finds from Kyllini, Amalias, Katakolo and the village Vasilaki only a few kilometers west of Olympia (Servais, 1961a, 1-9; 1961b, 158-159; 1964, 9-50; Leroi-Gourhan, 1964, 1-8; Chaivaillon, 1964, 616-622). After the Second World War, the rapid expansion of cities and towns, which uncovered important sites, and the introduction of modern agricultural methods, which disturbed topsoil rich in archaeological finds, forced the Ephorate of Antiquities at Olympia to conduct a series of salvage excavations in Elis, Triphylia, and Messenia. New prehistoric settlements were discovered as well as many LH cemeteries, especially in the vicinity of ancient Olympia along the Alpheios River and its tributaries. Among other discoveries, those listed below may be considered as the most important. In 1954 Yalouris excavated a burial mound that had been partially destroyed by villagers at Kleidi (Kato Samiko) north of the prehistoric citadel (Yalouris, 1965, 6-40). The earliest graves of the tumulus are transitional MH/LH I, and they continue into LH IIIB. In 1959 excavations began in the area of the New Museum in Olympia west of the hill of Kronos. The excavations revealed an important settlement that shows continuity from the last phase of the EH period down to the Slavic invasions. The EH and MH periods of this site together with an EH settlement near the village of Strefi, discovered during a salvage excavation, were the subject of a doctoral thesis by M. Koumouzelis (1980). In 1965 Themelis excavated a Mycenaean house on the hills of Ayioryitika near Classical Epitalio, where ancient tradition locates Homeric Thryon (Themelis, 1968a; 1968b). In 1968 a tumulus was discovered on the hill of Ayios Ilias at the village of Makrysia. Only a cist grave, for the most part disturbed, was excavated. The finds from the tumulus run from late MH down to LH I periods (Themelis, 1968c, 126-127; 1968d, 284-289).

Trial excavations continued in April of 1978 in the area of the chapel. Four trenches were opened: Trench III (4 m X1.50 m) along the west foundation wall of the chapel; Trench IV (6.30 m x 1.70 m) along the south foundation wall of the chapel; Trench V (6.60 m x 1.20 m) along the north foundation wall of the chapel; Trench VI (4 m x 1 m) across the nave in front of the apse of the chapel. Portions of walls of unworked stones appeared in all trenches. From the excavation notebooks of 1977 and 1978 it is not possible to determine whether or not the pottery from any of the trenches was stratified. Dating the walls, consequently, is risky, if not impossible. In 1980, in the field east of the chapel and on a lower terrace, local farmers sank pits to plant olive trees. The appearance of large concentrations of pottery prompted a salvage excavation by the Ephorate under the direction of the author of the present work. Two trenches were opened south east of the chapel: “Trench I 1980” (7.50 m x 3 m) and “Trench II 1980” (3. 50 m x 1. 50 m) (see fig. 1). The first trench revealed an EH level immediately below topsoil. This level covered a LN II stratum which reached bedrock. In the EH level a foundation wall of unworked stones appeared. The Neolithic level was void of any architectural remains with the exception of a bothros dug in the bedrock and a small hearth, set in a cavity in the bedrock, which contained pottery and carbonized material. The foundation wall of a large building dated to the Frankish period was partially cleaned in the second trench. The wall was made of worked and unworked stones joined with lime mortar. The pottery of this trench was unstratified Neolithic, Classical and Byzantine.

To the present activities of the Archaeological Service in Triphylia one should add the salvage excavations of an extensive MH/LH cemetery at Kleidi, discovered near the tumulus excavated by Yalouris in 1957, and the excavation of an early LH tholos tomb at Psari in northern Messenia. 3. The Development of the Excavations Ayios Dhimitrios was first discovered in 1939 by Sperling, who identified pottery of the EH and MH periods as 12

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Roman date. The pottery sherds inside the grave were of the MH period (Pl. 9a).

After three seasons of excavations it became clear that the site of Ayios Dhimitrios could provide information concerning the prehistory of Triphylia and western Peloponnese. The MME showed that the western Peloponnese, in relation to the eastern was not culturally backward during the Bronze Age. These conclusions, however, were based on surface finds and they needed to be confirmed by excavations at key sites. At Ayios Dhimitrios it was clear that an undisturbed LN II level existed which was succeeded by an EH one. Not only could the transition from Neolithic to the Bronze Age be illuminated in this part of Greece by a systematic excavation, but the periods themselves, which were not known at all (i.e. LN II) or only incompletely (i.e. EH ), could also be defined.

In 1983 excavations continued in Trenches N80/E45, N90/E45, N90/E40, N85/E45, C 1982, and a new trench was opened, N90/E55. 4. The Field Routine During the seasons of 1980-81 and before the excavations began, a surface collection was carried out in the fields of Ayios Dhimitrios. The prehistoric pottery was mainly concentrated in the areas along the western edge of the hill. In the field where Trenches A and C were later opened, the majority of the pottery belonged to the MH period. Among the prehistoric sherds, fragments of roof tiles of Roman times were collected. Reconnaissance along the slopes and the fields below the acropolis produced three conical loom weights and sherds from Classical black glazed ware of the Elian type (on the term Elian pottery, see Sinn, 1978, 45-82).

The finds of the MH and LH periods of the 1977-78 excavations suggested the possibility of stratified levels. The majority of the LH pottery was of the LH I and II periods, thus connecting Ayios Dhimitrios with the important nearby site of Kakovatos. Answers to the above mentioned questions could only be obtained by systematic excavation of a fair portion of the site. Thus in 1981 the excavations continued in a more systematic manner with the introduction of a grid coordinate system using 5 m x 5 m squares. One-meter baulks were left between two adjacent squares wherever possible (as dictated by the olive trees growing in the excavated area).

As noted above, the site was excavated in 5 x 5 m squares with meter-wide baulks. The smallest excavation unit was a pass varying between 5 cm and 10 cm in thickness. A pass is an arbitrary excavation unit which, wherever possible, follows the natural layers. During excavation some material was excavated by layer where this could easily be distinguished by color or texture. The stratigraphic provenance of all excavated material can therefore be checked against the sections by reference to a pass or layer designation, and in some cases both. Datum points, correlated with the Greek Army survey marker (289 m above sea level), were fixed at a randomly chosen corner of every square. The determination of elevations was thus possible at any point of the excavation. The earth dug in Trench N100/E40 was passed through a 3 mm sieve mesh mounted on a shaker frame; occasionally earth from other trenches was also sieved. The dark greasy soil of the Neolithic stratum was rich in organic material, but the absence of water on the site prevented the recovery of small items e.g., carbonized material, by flotation and wet sieving. Ten bags of selected samples of soil from the Neolithic layers were kept and transferred to the storage rooms of the Olympia Museum for future flotation and analysis by specialists.

The zero point on the grid corresponded to the top of the survey marker placed at the SW corner of the hill by the Greek Army Geographical Service. Each square was numbered after the corner closest to zero point (Fig. 1). Eleven squares were dug during the 1981 season, seven of which were concentrated in the field SE of the chapel (N90/E45, N85/E45, N90/E50, N75/E45, N75/E40, N70/E40 and Trench E 1980 = extension of Trench I of 1980). The remaining four (N35/E0, N55/E30, N70/E33, N100/E340) were excavated at points randomly chosen to determine the stratigraphic variation of the hill and the extent of the inhabited area. In 1982 excavations continued in trenches N90/E45, N90/E50, N85/E45 and two new trenches were opened: N80/E45 and N70/E45. Also under the pressure of the salvage operations three trial trenches were opened without following the grid: Trench A, 1 x 12 m ; Trench B, 1 x 6 m, west to Trench N100/E40 and Trench C, 2.50m x 7.40 m, next to Trench A (Fig. 1). In the topsoil of Trench A appeared fragments of roof tiles together with fine and coarse ware of Roman times mixed with MH and EH pottery. In the lowest part of the topsoil two disturbed graves were found with skeletons in a contracted position. Pottery sherds associated with the skeletons date them to the MH period (Pl. 9b). In Trench C a cist grave also contained a skeleton in a contracted position. Inside the grave were some intrusive fragments of roof tiles of

The featured sherds i.e., body fragments with decoration, rims, handles, and bases were sorted and labeled with inventory numbers followed by the year of excavation. All other finds received an excavation number. Some objects of special interest were entered also into the museum catalogue.5 Nothing was discarded; everything was kept in the storage rooms of the Olympia Museum, at the disposal of future scholars who may wish to approach

5 These objects received a classification number according to the classification system of the Olympia Museum, i.e. (C) indicates a ceramic object, (M) a metal object.

13

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE N90/E45, in which only a few centimeters of the sterile soil were excavated. A small test pit, however, revealed the dark gray Neolithic soil at the same depth. This sterile layer is wedge-shaped, with its point towards the east, and rests atop the Neolithic stratum. In Trench C 1982 the same sample is too small to reach any conclusions regarding the direction of the incline.

Ayios Dhimitrios using the techniques of statistical analysis. 5. Stratification The bedrock of the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios is tufa, known also as travertine, a carbonate deposit precipitated around springs of lime-charged water. Often it contains fossil material, and detailed imprints of organic perishable specimens may be very clearly preserved. Its color is usually pale and occasionally red or blackish because of the mixture with iron and manganese. It is a soft stone that makes excellent building material, especially for vaulting (Rosenfeld, 1965, 109; Kempe and Harvey, 1983, 86). The travertine at Ayios Dhimitrios is pale in color (Munsell 5Y 7/2 light gray), and very soft. Its qualities were known to the inhabitants of the site. During the Bronze Age, it was used for the walls of houses, and at three separate points on the hill, stone quarries of the historical period have been noted. The voussoirs of the arched door of the Frankish building excavated on the site were of travertine (Fig. 4). The exact dimensions of the hill during the prehistoric period are not known. It is reasonable to conclude, from the large chunks resting below in the valley, that a fair amount of the rock has fallen because of its softness.

This layer could be a cultural one resulting from the leveling activities of the EH people. But the presence of spherical lumps in this layer indicates that the soil traveled some distance before settling. In this case this layer is pedogenic, but the source is missing today, because the entire surface of the hill towards the west is level due to erosion. It is possible, however, that a rising portion of the hill fell during the intervening period. Apart from a few intrusions within Stratum I (as in Trench B 1982, where a Roman pit was dug through stratum I and II, Fig. 12, and Trench E 1980, where an EH bothros was dug through Stratum I and the natural bedrock) this stratum is undisturbed and belongs to the same cultural horizon. Stratum I comprises the earliest habitation deposit at Ayios Dhimitrios representing an early stage within the LN II period (as will be shown below in the discussion).

The thickness of the soil that covers the bedrock varies from trench to trench, but generally speaking the accumulation of the soil is shallow. Except of the Neolithic layer all the layers above it are extensively eroded.

Stratum II, which forms the EH period at Ayios Dhimitrios (Period II), ranges from ca. 0.20 m to 0.80 m in thickness. This stratum, in most cases, began at the top level of the topsoil, a fact that explains why fragments of Roman roof tiles and Byzantine pottery turn up together with EH pottery.

In some cases the bedrock was reached just a few centimeters down from the present surface. In Trench N35/E0, for example, bedrock was reached only 0.20 m below the present surface and the same occurred in the greater part of Trench N70/E40. Most promising was Trench N85/E45 where bedrock was reached at a depth of ca. 2.10 m below the present surface (Figs. 5, 6, 7). The lowest stratum (stratum I), which contained deposits from the earliest habitation of the settlement, was easy to define. It consisted of very dark gray soil (Munsell 2.5 Y 3/1 and 10R 3/1), greasy in texture, and rich in carbonized organic material and fragmentary pottery. It rests on bedrock (soft travertine) and its thickness averages ca. 20-130 cm. No floors or different levels were distinguished within this stratum. Apart from the two bothroi which had been dug into the bedrock, the two hearths, and the two post holes, no architectural remains or features were discovered. In Trench N85/E45 where the deepest accumulation of soil appeared, the dark gray soil of stratum I is covered by a layer of sterile light gray soil. The same phenomenon appeared in Trenches N90/E45 and C 1982 (Figs. 9, 14). The texture of the sterile soil is the same as the bedrock, i.e., tufa, which consists of broken spherical lumps ranging between 0.04 and 0.07 m The thickness of this sterile layer in Trench N85/E45 diminishes from west to east and averages from 0.20 to 0.90 m thick. The same is true for neighboring Trench

In Trench N80/E45, towards its west baulk, a pit penetrated through Stratum II and partially through the sterile layer. The pit contained pottery of the Frankish period and a bronze mold for casting lead bullets. In Trench N90/E45, another pit was found to contain pottery and coins. Stratum II produced some architectural remains (House A and B) and a bothros which extended down to Stratum I and the bedrock in Trench E 1980. In Trench N85/E45 two levels within Stratum II were distinguished. As the south scarp of the trench shows (Fig. 5), the EH deposits continue below the level of the floor of Room III of House A. The pottery of the lower level (Phase IIa) is different from the above (Phase IIb) in terms of wares and shapes. In 1982 we succeeded in tracing in Trench C 1982 (Fig. 14) a MH stratum resting on the top of the EH. The topsoil of this trench, which produced pottery of the Roman period mixed with MH and EH pottery, is followed by Stratum III which consisted of pale brown soil and contained fine and coarse ware of the early MH period (Black Minyan, Matt Painted and Adriatic). This stratum (which comprises period III at Ayios Dhimitrios) was disturbed. Among the MH pottery were found also some 14

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE EH sherds. Here too, between the Neolithic and the EH levels intervened a thin layer of sterile soil of the same texture as the bedrock.

15

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Three Period I (Late Neolithic II) 1. The Deposits

2. The Pottery

Deposits of this period have been found in the following trenches: N100/E40, B 1982, I 1980, E 1980, N90/E45, N85/E45, N55/E30, and C 1982 (Fig. 1). An area of 4 m x 2 m of Trench N85/E45 was excavated below the EH level. Also in Trench N100/E40 an area of 2 m x 2 m of Stratum I was excavated, and finally in Trench C 1982 a test pit of 1 m x 1 m was excavated. The total amount of the excavated Stratum I covers an area of ca. 90 m2. To these one should add some square meters from the trench below the chapel. The southeast part of the acropolis is badly eroded and no attempts have been made to excavate this area. The Neolithic stratum is noticed at a distance of ca. 5 m along the edge of the hill west of Trench C 1982. From the distribution of the deposits excavated it is obvious that the Neolithic settlement covered an extensive area of the acropolis. Stratum I consisted of a very dark gray soil with greasy texture, and was rich in pottery and carbonized material. The thickness of the deposit ranges from 0.20 m to 1.30 m. Different levels were not identified within this deposit.

a. Fabric and Technique The pottery of Period I at Ayios Dhimitrios was extremely poorly preserved, and although the conservators at the Olympia Museum did their best, it was not possible to reconstruct even one vessel. The fabric is very soft and breaks easily. A few sherds disintegrated after a few minutes in water. Grit was used as tempering in almost all wares; frequently grog was added, and in some instances vegetal material, e.g. inv. no. 67/82. The size of the inclusions is not uniform. It ranges from very fine sand size to coarse sand size on Wentworth’s scale (0.062 to 1 mm), and in some instances thin-walled vessels have comparatively large inclusions. There is no clear distinction between the fine and coarse ware. Instead, it is the thickness of the fabric that distinguishes shapes normally produced in coarse clay (e.g., pithoi, strainers) from those traditionally manufactured in a finer clay (bowls etc). This distinction is functionally dictated (Coleman, 1977, 9; Immerwahr, 1971, 4). Mica is not common, appearing mostly in Pattern Burnished Ware and seldom in other wares.

There were two bothroi dug out of the natural bedrock. Bothros 1 was located in Trench I 1980; in cross section it was U-shaped with a maximum diameter of 0.77 m; its height was 0.80 m. The bothros was filled with dark gray soil, pottery sherds, animal bones, and some obsidian and flint tools. The lowest part of the bothros was lined with two layers of clay, the earlier one yellowish in color, and the second one brown. Less than 1 m NE of bothros 1, in a cavity of the bedrock, a small hearth was found which contained carbonized material, animal bones, pottery sherds, a fragment of a carinated bowl (inv. no. D46), a white flint blade, and two ground-stone tools.

The firing of the clay is uneven; usually the core is black to gray, turning reddish to brown towards the exterior, except for the Black Burnished Ware which is black throughout. While the surface of the thick-walled vessels is simply smoothed, the surface of the thin-walled vessels is normally lightly burnished in variegated shades of red to brown and gray to black. Highly burnished sherds were seldom found. Sometimes a slip was applied before burnishing, but the majority had surfaces without any application of slip (Immerwahr, 1971, 4; Diamant, 1974, 38).

Bothros 2 was found in Trench N85/E45. It was dug into the natural bedrock in a U-shape and had a diameter of 0.80 m and a height of 0.48 m. The bothros was filled with dark gray soil, the color of which is lighter than the rest of the Neolithic deposit. Inside the bothros were found few pottery sherds, bits of carbon, a fragment of stone axe, few animal bones, and flakes of obsidian and flint. SE of bothros 2 a hearth was found, and south of it two post holes were noticed. West of the postholes a base of an open bowl (inv. no. 1/82) was resting on the bedrock. The grouping of post holes, the bothros, and the hearth suggest a structure, perhaps a hut made of perishable material.

There are sherds from large pithoi as well as some finer vessels that bear mending holes, drilled after firing; this is a common practice during this period in the Peloponnese and other parts of the Aegean, an indication of the value of pottery during this period (Coleman, 1977, 4). b. Wares The following six wares have been distinguished: (1) Red Monochrome, (2) Black Burnished, (3) Pattern Burnished, (4) Crusted Ware, (5) Incised Ware, (6) Coarse Ware. (1) Red Monochrome This ware is the most common of Period I at Ayios Dhimitrios. The clay, usually gray at the core, turns red to16

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE wards the surfaces which (with or without slip) are burnished in shades of red and brown. The thickness of the wall of the vases on Red Monochrome varies from fine to medium coarse and coarse. Red Monochrome Ware covers the entire spectrum of vase shapes found in Period I. As at Ayios Dhimitrios, Red Monochrome Ware is the most common ware at all Peloponnesian sites where LN II pottery has been discovered. On the basis of the evidence from the stratigraphic sequence from Eutresis, French suggested that the Red Slipped Ware of the EH I period (Eutresis Ware) evolved out of the Brown Burnished Ware of the North Slope phase (French, 1972, 1718). The presence of Red Slipped and Burnished Ware at Koufiero Cave in Messenia confirms French’s view and suggests further that Red Monochrome Ware of the LN II period is the precursor of the “Eutresis Ware”.

known only at sites in the NE Peloponnese and Alepotrypa in the Mani. Recently Pattern Burnished Ware has been found in Messenia at the site of Voidokoilia (Korres, 1978, 337, fig. 3; 1979, 139, fig. la; 1980, 168, 184, fig. 10), at Nestor’s Cave (A. Sampson, oral communication), and at Koufiero Cave (present work, Fig. 34:7). Only 31 small sherds of the Attic-Kephala style have been recognized at Ayios Dhimitrios. The decoration appears on thin-walled vessels and always on both surfaces, except on one sherd (inv. no. 497/81), which is decorated on the inside, while the outside is merely smoothed. The clay is micaceous, and although it contained small inclusions, it can be characterized as fine in comparison to other wares of the site. Usually the clay is fired black at the core and turns red towards the outside, or is reddish brown to dark brown throughout. Unfortunately only four rim fragments have been preserved and two are too small to attempt any reconstruction of their shape; it is obvious, however, that they come from bowls with tapering rims. The standard design consisted of groups of parallel stripes sometimes at angles to each other. The lines of the decoration are thin, averaging from 0.0013 m to 0.01 m (the last one appears only on one example) and are carefully executed (Figs. 30, 31, 32; Pl. 16a). Map 3 shows the distribution of sites with LN II Pattern Burnished Ware.

(2) Black Burnished Of the large amount of sherds recovered from Period I only a handful are black burnished. It is possible that most of them were accidentally fired under reducing conditions (Coleman, 1977, 7). Those sherds that certainly belong to the Black Burnished Ware are usually of good quality in fabric and burnish (hard, well fired and well burnished). It seems from the few pieces recorded at Ayios Dhimitrios that this type of ware is restricted only to shouldered concave bowls (A13 type). (3) Pattern Burnished

(4) Crusted Ware

This type of ware was first noticed at Samos by Heidenreich and was fully described by him (Heidenreich, 1935/36, 128). Before firing, the still wet and smoothed or slightly burnished surface of the vase was rubbed with a burnishing tool in such a way as to produce patterns. After firing, the lighter color of the background contrasted with the darker, shiny surface of the design. Pattern Burnished Ware has a wide distribution in the Aegean and its occurrence “has sometimes been taken as an indication of cultural and chronological unity (Fisher, 1967, 22-33), but the effect is illusory, for in reality the various regional styles were very different one from another” (Renfrew, 1972, 77; Mortzos, 1972,386-419, where a useful discussion also is given). Renfrew divided the Aegean Pattern Burnished of the LN I and LN II (plus the EBA in the case of Crete) into five categories: Attic-Kephala, Pyrgos, and Besikatepe, Mainland, and Emporio styles. The first category extends from Euboia to the Cyclades, Attica, and the Peloponnese. The center of this style should be considered as Attic-Saronic, where a dense network of sites with this type of ware was discovered. The Mainland style is earlier, and in Thessalian terms, belongs to the Tsangli phase (Hauptmann and Milojčič, 1969, 23-25; Renfrew, l972, 78), and in the Peloponnese at Franchthi Cave it appears in level V (Diamant, 1974, 42).

This type of ware was first classified by Tsountas and has been known since then as Thessalian Γ1 (Tsountas, 1908, 244-249); later it was subdivided by Wace and Thompson into two variations, Γ1γ and Γ1δ (Wace and Thompson, 1912, 17-18). Crusted Ware has a wide distribution from the middle and upper Danube down to Crete, and it is considered more an element of European cultures (north of Greece) than as an element of Anatolian culture (Weinberg, 1965b, 608). In the Peloponnese it has been recorded at many sites, and although it differs in some ways from the Thessalian Crusted Ware, the technique is basically the same. A thick pigment is applied to the surface after firing the pot, which has usually been slightly burnished. The paint is mostly fugitive and flakes off easily; frequently only traces of the color survive. Three different kinds of decoration were distinguished by Phelps in the Peloponnese; “The first has overall white or red crusting and sometimes a wide band of different color. The second of the three kinds of decoration is polychrome with elaborate design. The third kind consists of simple white linear patterns on a black or dark burnished surface” (Phelps, 1975, 131). All three kinds of decoration appear in the assemblage from Ayios Dhimitrios. The total number of sherds with crusted decoration recorded is only 18 (Fig. 30; Pl. 16b). Two colors are used, white and bright to pinkish red. The white paint is applied in thick layers and appears as relief. The red paint is thinly applied mostly on the inside of the vessel; it is powdery and only faint traces remain, a fact which

In the Peloponnese the distribution of the Attic-Kephala style is now known to be wider than it seemed to Renfrew and Phelps (Phelps, 1975, 307). Until recently it was 17

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 3. Distribution of Pattern Burnished Ware 1. Ayios Dhimitrios: Present work Figs. 30, 31, 32; Pl.14; 2. Koufiero Cave: Present work. Fig. 34.7.; 3. Voidokoilia: Korres, 1978, 337, fig.3; 1979, 139, fig.1a.; 4. Nestor’s Cave: A. Sampson, oral communication; 5. Nichoria: Unpublished; 6. Franchthi Cave: Jacobsen, 1973b, n.48; Diamant, 1974, 76-77, fig.3.79a; 7. Asea: Holmberg, 1944, pl. Ia; Phelps, 1975, 305; 8. Aria: A. Dousougli, oral communication; 9. Kiafa Thiti-Vari: A. Dousougli, oral communication; 10. Prosymna-West Yerogalaro: Blegen, 1937, 375, fig.635; Phelps, 1975, 304-307; 11. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 304-307, figs.48:1, 5, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 27, 29; 49:1-7; 12. Corinth: Phelps, 1975, 304-307, fig.48: 2-4, 6-9, 11, 12, 21, 23; 13. Gonia: Phelps, 1975, 304-307, figs. 48: 24; 49:8-17; 14. Athens Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 5, 7, pls. 4; 9, nos.35, 36; Phelps, 1975, 308; 15. Athens-South slope: Platon, 1964, 27, Pl. 15b; Phelps, 1975, 308; 16. Pan Cave: Zervos, 1963, no. 840; Phelps, 1975, 308; 17. Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1982, 286, fig. 165; 18. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, 3839, figs. 1.4; 1.5; 1.11; 19. Askitario: Theocharis, 1954, 66; 20. Thespiai: Caskey, 1951, 290, pl. 87; Mortzos, 1972, 406; 21. Archontaria Cave- Akarnania: Phelps, 1975, 307; 22. Ayios Nikolaos Cave-Astakos: Benton, 1947, 175, pl. 25:11; 23. Plakari-Euboia: Keller, 1982, figs.2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 24. Votsika-Psachna Euboia: Sampson 1981, 141, 154, pl. 10 a, b; 25. Scotini Cave, Tharounia Euboia: Sampson, 1981, 144, 154, fig. 120, 117, 178, 179; 26. Aigina, Kolona: Walter and Felten, 1981, pls. 72, 73; 27. Kephala, Keos: Coleman, 1977, pls. 40-43; 28. Paros: Fischer, 1967, 27; 29. Cave of Zeus, Naxos: Unpublished; 30. Pefkakia Thessaly: Weisshaar, 1977, 82, fig. 34:4, 5; 66:15; 31. Siphnos: H. Groppengiesser, oral communication; 32. Eretria, Euboia: Sacket et al., 1966, 89, fig.18:3.22.

18

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 4. Distribution of Crusted Ware 1. Ayios Dhimitrios: Present work, fig. 30, pl.16b. 2. Koufiero Cave: Present work, fig.34: 5,6; 3. Nestor’s Cave: Phelps, 1975, 314, fig. 50:1; 4. Alepotrypa: Hauptmann, 1971, figs. 49-50; 5. Franchthi Cave: Jacobsen, 1973b, 274, fig.9; Phelps, 1975, fig. 50:3, 8, 10; 6. Halieis: Phelps, 1975, 314; 7. Lerna: Caskey, 1959, pl. 41b,d; 1958, Pl.37a; Zervos, 1963, no.337; 8. Prosymna-West Yerogalaro: Athens National Museum; 9. Asea: Holmberg, 1944, Pl. Ia; Howell, 1970, 107; Phelps, 1975, fig.50:9; 10. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, fig. 50: 4-7, 11-14; 11. Corinth: Phelps, 1975, 314; 12. Athens Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 24, nos. 9, 12; 13. Pan Cave: Diamant, 1974, 98; 14. Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, 295; 15. Profitis Ilias, Euboia: Sampson, 1981, 142; 16. Cave of Zeus, Naxos: Unpublished; 17. Kephala, Keos: Coleman, 1977, 10-11, 28, 37; 18. Ayios Nikolaos Cave, Astakos: Benton, 1947, 178, fig. 10:58, 60, 61; pls. 24; 28; 19. Phthiotic Thebes: Weisshaar, 1977, pl. 158:5, 6, 7, 8; 20. Pyrasos-Thessaly: Theoharis, 1959, 58, pls. I, II; 21. Sesklo: Hauptmann, 1981, 292, pl. 96: 1-3, 9; 22. Dimini: Tsountas, 1908, pl.12: 1, 4; Hauptmann, 1981, 292, pl. 96: 11, 12; 23. Pefkakia: Weisshaar, 1977, 82-85, pls. 66:17; 67:1-7; 68:1-3; 115:3-6; 116:1-9; 117: 1-8; 150: 3-10; 151: 1-2; 24. Otzaki: Hauptmann, 1981, 116-120; 25. Rachmani: Wace and Thompson, 1912, 32-33, figs. 13; 14; Hauptmann, 1981, 292, Pl. 26; 26. Nea Phokea-Chalkidiki: Grammenos, 1984, 184; 27. Pylaia, Thessaloniki: Heurtley, 1939, fig.22; Grammenos, 1984, 187; 28. Choirospilia Cave, Lefkas: H. Hauptmann, oral communication 29. Athens, West Slope: Platon, 1966, 43, Pl. 63a; 30. Aria: A. Dousougli, oral communication; 31. Akrata: Phelps, 1975, fig. 50:15; 32. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, 31, 38, fig. 1-6, no.50.

19

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE (6) Coarse Ware

makes it impossible to reconstruct the designs. The decoration appears on thin-walled vases which have been slightly burnished in different shades of red and brown; there are also sherds in Black Burnished Ware.

The fabric of this ware is identical to the Red Monochrome Ware differing only in the thickness of the vase walls and in the careless treatment of the surface. Pithoi, large jars, and some fragments of strainers are confined to this ware.

Two sherds with thick paint have survived in good condition (Fig. 30: 1256/81, 1245/81; Pl. 16b); both come from rims of open bowls and are decorated with motifs of hatched triangles. Similar sherds with thin white lines in groups are known from Choirospilia Cave in Lefkas (H. Hauptmann, oral communication), Ayios Nikolaos Cave in Akarnania (Benton, 1947, pl. 24:61), and Nestor’s Cave in Messenia (Phelps, 1975, fig. 50:1). Two nonjoining sherds from the same vessel (Fig. 30: 51/83, only one is illustrated) are decorated with red and white paint in an elaborate motive. On all the other sherds only traces of red paint on the interior and white parallel lines on the exterior have survived (Fig. 30:1257/81, 883/81, 408/81).

Here mention should be made of one painted sherd from the assemblage of Period I. It is a fragment of a thin walled open vase. The buff surface of the fragment is covered on the interior and the exterior with red, slightly lustrous paint while unpainted sections form rectilinear patterns (Fig. 32:38/81). The fragment is too small to recognize the decorative motif. Our sherd resembles to a small number of painted sherds from level I at Franchthi Cave (Jacobsen, 1973b, 273, n. 43, speaks of one hundred sherds, while Diamant, 1974, 71 mentions only twenty sherds). This group of sherds is painted with lustrous red paint on a pale slip. The fragments are very small and only one motif has been recognized, namely a step or flame pattern. I have not seen the Franchthi material, but from Diamant’s description (Diamant, 1974, 71-74), the similarity of our fragment with the group from Franchthi becomes evident.

Crusted decoration in the Peloponnese appears mainly on a wide variety of bowls (Phelps, 1975, 310-313). There are only two closed vessels with crusted decoration, both grave finds: one from Lerna (Caskey, 1959, pl.41b) and a second similar one from Aria. Map 4 shows the distribution of sites with Crusted Ware.

c. Plastic Decoration (5) Incised Ware Plastic decoration is common on vases from the Neolithic deposit at Ayios Dhimitrios. It appears mainly on large pithoi; there are, however, some examples of finer ware decorated with plastic bands (Fig.15: 25/82; Pl.13b:25/82, 682/81).

Only five sherds of this type of ware were found (Fig.33; Pl. 17a). Inv. no. 295/80 is a small rim fragment from a thin-walled open bowl decorated with groups of oblique lines along the rim. Inv. nos. 27/82, 36/81 are incised with similar decoration along the rim and are also decorated below the rim. Inv. no. A161 is a wall fragment from an open-shaped vase also decorated with groups of oblique lines. The incised lines on the above pieces are very thin and the design is reminiscent of the Incised Ware of the West Yerogalaro deposit (Blegen, 1937, fig. 633), which is named by Phelps “Prosymna Incised” and according to him, is confined to NE Peloponnese (Phelps, 1975, 300-303).

The plastic decoration can be divided into three types: 1. Raised cordons, impressed (usually with a finger) at more or less regular intervals (Fig. 26; Pl.12a). This type of decoration is the most common decoration both at Ayios Dhimitrios and at other sites of the same period, and continues down to the EH period. 2. Simple raised bands, half round or triangular in section. This is the second most common type of plastic decoration and sometimes appears together with the first (Figs. 25:39/83; 27: B95; Pls. 13a: B95, B103; 13b:D23, D87). This type of decoration is known from many sites in the Peloponnese and Attica. At Kitsos cave there is one fragment of a large pithos with simple cordon decoration which depicts an animal (Lambert, 1981, pl. XLIV 1, 2).

The fourth sherd of our group (inv. no. D59; Fig. 33; Pl. 17a) is a rim fragment from an open bowl with a more elaborate pattern of incised decoration. Two sets of two parallel lines parallel to the rim and about 0.025 m apart meet a second set of two parallel lines at right angles. Two oblique parallel lines are incised within this space in a chevron shape and the intervening space is filled with small dots. The incised and dotted decoration is not common in the Peloponnese; only a few sherds are recorded from NE Peloponnese (Phelps, 1975, 293-294). In Attica it is more common. Several pieces are recorded from Kitsos and Pan Caves (Lambert, 1981, pl. XXX; figs. 171-174) and only one sherd from the Athenian Agora (Immerwahr, 1971, 34, no. 99).

3. Cordons slashed vertically at more or less regular intervals (Pl.11: 512/81). This type of decoration is common at Asea and Alepotrypa, but not at Klenia or in the Agora-Kephala assemblage (Phelps, 1975, 332). The patterns of all types of plastic decoration at Ayios Dhimitrios are always rectilinear. Curvilinear patterns are known from other sites like Asea (Holmberg, 1944, 20

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE fig. 60b), Alepotrypa (Phelps, 1975, fig. 99:8, 9), and Ayioryitika (Phelps, 1975, fig. 100:6).

A2. Open Bowls Medium, Straight l. (Figs. 15:274/81; 16:35/81; 18:D17) One example (35/81) has a slightly everted lip and the two others have rounded lips. According to Phelps this type of bowl is common in all wares of the period especially in coarse (Phelps, 1975, 327). Cf. Alepotrypa: Phelps, 1975, 327, fig. 54:15. Ayios Strategos-Lakonia: Waterhouse and HopeSimpson, 1960, fig. l5; pl. 19a:3. Argos: Phelps, 1975, 327, fig. 54:7. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 69, pl. 17G.

Some of the patterns of plastic decoration on large pithoi of the LN II period have been explained as imitations of ropes tied around the vessels to support lifting (Coleman, 1977, 12; Immerwahr, 1971, 15; Phelps, 1975, 333). On a large pithos fragment and on some smaller fragments of the same pot (which do not join with the larger fragment) the decoration of the cordons clearly imitates rope work. The decoration pattern is characterized by cordons which are parallel to the rim and are joined by perpendicular cordons in the first band of decoration and by oblique cordons which form a zigzag pattern thereafter (Fig. 26; Pl. 12a).

A3. Open Bowls, Medium, Straight 2. (Figs. 18:499/81; 30:20/82) One example comes in Pattern Burnished Ware and the other (a fruitstand?) in Red Monochrome. Cf. Franchthi Cave: Diamant, 1974, 76, fig. 3.63c from level II. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, pl. 41:B, F. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, 54, fig. 2.6: P21, P131.

d. The Shapes The pottery has been grouped into four forms: (A) Bowls, (B) jars, (C) pithoi, and (D) miscellanea. The first three forms are subdivided into types (designated by Arabic numerals). The pottery of Period I is handmade and badly preserved, which in some cases makes it difficult to identify the shape. There are instances where one shape can be mistaken for another; in such cases the author has had to make his own decisions in assigning shapes to one or another type.

A4. Open Bowls Medium, Convex 0. (Figs. 15:D52, 5/83, 267/82, 26/78, D33, 272/81; 30:883/81, 1257/81; 31:717/81) These are thin-walled vases with tapering rims. Most come on Red Monochrome Ware and are not heavily burnished. Inv. no. 5/83 has a slightly everted rim. Two examples come on Crusted Ware (1257/81,883/81) and a third preserves only traces of red pigment (D52). This type of bowl, according to Phelps, is not common at the beginning of LN II but it is common at the end of the period and during the EH I (Phelps, 1975, 321, 328, 336). Cf. Alepotrypa: Phelps, 1975, 328, fig. 54:9; 336, fig.56:5. Franchthi Cave: Diamant, 1974, 69, fig. 3.66a. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 321, fig. 54:9; 336, fig. 56:5. Corinth: Phelps, 1975, 321, fig. 51:7. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 91, p1.28B = pl. 74W; pl.40B, C. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 26, 3; 68, no. 29 red burnished bowl with traces of matt white paint. Palaia Kokkinia: Theocharis, 1951a, 103, fig. 9h. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, 50, fig. 2.2 six sherds with pattern burnished decoration; 60, fig. 2.12 sherds of bowls of Coarse Ware.

(A) Bowls Bowls are classified as open or closed, shallow, medium, or deep, according to Phelps’ classification. The descriptive terms convex, shoulder, and carinated will also be used. Phelps’ work, up until now, is the only one covering the entire Peloponnese, and his system of classification helps the student to cite parallels and to maintain objectivity in cases where a type is not easily distinguished. The terminology used is as follows: Shallow bowls: the height is less than half the diameter. Medium bowls: the height is approximately half the diameter. Deep bowls: the height and diameter are about equal. Each open type is followed by a number describing the angle between rim-line and upper wall: 0=ca. 90 degrees; 1=ca. 80-50 degrees; 2=ca. 50-40 degrees; 3=less than 40 degrees.

A5. Open Bowls Medium or Shallow, Convex l. (Figs. 16:D5, D83, D21, D12, 1240/81, 51/83, D68, D64, D82, 53/83; 17:239/82, 52/83, 46/83, D18, 38/82, D77, 28/80; 18:42/81, 1250/81; 30: 1256/81, 1245/81, 408/81; 33:D59, 27/82) A5 bowls are characteristic of the LN II period and continue into EH I (Phelps, 1975, 321). At Ayios Dhimitrios they appear in Red Monochrome, on Crusted, and on Pattern Burnished Wares. 42/81 has a rippled lip and 3/80 a slightly hooked rim. Cf. Alepotrypa: Phelps, 1975, 336, fig. 56:4, 6, 17, no. 4 has rippled rim and no. 17 has a lug handle which rolls out from the lip. Aspis-Argos: Touchais, 1980, 17, 35, no. 30, fig. 6.

A1. Open Bowls Deep, Straight 0. (Fig. 15: 25/82, 292/80, 14/78, 30/82; Pl. 13:25/82) This type of bowl is more common in Attica and Euboia than in the Peloponnese where the only recorded examples come from Nestor’s Cave in Messenia. Cf. Nestor’s Cave: Sampson, 1980, figs. 16:11; 19:24-26. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 27, no. 34. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, fig. 1.3:3-5; 1.5:2. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, fig. 2.2. Euboia: Sampson, 1981, fig. 91:58. 21

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 321, fig. 51:1, 2; 336, fig. 56:3. Corinth: Phelps, 1975, 321, fig. 51:8. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 25, no. 19, pls. 3, 68. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 27, no. 27, pls. 27, 74; 81, pl. 40D = 86A; 91, pl. 40E = 86C. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, 56, fig. 2.7, P51, P76. Euboia-Skotini Tharounia: Sampson, 1980, fig. 119:95.

A11. Closed Bowls Medium or Deep, Convex. (Figs. 21:D11, 119/78, D14, 351/81; 22:D65, D16, D9, 56/82, 296/81, 31/83, D19, 683/81, 308/81, D30; 30:51/83, D7) This general type includes medium and deep closed vessels of different dimensions, small bowls with thin walls, and larger bowls with thick walls. One fragment (D7) has pattern burnished decoration; and another one crusted decoration (51/83). 683/81 has shallow fluting decoration below the lip, and D14 has plastic decoration. Their diameter averages from 8 to 30 cm, their rims are usually tapered, and their handles vary. For example, 308/81 has a small horizontal ribbon handle, D30 a flat-topped knob lug, and D7 and 776/81 pellet lugs. Closed convex bowls are typical of the LN II and EH I periods in Fine and Coarse ware. Cf. Franchthi Cave: Diamant, 1974, 65, fig. 3.53a coarse Plain Ware from level II; 68, fig. 3.63d Slipped and Burnished ware from level II also. Argos: Phelps, 1975, 321, fig. 51:3, 6, 11. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, no. 40. Palaia-Kokkinia: Theocharis, 1951a, 103, fig. 9z. Kitsos Cave: Diamant, 1974, 90, fig. 3.108a. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, 60, fig. 2.15:P2 Coarse Ware.

A6. Bowls with Flat Rim Thickened on the Inside. (Fig. 18: 13/80, 16/80) This type of bowl is related in shape to A6 from Troy, which appears in the lowest stratum of Troy I, the basic difference being that the Trojan examples almost always bear incised decoration on the flat surface of the rim (Blegen et al., 1950, 58, figs. 253-255). Similar bowls, always with incised decoration, are known also from Emporio VII-lV (Hood, 1981, 182-183, Types 12 and 13), Kum-Tepe Icl- Ic2 (Sperling, 1976, 346, pl. 77), Thermi (Lamp, 1936, fig. 27:4, 5 from towns I-lll), and from Poliochni Bernabo-Brea, 1964, 564, pl. XXXVIII:1). On mainland Greece, an example without incised decoration, and assigned by French to EH I, comes from Kastro (Topolia)-Magoula in Boiotia (French, 1972, 18, fig. 21:10) and another one from Katheni (Krasas) in Euboia which is assigned to the EH period (Sacket et al., 1966, 88, fig. 19:1).

A12. Closed, Carinated Bowls. (Fig. 23:D46, D79, 17/78) D46 is of Burnished Monochrome Ware, and D79 has a yellowish brown surface without any treatment. Cf. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, pl. 92C.

A7. Open Bowls Carinated Medium, Straight l. (Fig. 19:7/78, 92/82, 796/81) Three examples on Red Monochrome Ware have been recorded. 7/78 has a pellet lug and around it there are traces of red pigment. Cf. Franchthi Cave: Diamant, 1974, 67, fig. 3.62a, from level II. Aspis-Argos: Touchais, 1980, 17, fig. 5:14, no. 14, grayblack burnished.

A13. Shouldered, Concave Bowls. (Fig. 23:D58, 46/81, 94/82, 76/82, 333/81, 261/81, 294/81, 562/81, 554/81, 236/81, 528/81, 246/81) D58 is brown burnished and it has a tubular lug. Its shape is similar to a bowl from Akrata (Phelps, 1975, 322, fig. 52:1); two additional close parallels come from Attica, one from the Agora (Immerwahr, 1971, pl. 4:46) and another from Kitsos Cave (Lambert, 1981, pl. XXXIII: CP 15). 554/81 and 246/81 are black burnished and belong to Phelps’ collar bowls (Phelps, 1975, 323324, fig. 53:1-9). These bowls have a slightly thickened shoulder and vertical, everted, straight or concave collar. The shape is known from many sites in the Peloponnese and elsewhere; e.g., Corinth, Klenia Cave, Franchthi Cave, Lerna, Alepotrypa, Agora in Athens and Eutresis (Phelps, 1975, 324). It is known also from Thessaly (Weisshaar, 1977, pl. 51:4, 8; 98: l). Cf. Corinth: Diamant, 1974, 82, fig. 3.94b, 3.95. Aspis-Argos: Touchais, 1980, fig. 4:3; 5:7.

A8. Open Bowls, Shouldered 0. (Figs.19:61/82, 166/82, 832/81, 24/82; 22:776/81) One example of Black Burnished ware and the rest of Red Monochrome. Cf. Euboia-Plakari: Keller, 1982, fig. 2.2: pl2, P27; fig. 2.9: P60. A9. Rolled Rim Bowls. (Fig. 19:41/81; Pl. 12b) Only one example of this type of bowl has been recorded. For a discussion on rolled rim bowls see pages 37-39, and also Map 5 for a distribution map. A10. Open Bowls with Ribbon Handles. (Fig. 20:877/81, 289/80, D13, 530/81, 63/82, 41/82, 55/83; Pl. 17b) Small convex or straight-walled bowls with small ribbon handles. The handles are placed vertically and rolled out of the lip or horizontally below the rim. Cf. Nestor’s Cave: Sampson, 1980, fig. 19:16.

(B) Jars B1. Collared Jars (Fig. 24:158/82, 152/82, 762/81, 566/81, 755/81, 535/81, D39) 158/82 and 152/82 are wide collared jars; D39 has a low collar. Collared jars from Peloponnese are known from Alepotrypa (Phelps, 1975, 329, fig. 55:1, 2, 4, 6, 10). An 22

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 5. Distribution of Rolled Rim Bowls 1. Nea Phokea, Chalkidiki: Grammenos, 1984, fig. 15:70; 2. Rachmani: Weisshaar, 1977, 113, n.13; Hauptmann, 1981, 292, Pl.96:6; 3. Argissa: Hanschmann and Milojčič, 1976, 34, pl. 24:16; 4. Hymettos Cave: Diamant, 1974, 357, n.1; 5. Tsangli: Hanschmann and Milojčič, 1976, 82, pl. 59A:11; 6. Sesklo: Tsountas, 1908, 248, fig. 150; Hauptmann, 1981, 291, pl.96:1; 7. Archontaria Cave: Phelps, 1975, 338; 8. Petromagoula: Chatziaggelakis, 1984, fig.3:13; 9. Magoula Visviki: French, 1961, 116-117, fig.15, no.13; 10. Eutresis: Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 134, Group II; personal observation; 11. Athens Agora: French, 1961, 111, fig.15:24=Pl.3874; Immerwahr, 1971, 32, Pls. 6; 69, no.81; 12. Acropolis-Grottos: Levi, 1931, fig.50, q, v; 13. Acropolis, North Slope: Hansen, 1937, fig.1c, d; 2a, b,d; French, 1961, 111; 1964, 135, fig.9: 1-5; 14. Profitis Ilias Cave: Phelps, 1975, 338; 15. Pan Cave: Diamant, 1974, 98; 16. Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, fig. 165, pl. XXV, CP 43; 17. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, 24, no.31, fig.19; 18. Aigina-Kolona: Phelps, 1975, 338; Diamant, 1974, 99; 19. Votsika Psachna, Euboia: Sampson, 1980, 141, fig. 108: 60c, d, z; 20. Skotini Cave, Tharounia, Euboia: Sampson, 1980, 144, fig. 119: 94; 21. Paoura, Keos: Caskey, 1972, fig.1, p.2; 22. Grotta, Naxos: French, 1961, 141, fig.15:21, 22; 1964, 135; 23. Phrourion, Paros: French, 1961, 111, fig.15:23; 1964, 135; 24. Ayioi Anargyroi, Amorgos: Tsountas, 1908, 167; French, 1964, 135; 25. Corinth: Diamant, 1974, 84, fig.3.102; Phelps, 1975, fig.56:15; 26. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 337, fig.56:12, 13; 27. Lerna: Renfrew, 1972, fig.5.3:12, 13; Phelps, 1975, 337, fig. 56:12; 28. Dhavia-Kastro: Howell, 1970, pl. 35a, 1; 29. Milea- Ayios Nikolaos: Howell, 1970, 107, pl. 30,1; 30. Levidhion-Ayiolias: Howell, 1970, 107; 31. Khotousa-Ayios Yeorgios: Howell, 1970, 107, pl.27.a, 2; 32. Alepotrypa Cave: Hauptmann, 1971, 360, fig.54c; Phelps, 1975, 337; 33. Kouphonisi: French, 1964, 135, fig.9:6; Zapheiropoulou, 1984, 31; 34. Koufiero Cave: McDonald and Hope Simpson, 1969, pl.46, N2; present work fig.34:1-4; 35. Ayios Dhimitrios: present work, fig.19: 41/81; 36. Cave of Zeus, Naxos: Unpublished; 37. Melos: Renfrew, 1972, fig. 10.1:4, 10-13, 8.

23

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE vase with a strap handle which rolls out from the rim. The fabric is coarse, and the holes are irregularly spaced. Vases similar in shape but without holes from Asea (Holmberg, 1944, fig. 84a, b) and Eutresis (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, pl. 47: II.43) have been interpreted as a kind of “scoop”. Fragments of strainers of coarse fabric were collected by the author in the Kastria Cave in Achaia. All the other sherds of coarse fabric from Ayios Dhimitrios are too fragmentary to judge their original shape. Of the finer sherds the biggest fragment comes from an open convex bowl 32/83. The rest are too small to draw any profile, but it is very probable that they come from similar bowls. The vessels with thin, well fired walls from Ayios Dhimitrios can be interpreted as strainers for liquid, while the vessels with thick walls and large holes may be interpreted as a kind of fire holder, like the well known “scoops” from Sesklo, Kephala, and the Athenian Agora. Strainers of the LN II period have been recorded from the following sites: Speleo Limnon (Kastria): Sherds collected from the slopes near the entrance to the cave where deposits of blackish soil are visible (Storage room of the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Speleology). Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, 355, fig. 244. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 18, pl. 37A = 84A, flat bottoms pierced at regular intervals. Pyrasos-Magoula: Weisshaar, 1978, pl.l:1. Pefkakia-Magoula: Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 53:1. It is worth noting here that baking pans with a row of holes along the rim which are known from many Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites on mainland Greece and the Aegean, and have been interpreted as cheese-making pots (Heidenreich, 1935/36, 139, pl. 34:6), have not been found at Ayios Dhimitrios.

interesting assemblage of some complete collared jars comes from the Athenian Agora (Immerwahr, 1971, 5-6, pl.l: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 8, 12, 13, 14). B2. Hole-Mouthed Jars Fig. 24:D48. This fragment is red slipped and burnished, and characterized by a thickened-out lip. Directly below the lip there is a row of semicircular incisions filled with white incrustation. (C) Pithoi Pithoi made of Coarse Ware and usually decorated with plastic cordons are very common during this period. Almost all sites with LN II material produced pithoi. Some pithoi from Alepotrypa Cave have a row of holes along the rim, but none of this type has been found at Ayios Dhimitrios. C1. Closed Pithoi. (Figs. 25:856/81, 837/81, 534/81, 311/81, 39/83, D55, D3, 40/81; 26: 3751; pl. 12:Π3751; 14:856/81, 837/81, 534/81, 311/81) This is a common shape characterized most often by plastic decoration. Cf. Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, 339, figs. 57:1-4; 60:1, 4, 10. Asea: Phelps, 1975, fig. 60:7. Nestor’s Cave: Sampson, 1980, 191, fig. 16:2, 9. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, pl. 35:170. C2. Bucket-Shaped Pithoi. (Fig. 27:D20, 810/81, B127; pl. 14b:B127, 810/81) Cf. Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, 340, fig. 60:2. C3. Vertical Sided Pithoi. (Fig. 27:306/81, 861/81, 116/82, 30/83; 14b:861/81,306/81) Cf. Nestor’s Cave: Sampson, 1980, 183, fig. 18:46. Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, fig. 60:3. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, fig. 1.3:3.

pl.

D2. Tab Handle (Fig. 20:152/82) This is a fragment of an open plain-rimmed bowl with a triangular protrusion sloping from the rim which clearly indicates a tab handle. Below the tab handle a hole pierced before firing is partially preserved. Tab handles, pierced and unpierced, have a wide distribution over mainland Greece and the Aegean during the LN and the EBA. They cover an area from the Peloponnese to Thessaly and Troy. Cf. Kokora Troupa Cave-Messenia: McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 168, pl. 46 no. l. Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, 327, fig. 54:15. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, nos. 128, 129, pl. 9, 69; 1982, 58, pl. 9a, c. Eutresis: Caskey and Caskey, 1960, pl. 46: II.28. Pefkakia-Thessaly: Weisshaar, 1979, pl. 3:l6. Troy: Blegen et al., 1950, 59, pl.224: 37895, 33167.

C4. Wide-Mouthed Pithoi. (Fig. 27:B95; pl. 13a) Cf. Thorikos: Spitaels, 1982, fig. 1.3:3. (D) Miscellanea D1. Strainers (Fig. 20:32/83, 14/82; pl. 15:17/82, 849/81, 29/82, 67/82, 654/81, 14/82) There are 47 sherds in which holes were pierced at irregular intervals before firing. The diameter of the holes ranges from 0.005 to 0.018 m. Four sherds are rim fragments (32/83, 14/82, 67/82, 849/81); all the rest are wall fragments. They are divided into two fabrics, coarse and fine. The coarse fragments have big holes, thick walls, and contain shale and vegetal material. They are not well fired and break easily. 14/82 is a fragment from a conical

e. Handles and Lugs Handles and lugs appear in a large variety of types. Following Diamant I distinguish lugs and handles in the following manner: “If it appears that the potter originally 24

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE This type of lug is fairly common at Ayios Dhimitrios, and is known from other Peloponnesian sites (Phelps, 1975, 330, fig. 51:28). Two pierced knob lugs from Ayios Dhimitrios (Pl. 19b: 232/81, 1061/81) have parallels at Klenia Cave and Franchthi Cave (Phelps, 1975, 330, fig. 55:12; 313, fig. 50:10). Further north, knob lugs are known from Kephala (Coleman, 1977, pl. 89AF-AP), and the Athenian Agora (lmmerwahr, 1971, 47, pl.13, no. 216).

applied a lump of clay and then pierced it either vertically or horizontally, it is a lug. If the potter seems to have attached a piece of clay at its two extremities only, then it is a handle” (Diamant, 1974, 36). - Strap Handles (Fig. 20:14/82; 24: 3752; pl. 11a: 3752; 15b:14/82; 18a:248/82, 1247/81, 100/80, 184/80, 848/81) Strap handles are the most common handles and usually come from large vessels. One handle rolls out from the lip of a coarse vase - a kind of strainer (Fig. 20:14/82). Another is attached to the upper part of the belly of a jar (Fig. 24: 3752). Inv. nos. 1247/81, 100/80 comes most likely from similar closed vessels (Pl. 18a). Strap handles are common in many Peloponnesian sites during this period and they appear mainly on heavy jars (Phelps, 1975, 330, fig. 55:8, 59:2). Only one strap handle of the elbow type was found at Ayios Dhimitrios, Fig. 20:B138 cf. Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 89:11, 12 from Pefkakia.

- Crescent Lugs (Fig. 23: 17/78; Pl. 10b: 17/78; 19: D35, 1/82, D76, D38, 60/82, 247/81, 1255/81, D81; 20: 390/81) These are solid, pierced or unpierced lugs. Usually they are set horizontally (D76, D38), but one is set vertically (Pl. 19: 60/82); cf. similar lugs from Kephala (Coleman, 1977, 24, pl. 85M) and Prosymna (Blegen, 1937, pl.625: 1). There are only two pierced crescent lugs from Ayios Dhimitrios (390/81, D76); one comes from a large vessel and the other from a small thin-walled vase; cf. Coleman, 1977, 92, pl. 85V.

- Small Ribbon Handles (Fig. 20: D13, 530/81, 41/82, 55/83; 22:56/82, 31/83, 308/81; Pl.17: 56/82, D13, 530/81; 18: 862/81, 41/82, 44/82, 33/82) Small ribbon handles with widths ranging from 0.02 to 0.025 m are common at Ayios Dhimitrios. Usually they are placed vertically on the rim of open bowls. Sometimes they are placed horizontally below the rim of open bowls. Small ribbon handles are common at Kephala where they are usually attached at the upper part of the rim (Coleman, 1977, pl. 38F = 84C; pl. 38G = 84AQ; pl. 38H = 84AX). Small ribbon handles are also known from the Athenian Agora (lmmerwahr, 1971, pl. 13, nos. 190, 192, 194). Miniature strap handles, as Phelps calls them, appear at many Peloponnesian sites. They are used on the Pattern Burnished, Prosymna Incised, and Crusted Wares as well as in Red Monochrome (Phelps, 1975, 325, fig. 52:1, 13, 15; 313, fig. 50:11).

- Horizontal Lugs with Central Indentation (Pl. 20: 19/82, 58/82, 887/81, D36, D27, 9/82, 276/81, 2/82, 1253/81) This type of lug is common during the LN II period in the Peloponnese and Attica, and is also known in Thessaly. There are nine examples from Ayios Dhimitrios, one of which is pierced horizontally (Pl. 20: 58/82). Cf. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 324, fig. 51:29. Prosymna: Blegen, 1937, fig. 625:1. Asea: Holmberg, 1944, 39, fig. 37f. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, 46, pl.13. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 18, pl.28F = pl. 75Z; 31G = 77N. Sesklo: Tsountas, 1908, fig.195. - Pellet lugs (Figs. 15: 14/78; 17:52/83; 19: 24/82; 30: D7; 33: 38/81; Pls. 16a: D7; 18a: 24/82, 70/82, 657/81, D87; 21b: 65/82, 492/81, 32/82) This type of lug is purely decorative. There are 26 fragments of vases with pellet decoration. They appear on Pattern Burnished, Crusted and Red Monochrome Ware. Cf. Choirospilia Cave-Lefkas: Dörpfeld, 1927, pl. 87 Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, 332. Prosymna: Blegen, 1937, figs. 635:9; 632:2 both examples with twin pellets. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 82, pl. 31P = pl. 77Y0.

- Lug Handles (Fig. 20: 877/81, 289/80, 63/82; 22: D30; Pl. 17b: D30, 289/80, 63/82, 877/81, 712/81; pl. 18a: D10; 18b: 5/82, 813/81; pl. 19a: 325/81, 53/82, 758/81) There are some pieces which, technically, should be called handles, according to the method of attachment, but, because they are so small, I prefer to call them lug handles. Usually they are attached to the rim of bowls and roll out of it (Fig. 20: 63/82). There are also lug handles which are attached to the body of the vessels and which were probably set horizontal to the rim (Pl. 18b: 5/82, 813/81). Lug handles which roll out of the rim are known from Kephala (Coleman, 1977, 81, pl. 75AR) and Euboia (Keller, 1982, 56, fig. 2:9, no. P116).

- Tongue Lugs (Fig. 27: D20; Pls. 19, 704/81; 20: 253/80; 21: 893/81,134/78, 12/82, 291/81, D32, 713/81) This type of lug is very common during the LN II period and continues down to the EH. There are 18 tongue lugs from Ayios Dhimitrios; they appear on thin-walled vessels as well as on walls of large pithoi with plastic decoration. Cf. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 330, fig. 55:13 from a coarse vessel.

- Knob Lugs (Fig. 19: 7/78; 22:D16; 26: Π3751; Pl. 10a:7/78; 12: 3751; 19: 66/82, 49/82, 209/80, 37/82, 232/81, 1061/81, 536/81; 20: D16, D26) 25

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE - Tubular Lugs (Fig. 23: D58; Pl. 21b: 3/82, 891/81, 36/82, D6) There are five lugs of this type from Ayios Dhimitrios. One appears to have been set vertically on a closed vessel (Pl. 21b: 891/81); another comes from the closed bowl inv. no. D28 (Fig. 23). Contemporary tubular lugs have been found in the Peloponnese and Attica. Cf. Phlius: Phelps, 1975, 322, fig. 52:4. Akrata: Phelps, 1975, 322, fig. 52:1. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, 306, fig. 48:17. Athens-Agora: Immerwahr, 1971, pl. 4, no. 46. Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, 304, fig. 194.

Most of this type of bases, like the flat raised, come from closed shapes. The diameter of this type of bases ranges from 0.06 to 0.12 m.

- Horned Lugs (Pl. 18a: D25) Horned lugs are common during the LN II period and they have a wide distribution from the eastern Aegean (Furness, 1956, 204) to Thessaly, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese. Cf. Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, fig. 233. Corycian Cave: Touchais, 1981, no. l55, 156, 157. Pefkakia: Weisshaar, 1977, pl. 54:1-3; 57: 11-13; 96:1112; 100:3-5.

- High Ring Feet (Fig. 29: 563/81, 277/81, 531/81, 524/81, D90, 1243/81, 503/81, 1236/81, 212/81, 43/8l, 59/82; Pl. 23b: 1248/81; 24: 43/81, 11/82) There are 17 pieces of this type of base. They occur in both closed and open shapes, and their diameter ranges from 0.07 to 0.12 m (except for one piece inv. no. 43/81 which comes from a large closed vessel and has a diameter of 0.17 m).

- Low Ring Feet (Fig. 28: 264/80, D71; 29: 565/81, D84, 14/80, 1235/81, 1/82; Pl. 23: 1/82, 62/82, 1235/81, 565/81, D84, D71) This type of base is common, and thirty pieces are represented. Low ring feet bases come both from open and closed shapes. At Kephala (Coleman, 1977, 19, pl. 39P) and other LN II sites sometimes they have one or two holes which were pierced before firing.

- Pedestals (Fig. 29: 142/78, D63, 260/80; Pl. 24: 142/78) Only three pedestals were found. They are common at Kephala where usually they are perforated at opposite sides. Inv. no. 260/80 preserves part of a perforation. 142/78 has traces of red crusty pigment and is similar to the pedestal from Lerna (Caskey, 1959, pl. 41d; Phelps, 1975, fig. 50:18).

f. Bases There are 106 fragments or entire preserved bases from Period I. They may be divided into the following types: flat bases, flat raised, flat countersunk, raised hollowed, low ring feet, high ring feet, and pedestals. All these types of bases occur in many Peloponnesian sites of LN II period, as well as in Attica, Euboia, and Thessaly. - Flat Bases (Fig. 28: 285/80, 279/81, 36/80, 653/81, 1142/81, 1135/81, 24/80, 880/81; Pl. 22a: D53) Most of the flat bases belong to open-shaped vases. Base and wall of the vessel are usually made in one piece. The diameter of the flat bases ranges from 0.06 to 0.12 m.

3. Small Objects a. Figurines Π3753. Head of Terra-cotta Figurine Pl. 25a. P.H. 0.035 m, M.W. 0.025 m. The figurine is broken at the neck and the upper part of the head and chips at the back of the neck are missing. The fragment is made of gritty reddish clay which is fired brown at core and is characterized by a featureless head, an oval face with squarish chin, and a cylindrical neck.

- Flat Raised (Fig. 28: 1249/81, 23/80, 548/81, 15/80, 71/82, D43, 4/82; Pl. 22: 4/82, 71/82, D43) Most of the flat, raised bases come from closed shapes. The diameter ranges from 0.08 to 0.21 m. The fabric is coarse and the exterior usually has no special treatment. Cf. Franchthi Cave: Jacobsen, l973b, fig. 8:11-15. Pefkakia: Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 179, type 102, 103.

Our figurine resembles the Early Cycladic marble idols with featureless heads of the Louros type. There are some Late Neolithic marble figurines from Thessaly which have been associated with Louros type figurines (Renfrew, 1969a, 30; Thimme, 1977, 442). If the above association is correct, our figurine and those from the Athenian Agora (lmmerwahr, 1971, pl. 14), Kephala (Coleman, 1977, pls. 26, 73, nos. 128, 202), Corycian Cave (Touchais, 1981, fig. 32:417, 418, 419, 420), Alepotrypa (Diamant, 1974, 339-340), and Pefkakia in Thessaly (Weisshaar, 1977, Pl.121:14; 122:10) fill the gap between the Late Neolithic examples from Thessaly and the Bronze Age Louros type from the Cyclades. The figurines from the Corycian Cave offer the closest parallels to the Ayios Dhimitrios figurine.

- Flat Countersunk (Fig. 28: D47, 254/80, 788/81, 779/81; Pl. 24b: D47) These bases come mainly from open shapes and their diameter ranges from 0.07 to 0.12 m. Cf. Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, fig. 49:6, 7. Alepotrypa Cave: Phelps, 1975, fig. 55:17. - Raised Hollowed (Fig. 28: 286/81, 511/81, 709/81, 350/81; Pl. 22a: 286/80, 511/81)

26

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Π3693. Flat Figurine Fig. 37; Pl. 25a P.H. 0.061 m, W. 0.024 m. The figurine was mended from many pieces. The upper left part, the top of the head and the lower right part are missing. The lower edge at the left has a finished surface. The fragment is made of gritty clay fired black at the core and red towards the outside. The surface is covered with strong brown slip (Munsell 7.5R 5/6). Flat schematic figurine with a pinched-up nose. The lower part curves inwards. Cf. Aspis-Argos: Touchais, 1976, 757, fig. 12.

sibility of its being intrusive should not be excluded, since it was found only a few centimeters below the EH layer of Phase IIa. c. Beads Pl. 26: 332 D. 0.019 m, L. 0.0096 m. Gray black stone with white flecks, probably serpentine. Perforation was drilled from both ends. Short oblate; Beck’s classification I.B.l.a.7 Pl. 26: 333 D. 0.0158 m, L. 0.011 m. Olive green steatite with black striations. Slightly oblique perforation axis. Standard spherical; Beck’s classification I.C.l.a.

b. Metal Objects M 1324. Copper Dagger Fig. 38; Pl. 25b. L. 0.148 m. Complete except for small fragments missing from the edges near the tip. Triangular in shape with curved section; it has a long narrow tang which merges into rounded shoulders. Tanged daggers are considered the earlier type of dagger in western Anatolia and the eastern Aegean (Stronach, 1957, 90; Renfrew, 1972, 320). Anatolian daggers have been divided into various types by Stronach on the basis of the arrangement of the rivets, the shape of the section, and other characteristics (Stronach, 1957, 89-103). Our dagger belongs to Stronach’s Type 1, which he considers the earliest type. Examples of Stronach’s Type 2 (similar to Type 1 but with rivets) are known from the Troy I horizons at Thermi (Lamp, 1936, pl. XLVII), Poliochni (Bernabo-Brea, 1964, pl. LXXXVla), and Troy itself (Dörpfeld, 1902, fig. 262, a.c; Renfrew, 1972, 320; Branigan 1974, 1616). Although Stronach considers his Type I the earliest type, he cites examples of this type from Anatolian sites with Troy II date (Stronach, 1957, 90). Considering the above, we should accept as not earlier than Troy I the presence of tanged daggers (with or without rivets) in western Anatolia and the eastern Aegean. The popularity of the tanged daggers in western Anatolia led Renfrew to consider them as products of that area, without excluding, however, the possibility of an influence from the Near East (Renfrew, 1972, 321). In the Balkans the only examples of tanged daggers come from Bulgaria. One (ca. 0.103 m long) without rivets and narrow tang comes from the site Sveti-Kyrilovo near StaraZagora and it is dated to the EBA (Kazarov, 1914, 88, fig. 24d; Treuil, 1983, 102-103). More examples come from Ezero Bl and B2 and belong to an EBA horizon parallel to Troy I (Georgiev et al. 1979, figs. 108, 109; Treuil, 1983, 107). From the above discussion it becomes evident that on a typological basis, our dagger should be dated to the EBA. Although it was found in a pure Neolithic layer, the pos-

7

Beck, 1927, 1-7; according to Beck the diameter of a bead is the maximum width of the transverse section and the length is the distance between two ends or apexes of a bead.

6

Another example of a tanged dagger in Greece comes from a grave at Manika in Euboia (Papavasileiou, 1910, 12, fig.13) which is dated to the EH III period. This find is considered by Renfrew as another indication of western Anatolian influence during that time (Renfrew, 1972, 320).

27

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE A4. Open Bowls Medium, Convex 0.

CATALOGUE OF SELECTED NEOLITHIC POTTERY (Colors given according to the Munsell Soil Color Charts, 1975 ed.)

D52. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.l 1980. P.H. 0.069 m, est. D. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Lightly burnished black int. browngray ext. Int. and ext. traces of red crusted pigment.

(A) Bowls A1. Open Bowls Deep, Straight 0.

5/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Slightly everted rim. Gritty clay fired dark gray at core and black towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished black. Well-fired fragment.

25/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 15; Pl. 13b T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.20 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish towards the outside. Brown smoothed surfaces. Below the rim part of curvilinear impressed cordon. 292/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish-brown towards the outside. Smoothed surfaces.

267/82. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 15 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.102 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished reddish-brown. On the lowest part of the fragment traces of beginning of ribbon handle.

14/78. Fragment of Bowl with Slightly Splayed Lip. Fig. 15 T.V. 1978. Est. D. ca. 0.08 m. Gritty clay fired gray to black. Ext. red burnished slip with gray slur, int. brown surface with traces of red crusted pigment. Pellet lug on the curve of the belly.

26/78. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.III 1978. P.H. 0.053 m, est. D. ca. 0.31 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Burnished slip int. mottled in shades of red, black and pale brown, ext. dark red. D33. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.07 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Burnished slip int. and ext. very dusky red (2.5 YR 2/2).

30/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. red, ext. brown mottled burnished slip.

272/81. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 15 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0.14 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. lightly burnished reddishbrown (2.5 YR 5/4), ext. red with pale brown slurs.

A2. Open Bowls Medium, Straight l. 274/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 15 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.053 m, est.D. ca. 0.22 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired brown. Int. and ext. merely smoothed (7.5YR 5/4).

A5. Open Bowls Medium and Shallow, Convex l. D5. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Gritty clay fired reddish to gray at core. Lightly burnished slip int. very dusky red (2.5 YR 2/2), ext. reddishbrown.

35/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.N55/E30. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Rim fragment with slightly everted lip. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. dark brown, ext. reddish brown burnished slip.

D83. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.069 m, est. D. 0.20 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Burnished slip int. dusky red (lOR 3/4), ext. red to brown.

D17. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 18 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.13 m, est. D. ca. 0.23 m. Gritty clay fired gray to black at core. Int. and ext. redbrown burnished slip.

D21. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.I 1980, bothros. P.H. 0.076 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired black at core. Int. lightly burnished light red, ext. red to pale brown.

A3. Open Bowls Medium, Straight 2. 499/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 18 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.066 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. red lightly burnished slip with black and buff slurs. The fragment is mended from four pieces with partially restored rim in plaster. This fragment may come from the bowl of a fruitstand.

D12. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 16 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.098 m, est. D. ca. 0.20 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish-brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed brown.

28

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE 1240/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.21 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired gray. Int. and ext. burnished red with black and yellowish slurs.

28/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 17 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.057 m, est. D. ca. 0.20 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. low burnished red slip.

51/83. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 16 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.08 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. burnished slip mottled red, brown, black, yellowish.

42/81. Fragment of Open Bowl, Rippled Rim. Fig. 18; Pl. 10a T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.053 m, est. D. ca. 0.29 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired partly gray, partly dark brown. Int. and ext. lightly burnished dark yellowish brown (10R 4/4). Cf. Alepotrypa: Phelps, 1975, fig. 56: 4; Palaia Kokkinia: Theocharis, 1951, 105, fig. 17a; Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, fig. 188; Maliq: Prendi, 1982, fig. 37.

D68. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.066 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Highly burnished slip int. red, ext. red with yellowish slurs.

1250/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 18 T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.046 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. tan lightly burnished.

D64. Rim Fragment Fig. 16 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.036 m, est. D. 0.20 m. Comparatively fine clay fired gray at core. Powdery, buff surfaces. Traces of red crusted pigment.

A6. Bowls with Flat Rim Thickened on the Inside. D82. Rim Fragment Fig. I6 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.08 m. Gritty clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed reddish.

3/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 18 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0.34 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. lightly burnished reddish-brown.

239/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 17 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.088 m, est. D. ca. 0.31 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished with black and buff slurs.

16/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 18 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.032 m, est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Gritty clay fired dark gray. Smoothed surfaces; int. dark gray, ext. reddish-brown.

52/83. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 17 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.09 m, est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. black burnished slip. On the belly a pellet lug.

A7. Open Bowls Carinated Medium, Straight 1. 7/78. Rim Fragment Fig. 19; Pl. 10a T.V 1978. P.H. 0.07 m, est. D. ca. 0.23 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Burnished slip int. red, ext. brown. On the carination a knob lug; around it traces of red crusted pigment.

46/83. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 17 T.I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. lightly burnished dark brown. Mended from two pieces.

92/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 19 T.B 1982. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Int. traces of thick red burnished slip.

D18. Fragment of Open Bowl Fig. 17 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired brown-gray. Int. and ext. highly burnished weak red slip (10R 4/4).

796/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 19 T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. black, ext. dark brown-black burnished slip.

38/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 17 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished.

A8. Open Bowls, Shouldered 0. D77. Rim Fragment Fig. 17 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.051 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. lightly burnished black, ext. black with brown slurs. On the int. two incised lines made after firing.

61/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 19 T.B 1982. Est. D. ca. 0.285 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished slip.

29

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE 41/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl. 18b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.04 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. brown smoothed. Below the rim horizontal ribbon handle.

166/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 19 T.B 1982. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished surfaces. 832/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 19 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. black burnished slip. Along the rim traces of red crusted pigment.

55/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 20 T.N 85/E45. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. mottled red and brown smoothed. A Closed Bowls Medium and Deep, Convex.

24/82. Wall Fragment Fig. 19 T.N85/E45. Est. D. on carination ca. 0.22 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Smoothed surfaces. On the angle of the wall two pellet lugs.

D11. Rim Fragment Fig. 21 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.155 m, est. D. ca. 0.31 m. Gritty clay fired brown. Int. and ext. gray brown smoothed.

776/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. lightly red burnished. On the bend of the wall a pellet lug.

119/78. Rim Fragment Fig. 21 T. V 1978. P.H. 0.1l m, est. D. ca. 0.31 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and pinkish towards the outside. Int. buff, ext. light brown lightly burnished.

A9. Rolled Rim Bowls.

D14. Rim Fragment Fig. 21 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.135 m, est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired reddish towards the interior and gray brown towards the exterior. On the wall part of plastic cordon.

41/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 19; Pl. 12b T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.038 m, est. D. ca. 0.28 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. smoothed gray, ext. lightly burnished reddish brown. A10. Open Bowls with Ribbon Handles.

351/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 21 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.125 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Mended from many pieces. Gritty-coarse clay fired dark brown. Int. and ext. red smoothed.

877/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl.17b T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.255 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Merely smoothed surfaces. From the lip begin two vertical ribbon handles.

D65. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.06 m. Gritty clay fired brown. Int. and ext. dark brown (10R 4/3) smoothed. Cf. Diamant, 1974, 54, fig. 3.26; Coleman, 1977, p1.31K.

289/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl.17b T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.20 m. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. lightly burnished brown-black. From the lip begins vertical ribbon handle. Cf. Phelps, 1975, 306, fig. 49:2 from Klenia cave.

D16. Rim Fragment Fig. 22; Pl. 20a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.051 m, est. D. ca. 0.14 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. smoothed gray, ext. reddish brown lightly burnished.

D13. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl. 17b T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.14 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed reddish-brown. From the lip begins vertical ribbon handle.

D9. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.055 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished red slip. Cf. Phelps, 1975, fig. 54:10 from Klenia cave.

530/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl. 17b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.054 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish brown towards the outside. Int. reddish brown, ext. gray lightly burnished. Vertical ribbon handle rolls out from the lip.

56/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 22; Pl. 17b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Smoothed surfaces. Vertical ribbon handle a little below the lip. Cf. Phelps, 1975, fig. 51:15 from Argos.

63/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl. 17b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.057 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Vertical ribbon handle rolls out from the rim.

30

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE A13. Shouldered Concave Bowls.

296/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. dark yellowish brown smoothed.

D58. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 23 T. II 1980. P.H. 0.07 m, est. D. ca. 0.19 m. Gritty clay fired brown. Int. and ext. brown burnished. On the bend of wall horizontal tubular lug.

31/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T.N90/E50. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.13 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and beige towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Parts of vertical ribbon handle beginning a little below the lip.

46/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23; Pl. 10b T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.165 m. Gritty clay fired brown. Int. gray and ext. brown burnished slip. On the wall shallow fluting.

D19. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.05 m, est. D. ca. 0.08 m. Small hemispherical bowl. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. mottled red burnished slip.

94/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T. B 1982. Est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. lightly burnished tan.

683/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 22; Pl. 10b T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.038 m, est. D. ca. 0.105 m. Small hemispherical bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Below the rim shallow vertical fluting.

76/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T. B 1982. P.H. 0,046 m, est. D. ca. 0.23 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. lightly burnished tan. 333/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay fired red. Int. and ext. lightly burnished reddish.

308/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 22 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. reddish brown, ext. very pale brown smoothed. Below the rim a horizontal ribbon handle.

261/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. reddish-brown burnished slip.

D30. Rim Fragment Fig. 22; Pl. 17b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.07 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. dusky red burnished slip. Lug handle rolls out from the rim. Cf. Blegen, 1937, fig. 633:1.

294/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. burnished black.

A12. Closed, Carinated Bowls. 562/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T. N85/E45. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. burnished black.

D46. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 23; Pl. 10a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.10 m, est. D. ca. 0.23 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. dusky red (10R 3/4) with gray patches burnished slip. Cf. Coleman, 1977, pl. 29C, D.

656/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N100/E40. Fine clay fired gray. Int. and ext. black burnished slip.

D79. Rim Fragment Fig. 23; Pl. 10b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.042 m. Gritty clay fired yellowish brown. Int. and ext. smoothed.

554/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.062 m. Gritty clay fired black. Int. gray smoothed, ext. heavy burnished black.

17/78. Wall Fragment Fig. 23; Pl. 10b T. V 1978. Wall fragment of carinated bowl. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. reddish brown burnished slip. On the carination horizontal double pierced ledge lug.

236/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. burnished black. 528/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. burnished black. 246/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 23 T.N85/E45. Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. burnished black. 31

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE (B) Jars

(C) Pithoi

B1. Collared Jars

Cl. Closed Pithoi

158/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T. B 1982. P.H. 0.059 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Coarse clay fired brown at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed red.

856/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 25; Pl. 14a T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.075 m, Th. 0.011 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Below the rim a broken lug and part of impressed plastic cordon.

152/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T. B 1982. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and brown towards the outside. Int. grayish, ext. reddish brown smoothed.

837/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 25; Pl. 14b T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.06 m. Rim fragment with thickened-out lip. Coarse clay fired gray-brown at core. Int. reddish yellow, ext. reddish smoothed.

762/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.048 m, est. D. ca. 0.08 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Int. lightly burnished red slip.

534/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 25; Pl. 14b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.046 m, Th. 0.013 m. Gritty clay fired gray-brown at core. Int. and ext. brown with black slurs. Below the rim trace of plastic cordon.

566/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.08 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish-brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed.

311/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 25; Pl. 14b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.06 m,Th 0.011 m. Rim fragment with thickened-out lip. Coarse clay fired black at core and brown towards the outside.

755/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.06 m. Fragment of a small jar. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. smoothed, ext. tan, slightly burnished.

39/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 25 T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.072 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. smoothed, ext. lightly burnished red. Below the rim a curvilinear plastic cordon.

535/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.06 m. Fragment of a small jar. Gritty clay fired dark gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished red slip.

D55. Rim Fragment Fig. 25 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.13 m, Th. 0.01 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Below the rim a horizontal plastic cordon.

D39. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished brown slip (7.5YR 5/6).

D3. Rim Fragment Fig. 25 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.26 m. Coarse clay fired dark gray at core and red towards the outside. Part of oblique impressed cordon below the rim.

B2. Holemouthed Jars. 40/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 25 T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.086 m, est. D. ca. 0.34 m. Gritty clay fired reddish yellow. Int. smoothed, ext. lightly burnished reddish yellow (5 YR 6/6).

D48. Rim Fragment Fig. 24 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Fragment of thickened-out rim of a jar. Gritty clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. Along the rim a row of semicircled deep incisions filled with white paste.

207/81. Fragment of Pithos Fig. 25 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.108 m, est. D of base ca. 0.20 m. Fragment preserves part of raised-countersunk base and part of flaring wall. On the wall part of impressed cordon. Coarse clay fired black at core and int. Ext. lightly burnished red.

Π3752. Fragmentary Jar Fig. 24; Pl. lla T. I 1980. P.H. 0.14 m, Th. 0.009 m. Two fragments mended from many pieces preserve most of lower wall and part of the upper wall. One fragment preserves horizontal strap handle and the other part of similar handle. The part of the body between the two fragments is restored with plaster. Base is missing. Gritty coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Red surfaces with black patches. Ext. lightly burnished.

32

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE D3751. Fragment of Large Pithos Fig. 26; Pl. 12a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.28 m, est. D. ca. 0.54 m. Large rim fragment mended from many, several nonjoining smaller fragments of the same pot one of which preserves a mending hole. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. reddish with black patches. A little below the lip knob lug pierced vertically. The entire surface is decorated with impressed cordons which form horizontal zones. The upper zone (closed to the lip) is divided vertically into panels. The lower zones are filled by oblique lines forming continous zig-zag pattern.

(D) Miscellanea D1. Strainers 32/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 20 T.N90/E50. P.H. 0.055 m, est. D. ca. 0.14 m. Rim fragment of a small closed bowl. On the lower part eight small holes pierced before firing on irregular pattern. Gritty clay fired gray at core and gray brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. merely smoothed. 14/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 20; Pl. 15b T. B 1982. P.H. 0.095 m. Gritty clay fired reddish; rough surfaces. Strap handle rolls out from the lip. Parts of two holes pierced before firing below the handle.

C2. Bucket-Shaped Pithoi D20. Rim Fragment Fig. 27 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.072 m, Th. 0.015 m. Coarse clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. reddish brown. On the lip a tongue lug.

849/81. Rim Fragment Pl. 15a T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.03 m. Rim fragment of small bowl. Fine clay fired red orange. Below the rim holes at irregular intervals pierced before firing.

810/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 27; Pl. 14b T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.073 m. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. reddish brown. Below the rim a horizontal impressed cordon.

17/82. Wall Fragment Pl. 15a T. B 1982.. Wall fragment of an open bowl.Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. black gray smoothed. Fragment preserves seven holes pierced before firing at irregular intervals.

B127. Rim Fragment Fig. 27; Pl. 14b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.06 m. Gritty clay fired pinkish. Below the rim a curvilinear impressed cordon.

29/82. Wall Fragment Pl. 15a T.N85/E45. P.L. 0.085 m, Th. 0.01 m. Coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. reddish smoothed slip. Three holes pierced before firing at irregular intervals are partially preserved.

C3. Vertical Sided Pithoi 306/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 27; Pl. 14b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.055 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired brown at core. Int. brown, ext. black lightly burnished. Below the rim a horizontal plain cordon.

67/82. Rim Fragment Pl. 15a T.N85/E45, bothros. P.H. 0.038 m. Rim fragment of closed vessel? Coarse clay fired red. Fragment preserves part of a hole pierced before firing.

861/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 27; Pl. 14b T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.036 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired black at core and black towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished brown slip. Below the lip a horizontal impressed cordon.

D2. Bowl with Tab Handle. 152/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 20 T. B 1982. P.H. 0.04 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish towards the outside. Smoothed surfaces. Below the rim part of a hole pierced before firing.

30/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 27 T.I 1980. P.H. 0.08 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Gritty clay fired dark gray at core and reddish brown towards the outside. From the lip begins vertical impressed cordon.

Pottery with Crusted Decoration C4. Wide Mouthed Pithoi 51/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 30 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Rim fragment of a closed bowl of type A10 (two more non-joining fragments from the same vessel). Gritty clay fired black at core and reddish brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished dark brown. Inside on the entire surface traces of red (10R 5/6) crusted pigment. On the exterior geometric design with white and red crusted pigment.

B95. Rim Fragment Fig. 27; Pl. 13a T. II 1980. P.H. 0.10 m, est. D. ca. 0.21 m. Fragment of neck of wide mouthed pithos. Gritty clay fired red. Below the lip two plain cordons set vertically, one ending at the beginning of the shoulder and the other continuing further down.

33

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE D28. Wall Fragment Figs. 30, 31; Pl. 16a T. I 1980. Wall fragment of open shape vessel. Gritty clay fired brown. Pattern burnished decoration, int. groups of vertical lines, ext. groups of vertical and horizontal lines.

1256/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 30; Pl. 16b T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.068 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Fine clay fired black at core. Int. on black smoothed surface traces of red painted band along the lip. Ext. on brown burnished surface, decoration with white crusted paint in linear patterns as following: Along the lip two thin horizontal lines; from the second line descent oblique thick bands which frame hatched triangles.

50/82. Wall Fragment Fig. 31; Pl. 16a T.N85/E45. P.L. 0.043 m. Wall fragment of open shape vessel.Gritty clay fired brown. Pattern burnished decoration, int. and ext. groups of oblique lines.

1257/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 30 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.21 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired black at core. Int. on the entire surface traces of red pigment. Ext. on a brown smoothed surface traces of white crusted pigment (a band along the lip is recognized).

28/82. Wall Fragment Fig. 31 T.N85/E45. P.L. 0.03 m. Wall fragment of open shape vessel.Gritty clay fired brown. Pattern burnished decoration, int. and ext. groups of vertical lines.

883/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 30 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.06 m. Gritty clay fired brown. Int. and ext. brown lightly burnished slip. On the int. traces of red crusted pigment. On the ext. below the rim horizontal bands in white crusted pigment. 408/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 30 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.03 m. Fine clay fired gray at core. Ext. on reddish brown lightly burnished surface horizontal lines in white crusted pigment.

274/82. Wall Fragment Fig. 31 T.N85/E45. P.L. 0.032 m. Wall fragment of open shape vessel.Gritty clay fired reddish brown. Pattern burnished decoration, int. an oblique band, ext. from an oblique band begin groups of vertical lines. 144/82. Wall Fragment Fig. 32 T. B 1982. P.L. 0.047 m. Wall fragment of open shape vessel.Gritty clay fired reddish brown. Pattern burnished decoration, int. groups of vertical lines, ext. groups of horizontal lines.

1245/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 30; Pl. 16b T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Fine clay fired black at core and brown towards the outside. Int. on brown burnished surface traces of red crusted pigment. Ext. on brown burnished surface solid and hatched triangles in white crusted pigment.

491/81. Wall Fragment Fig. 32; Pl. 16a T.N85/E45. P.L. 0.05 m. Wall fragment of open shape vessel.Gritty clay fired brown. Pattern burnished decoration, groups of vertical and oblique lines, ext. groups of oblique lines.

Pottery with Pattern Burnished Decoration 20/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 30; Pl. 16a T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Gritty clay fired dark gray at core and red towards the outside. Pattern burnished decoration, int. from a band along the lip begin groups of oblique line; ext. from a band along the lip begin oblique lines and a triangle with the apex downwards.

Pottery with Incised Decoration D59. Rim Fragment Fig. 33; Pl. 17a T. II 1980. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.19 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and tan towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Ext. incised decoration as following: two sets of two parallel lines parallel to the rim and about 0.025 m apart meet a second set of two parallel lines at right angles. Within this space a double chevron with apex downwards; small dots fill the intervening space.

D7. Rim Fragment Fig. 30; Pl. 16a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.05 m. Gritty clay fired black at core and red towards the outside. Pattern burnished decoration; int. and ext. from a narrow band along the lip begin groups of oblique lines. Below the rim pellet lug.

27/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 33; Pl. 17a T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.034 m. Gritty micaceous clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Ext. along the rim part of incised hatched triangle with apex downwards, a little below incised chevrons.

717/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 31; Pl. 16a T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.034 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Gritty clay well fired brown. Int. and ext. pattern burnished decoration, from a band along the lip begin vertical lines.

295/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 33 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.025 m. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. dark brown lightly burnished slip. Ext. 34

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Pottery from Prosymna--West Yerogalaro Deposit9

along the rim two parallel lines, the space between is filled with oblique lines.

Fig. 35:1. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. reddish brown smoothed. Ext. along the rim a band with groups of oblique incised lines.

A161. Wall Fragment Fig. 33; Pl. 17a T. I 1980. P.L. 0.03 m Wall fragment from open vessel.Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. tan smoothed. Ext. groups of oblique incised lines.

Fig. 35:2. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. reddish brown smoothed. Ext. along the rim a band with groups of oblique incised lines.

36/81. Rim Fragment Pl. 17a T. N55/E30. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. tan and ext. reddish smoothed. Ext. along the rim irregular groups of oblique lines. Pottery from Koufiero Cave8

Fig. 35:3. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. Ext. along the rim between two parallel lines groups of oblique incised lines.

Fig. 34:1. Rim Fragment from Rolled Rim Bowl Gritty clay fired dark gray. Int. and ext. black burnished with gray patches.

Fig. 35:4. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. buff smoothed. Ext. along the rim thin parallel incised lines.

Fig. 34:2. Rim Fragment from Rolled Rim Bowl Gritty clay fired black at core. Int. and ext. heavy burnished mottled gray and beige. Shallow rippling on the lip. From the lip begins an elephant lug pierced horizontally.

Fig. 35:5. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl Gritty clay fired black. Int. and ext. dark brown lightly burnished. Fig. 35:6. Fragment of Spurred Strap Handle. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. gray brown smoothed. Fig. 35:7. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl Gritty clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. smoothed.

Fig. 34:3. Rim Fragment from Rolled Rim Bowl. Gritty clay fired pink. Int. and ext. heavy burnished pink. Shallow rippling on the lip.

Fig. 35:8. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl Gritty clay fired dark gray. int. and ext. red burnished slip. Below the rim begins vertical plastic cordon.

Fig. 34:4. Rim Fragment from Rolled Rim Bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Int. black and ext. gray heavy burnished. Shallow rippling on the lip.

Fig.35:9. Rim Fragment of Pithos Coarse clay fired gray. Ext. beige brown smoothed.

Fig. 34:5. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired red. Int. and ext. lightly burnished red with dark patches. Ext. along the rim a zigzag line in white crusted pigment.

Fig. 36:1. Rim Fragment of Hole-mouthed Jar Gritty clay fired red. Ext. and int. only along the rim red burnished slip.

Fig. 34:6. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired red. Int. and ext. on lightly burnished red decoration in white crusted pigment; int. a chevron and ext. two parallel bands along the rim.

Fig. 36:2. Rim Fragment of Hole-mouthed Jar Gritty clay fired black. Int. reddish smoothed, ext. red lightly burnished. Fig. 36:3. Fragment of Raised Hollowed base Gritty clay fired black at core and int. Ext. red smoothed.

Fig. 34:7. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core. Pattern burnished decoration, int. along the rim horizontal band and part of a second band which meets the first at right angle, ext. from a horizontal band along the rim begin vertical lines.

Fig. 36:4. Fragment of Flat Raised Base Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. smoothed, ext. traces of red burnished slip. Probably from a closed vessel.

Fig. 34:8. Rim Fragment of Open Bowl. Gritty clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. red slip heavy burnished.

8

Fig. 36:5. Fragment of Ring Base Gritty clay fired reddish. Int. smoothed, ext. traces of red burnished slip. from an open vessel.

9

For a discussion of this site, see chapter one.

35

For a discussion of this site, see chapter one

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Fig. 36:6. Fragment of Ring Base Coarse clay fired reddish brown. Ext. and int. smoothed, probably from an open vessel. Fig. 36:7. Fragment of Pedestal Base Gritty clay fired gray. Ext. brown lightly burnished slip. Fig.36:8. Fragment of Pedestal Base Gritty clay fired beige at core and reddish towards the outside. Ext. thick red burnished slip. Fragment preserves part of large hole pierced before firing. Fig. 36:9. Fragment of Pedestal Base. Gritty clay fired gray. Int. and ext. reddish lightly burnished. At the junction of the base with the bowl two parallel horizontal grooved lines.

36

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Four Period I in its Archaeological Context (Diamant, 1974, 76). At Corinth Pattern Burnished was found in mixed deposits which contained pottery of LN I and LN II or only the latter (Phelps, 1975, 309).

In the following pages the first period of Ayios Dhimitrios is viewed within its broader cultural context. On the basis of the presence or absence of characteristic features of the material assemblage, a framework is provided below for the understanding of the site’s cultural connections with other contemporary sites in the Peloponnese and the rest of the mainland and the Aegean, as well as for its placement within the sequence of relative chronology of the same areas.

The presence of Polychrome Ware in the assemblage of the East Yerogalaro deposit at Prosymna and its absence from the assemblage of the West Yerogalaro deposit of the same site is for Phelps indicative of two successive phases, the latter of which, with its “Prosymna Incised”, Red Pattern Burnished, Red Monochrome and Coarse Wares, should be placed at an early stage of LN II, i.e. Phelps’ period IV (Phelps, 1975, 35, 290, 296-297, 302303). On the other hand, according to the same author, a late stage of LN II in southern Greece transitional to EH I is characterized by the presence of rolled rim bowls (Phelps, 1975, 335). Howell, also, commenting on the rolled rim bowls found during his survey in eastern Arcadia notes that “perhaps the sites where rolled rims were found should already be included in the Early Bronze Age” (Howell, 1970, 107-108). The presence of the same type of bowls in the Cyclades characterizes the GrottaPelos Culture according to Renfrew (Renfrew, 1972, 135142, 152-169). One may reasonably ask, however, if the stratigraphic evidence is sufficient to establish the lower and the upper limits of a rolled rim bowl horizon in southern Greece and the Cyclades.

Peloponnese The main pottery wares of Period I, as described above, are: Fine Incised, Pattern Burnished, Crusted, Red Monochrome, Black Burnished, and Coarse Ware. The Fine Incised Ware from Ayios Dhimitrios is closely related to the Fine Incised Ware from the West Yerogalaro deposit at Prosymna, which was named by Phelps “Prosymna Incised”, and according to him, represents a local style confined to the Argolid and Corinthia (Phelps, 1975, 301-302). Its appearance in Triphylia suggests a wider distribution; Ayios Dhimitrios yielded only a small amount of this ware, but this is also the case at other sites where it has been recognized. At Prosymna itself Blegen mentions only twelve pieces. Incised ware with a general resemblance to the “Prosymna Incised” is known from various sites north of the Peloponnese: Agora in Athens (lmmerwahr, 1971, 12, n. 61), Kephala (Coleman, 1977, 103, pls. 44, 88), Euboia (Sampson, 1981, 150, fig. 121: 1-12 from the author’s LN II period), and Pefkakia in Thessaly (Weisshaar, 1979, 161, pl. 46: 5 from Lower Rachmani Stratum; pl. 110: 1, 3 from Middle Rachmani Stratum; Weisshaar compares his examples with the incised ware from the East Yerogalaro deposit).

Rolled rim bowls with or without horizontal lugs which may or may not be perforated are typical of the Kum Tepe Ib Phase which predates Troy I in the Troad (Sperling, 1976, 327-360). Mellaart first realized the diagnostic value of this type of bowl, and was soon followed by French, who traced its distribution in NW Anatolia and used it as a basis for defining a Kum Tepe Ib culture (Renfrew, 1972, 162; Mellaart, 1960, 270-278; French, 1961, 102). Rolled rim bowls have a wide distribution from Bulgaria and Serbia to the Peloponnese; and from NW Anatolia to the eastern Aegean Islands, the Cyclades, and Euboia. Not all of them, however, belong to the same chronological horizon and the occurrence of this type alone is not enough for synchronization of pottery assemblages. Renfrew has drawn attention to the fact that the status of the rolled rim bowls on mainland Greece is not very clear, and he suggested that conclusions based on this single form should be taken as tentative (Renfrew, 1972, 162). Rolled rim bowls (Hood’s type 11) at Emporio in Chios are confined to periods VII-Vl which, as does the Kum Tepe Ib phase, predate Troy I (Hood, 1981, 179181).

The West Yerogalaro deposit also contains Red Pattern Burnished Ware which is closely related to the examples of this ware found at Ayios Dhimitrios. The decoration consists of sets of parallel lines, oblique to each other and beginning below a narrow band which traces the rim of the bowl (Blegen, 1937, 375-376; Phelps, 1975, 306; cf. Figs. 30: D7; 32: 144/82, 491/81). Pattern Burnished Ware published from other Peloponnesian sites comes from mixed deposits, making difficult the determination of the upper and lower limits of a Pattern Burnished ceramic horizon. At Voidokoilia, for example, it was found in pits in the bedrock together with Red Monochrome and Coarse Ware (Korres, 1978, 337, fig. 3; 1979, 139, fig. 1a; 1980, 168, 184, fig. 10). Only one sherd of Red Pattern Burnished Ware has been recorded from Franchthi Cave. It comes from mixed levels which, according to Diamant, can be assigned “to level I or a hypothetical later phase which has been cut away by modern digging”

In the Cyclades rolled rim bowls with tubular lugs below the rim comprise one of the ceramic components of the Grotta-Pelos culture as it was defined by Renfrew (Renfrew, 1972, 141-142, 153-157, fig. 10.1: 2-16). None of 37

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE jority of the Kitsos couche 2 ceramic elements are present, and considering the short chronological span of the Kephala settlement (Coleman, 1977, 111), it would be reasonable to conclude that couche 2 at Kitsos Cave represents a succeeding step to Kephala. If this is correct, the assemblage from couche 2 at Kitsos places chronologically a rolled rim bowl horizon after the early stage of LN II represented at Kephala. The presence, on the other hand, of rolled rim bowls in couche 2 together with Pattern Burnished decoration suggests that the latter type continues into a late stage of LN II.

the known examples, however, comes from the GrottaPelos cemeteries. The only examples, found in a grave, come from the cemetery at Ano Koufonisi, where they were found together with other vases characteristic of the Kampos Group (Zapheiropoulou, 1984, 31). Most finds from settlements are surface finds, except those from Grotta at Naxos and Phylakopi at Melos (Renfrew, 1972, 141-142). Furthermore, the assemblage of Grotta at Naxos, as Renfrew himself admits, includes, besides the rich number of rolled rim bowls, many fragments from “frying pans” of the Kampos Group (Renfrew, 1984, 4344). Renfrew recently reconsidered his Grotta-Pelos culture and suggested that the material from Grotta and the lowest levels at Phylakopi should not be related with the Pelos and Lakkoudhes cemetery assemblages (Renfrew, 1984, 42-44; according to Renfrew, the same opinion has been expressed by Doumas). The presence of rolled rim bowls in a Kampos Group assemblage lowers the chronological limits of the rolled rim bowls horizon in the Cyclades and places the entire issue in a different light.

At Eutresis rolled rim bowls of semi-coarse, heavyslipped and burnished ware are present in Caskey’s Group II (equivalent with French’s North Slope phase), and continue into Group III (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 132-142; French, 1972, 17-19; Diamant, 1974, 26-27). The material assigned to Groups I and II from Caskey’s excavations at Eutresis comes from pits and from a thin layer of soil above bedrock. Their distinction has been based on the difference between the ceramic wares (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 132-142; 159-162). The stratigraphic value of these two groups has been questioned by various scholars. French suggested a hiatus between Group I and II, and pointed out that there is no evidence for the sequence immediately preceding Group II, i.e. his North Slope phase. He accepts, however, continuity from Group II to Group III (French, 1972, 17-18). Treuil, on the other hand, disputes the chronological homogeneity of Groups I and II and considers both of them as the result of levelling activities by the inhabitants during the time represented by Group III. According to the same author, the assemblages from Groups I and II constitute nothing more than an indication for the occupation of the site during the MN and LN times, and the hiatus should exist between Groups II and III, while the rolled rim bowls in Group II should be considered as intrusive from Group III (Treuil, 1983, 63-66). Summarizing the above discussion, it becomes evident that the only secure stratigraphic evidence for the rolled rim bowls in southern mainland Greece comes from Eutresis Group III which is considered as representing an early stage of the EH I period on the mainland (French, 1972, 19); in other words, only the lower limits of a rolled rim bowl horizon are securely documented.

In southern Greece the distribution of rolled rim bowls is extensive, covering not only coastal regions, as it was thought a few years ago (Renfrew, 1972, 163), but also inland areas like Arcadia. French, on the basis of a dark, semi-coarse, heavy-slipped, and burnished ware, found on the north slope of the Athenian Acropolis, and characterized by the presence of rolled rim bowls, distinguished a phase preceding the EH I in southern Greece, which he named North Slope phase (French, 1964, 135, fig. 9: 1-5; 1968, 64; 1972, 17-18). The material from the Athenian Acropolis, after which the phase was named, is by no means stratified. The assemblage, together with heavyslipped and burnished ware, includes EH II wares (Hansen, 1937, 540). At Kitsos Cave rolled rim bowls are reported from couches 2 and 3 (Lambert, 1971, 823, fig. 7; 1981, 286, figs. 165, 166; 316, fig. 228 vase CP 43). According to the excavator, couche 3 is characterized by various Painted, Incised, and Crusted Wares (Lambert, 1981, 286-303, 279). A small amount of sherds in Pattern Burnished, Red Polished, and Plain Ware with cordon decoration, is considered by the excavator as intrusive in couche 3 (Lambert, 1981, 279). Therefore, the majority of the assemblage would place couche 3 within LN I. In couche 2 the following wares are reported: Pattern Burnished, Red Polished, Incised, Plain with cordon decoration (plain or impressed), Incised and Dotted, Brown Polished, Gray Polished, Black Topped, Painted Brown on Buff, and Stroke Burnished. Some intrusions within couche 2 from Classical times are mentioned by the excavator (Lambert, 1971, 704; 1981, 101); the presence of painted wares would also indicate a contamination of couche 2. Despite the intrusions, the wares found in couche 2 would place it within the limits of the KephalaAigina-Agora culture (Red Polished, Plain with cordon decoration, “scoops” of Sesklo type). Considering the absence of rolled rim bowls at Kephala, where the ma-

To my knowledge, except for a few fragments from Koufiero Cave in Messenia and one fragment from Ayios Dhimitrios in Triphylia, no stratified examples of rolled rim bowls are known from the Peloponnese. The fragments from Koufiero Cave, found during the 1982 trial excavation, are made of semi-coarse, well-fired fabric, heavy-slipped and burnished in shades of black, gray, tan, beige, and pink. The rims are frequently decorated with a shallow rippling, a decoration known up to now only from Attica (Hansen, 1937, 540, fig. 1: c, d; French, 1964, fig. 9:1; Phelps, 1975, 337). The ware of the bowls from Koufiero Cave is identical to Caskey’s “Heavy Slipped and Burnished Ware” or French’s North Slope 38

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE grave finds which should belong to the horizon of the rolled rim bowls reported from the same site. The fugitive nature of the pigment of Crusted Ware decoration makes its preservation difficult. Most of the time the thick pigment (especially the white color) disappears without leaving any trace. Thus the absence of Crusted ware in sites which produced LN II wares can be accidental. For example, Blegen does not mention Crusted ware in his West Yerogalaro deposit, but in re-examining the material myself, I noticed some fragments with traces of white crusted pigment. On the basis of the published data we may conclude that Crusted ware covers the entire LN II period in the Peloponnese. The lower chronological limits of Crusted ware in southwestern Peloponnese are indicated by its presence at Koufiero Cave in the same level with heavy-slipped and burnished rolled rim bowls. With regard to stylistic similarities of the decorative motifs found at Ayios Dhimitrios the closest parallels come from Nestor’s Cave (Phelps, 1975, fig. 50: I) and Ayios Nikolaos Cave in Akarnania (Benton, 1947, pl. 24: 61).

ware (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 134, 139; French, 1972, 18). The bowls from Koufiero Cave were found in a context with Red Monochrome, Red Slipped and Burnished, Crusted, Pattern Burnished, Black Burnished, and Coarse Ware. Although the wares from the assemblage at Ayios Dhimitrios are similar to those from Koufiero Cave, Heavy Slipped and Burnished Ware is virtually absent at Ayios Dhimitrios. On the basis of the above typological comparisons, one may conclude the following chronological scheme for the excavated and published LN II Peloponnesian assemblages. The artifactual and chronological affiliation of Ayios Dhimitrios with Prosymna-West Yerogalaro and their placement at an early stage of the Peloponnesian LN II has been discussed above in detail. The presence of one fragment of rolled rim bowl at our Triphylian assemblage in connection with the absence of a truly Heavy Slipped and Burnished Ware as it appears in the Koufiero Cave context, in the Lerna graves/settlement horizon, in Kitsos Cave couche 2, in the Acropolis North Slope, and in Eutresis Group II, provides an argument for the placement of Ayios Dhimitrios I at the beginning of a ceramic evolution, which, keeping most of the techniques (Pattern Burnished, Crusted, Plastic Decoration) and shapes of the preceding LN II early stage, resulted in the gradual integration of the type of rolled rim bowl, which is now often rippled, and in the development of an excellent dark slipped and brilliantly burnished ware, which occurred along with the coarse and fine wares. The above mentioned assemblages, containing those LN II developed features, cover a long span of time, if one considers the estimated total duration of the LN II period (ca. 1000 years, cf. Renfrew, 1972, 68). Yet they could hardly be ordered in a more precise sequence because of their spatial dispersion and lack of stratigraphic validity. If, however, an attempt should be made, it should be based on the numerical decrease in each of the above assemblages of LN II wares and the increase of new elements; for example, the increase of Red Slipped and Polished “Eutresis Ware” would place the corresponding assemblage towards the end of the LN II period. Since the relevant publications do not permit such a statistical analysis, one can only pinpoint the end of the above sketched LN II ceramic evolution, which at the same time marks the beginning of the EH I cultural phase, and is up to now best represented in Eutresis Group III. By the time of the appearance of that assemblage (the first clearly closed stratigraphic context in the sequence of Eutresis), Pattern Burnished, Incised, and Crusted Wares, as well as Plastic Decoration, have long since disappeared, and the rolled rims and dark, Heavy-Slipped and Burnished pottery survive sporadically, and the cherry-red Slipped and Polished EH I Ware with its typical shapes is fully present.

All three types of plastic decoration appear at Ayios Dhimitrios, i.e. plain, impressed, and incised cordons. At Prosymna in the West Yerogalaro assemblage only impressed cordons appear. Phelps suggests that the impressed cordon decoration may be the earliest type (Phelps, 1975, 332). Small, horizontally pierced lugs, each with a long projecting ridge known as “elephant lugs” have not been found at Ayios Dhimitrios. “Elephant lugs” are known from southern and northeastern Peloponnese, from Attica, Euboia, Kephala, and Thessaly (Klenia Cave: Phelps, 1975, figs. 49: 3; 51: 2; Kitsos Cave: Lambert, 1981, fig. 163; Kephala: Coleman, 1977, pls.80: B; 84: BN, BM; Euboia: Sampson, 1981, 133, 149, fig. 90: 27; Thessaly: Weisshaar, 1977, pls. 49: 6;50: 7;51: 11;90: 9; 99: 9; 103: 6; 144: 10). In Franchthi Cave “elephant lugs” (one with traces of red and white crusting) come from the upper mixed levels (Diamant, 1974, 76). One might suggest that the absence of “elephant lugs” at Ayios Dhimitrios would indicate a regional variation which does not extend to the western Peloponnese. Its presence in the region, however, has been attested at Koufiero (Fig. 34: 2). The lack of “elephant lugs” in the assemblage of the West Yerogalaro and its appearance in the mixed upper levels at Franchthi may suggest that this type of lug is not a very early feature in the evolution of the LN II pottery of the Peloponnese. From the foregoing discussion it becomes evident that there is a close link between the ceramic assemblage of Ayios Dhimitrios and the West Yerogalaro deposit at Prosymna. During my re-examination of the West Yerogalaro deposit pottery, I had the opportunity to draw profiles of forms not illustrated by Blegen, namely bowls, hole-mouthed pithoi, and collared jars (Fig. 35); the typological spectrum of the Prosymna bases is also very close to the one from Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 36).

Crusted ware is considered contemporary with Pattern Burnished ware (Phelps, 1975, 310). In Klenia Cave Crusted ware was found with Prosymna Incised and the Pattern Burnished wares. In Franchthi Cave it appears only in level I. At Lerna Crusted decoration appears on 39

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Summarizing the present evidence for the distribution and the development of the LN II period in the Peloponnese, one is led to distinguish an early LN II phase, whose beginning is marked by the disappearance of the painted wares and which is clearly represented by the assemblage of Prosymna-West Yerogalaro, and an advanced phase characterized by the presence of rolled rim bowls in Heavy-Slipped and Burnished ware occuring along with the inherited Crusted, Pattern Burnished, Incised, and Coarse wares. The Ayios Dhimitrios I assemblage is closely linked with the West Yerogalaro one, while the presence of one rolled rim bowl fragment in it announces the succeeding developments.

No examples from the Athenian Agora are known, with the possible exception of inv.nos. 9 and 12, which preserve traces of white pigment (lmmerwahr, 1971, 24). Its presence in Athens, however, has been attested in the fill of a well at the West Slope of the Acropolis. Among other pottery wares that are closely related to those from the Agora wells, there is a fragment of a vase with red and white crusted decoration (Platon, 1966, 43,126, pl. 63a). In Kitsos Cave Crusted Ware is recorded from couches 3 and 4, but not from couche 2, where Pattern Burnished and Coarse Ware, characteristic of the Kephala-AgoraAigina culture, were found together with rolled rim bowls (Lambert, 1981, 279, 295).

Attica-Saronic Gulf

The curious vessel known as a “Scoop”, common in Attica and Kephala, was not found in the assemblage of Ayios Dhimitrios I. Many fragments belonging presumably to at least 36 vessels were found at Kephala (most of them come from the cemetery, Coleman, 1977, 17). Fragments of at least 4 vessels come from the Athenian Agora (lmmerwahr, 1971, 12, no. 64). The form occurs also in Kitsos Cave (Lambert, 1981, 288, p1s.XXVII, XXVIII, fig. 167), the Cave of Pan (Lambert, l981, 313), and Thorikos (Spitaels, 1982, 29-30, nos. 45, 46). Further north “Scoops” are known from Sesklo (Tsountas, 1908, pl. l6: 3; Zervos, 1963, figs. 383-384), and from Pefkakia-Magoula in Thessaly (Weisshaar, 1977, 81, figs. 64: 6-10; 112: 1-9). In the Peloponnese they occur in two sites: Corinth and Halieis (Phelps, 1975, 326). The origin and the function of this type are uncertain. Coleman suggests that “Scoops” were made locally (Coleman, 1977, 16-17), Weinberg suggested a Cycladic origin (Weinberg, 1970, 605), and Immerwahr considers the best examples as imports from a single, perhaps Thessalian, center, and the cruder ones as locally made imitations (Immerwahr, 1982, 61).

The cultural affinities of Ayios Dhimitrios I with the Kephala-Agora-Aigina culture is manifested by common traits occurring in both contexts; i.e., pottery wares, a repertory of vase shapes, bases and handle or lug types, and the plastic cordon decoration. Numerous parallels have been given above, where the pottery of period I is discussed. Nevertheless, differences are also noteworthy and deserve further discussion for the purpose of distinguishing local variations and different groups or horizons within the long era of the Kephala-Agora-Aigina culture. Pattern burnished decoration of a more complex style, i.e. meander, interlocking hooks, or curvilinear bands like those from Kephala (Coleman, 1977, pls. 42: E; 86: AO), Thorikos (Spitaels, 1982, 27, no.39), or Aigina (Walter and Felten, 1981, pl. 72: 3) does not appear at Ayios Dhimitrios. Incised decoration at Kephala is restricted to a horizontal band on the outside of the rims of bowls and large, fairly open jars (Coleman, 1977, pls. 44: A-H; 88: A-AL). The rims are frequently thickened out by adding a plastic strip. The patterns are rectilinear or curvilinear (Coleman, 1977, pl. 44: M, L). Incised bands appear also among the wares from the Athenian Agora (lmmerwahr, 1971, pl. 9: 132, 133), and from Kitsos Cave (Lambert, 1981, figs. 241, 243). This decorative style, although similar, does not furnish a very close parallel to the Prosymna Incised Ware, as do the examples from Ayios Dhimitrios (lmmerwahr, 1971, 12, no. 61). The incisedand-dotted sherd (Fig. 33: D59) from Ayios Dhimitrios is connected with the Incised-Dotted Ware from Attica (one sherd only is known from the Athenian Agora, Immerwahr, 1971, 34, no. 99; more examples are published from Kitsos Cave, Lambert, 1981, 290-291, figs. 171174,197, and from Pan’s Cave, Zervos, 1963, nos. 838, 841, 842). This type of ware is not common in the Peloponnese: only three sherds are illustrated by Phelps, all from Gonia (Phelps, 1975, fig. 47: 29-31).

Summarizing the above data one should conclude that Kephala itself stands at the beginning of the LN II sequence, while Kitsos Cave-couche 2 with its rolled rim bowls represents a succeeding stage. On the other hand, the finds from the Agora wells seem to cover a long span overlapping both the Kephala and the Kitsos Cavecouche 2 stages and probably going well into the beginning of the EH I or Eutresis Group III. Immerwahr recently suggested a time span for the LN II occupation of the Athenian Agora of longer than the two hundred years she had previously proposed (lmmerwahr, 1971, 21; 1982, 62; Coleman, 1977, 100). The stratigraphic situation at the next important site of this culture, Aigina, is, on the other hand, insufficient to determine the time span of its LN II occupation. The sophisticated compositions on the Pattern Burnished Ware and the presence of some rolled rim bowls might, nevertheless, be tentatively interpreted as indications for an occupation of Aigina-Colona at an advanced LN II stage.

Crusted decoration has been found in Kephala, where it occurs in white and red colors. The preservation is very poor and, according to Coleman,”little can be said about its use as a decorative element except that broad surfaces of the pots were often covered” (Coleman, 1977, 11). 40

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE are plastic decoration, “elephant lugs”, pierced ring bases, and heavily incised “Scoops”.

Euboia In Euboia the recent investigations by Sampson (Sampson, 1981) and Keller (Keller, 1982) have enlarged the number of LN II sites and have proved that the KephalaAgora-Aigina culture extended to Euboia. The LN II material from Euboia consists mostly of surface finds. Only at five of 23 registered sites have small-scale excavations been undertaken: at Seimen-Mnima near Eretria, at Votsika near Psachna, at Skotini Cave near Tharounia, at Ayia Triada Cave, and at Plakari near Karystos. Sampson distinguishes two phases of LN II in Euboia: an early phase (or FN I) and a late phase (or FN II). In the pottery of the first phase, found mainly at SeimenMnima, the following wares occur: Plain, Red Monochrome (burnished or not), and Black Burnished Ware. Incised decoration appears on the first and last wares. Plastic cordons occur on the Plain Ware. “Elephant lugs” and spurred handles are also found in the assemblage (Sampson, 1981, 133-137). In the pottery of the second phase occur Plain, Red Slipped Monochrome, Red Burnished, and Pattern Burnished Ware. Incised and plastic decoration appears only on the Plain Ware. Among the various shapes, rolled rim bowls in Red Burnished Ware are mentioned (Sampson, 1981, 147-157). Sampson’s division of LN II into two phases follows Phelps (Phelps, 1975, 296-297, 320, 354-355) and Renfrew (Renfrew, 1972, 161-166, table 5.1), and is based mainly on stratigraphic observations made at Seimen-Mnima and at Votsika, which possessed thin deposits of his FN I and FN II phases respectively. These two assemblages seem to represent short-lived sites and, therefore, are insufficient to establish a continuous sequence accounting for all the divergent assemblages observed in other Euboian sites. In conclusion, the present research indicates an obvious connection between the LN II of Euboia and the AtticaSaronic Gulf area. Yet, the precise character and chronological parallelism of the corresponding assemblages can be determined only on the basis of well stratified deposits.

The position of the Larissa phase with its characteristic Black Burnished wares and S-profile bowls, falling between the classical Dimini and Rachmani horizons, has been questioned since its introduction by Milojčič (Milojčič, 1949, 37-43; 1950/51, 61; 1959, 24-26; Holmberg, 1964, 343-348). On the basis of the finds from Servia, Ridley has recently suggested that the Larissa phase preceded the Dimini culture: “Most of the published Larissa shapes from Arapi and Otzaki look contemporary with the Servia late Neolithic, which undoubtedly precede any Dimini phase” (Ridley, 1979, 225). The Larissa pottery remained, until recently, unstratified and was mostly found in pits (Milojčič, 1959, 16 ff.; Hauptmann, 1981, 75, 99 ff.). Recent excavations on the Thessalian sites Platia Magoula Zarkou, and Makrychori 2, conducted by K. Gallis, revealed a clear stratigraphic sequence, in which Larissa wares were found within the same layer as pottery characteristic for the Tsangli phase, i.e., for the initial LN phase in Thessaly (Gallis, 1987, 147-163; Hauptmann, 1986, 5-7). The same was observed on the Macedonian site Vasilika near Saloniki, excavated by D. Grammenos. Larissa wares were here found in a context containing Macedonian pottery which was proven by the excavator to be contemporary with the Tsangli phase of Thessaly (Grammenos, 1984, 73 and chronol. table p. 113). The withdrawing of the Larissa phase back to the beginning of the Thessalian LN leaves a chronological gap ranging between 200 and 300 years in chronological tables published up to now (Renfrew, 1972, table 5.1; Coleman, 1977, 109, table 8). This gap should be filled by extending the Rachmani phase up to the end of the Dimini period. The stratigraphic evidence supports this suggestion. On most of the excavated Thessalian sites the Rachmani deposits lay directly on strata of the classical Dimini phase (Coleman, 1992, 19; Hauptmann 1981, 134-139; Wace and Thompson, 1912, 28-34). This is the case even on Pefkakia Magoula, where the deepest Rachmani deposit was found succeeding the classical Dimini one and containing a considerable amount of nearly wholly preserved Dimini vases (Weisshaar, 1977, 9-10). Weisshaar has worked on a detailed study and presentation of the finds of the Rachmani deposits excavated on the Pefkakia Magoula. Three levels of the Rachmani culture are distinguished here: the Lower, the Middle, and the Upper Rachmani strata. Only the first and the last strata contained architectural remains, while the middle stratum lacked any architecture.

Thessaly The position of the Thessalian Rachmani horizon in the last stage of the Neolithic period was first suggested by O. Menghin (Menghin, 1931, 340). Finds of this culture came to light first in Tsountas’ excavations; it was, however, on the basis of the assemblage of House Q at Rachmani that this Thessalian horizon was first accurately defined (Renfrew, 1972, 69; Wace and Thompson, 1912, 31-34, 37-40, 43, 53). Since then a number of excavated sites have produced further material belonging to the Rachmani horizon: Sesklo, Phthiotic Thebes, Pyrasos Magoula, Magoula Chadzimissiotiki, Magoula Aidiniotiki, Zerelia, Otzaki and others (Weisshaar, 1977, 112-145; Hauptmann, 1981, 112-113). Its pottery includes Monochrome (gray, red, brown), Coarse and Fine wares, as well as Crusted Ware. Marking features, common also in the Kephala-Agora-Aigina culture of southern Greece,

In the deepest layer the following wares were registered: Brown Medium Coarse, Brown Coarse, Black Medium Coarse, Black Coarse, Gray Medium Coarse, Gray Coarse, Red Medium Coarse, Red Slipped (the so-called “pottery with cherry-red slip”), Beige Ware, Incised Ware, Beige Painted Ware, Crusted Ware, Pattern Burnished (only a few sherds), Graphite Ware, a so-called “Galepsos Ware”, and Late Neolithic Painted Ware. The 41

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Keeping in mind that the Rachmani culture may cover the entire span during which the Attica-Kephala and the Eutresis cultures flourished in southern Greece, it is interesting for chronological and cultural reasons to note that rolled rim bowls of the Kum Tepe Ib type have not been found at Pefkakia itself and were up to that time relatively rare in Thessaly (a list of Thessalian sites, where rolled rim bowls occur, is given by Weisshaar, 1977, 197; Phelps, 1975, 344, neglects their typological affinity with the ones from Acropolis North Slope). One might interpret this scarcity as a regional variation, if recent excavations on the settlement mound at Petromagoula, ca. 2 km northwest of Pefkakia, had not revealed stratified deposits of LN II and EBA I, in which rolled rim bowls occur in considerable numbers (Chatziagelakis, 1984, fig. 3:13). This type appeared at Petromagoula along with shapes typical for the Rachmani culture on the one hand, and with Incised Ware on the other, which resembles the EH I Incised Ware of central Greece (ibid. fig. 10-11; Dousougli, 1987, compares it with the EH I incised pottery from Lithares and suggests that it is synchronous with Eutresis Group III). Although the preliminary report on the excavation at Petromagoula does not permit a reconstruction of the stratigraphic assemblage in which each shape or type of decoration occurs, one may tentatively conclude that the evidence furnished by Petromagoula justifies the assumption that a LN II horizon containing features partially similar to those of the LN II of the central and southern Greece, as it was defined above, extends up into Thessaly. This horizon either overlaps the Rachmani III horizon of Pefkakia (if one accepts the stratigraphic validity of the Urfirnis sherds uncovered there) or follows directly upon it (if one considers the Urfirnis sherds as intrusive).

same wares also appear in the Middle Rachmani stratum on Pefkakia, with the exception of the Pattern Burnished and Graphite wares. An astonishing element is the appearance of 26 sherds of Urfirnis ware of the EH II period of southern Greece. In the succeeding Upper Rachmani layer painted wares continue, Urfirnis pottery is represented by six sherds and the “Galepsos ware” has disappeared (Weisshaar, 1977, 70-89, fig. 185). The vase shapes seem to be little differentiated through all three layers. A typological evolution is hardly maintainable. No extinction of a specific form or introduction of another can be noticed. Bowls are by far the predominant shape, either shallow or deep. They range from curvedto straight-sided types and are often carinated or Sprofiled. Further shapes represented in this cultural assemblage are strainers, jars with cylindrical or conical necks, pithoi with plastic decoration, baking pans, and “Scoops” of the Agora-Kephala type (Weisshaar, 1977, 90-100). Handles are uncommon throughout all strata. This scarcity is, on the other hand, balanced by the remarkable occurrence of a great variety of lugs: horned, pellet (sometimes double), tubular, and “elephant” lugs (the latter occurring in all three strata. Among base types flat and flat-raised bases predominate. There are also some low or high ring bases and low pedestals, which are usually pierced. There are only a few omphalos bases, a typical sample of which comes from the Middle Rachmani stratum (Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 96: 14). The same variety of wares, vase shapes, handles and bases is represented also among the finds of the Rachmani phase from the Otzaki Magoula excavated by the University of Heidelberg (Hauptmann, 1981, 114-133, where a full inventory of wares and shapes is given, see also table 10). From the above description of the features of the pottery found in the Rachmani horizon at Pefkakia it becomes obvious that all three Rachmani strata have common traits with the Kephala-Agora-Aigina culture of southern Greece. In addition to pottery, several other finds made of different material offer a further support to the synchronism of the Rachmani culture with the LN II of southern Greece: e.g., obsidian projectile points occur in all three Rachmani strata at Pefkakia (Weisshaar, 1977, figs. 75:12, 14; 121: 2; 153: 15), and the clay “ring idole” finds good parallels in Alepotrypa Cave and the Kitsos Cave (Phelps, 1975, fig. 103: 7; Hauptmann, 1971, 352, fig. 53; Lambert, 1981, pl. L). Mainly on the basis of the imported Urfirnis sherds found in the Middle and the Upper Rachmani strata, Weisshaar is forced to conclude that Rachmani I corresponds to EH I of southern Greece and Rachmani II runs parallel to the transition from EH I to EH II, while Rachmani III falls fully in the time span of EH II. Consequently, he suggested the chronological parallelism of the groups belonging to the sphere of the Attica-Saronic Gulf culture on the one hand, with the groups representing the EH I culture of the southern mainland, i.e., Eutresis and Perachora on the other hand, and tried to explain the divergences and local differentiations by characterizing the first as “coastal” and the latter as “inland” culture.

A further important differentiation between the Thessalian Rachmani culture and the southern Greek AtticaKephala culture is that one of the most characteristic features of the latter, namely, the Pattern Burnished Ware, is missing in Thessaly, except for two sherds found in the Rachmani I level at Pefkakia, which clearly do not belong to the Attic style (Weisshaar, 1977, 37, fig. 34: 4-5). With the discussion of the Peloponnesian and the Thessalian LN II sites in mind, and taking into account the fragments of Prosymna Incised Ware of West Yerogalaro type from Ayios Dhimitrios (which find parallels in both the Lower and the Middle Rachmani of Pefkakia), one may assume that the occupation of Ayios Dhimitrios I corresponds to the second half of the Lower Rachmani horizon at Pefkakia. The East Yerogalaro deposit with Polychrome Ware, therefore, should correspond to the early Lower Rachmani horizon at Pefkakia, in which the Dimini Polychrome Ware represents 6.2% of the assemblage (Weisshaar, 1977, 117). Macedonia, Balkans and the East Aegean On the basis of the published Neolithic material from Macedonia one may conclude that deposits chronologically and culturally equivalent to the Thessalian Rachma42

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE are lacking any appreciable context, although they might well fit in the same chronological frame.

ni culture are here missing. The two main excavated sites with deep deposits, Sitagroi and Dikili Tash, remain unpublished. Nevertheless, Weisshaar proposes a synchronization of Sitagroi III and the “burnt horizon” of Dikili Tash with Rachmani. He also considers Rachmani I-III parallel to Kritsana I/II in Macedonia (Weisshaar, 1982b, 325). The later part of Sitagroi III corresponds to the LN II of Mainland Greece, and it is very close to the Bulgarian Chalcolithic (Karanovo V-VII, Gumenitsa cultures), according to Renfrew (Renfrew, 1971, 278-279). In a recent preliminary report on the Dikili Tash sequence it is suggested that the chronological equivalent of the Rachmani culture is not represented there. The Dikili Tash IIB horizon, which is declared as contemporary with the Dimini phase in Thessaly, is succeeded by Dikili Tash IIIA, which would be parallel to Early Thessalian I (Seferiades, 1983, fig. 77). Only the final publication of both sites, Sitagroi and Dikili Tash, will solve the problem of the Macedonian LN II period. A small number of surface finds have furnished some additional evidence for the determination of the Macedonian LN II: fragments of Crusted Ware have been collected at Nea Phokea in Chalkidiki (Grammenos, 1984, fig.15: 70) and at Kapoutsedes (Pylea) near Saloniki (Heurtley, 1939, 156, fig. 22).

Regarding the Serbian sequence, finds from the site of Bubanj-Hum near Ins, since the first excavations by Torssich de Slavetich, have been connected with the Rachmani culture (Torssich de Slavetich, 1940, 31-32). Supplementary test excavations conducted at the same site by Garašanin contributed considerably to the clarification of the stratigraphy and the ceramic sequence (Garašanin, 1958, 223-244). Crusted Polychrome ware was observed only in Niveaux IV-V and Level 5 which, according to Garašanin’s division, belong to Bubanj-Hum Ia phase (Garašanin, 1958, 240-241). A sherd with fine crusted decoration from the Lower Rachmani stratum at Pefkakia is considered by Weisshaar as a direct import from Serbia (Weisshaar, 1977, 192, pl. 81: 5). Its decoration consists of groups of thin lines in white crusted pigment, which are combined with broad spiral bands. This composition occurs on shallow bowls at Bubanj-Hum (Torssich de Slavetich, 1940, pls. V, VI, VII) and also further east in the Bulgarian site Ogol Glava near Sofia (Gaul, 1948, pl. 45: 1). The same decorative conception, namely a group of thin parallel lines filling a geometric motif, occurs in a series of sites in southwestern Greece: Ayios Nikolaos Cave in Akarnania (Benton, 1947, pl. 24: 61), Ayios Dhimitrios in Triphylia (Fig. 30: 1256/81, 1245/81; PL. 16), and Nestor’s Cave in Messenia (Phelps, 1975, fig. 50:1).

The suggestion that cultural contacts between the Balkans and mainland Greece and the Aegean islands occurred during the Eneolithic period, has from time to time been expressed by various scholars (Todorova, 1978, 67; Prendi, 1982, 204). These suggestions are based on some common traits among different artifacts such as pottery, idols, and metal implements. Weisshaar has recently connected the sensational grave-assemblage of the Varna cemetery with the Aegean Rachmani-Kephala culture, pointing out the striking similarity of the conical marble rhyton and the marble bowl of Varna with vessels from Kephala and Naxos (Weisshaar, 1982b, 321-329). Those vases, as well as the necklaces made of dentalium and spondylus shell found in the same grave, are considered by him to be direct imports from the Aegean, accompanying some buried “foreigners” (Weisshaar, 1982b, 329, n. 46). A further argument for connecting the Eneolithic Aegean cultures with Varna has been furnished by the existence in both assemblages of the ring idol type, made of various materials, even though this type, as indicated by Weisshaar (Weisshaar, 1982b, 321 with detailed bibliography), is broadly distributed over Europe in space and time and, therefore, cannot support arguments for chronological equation (see also Maier, 1961, 259-265). Nevertheless, it should not be considered accidental that ring idols made of gold, silver, clay, or stone, on the Greek mainland, when they are securely stratified, come from Eneolithic strata: for example, a silver ring idol from Alepotrypa (Hauptmann, 1971, 352, fig. 53), a terracotta one from Pefkakia (Weisshaar, 1979b, 388, fig.2:6, 1977, fig. 24: l), and a stone example from Kitsos Cave (Lambert, 1981, pl. L). Three additional golden examples, one from Sesklo (Tsountas, 1908, fig. 291) and two from Giannitsa near Saloniki (Grammenos, 1984, pl. 56: 3,4),

Further south of Bubanj-Hum in Pelagonia ceramics from three sites, namely Suplevec, Crnobuki, and Bakarno Gumno, have been placed in a late Eneolithic horizon and were related to ceramics from Bubanj-Hum I and the Rachmani culture in Thessaly (Milojčič, 1953, 91-93; Hauptmann, 1967, 12-19; Simoska et al., 1976, 22; Garašanin, 1982, 148). Recent excavations at Crnobuki revealed four strata, the first three of which belong to an Eneolithic horizon and the last one to the EBA (Simoska et al., 1976, 72). The three oldest strata correspond, to some extent, with Suplevec and Bakarno Gumno, while the oldest stratum from Bakarno Gumno does not exist at Crnobuki and Suplevec (Simoska et al., 1976, 72). Crusted ware and clay torsos of the acrolithic type of figurines found together in the oldest strata at Crnobuki are elements strongly reminiscent of the Rachmani culture (Garašanin, 1953, fig. 8, 12, 13; Wace and Thompson, 1912, fig. 25; 28 g). The finds from phase I and IIa of the Albanian settlement of Maliq have been associated with the Eneolithic horizons of Bubanj-Hum in the Morava basin; the Pelagonian sites Suplevec, Bakarno Gumno, and Crnobuki; and the Rachmani culture in Thessaly (Prendi, 1966, 255-280; Weisshaar, 1977, 190; Prendi, 1982, 204). It is not only the presence of Crusted Ware, which starts with Maliq I and ceases by IIa, but also a number of vase shapes, copper tools, and acrolithic clay figurines that demonstrate connections with the Rachmani culture in Thessaly (Weisshaar, 1977, 190-191; Prendi, 1982, 204). 43

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The variety of object-types in such a small assemblage is remarkable (Branigan, 1974, 98), and this indicates a non-initial stage of the metallurgical development (Branigan, 1974, 99). Most scholars accept the view of importation of metal implements from the Balkans into Greece (Branigan, 1974, 98; Phelps et al., 1979, 175184). More specifically, the Alepotrypa axe has parallels from Trieste (Phelps et al., 1979, 180) and two copper axes from Sesklo (without context but considered as Neolithic by Phelps and Weisshaar; see Theocharis, 1973, 351-353 for a description of the two axes) are related to the long axes from Maliq in Albania (Phelps et al., 1979, 21). Weisshaar relates also the copper axe found at Pefkakia with Maliq and Salcuta II (Weisshaar, 1977, 108, n. l4). Phelps claims also that the two hammer-axes from the collection of the British School at Athens (Inv. no. 120 from Spata and Inv. no. 121 from Athens) are imports from the Balkans (Phelps et al., 1979, 179).

Common traits in pottery wares and shapes of contemporary horizons of eastern Aegean with LN II of mainland Greece have been pointed out by different scholars. Weisshaar compares the wares and shapes from Pefkakia with those from Troy I-II, Kum Tepe Ia-lc, Thermi I-III, Poliochni I-IIb, Samos, and Protesilas-Tumulus I-II (Weisshaar, 1977, 194-203). Phelps, in his discussion of the Crusted Ware, points out some examples from Tigani on Samos (Phelps, 1975, 316). Coleman, however, speaking of the relationship of Kephala with Eastern Aegean/Western Anatolian sites, notes: “The evidence, in short, is not sufficient to indicate any direct cultural relationship or exchange between Kephala and these Eastern sites” (Coleman, 1977, 108). Only towards the end of the LN II period and with the appearance of the Kum Tepe Ib bowls in the Cyclades and the mainland do the connections between mainland Greece and Anatolia become more substantial. In contrast, contacts of LN II Greece and the Central Balkans are indicated not only by common pottery trends, discussed briefly above, but also by common features of metallurgy.

The contacts of Kephala and Rachmani cultures with the cemetery of Varna in Bulgaria have already been mentioned. Farther north in Macedonia, the recently published gold finds from Giannitsa support the evidence for such a connection. From the area of Aravissos near Giannitsa come two rectangular gold leaves, pierced at the edges (Grammenos, 1984, 148, pl. 56: 1, 2; cf. Ivanov, 1978, pl. l7), two “ring idols” (Grammenos, 1984, pl. 56: 3, 4; cf. Ivanov, 1978, pl. 14), a round gold leaf, pierced in the center, and a gold bead (Grammenos, 1984, 148, pl. 56: 5, 6). These objects are identical with those from Varna and, of course, were grave offerings, as Grammenos very correctly suggested. The gold has not been analyzed for its origin, but regardless of the provenance of the gold, the contacts with Varna are obvious, thereby suggesting common burial practices.

It was Renfrew who first pointed out that the Copper Age in southeast Europe is an autonomous and independent development, as against the accepted views of an Anatolian origin and advancement (Childe, 1957; Renfrew, 1969). Renfrew based his suggestions (which were published before the discovery of the Varna graves) on three arguments: “The Bulgarian stratigraphy (with Aegean parallels of Karanovo VII), the radiocarbon chronology, and the elements of continuity in the cultural development from the First Neolithic to the end of the Chalcolithic” (Renfrew, 1969 b, 19). The area of the Central Balkans, as well as the Middle Danubian region, is rich in copper ore deposits (Jovanović, 1971, 105; Todorova, 1978, 67). Recent investigations in Serbia at Rudna Glava (Jovanović, 1980, 31; 1982; Jovanović and Ottaway, 1976) and in southeast Bulgaria at Aibunar (Todorova, 1978, 67; Jovanović, 1980, 32; Černych, 1978, 203-218) have revealed important mining centers where copper was extracted since at least the Early Eneolithic period. Chemical analysis of the copper from those centers made possible the determination of the origin of copper implements found in different Balkan sites (Todorova, 1978, 67). Copper ore deposits exist in Greece, but at present there is no evidence for their exploitation (McGeehan-Lyritzis, 1983, 152) during the LN period. The same is true for the lead and silver deposits at Siphnos and Laurion, where there are indications of ore extraction during the Early and Middle Bronze Ages (Wagner et al., 1980, 63-86; Gale and Stoss-Gale, 1982, 97-103).

In conclusion, from the point of view of southern Greece, one may classify the LN II cultures that developed on the Southeast Balkan Peninsula, according to the degree of their affinities, into three overlapping zones: the first zone covers Euboia, Attica, the Saronic Gulf, and the entire Peloponnese. The second zone covers the Greek mainland south of Macedonia down to the Peloponnese, including Euboia and the Saronic Gulf. The third zone covers the entire Balkan Peninsula south of the Danube down to the Peloponnese. Within these zones exist local variations and peculiarities, which can be attributed to various factors such as climate and geography. The degree of relationship among those three zones decreases as one works from the first to the third zone. This suggestion applies only to the early stages of the LN II period of mainland Greece, during which, as I have already discussed, there was an active exchange of goods and impulses to and from the Balkans. On the other hand, some Anatolian elements dispersed at the end of the LN II towards the Greek mainland and the Cycladic Islands, among which the Kum Tepe Ib bowls are the most prominent, might be an indication for the activation of contacts between the two areas.

The number of metal objects with or without a LN context, but attributable to this period on the base of stylistic criteria, is very limited compared to the number from Bulgaria and Serbia (Branigan, 1974, 97-98; Phelps, 1975, 52, 444; Diamant, 1974, 313-319; McGeehanLyritzis, 1983, 147-158; Phelps et al., 1979, 175-184). 44

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE A table showing the relative chronology of the most important sites discussed in this chapter appears in figure 72. For a discussion of the radiocarbon dates from Ayios Dhimitrios, see Appendix I.

45

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Five Conclusions Crusted, and Incised indicates that the inhabitants of Ayios Dhimitrios were not an isolated group, but were in touch with their neighbors with whom they shared certain cultural features. The same ceramic wares are found throughout the Peloponnese and southern Greece as far north as Euboia; it may not, in fact, be unreasonable to speak of a ceramic koine in this area during the LN II period. The presence of the copper object(s)10 in the LN II stratum indicates that the inhabitants of Ayios Dhimitrios were also aware of the new technological trends in metallurgy that were developing at this time in the Aegean world.

From the distribution of LN II deposits on the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios, I estimate that the settlement during that period occupied an area covering ca. 5,000 square meters. The absence of substantial architectural remains in the excavated areas suggests that the houses were built of perishable materials such as wood and straw. This conclusion is supported by the presence of two post holes in Trench N85/E45, located next to a hearth and a bothros of the same period; these features may be related to structures made of wood or wattle. The countless charcoal chips included in the soil matrix of the Neolithic stratum are probably the remains of huts demolished by a conflagration which marked the end of the Neolithic occupation on the hill, and an abandonment of the site until the Early Bronze Age.

The LN II flaked stone industry at Ayios Dhimitrios is represented by a total of 313 artifacts; of this total, 272 or 86.9% consist of obsidian, while 41 or 13.1% are of chert.11 The obsidian, based on its overall characteristics, is presumed to be Melian in origin, which indicates trade or exchange, either direct or indirect, between Ayios Dhimitrios and the broader Aegean region. The chert, which varies considerably in color, texture, and quality, derives from an unknown source, and was probably brought to the site in the form of finished tools. Both obsidian and chert tools were produced by pressure flaking.

Given the lack of data concerning the nature of the LN settlement, it is impossible to give reliable population estimates for the community at Ayios Dhimitrios. In addition, different scholars have proposed different figures in attempting to estimate the population of Neolithic settlements in Greece based on the extent of the archaeological remains. Renfrew, for example, has suggested a figure of 200 people per hectare (Renfrew, 1972, 251) while Jacobsen, considering Renfrew’s estimate as too high, proposed 100 people per hectare (Jacobsen, 1981, 312). Recently Halstead arrived at a figure of 100-300 people per hectare by applying Narrol’s figure of 10 m2 of floor area per inhabitant (Narrol, 1962, 587-589), and by assuming that 1030% of the area of a Neolithic settlement normally consisted of house floors (Halstead, 1981, 313). Elia, also applying Narrol’s figure to individual houses, estimated ca, five individuals per house in LN Dimini in Thessaly, but cautioned that “Narrol’s figure amounts to nothing more than another way of expressing floor area” (Elia, 1982, 371). If my suggestion that Ayios Dhimitrios was occupied by a mobile group of pastoralists living in huts is correct , as I discuss below, we must accept the lowest figure of the above discussed estimates, i.e., ca. 50 individuals for an area of ca. 5,000 square meters.

Six tool types were recognized from the Ayios Dhimitrios assemblage of 117 tools: 1) retouched tools, usually obsidian blades (37.6% of the total); 2) pièces esquillées, or splintered pieces (23.9%); 3) projectile points (18.8%), grouped into four categories-tanged, barbed and tanged, tongued, and triangular; 4) end scrapers (12.5%); 5) perforators (4.3%); and 6) sickle elements (3.4%), one of which shows traces of silica gloss. Although it is very difficult to infer the specific functions of these tools, the lithic assemblage from LN II Ayios Dhimitrios seems to represent a variety of activites, including cutting, piercing, scraping, and possibly even hunting. So little is known of the Peloponnese during the Late Neolithic period that it is difficult to assess the position of Ayios Dhimitrios within the broader cultural context of the period. One trend that has been noted is an apparent increase in the number of caves occupied in southern Greece (Attica and the Peloponnese) during the LN period in comparison with previous periods (Jacobsen, 1969, 377, n. 47; Theocharis, 1973, 109; Diamant, 1974, 356). Of the 35 certain LN II Peloponnesian sites on my list (see pages 3-4), 13 are caves, representing 32% of the known sites. Diamant has pointed out that during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods (Nemea-Lerna II

The material culture from the Neolithic stratum at Ayios Dhimitrios is on the whole unimpressive. Besides the assemblage of tools made of obsidian, flint, and bone, there are one stone axe, (fig. 37: 278), two stone beads, one terracotta figurine, and two tools made of copper.The pottery consists predominantly of Red Monochrome Ware, while Pattern Burnished, Crusted, Black Burnished, and Incised Wares make up a low percentage of the total assemblage. The principal shapes represented are bowls and large storage vessels, the latter frequently decorated with plastic cordons imitating ropes to support lifting. The presence of wares like Pattern Burnished,

10 The copper dagger may have intruded into the Neolithic stratum from a later period. 11 The analysis of the lithic material was conducted by A. MoundreaAgrafioti; see Appendix III.

46

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE phases) caves represent about 20% of known sites in Attica and the Peloponnese, while during the Late Neolithic period (Dull Painted-Agora phases) there is an increase in cave sites to ca. 50%. Only during the EBA (EutresisKorakou phases) is there a decrease in cave sites to less than 3% of all sites (Diamant, 1974, 405); see also Phelps, 1975, 297). A similar phenomenon appears to have occurred in Euboia (Sampson, 1981, 95, 160).

the population to find alternative economic resources. This hypothesis again contradicts the evidence from Thessaly, but according to Diamant, in southern Greece the land is only marginally suitable for agriculture and therefore more quickly exhausted than in Thessaly (Diamant, 1974, 364). Another possible reason for the intensification of cave occupation, according to Halstead, could be deforestation, which would have made areas for stock herding accessible to lowland farmers (Halstead, 1981, 326). There is not enough evidence, however, to support a claim for deforestation during the Neolithic period in Greece (Bintliff, 1977, 72); the pollen sequence from the Osmanaga Lagoon in Messenia, for example, shows that deforestation in the area began only after 2000 B.C.

Most of the caves in the Peloponnese that were occupied during the LN period are located in high altitudes, away from arable land but near good water sources (e.g., Koufiero, Baroutospelia, and Kokora Troupa in Messenia; Livartzi and Kamenitsa in Arcadia; Klenia in the Corinthia; Portes and Speleo Limnon in Achaia). The same is true for caves occupied during the LN period in Attica (Diamant, 1974, 361). If cave occupation implies an economy based primarily on the herding of small animals, such as sheep and goats, as opposed to agriculture, an increase in the occupation of caves during the LN period may indicate a shift in the economic system towards increasing reliance on pastoralism in southern Greece.

The answer to the question of why more caves were occupied during the LN period, and whether or not this implies a shift in the economic system of the LN inhabitants of southern Greece, must await the accumulation of more data from environmental and archaeological studies of both cave and open sites. Another question that one might address in relation to the occupation of both cave sites and open sites like Ayios Dhimitrios is: were the sites occupied perenially or seasonally by groups of pastoralists practising transhumance? The Mediterranean climate favors the exploitation of low- and highland resources by transhumance (Higgs and Vita-Finzi, 1972, 30). The ethnographic data in Greece are very rich in nomadic groups like the Koutsovlachs and the Sarakatsani who practiced transhumance following traditional routes for centuries.12 Transhumance in Classical Greece is also mentioned in several cases. For example, Bintliff cites the story found in Oedipos Tyrannos of the shepherd of the King of Corinth who moved to Mt. Kithairon for summer pastures where he met a shepherd of the King of Thebes who came with his flocks from the plains of Thebes (Bintliff, 1977, 117).

Four possible reasons for the increase in cave occupation during the LN period have been proposed by Diamant: 1) climatic change; 2) population pressure; 3) time of troubles (Diamant here is referring to invasions and migrations as an explanation for cultural change); or 4) soil depletion (ibid., 362-364). A prolonged drought could have changed the economic system by forcing the population to an increased reliance on pastoralism in the highlands where water is more plentiful, while agriculture would decrease in the lowlands. Since there is no evidence for dramatic climatic changes in Greece during the last 7,000 years (Bintliff, 1977, 51; Raphael, 1969, 109; Davidson and Tasker, 1982, 93; Diamant, 1974, 371), however, such a hypothesis may be ruled out. Furthermore, the evidence from Thessaly, where no increase in cave occupation has been observed (Diamant, 1974, 359), makes it difficult to accept the idea of climatic change as an explanation only for southern Greece.

Higgs, discussing the Palaeolithic sites of Epirus, pointed out that there has been “a remarkable similarity observed between the movements of Palaeolithic hunters and the present day transhumant pastoralists the Zagori Sarakatsani” (Higgs, 1968, 296). Recently Jacobsen proposed that groups of seasonal pastoralists were responsible for the dissemination of Middle Neolithic Urfirnis within the limits of the Argolid (where the style originated, according to the same author) and beyond (Jacobsen, 1984, 2734).13 In the same work Jacobsen approaches the issue of

Diamant’s second reason, “population pressure”, as he himself admits, contradicts the phenomena of abandonment or decrease in size of sites noted during the Late Neolithic in southern Greece (Diamant, 1974, 363-366, fig. 8.1). Indeed, such phenomena as abandonment of sites and decrease in site size suggest a decrease in population (Diamant, 1974, 369). The third hypothesis, of an external cause (invasions or migration), is a reasonable one, since even in recent Greek history similar phenomena are common. During the Turkocracy, for example, the population frequently took refuge in the mountains. Such an hypothesis, however, must be supported by archaeological evidence, which at the present stage of our knowledge does not exist.

12 To mention the most important: Campbell, J.K., Honour, Family and Patronage: a Study of Institutions and Moral Values in a reed Mountain Community (Oxford 1964); Hammond, N.G.L., Migrations and Invasions in Greece and Adjacent Areas (New Jersey 1976); Hatzimichali, A., Sarakatsanoi (Athens 1957); Wace, A.J.B., and Thompson, M.S. , The Nomads of the Balkans (Cambridge 1914). 13 Hammond’s work Migrations and Invasions in Greece and Adjacent Areas, is interesting for its approach of the subject and the wealth of information but unconvincing and in most cases confusing; for example in his table of synchronization of the different prehistoric Balkan cultures he is synchronizing the “Classical Dimini” period in Thessaly with the EH I of southern Greece; also see Jacobsen, 1985, 95.

According to Diamant’s fourth hypothesis, continuous use of the land for two millennia (during the Nemea and Lerna II phases) would have depleted the soil, and forced 47

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE ing place as well.17 Several end scrapers were also found at the site; although the function of these tools is by no means certain, one cannot preclude their possible use for working animal hides and skins. Another possible suggestion of a pastoral rather than agricultural economy is the relatively small number of sickle elements found at Ayios Dhimitrios (only 3.4% of all the flaked stone tools). The presence of sickle elements, however, cannot be taken with certainty to reflect agriculture, even when sickle gloss is evident, since they could have been used to cut wild grasses as well as cultivated cereals. The absence of stone architecture, which is usually connected with sedentary agriculturalists, might also support the view that the site was occupied by a mobile group of pastoralists 18 (Monks, 1981, 220).

seasonal or perennial occupation of the caves by applying Higgs’ classification of prehistoric economies, i.e., sedentary, mobile cum sedentary, and mobile (Higgs and VitaFinzi, 1972, 28-29; Jacobsen, 1984, 30-35). Using ethnographic parallels of mobile groups in the Argolid and Corinthia, he comes to the conclusion that caves like Kefalari and Didyma (a collapsed cave) in the Argolid, and Klenia and Tzoungiza in the Corinthia, were transit sites occupied by mobile pastoralists on their way to high- or lowland pastures (ibid., 33).14 In order to test hypotheses on the type of cave occupation and the time of occupation, however, data from floral and faunal remains, as well as from the lithic industries are required (Bokonyi, 1972, 121-126; Monks, 1981, 177-240). At the present stage of research most Peloponnesian caves remain unexcavated and the available data from excavated ones are very poor. The evidence from floral remains at Franchthi, for example, supports the argument against transhumance, since the opposite pattern is given to that known from the ethnographic record, i.e., exploitation of highland pastures during the summer and lowland pastures during the winter. If transhumance was practiced by the Neolithic inhabitants of Franchthi, we must accept that they followed the opposite pattern (Hansen, 1980, 213214).

The Tholon River Valley itself, with rich vegetation on its rolling hills and in its lowlands, may be said to offer an environment that is conducive to pastoralism. The mild climate of the valley could have provided an opportunity for pastoral groups to spend the winter months in Ayios Dhimitrios, and the summer rnonths in the neighboring highland pastures of Arcadia.19 Here it is interesting to note that at Prosymna, which is also a LN II open site like Ayios Dhimitrios, the hearths that were thought by Blegen to be communal hearths (Blegen, 1937, 24-5) have recently been interpreted by Jacobsen as the remains of mobile pastoralists who were using Prosymna as a transit site. Jacobsen points out that the deposits at Prosymna were very shallow, and that the site is located “along well-trod pastoral routes” (Jacobsen, 1984, 33).

At the present time, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether the economic basis of LN II Ayios Dhimitrios was predominantly pastoral or agricultural, and whether the site was occupied perennially or seasonally. Part of the problem in making such determinations is the lack of general evidence for Late Neolithic agricultural15 and settlement patterns in the Aegean. Despite the lack of good data, however, there are a number of indications that the settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios might have practiced transhumant pastoralism during the LN period. These indications must be considered tentative, however, until floral and faunal analyses for the site have been completed, and until more comparative data becomes available for the rest of southern Greece.

Ultimately, only additional new evidence for both Ayios Dhimitrios and other sites of the LN II period in the Peloponnese will allow us to answer the questions raised above concerning the economic basis of the settlement at the site. As a working hypothesis, however, it is suggested that the LN II inhabitants of the site could have been transhumant pastoralists who occupied the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios on a seasonal basis. Although by no means conclusive, the evidence recovered from the site to date is not inconsistent with such a view.

A preliminary inspection of the animal bones and tools found in the LN II stratum indicates that the majority come from caprines, which suggests that the herding of sheep and goats was taking place at the site. In addition, the presence of numerous projectile points at the site (the Ayios Dhimitrios points comprise the third largest LN group known to date in the Aegean, after Saliagos and Kitsos Cave)16 suggests that hunting activities were tak-

14

17 It is possible that other activities besides hunting are reflected in the assemblage of projectile points. Moundrea-Agrafioti, for example, mentions the possibility of warfare (see Appendix III). 18 The building of stone houses by mobile groups is of course not excluded.According to Higgs and Vita-Finzi, the practice is welldocumented in both the archaeological and anthropological litterature (Higgs and Vita-Finzi, 1972, 29). 19 Arcadia was known in classical times as the land of pastoralism; in the Homeric Hymns, for example, Arcadia is called “Πολύμηλος” and “Μήτηρ μήλων”, “land full of sheep” and “mother of sheep” (Hymn to Hermes, IV. 2; Hymn to Pan, XIX. 30).

The Speleo Limnon in Achaia seems to me to have been a transit site during the LN II period. The main room of the cave itself was not suitable for perennial habitation because it lies on the exit of a subterranean stream. But cultural deposits are observed outside the cave. It is interesting, as ethnographic evidence, to note that the cave is located on a modern route of contempοrary transhuman pastoralists (Papachatzis, 1980, 246). 15 For a discussion of the limitations of our knowledge about prehistoric agriculture in the Aegean, see Hansen, 1988, “Agriculture in the Prehistoric Aegean”, AJA 92, 39-52. 16 For a distribution map of projectile point types, see Maps 6 and 7.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Six Period II (Early Helladic) l.

The Deposits and Stratification

T.N90/E45, T.N90/E50, T.I 1980, T. E 1980, T.N100/E40, B 1982, and in the trenches I-Vl of the 1977 and 1978 excavations around and within the chapel of Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 1).

Early Helladic deposits were excavated in the following trenches: A 1982, C 1982, N70/E30, T.N55/E30, T.N75/E45, T.N75/E40, T.N80/E45, T.N85/E45,

Fig. 1 General plan of Ayios Dhimitrios

49

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The remains of House B are fragmentary because of later disturbances. This is clear especially toward the southern part of the house where a bothros of the Frankish period containing pottery, animal bones, and coins was excavated. Only two parallel walls (and possibly a part of a third one towards the west), oriented N to S, have been found. The walls are built of two lines of unworked travertine or limestone and embedded clay. Discarded mill stones were also incorporated. In most parts of the wall only one course of stones has been preserved, except for the northern part of the west wall. Here three courses of stones have been preserved and the stones are laid in herring-bone style. This type of masonry is known not only from mainland Early Bronze Age sites such as Lerna (Caskey, 1956, 152), Aghios Kosmas (Mylonas, 1959, 21), and Eutresis (Goldman, 1931, 15, fig. 12), but also from Thermi (Lamb, 1936, 7) and Troy Ib-c (Blegen et al., 1950, 91, 108-110). Two lines of stones on the southern part of the west wall create a kind of bench. No floors could be clearly distinguished within the house. Below the foundation level a Neolithic bothros dug in the bedrock was discovered. In the area of the bothros the Neolithic layer was stripped off and the EH layer was resting directly on the bedrock (Fig. 11). Within the limits of the walls many fine and coarse ware sherds and the following items were discovered:

The spur, on the southern end of which Ayios Dhimitrios may be found, was cut in half in the late 1930s by the construction of a road connecting the seashore with Phigaleia. Nevertheless, a few sherds of the EH period were found on this separate hill created by the construction opposite Ayios Dhimitrios. The chapel of Panayia and the modern cemetery of the village are today located on this “new” hill. The area SE of the chapel of Ayios Dhimitrios revealed the greatest number of artifacts and features of the EH period. Here the accumulation of deposits was comparatively deep, and architectural remains were found. In Trench N85/E45 two levels of the EH stratum were distinguished (Figs. 5, 6, 7). These levels produced different pottery in terms of wares and shapes. On the lower level (Phase IIa) Red Slipped and Burnished, Urfirnis, and Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished wares predominate. On the second level (Phase IIb) Red Slipped and Burnished Ware disappears and Plain wares predominate; the bright Urfirnis of the level below became a colorless dilution. Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Ware still exists but in a lower quality. To the same phase (Phase IIb) belong also some pieces of fine Black Slipped and Burnished Ware. Between the debris found on the floor of House A (Phase IIb) no Red Slipped and Burnished sherds were found; sherds were, however, found in the clay used to plaster the floor. This is a clear indication that the clay was taken from parts of the settlement where remains of the first phase existed. On the basis of the ceramic evidence it was also possible to distinguish the two phases on different parts of the hill where only one layer of the EH deposit existed. House B belongs to the First phase (Phase IIa); to the same phase belong also the EH deposits from the following trenches: Trench I 1980, T.N90/E45, T.N90/50, T.C 1982, T.N100/E40, T.N70/E30, T. A 1982, and T.B l982. To the second phase (Phase IIb) belong the trenches within and around House A, i.e., T.N70/E40, T.N75/E40, T.N75/E45, T.N80/E45, and also T.N55/E30.

1. A fragment of a cylindrical handle with a seal impression. It was found west of wall l, towards its northern end. 2. Two rim fragments of clay hearths with impressed decoration. 3. A terracotta head of a ram and a fragment of a terracotta quadruped. 4. Seven fragments of flat roof tiles. 5. A fragment of a copper chisel. At a distance of about 0.70 m NE of wall 2 the lower part of a pithos was found in situ. This is an indication that House B continued towards the east. As has already been mentioned, however, because of the disturbances, no archtectural remains have been preserved. Further east at a distance of five meters from wall 2 of the house, a bothros was discovered. It is U-shaped and was dug through the Neolithic stratum and the bedrock. No architectural remains were found in connection with the bothros.

2. The Architecture The architectural remains of Period II at Ayios Dhimitrios are very scanty. Nonetheless, they are important in view of the lack of published EH architectural remains from ancient Triphylia, and the scarcity from other parts of the southwestern Peloponnese. The Ayios Dhimitrios finds are sufficient both to establish similarities with other parts of the Peloponnese and to trace indigenous elements. It is also possible to draw some conclusions regarding the function of the buildings that were excavated.

House A (Phase IIb) Fig. 3; Pls. 4-7. Dimensions: Length (estimated) 11.60 m. Room I, interior dim. 3.00 x 3.10 m. Room II, interior dim. 2.90 x 2.15 m. Room III, interior dim. est. 3.30 x 3.50 m Thickness of the walls 0.65 - 0.75 m. The house, oriented approximately north to south, is located in squares N75/E45, N80/E45 and partially in squares N75/E40 and N70/E40. It is a long, narrow, rectangular building divided into three rooms. Only the foundation walls have been preserved, which in some parts were found only a few centimeters below the present-day ground level.

House B (Phase IIa) Figs. 2, 8, 9; Pl. 8. Dimensions: Preserved length ca. 7 m. Thickness of the walls 0.65-0.75 m.

50

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 2 Plan of House B

51

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 3 Plan of House A

52

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 4 Plan of the Post-Byzantine building

53

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 5 Trench N85/E45: South scarp

54

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 6 Trench N85/E45: East scarp

55

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 7 Trench N85/E45: West scarp

56

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 8 Trenches N90/E45 and I1980: West scarp

57

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 9 Area of House B: Section C-C’

58

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 10 Area of House A: Section B-B’

59

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 11 Section A-A’

60

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 12 Trench N100/E40 and B 1982: South scarp

61

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 13 Trench N55/E30: West scarp

62

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Fig. 14 Trench C 1982: West scarp

63

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The walls resting on the rock are built of two lines of comparatively large, unworked stones. The space between the stones is filled with small stones and clay. This type of masonry occurs at various EH sites such as Strefi in Elis (Koumouzelis, 1980, 43), Eutresis (Goldman, 1931, 15), Berbati (Säflund, 1965, 97), Lerna (Caskey, 1954, 21), Aghios Kosmas (Mylonas, 1959, 15, 21), and elsewhere.

1. Pottery sherds of fine and coarse ware; among them a fragment of a small askos with incised decoration and a small pyxis-lid. 2. Six obsidian tools and one obsidian core. 3. Two millstones and three grinders; they were found clustered together in the SW corner of the room (PL.5a). Room II: Towards the north wall (wall 4) of room II a bench paved with small stones and pottery sherds was discovered. Within the room the following items were found:

Besides the limestone and the travertine of the local bedrock, discarded millstones were incorporated in the walls. In most parts of the walls only one course of stones has been preserved. However, in the western long wall 3 and in the space between the transverse walls 4 and 5, where the wall reaches ca. 50 cm in height, there are three courses of stones. The lowest course consists of three rows of stones, while the higher courses have only two rows; thus the wall gradually becomes narrower in steplike courses (Blegen, 1928b, 4). The stone foundations served as the socle for the super-structure which, presumably, was built of mud brick. No unbaked bricks were found at this site, but they are known at many EH sites such as Strefi in Elis (Koumouzelis, 1980, 43), Berbati (Säflund, 1964, 118, fig. 29), Aghios Kosmas (Mylonas, 1959, 21), Lerna (Caskey, 1958, 130), and elsewhere.

1. Pottery sherds of fine and coarse ware. 2. Fragments of a pithos. 3. A fragment of a sauceboat. 4. Two flat millstones. 5. Three obsidian tools. 6. A boar’s tusk. 7. Bones of animals (sheep and goat). Room III: Only part of the long east wall (wall la) was preserved. The floor of this room made of yellowish packed clay, lay ca. 30 cm lower than the floors of the two above described rooms. The clay had been very probably transported from the northwest slopes of the hill near the chapel of Panayia, where beds of the same kind of clay have been observed. Within the packed clay some sherds of Red Slipped and Burnished Ware were found. At the center of the room towards the west wall lay an almost circular hearth. It was made of flat stones on the top of which red soil and carbonized material was resting. A collared-neck jar of medium coarse fabric bearing traces of burning was found connected with the hearth; its upper part was found laying on the top of the hearth and its lower part was found within the burnt soil. Within the hearth were found a few pottery sherds (including a fragment of a baking pan), animal bones, and a fragment of a denticulated blade made of whitish flint. Another fragment of the same flint-tool, joining with the first, was found to the east, outside the hearth. A clay bellowsnozzle was found plugged into the NW side of the hearth.

Inside the eastern long wall (wall la) a row of stones (wall lb), belongs to a wall of a structure which stood here previously, and it was incorporated into the wall by the builders of House A. This incorporation became clear during the excavation of a test pit along wall lb and below the level of the stones. The pottery discovered here belongs to the first EH habitation level of the site (Phase IIa). A part of wall 1.20 m long and 0.70 m wide meets the west long wall (wall 3) towards its northern end in a right angle. This is presumably the only surviving part of a structure adjoining House A on its west (long) side. Here (Trench N70/E45) the bedrock rises slightly towards the west and the accumulation of the soil was very thin. Roof tiles of later periods found here provide evidence that the structure adjoining House A was destroyed by later building activities. It should be noted that the west (long) wall (wall 3) of the house is not completely straight but slightly curved. This architectural feature has been found in other EH buildings, e.g., at Strefi (Koumouzelis, 1980, 43), and Aghios Kosmas (Mylonas, 1959, 21).

East of the hearth a millstone with a grinder on its top was found resting on the floor. Around it there were found animal bones belonging to small animals (sheep or goat). On the entire surface of the floor above and around the hearth there was a thick accumulation of debris made of fallen walls mixed with the buried equipment of this part of the house. A plethora of pottery sherds belonging to dozens of vases were scattered all over. Some vases were entirely mended, others partially. Most of them were found upside down and had obviously fallen from the shelves that were hanging on the walls around. The multiform vase repertory included pithoi, basins, cooking pots, jars, baking pans, jugs, askoid jugs, fruitstands, bowls, saucers, sauceboats, pyxides and a small double-vase. Bones, mainly of sheep or goat, and a few bones which may have belonged to bovines, were found everywhere in the room and slightly concentrated around the millstone by the hearth. Among the food re-

Room I: A large portion of the south transverse wall (wall 2) of room I has not been preserved. It was destroyed when the nearby structure of the Frankish period was erected. The floor of the room was made of hard earth. Towards the NE corner of the room a bench, 1.39 m long and 0.70 m wide, made of flat stones, was found. On one of the stones of the bench large fragments of a pithos were resting in a flat position; cf. Goldman, 1931, 18. Within the room the following items were found:

64

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE mains belong snails, sea-shells, and crab’s claws. A boar’s tusk found in the debris might eventually be taken for food remains, although it might well have been carried into the house as a valuable object after the consumption of the meat elsewhere.

3. The Pottery a. Fabric and Technique A few thousand pottery sherds and several whole vases were collected from the trenches where deposits of Period II (EH) were found. The discussion which follows is based on sherds and vases of which the profile could be restored with certainty. The pottery from both phases has been divided into the following three categories, according to the size of the inclusions of the clay.

One of the bones found east of the hearth shows traces of work intending to form a haft of a tool. Among the seashells found Dentalium and Patella could be recognized. Towards the NW side of the room were found a hearth rim fragment with incised decoration and a fragment of clay sealing (Figs. 62; 67; Pl. 52). Towards the NE corner of the room two lead-spools and a clay spindle whorl were resting on the floor (Fig. 38). Obsidian tools and waste material were scattered in different parts of the room with a great concentration towards its eastern part. In addition to the millstone near the hearth mentioned above, three other millstones were found in different places in the room.

Fine Ware The thickness of the walls ranges from 0.002 m to 0.005 m. The clay is well baked and sherds, when dropped on a hard surface, give a metallic sound (especially those of Phase IIa). Sometimes the clay contains mica and minuscule inclusions of red shale, grog, and lime. The clay is fired in the following shades of red or yellow: 10R 6/6 light red, 10R 5/4 weak red, 5YR 7/4 pink, 7.5YR 8/4 pink, 7.5YR 7/6 reddish yellow, 5YR 7/6 reddish yellow. Frequently, because of inadequate firing, the core or the inner half of the wall is fired gray blue. In fine ware the following shapes have been recognized; sauceboats, saucers, askoi, pyxides, jugs, bowls, goblets, tankards and miniature vases.

No doorways have been observed on the transverse or the long walls of House A. Most parts of the foundation are preserved only at the lowest course of stones. It is known from previously excavated EH houses that the thresholds were formed by continuing the lowest course of the foundation wall along the opening of the door (Mylonas, 1959, 31). The door of room III was most probably opened in the north wall towards the NE corner. An indication for this suggestion is furnished by a pavement covered with small flat stones, discarded millstones, and pottery sherds found in that area (cf. Goldman, 1931, 16, 23).

Medium Coarse The thickness of the walls of this ware ranges from 0.004 m to 0.007 m. It contains tempering material of red shale, calcite, grog and lime ranging in dimensions from 0,001 to 0.002 m. The clay almost always is fired gray at the core, and in different shades of red and brown towards the outside. Sometimes there are spot color differences on the exterior, because of contact with coals, other pottery, and smoke or drafts during firing. The following shapes have been recognized in medium coarse ware: saucers, jars, askoi, jugs, fruitstands, bowls, cooking pots and large basins.

No evidence was obtained to help determine the type of roof used on House A. Fragments of roof tiles found in different parts of the site, however, and especially in the area of House B, permit the assumption that roof tiles covered a low pitched roof on House A. The Hearth in Trench N55/E30 Pl. 8b.

Coarse Ware

In the south east corner of square N55/E30 a circular hearth 90 cm in diameter was discovered. Three quarters of the circle are made of unworked stones and the last quarter was cut out of the bedrock which rises slightly to the south. The hearth was full of pottery sherds (fine and medium coarse fabric), carbonized matter, red clay, and a few animal bones.

This ware contains calcite and red shale as tempering material, the dimensions of which range from 0.002 m to 0.004 m. The thickness of the walls of the coarse ware vessels ranges from 0.01 m to 0.025 m. Some pedestals of fruitstands from Phase IIa deposits are tempered with muscovite shale large enough to classify them as coarse ware. For example the pedestal fragment 1039/81 at the junction of the pedestal with the bowl contains inclusions with maximum dimensions 0.003 m. The clay of coarse ware is usually fired gray at core and red towards the outside or red throughout in shades of 10R 5/6 and 5YR 6/6.

A fruitstand found within the hearth was entirely mended, and a cooking pot partially mended. No architectural remains were found in association with the hearth. The area of square N55/E30 was so badly eroded that the hearth was found only a few centimeters below the top soil. The presence, however, of pottery sherds in a primary context in the area of square N55/E30, indicated that there was a structure in the area.

In most cases, coarse ware has a high porosity, a feature one should expect since most vases are cooking pots or baking pans. According to Shepard (1957, 126) “porosity increases the resistance of fired pottery to thermal 65

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE shock because the grains in a porous mass have more freedom of movement than those in a dense one”. The following shapes have been recognized in coarse ware: pithoi, cooking pots, bowls, basins, baking pans.

4/1 dark gray, 2.5Y 4/0 dark gray and 5YR 3/1 very dark gray. The majority of the vases were completely coated, and only a few partially coated sherds have been noticed. One example is the two fragments from saucers (Fig. 39:1096/82, A74) with a band painted along the rim.

b. Wares During Phase IIb Urfirnis is diluted and does not adhere well to the surface of the pot; it loses its brilliancy and quality. Also the percentage of vases decorated with Urfirnis diminishes considerably in comparison with Phase IIa.

(1) Red Slipped and Burnished This type of ware appears on medium coarse fabric ranging in thickness from 0.007 m to 0.011 m. The clay frequently is fired gray at the core and red on the surface and occasionally red (10R 5/6) throughout. The surface is covered with a burnished slip, mostly adhering well, but sometimes flaking off. The predominant color is red (10R 4/6, 10R 5/6), also yellow red (5YR 5/6), and reddish yellow (5YR 7/6) appear frequently; sometimes the surface is mottled with black patches. The marks of the burnishing tool are often very clear.

The predominant shapes decorated with Urfirnis in both phases are: sauceboats, saucers, bowls askoi, and pyxides. (3) Blue and Yellow Slipped and Polished Ware This type of decoration appears on fine ware in a hard, well-levigated fabric. The surface is coated with a thin slip, which after polishing and firing, results in a lustrous coat which ranges in color from gray blue through yellow orange. Blegen describes this type of decoration in the following way:

This ware is easily distinguished from the bulk of the pottery found at Ayios Dhimitrios. It corresponds to Wace and Blegen class Ib (Wace and Blegen, 1916/18, 176-177), and also to Caskey’s description of red slipped EH I ware from Eutresis (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 13940), and to descriptions of wares from other sites (French, 1968, 56-57; Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 273; Howell, 1970, 108). The repertory of shapes represented by this ware is not very large. There are saucers, bowls, basins, and fruitstands. Red Slipped and Burnished Ware at Ayios Dhimitrios is confined only to pottery of deposits from Phase IIa.

“The whole surface of the vase, inside and out (except in the case of closed shapes, such as jugs, where the interior could not be reached), was coated with a fine slip, apparently yellow or cream-colored when applied. In the firing a vivid mottled effect was often obtained, and the surface, which was smoothly polished, usually presents a variety of colors running from grayish black or even deep blue to orange yellow and almost white” (Blegen, 1928, 79).

(2) Urfirnis During Phase IIb at Ayios Dhimitrios the quality is much inferior, and the percentage of pottery in this ware is lower. The fabric lost its hard metallic quality and the texture of the clay is powdery. Frequently black spots appear on the surface of the vases, as a result of inadequate firing. In both phases the shapes represented are: sauceboats, askoi, pyxides, bowls and tankards (only one piece from Phase IIb).

The term Urfirnis traditionally is used for the lustrous thin slip applied to the surface of the pot before firing. The same term is used also for Middle Neolithic ware in southern Greece; a connection between the two (EH and Neolithic), however, should not be concluded (Caskey, 1960, 287) and one must qualify the chronological use of the term: e.g., “Neolithic Urfirnis” or “EH Urfirnis”. Caskey, defining Neolithic Urfirnis says:

The elegant Blue Yellow Slipped and Polished pottery is always the rarest type of fine ware discovered. This is also true at Ayios Dhimitrios. Blegen notes that only two or three vases were represented in each house at Zygouries (Blegen, 1928, 79). It seems also that it decreases at the end of the EH period (Caskey, 1960, 289).

“The word glaze (Neolithic Urfirnis) ... describes a substance that produces a naturally lustrous surface without supplementary burnishing, while the word slip is used for coatings, usually thicker, that appear moderately or quite dull wherever the surface is burnished. Technical analyses have not been made, and this arbitrary application of the terms, although practical and acceptable in archaeological jargon, is admittedly lacking in precision” (Caskey, 1958, 137, n. 2).

(4) Fine Black Slipped and Polished Ware This ware is represented by only a few sherds, which most probably belong to a globular pyxis. They were found in a Phase IIb context. The clay is fine and fired gray; the surface is covered with a heavy burnished black slip. This ware appears alien to the EH wares found at Ayios Dhimitrios and is most probably imported from the Cyclades, cf. MacGillivray, 1980, ll, 19; Caskey, 1972, 370.

Urfirnis decoration at Ayios Dhimitrios appears mainly on fine and occasionally on medium coarse ware. During Phase IIa the paint is thick, has irridescent sheen, and often tends to flake off. It comes in the following colors: 7.5R 5/6 red, 7YR 4/4 weak red, 10R 4/3 weak red, 5YR 66

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE (5) Plain Ware

Corinth and the Cyclades (Donovan, 1961, 60-61; Wiseman, 1967a, fig. 9).

During Phase IIa Plain Ware comes mainly on medium coarse or coarse fabric and seldom on fine fabric. The surface of the Plain Ware frequently is moderately smooth, but sometimes the outer surface of the vessels on medium coarse or coarse ware shows distinct marks of scoring, or is covered with a milky wash.

Inv. no. 62/83 (Fig. 62) is a neck fragment of a jug, decorated with groups of oblique lines along the rim (on the interior and exterior) and with a geometric motif at the beginning of the neck. The braided handle fragment of an askos (or a jug?) is decorated with dots of dark brown paint on the top and small vertical lines at the sides (Fig. 60: 291/80; Pl. 44).

During Phase IIb Plain Ware predominates and comes on medium coarse, coarse, and fine fabric. The surface of the vessels on Plain Ware is mainly smoothed and scoring, although it appears, is not as popular as in the previous phase. Sometimes the outer surface is covered with a wash in the color of the clay of the vessel.

(3) Incised Decoration Incised decoration is very limited in both phases. During Phase IIa incised decoration appears only on different types of handles. An askos handle is decorated with oblique lines in a herringbone pattern (Pl. 43: 1086/81, cf. one similar from Zygouries, Blegen, 1928, pl. IV, no. 7, and another one from Eutresis, Goldman, 1931, fig. 150:1). A similar pattern decorates a fragment of a large strap handle from a pithos (inv. no. 21/83 from House B area). A small fragment of a handle of fine ware and painted with black Urfirnis is decorated with a zig-zag incised line (Pl. 40: 44/83).

c. Decoration (1) Impressed Decoration Impressed decoration is relatively small in quantity. Two pedestal fragments from fruitstands and a fragment of a pyxis lid of Red Slipped and Burnished Ware are decorated with rows of alternating impressed triangles (Fig. 59: 4/83; Pl. 30: 858, 907/81). In one of the pedestal fragments and on the lid fragment, the triangles are filled with white pigment (cf. Eutresis, Goldman, 1931, 97, fig. 124:2 for a similar decoration on a pithos rim). Another type of impressed decoration is dots impressed around the shoulders of jars or along the edge of pyxis lids or on handles (Fig. 59: Π3777; Pl. 47: B11; 48: B47, 1179/81). Impressed decoration appears also on the hearth rim fragments found in the site. Two fragments are decorated with Kerbschnitt and two others with linear patterns (Fig. 62: 22/83, 21/83, 8/83). The only impressed decoration on pithoi noted at Ayios Dhimitrios consisted of thumb impressions along the shoulder. Elaborate designs on raised bands known at other sites were not found at Ayios Dhimitrios (cf. Lerna, Wiencke, 1970, 94-110; Zygouries, Blegen, 1928, 121, fig. 114).

During Phase IIb incision appears also on different types of handles such as an askos strap handle (Pl. 43: 85/81). In addition there are some examples of incised decoration on the body of the vessels. Two non-joining rim fragments from a cooking pot are decorated with a careless net design (Fig. 49: 44/81). A fragment of a small askos from House A is also decorated with incised lines (Fig. 60: 3/83). (4) Plastic decoration During Phase IIa this kind of decoration is fairly common and appears on fine, medium coarse and coarse ware. On fine ware there are thin cordons which may be plain, slashed, or impressed with a tool. They appear along the rim, the walls, or on the carination of the vases (Pl.37). There is only one example of a plain cordon in a curvilinear pattern, all the rest are linear (Pl. 17:A63). Applied discs on handles and other parts of the vessels in fine ware, known from the Argolid (e.g., Tiryns, Müller, 1938, pl. VIII: 2, 3), have not been noticed at Ayios Dhimitrios. Instead there are small clay strips in a bowtie shape applied to the walls of bowls and sauceboats (there is only one example of this type of decoration on a medium coarse fabric, Pl. 37: 164/80, 622/81). There are some askos fragments of medium coarse fabric decorated with thin slashed or impressed cordons running along the rim, the bodies, and the edges of the strap handles (Fig. 60: 1116/81, A108, A112, A110; Pl. 43; cf. Orchomenos, Kunze, 1934, pl. XXlX, 2).

(2) Pattern Painted Fig. 59: 293/80, 294/80, 26/83; 60: 29l/80; 62: 62/83; Pl. 42: 294/80, 917/81, 816/81; 44: 291/80. Pattern painted pottery of the EH II period has been found at various sites (Donovan, 1961, 5-19), always in very small quantities (Caskey, 1960, 292; Cherry, 1973, 104). Seven sherds with painted decoration were recorded and all come from the area of House B (Phase IIa). The clay of all sherds is fine and well-fired. A buff polished slip covers the surface, and on top the patterns are painted with lustrous dark paint. Five sherds decorated with cross-hatching sometimes inscribed in triangles come from walls of closed vessels. Cross-hatched triangles (Donovan’s motif E4), are known from Attica, Lerna,

Large basins, bowls, and cooking pots of medium coarse fabric, as well as pithoi, have plastic decoration as follows: rows of plastic discs either overlapping or adjoining; plastic cordons impressed at regular intervals by 67

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE means of a tool or by the thumb; plain cordon decoration appears only once at the junction of the pedestal with the bowl of a large fruitstand (Fig. 52: 992/81; Pl. 33: 992/81). During Phase IIb plastic decoration is not common. The only example on fine ware is a plain cordon, decorating a pyxis type vase of Black Burnished Ware (Fig. 61: Π3774). Impressed cordons appear only on cooking pots (Fig. 49: 15/81).

2. Saucers with flat or dimple base, and flaring or straight sided profiles. Fig. 43: 29/81, 442/82, 26/81, Π3794, 32/81, 592/82; Pl.2 9. Except for one example, which comes in Black Slipped and Polished Ware (26/81), all the rest are made of fine clay with only a careful smoothing of the surface. At Strefi, the site near Olympia, saucers with flat bases and straight walls on Plain Ware appear in the final upper strata (Koumouzelis, 1980, 72).

d. The Shapes (1) Saucers

3. Saucers with vertical rim and ring base. Fig. 40: 194/81, 68/81, Π3785, 164/81; Pl. 28. These saucers are made of medium coarse or fine fabric and on Plain Ware.

The term saucer is used for small, shallow bowls with incurved or straight rims and ring or dimple bases (Heurtley, 1934/35, 17; Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 165, n. 33; Caskey, 1960, 290; Cherry, 1973, 85-86). Saucers are found at all EH sites and always in large quantities. Cherry suggested that the smallest of the saucers were the functional precursors of the “ouzo” cups of the EH III period in accordance with Caskey`s interpretation, who suggested that saucers were drinking vessels.

(2) Dishes Fig. 39: 607/81, 1008/81. Shallow hemispherical bowls were recorded only from Phase Ila. They are made in fine or medium coarse fabric and their surface finish is painted with Urfirnis or is slipped and burnished. Cf. Lefkas, Dörpfeld, 1927, pl. 64:2 from grave R1.

At Ayios Dhimitrios they were found in all trenches where EH levels were reached. Room III of House A produced many fragments and some complete saucers.

(3) Bowls

The saucers from each phase can be divided into the following types.

Under this shape I have included all the open forms which do not exceed 30 cm in diameter. According to their form or other characteristics they can be divided into the following types.

Phase IIa 1. Saucers with incurving rim. Fig. 39: B32, 17/83, B16, 144/80, 185/81, 45/80, A174, A85, A15. These saucers come in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware, in Urfirnis, and in medium coarse Plain Ware.

Phase IIa 1. Large deep bowls. Fig. 41: B3, B16, 1122/81, 233/80, 50/83, 1106/81. They are made of medium coarse fabric and of Plain or Red Slipped and Burnished Ware. They have a variety of rim profiles (rounded, flat, T-rim profile, thickened inwards or outwards), and more often than not, are decorated with different types of plastic cordons.

2. Saucers with straight or curved profile. Fig. 39: 1096/82, A74, B8, 910/81. Nos. 1096/82 and A74 are partially glazed, and B8 and 910/81 are made of medium coarse Plain Ware.

2. Shallow hemispherical bowls. Figs. 41: 909/81; 42: A205. These bowls are made of medium coarse or fine fabric. Regardless of the fabric they appear in Urfirnis, Plain, and Red Slipped and Burnished Wares.

Phase IIb 1. Saucers with incurving rim and ring bases. Fig. 40: Π3784, Π3793, Π3781, Π3783, 425/82, 398/82, 518/82, 477/82, Π3759, 520/82, 6/81; Pls. 27, 28. These saucers come in fine fabric; their surfaces sometimes are covered with a thin polished slip, but most often are only smoothed. Weisshaar recently gave a typology of the saucers with incurved rim found in the Tiryns excavations. In his typology he combines the shape of the rim with the treatment of the surface. Most of our saucers with incurved rim from Phase IIb belong to his type IIBal. This type produced the highest number of saucers in horizon 6, which belongs to an advanced EH II stage at Tiryns (Weisshaar, 1983, 340).

3. Lugged bowls. Fig. 41: 202/81, B70, 9/83, 74/81. These bowls are made of medium coarse fabric and appear in Red Slipped and Burnished or Plain Wares. Different types of lugs decorate the rims: spherical lugs 202/81, double crescent lugs 74/81, pierced crescent lugs 9/83 (cf. one similar bowl from the mixed deposit at Asea, Holmberg, 1944, fig. 65e), and plastic strips in a bow-tie shape B70. 4. Handled bowls. Fig. 42: 27/83, B98, 578/81, 214/81, 47/83, 48/83; PL. 48 68

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE These bowls are made of medium coarse fabric and appear in Plain or Red Slipped and Burnished wares. The handles of these bowls are vertical strap handles 27/83, 48/83, B98, tubular handles 578/81, and horizontal cylindrical handles 214/81, 47/83.

(5) “Frying Pans” Fig. 44: B71, 592/81; Pl. 29: 592/81, B84, B71. This shape is represented by three fragments, all dating to Phase IIa. They are made of medium coarse clay; their surface is simply smoothed or covered with a brown slip. The flat circular bottom, as well as the slightly splaying side walls, preserves no sign of decoration. Parts of flat handles that might have been triangular in shape with a hole in the center project out of the bottom.

Phase IIb 1. Large deep bowls. Fig. 42: 1093/82, 333/82 These are bowls in medium coarse fabric with a plain surface finish. Their rim profile varies, e.g., thickened outwards, T-rim.

Among the nearly two hundred wholly or partially preserved “frying pans” that are known to date to have come from mainland Greece, the Cyclades, and Crete, the majority have elaborate incised or impressed decoration. Since its first discovery by Tsountas in Cycladic graves, the “frying pan” has been the object of particular interest and dispute by various scholars (for a collected bibliography, see Coleman, 1985), concerning its geographical and typological origin, its function, and the chronological classification of the various types. Coleman’s recent comprehensive study of this shape gives a detailed account of the different views, and nearly complete catalogue of the “frying pans” with more or less certain provenance. Yet even this valuable revision of the relevant information fails to answer definitely the problems of typological predecessors, of geographical origin and distribution, and of function. What is certain is that “frying pans” seem to occur in domestic contexts on the Mainland as early as EH I. The presence of some undecorated “frying pans” in domestic contexts suggests a practical function for this peculiar vessel.

2. Shallow or medium hemispherical bowls. Fig. 43: 55/81, Π3799, 17/81, Π3782; Pl. 28. These are bowls made of medium coarse or fine fabric and appear in Plain or Urfirnis Ware. Some of these bowls have handles, e.g., 55/81, Π3782. 3. Straight-sided bowls. Fig. 43: 11/81. Only one example was found; a bowl in fine fabric with a slipped and polished surface finish. On the body there are two cylindrical handles set horizontally. The base is not preserved and it is possible that the vase stood on a pedestal, in which case this vase belongs to the fruitstands, and would be the only example of fruitstand in fine fabric. 4. Bowls with everted rim. Fig. 44: 427/81, 470/82, 394/81; Pl. 29. These bowls are made of fine fabric and appear in Plain or Urfirnis Ware. One example has a horizontal loop handle 470/82 (a similar bowl from Pelikata in Ithaka is mentioned by Heurtley, 1934/35, 19, fig. 14:34).

(6) Basins Phase IIa

5. Bowls with ledge lugs on the lip. Fig. 44: 699/82, 124/81. These bowls are made of medium coarse or fine fabric. Four ledge lugs are set horizontally on the lip. These bowls are similar to the marble ones from the Cyclades, cf. Zervos, 1957, fig. 21-22; Thimme, 1977, 320, nos. 306-307.

Figs. 45:1180/81, B56, 651/81, 25/83, 1041/81, B12, 932/81, B135, B77; 46: B40, B37, B17, B22, B13; 48: 908/81; Pl. 30: B56, 603/81, 1047/81, 1180/81, B17, B10, B29. Large vases with inturning or spreading sides made of medium coarse or coarse fabric in Plain or Red Slipped and Burnished Ware are common during the Phase IIa. They have a variety of rim profiles (thickened inwards, outwards, or T-rim profile). Below the rim of many pieces there is plastic decoration consisting of bands with overlapping disks or cordons (slashed or thumb printed).

(4) Cups Phase IIb

A large fragment of a spout in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware decorated with plastic cordons probably comes from a large basin (Fig. 45: B77; a similar spout comes from group III at Aigina, Walter and Felten, l981, 91, 152, fig. 74; pl. 79: 73III, and from Aghios Kosmas in Attica, Mylonas, 1959, fig. 124:1). Phase IIb

Fig. 44:393/82, 63/83. This shape is represented by two fragments, both from room III of House A. They are made of medium coarse fabric with simply smoothed surfaces. The cup is not a common shape during the EH II period (usually only two or three pieces from each site are recorded; Cherry, 1973, 89). Cups similar to ours are published from Eutresis (Caskey and Caskey, 1960,156, VIII.59, pl. 51 from group VIII) and from Aghios Kosmas (Mylonas, 1959, 38, pl. 130:39).

Fig. 47: 132/81, Π3798, 608/82; 48: 59/83, 341/81. During the second phase basins are not very common. They are made of medium coarse fabric in Plain Ware. 69

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The function of the basins probably was replaced by the pithoi, which were not common during the first phase. The rim profiles of the second phase are similar to the profiles of the first phase and plastic decoration is not common.

straight and no plastic or any other kind of decoration has been observed. Fruitstands are not considered a common shape during the EH period; a more detailed discussion, therefore, is offered here. Fruitstands have been recorded from the following sites:

(7) Cooking Pots Phase IIa, Figs. 48: 1102/81; 49: Π3797.

Lefkas. Fruitstands together with sauceboats and other EH shapes have been recorded in the tumuli excavated by Dörpfeld (Dörpfeld, 1927, pls. 64:8; 65:4). They have rounded bowls with almost vertical rim and high stem with two holes. Their surface is covered with red burnished slip. One stem fragment decorated with two rows of dots comes from Choirospilia Cave on the same island (Dörpfeld, 1927, pl. 84a). Besides the fruitstands published by Dörpfeld, there are more fragments of bowls and stems in the Lefkas Museum (personal observation).

Phase IIb, Figs. 48:Π3796; 49:464/81, 15/81, 44/81 Large deep bowls made of coarse fabric in Plain Ware with inturning rims. Their bases are flat or low ring. Some of the rims are decorated with plastic cordons. A cooking pot like Π3796 was found in the House of Pithoi at Zygouries and it contained a large bone, “almost surely the remains of the last meal prepared in the house before destruction” (Blegen, 1928, 116, fig. 105, no. 287). Two cooking pots from Phase IIb, 15/81 and 44/81 were found together with a fruitstand and other pottery within the hearth in T. N55/E30.

Ithaka-Pelikata: Two fruitstands have been published (Heurtley, 1934/35, 18, pl. 4:18, 19). Their shape is similar to Lefkas fruitstands and their surface is covered with dark-red or brown Urfirnis.

(8) Fruitstands Phase IIa, Figs. 51: 1030/81, 1081/81, 52/81, 130/81, A1, B54, B82,Π3769; 50: 290/80, 201/81, B5, 514/81, B82, B78; 52: B44, 963/81, 18/83, 23/83, 61/81, B83, 16/83, 992/81; Pl. 33: 290/80, 61/81, B5, 130/81, A1, 201/81, 992/81,80/81, B78, B106.

Kleidi-Kato Samikon: Among EH and MH pottery sherds from Dörpfeld’s excavations at this site, there is a rim of a fruitstand with a red burnished slip (Olympia Museum, personal observation). Asea: Fruitstands from this site come from a mixed LNEH layer (Holmberg, 1944, 60, 64, 68, figs. 67, 72). They are made in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware and their shapes are similar to those from Phase IIa at Ayios Dhimitrios.

Phase IIb, Fig. 53: Π3756, 589/81, Π3795; Pl. 34: Π3756, Π3795. Large, open bowls with straight, outturning or dropping rims on large pedestals appear in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware, and in Plain Ware. Their fabric is medium coarse, becoming coarser at the junction of the stem with the bowl. The majority of the fragments discovered belong to the first ware and all come from Phase IIa deposits, while a few rim fragments, a pedestal, and an entire fruitstand, which are made in Plain Ware, come from Phase IIb contexts.

Voidokoilia-Messenia: An entirely preserved fruitstand with a deep bowl and out-turning rim, and a stem fragment with the beginning of the bowl from another fruitstand in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware have been published from this site (Korres, 1979, 142, pl. 113; 1981, 212, fig. 5b, pl. 165b). Kefalari-Magoula: Low mound, lying on the lower Inachos plain in the Argolis, one kilometer to the east of the Kefalari Cave and ca. three kilometers north of Lerna. Fragments of slipped and burnished, often incised, fruitstands have been found in the lower stratum of a sequence of layers extending from EH I up to Early Mycenaean Period (Dousougli, A., oral communication).

On the stems of the fragments made in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware, there are usually two holes pierced before firing. Their rims are straight, outturning, or dropping. Below the rim appear double handles or lugs, e.g., 23/83, 61/81, B5. On three stem fragments appears Kerbschnitt decoration filled with white incrustation (Pl. 30: B58, 907/81). The junction of the stem with the bowl of two large fragments is decorated with plastic cordons of the plain or overlapping-disc type (Fig. 52: 992/81; Pl. 33; Fig.51: Π3769). The ware of the first fragment is different from the two kinds mentioned above, i.e., the clay is coarse, the surface is slipped and burnished in buff color, and the plain plastic cordon is painted orange-red.

Makrovouni-Argos: This site is a low hill ca. 1 km WNW of the Aspis hill (Blegen, 1928, 209, 221 n. 1; Hope-Simpson and Dickinson, 1979, 45). Among other shapes, rims of fruitstands covered with thick red slip have been collected (Dousougli, A., oral communication). Talioti: This is a site near the village Ayia Paraskevi (Tselon) on the way to Asine. Among other shapes, fruitstands covered with slip have been recorded (Weisshaar, H.J., oral communication).

Holes pierced before firing appear also on the stems of fruitstands of the second phase. Their rims are always 70

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Koilada-Argolid: Red slipped and burnished rim fragments from fruitstands have been found in the area of Koilada during the survey by Stanford University (Pullen, D., oral communication).

fruitstand there were traces of burning. The above may suggest that this shape was related to cooking activities.

Zygouries: Two stems from large fruitstands made of coarse clay with plastic decoration along the rim of the foot have been published (Blegen, 1928, 116, fig. 108).

Phase IIa

(9) Goblets

Fig. 54: A45, Π3767, B72, A21; pl. 35: Π 3767. This shape is represented only in Phase IIa, and comes in fine and medium coarse fabric. The bases of the goblet fragments found at Ayios Dhimitrios are missing, but were probably low pedestal bases. Similar goblets to our A45 and 3767 have been published from Voidokoilia in Messenia (Korres, 1980a, 157-158, figs. 6.7; pl. 121g) and from the little island Skopa in Lakonia (Delivorias, 1968, 154, pl. 107). They resemble also the small clay or marble goblets from the Cyclades (Tsountas, 1898, pl. 9:10, 13; Zervos, 1957, 189, nos. 152, 187; Thimme, 1977, nos. 315, 316). A goblet in fine Urfirnis Ware with four horizontal ledge lugs found in an EH well near Corinth is considered by Aberg as an import from the Cyclades (Aberg, 1933, 47-48, fig. 81; Waage, 1949, 418). Our fine ware goblets have very thin walls and are probably imitations of metallic prototypes.

Tiryns: An entire large fruitstand has been published recently. It has a T-shaped rim and the rim of the foot is decorated with a plastic cordon, the entire surface is painted with Urfirnis (Weisshaar, 1983, 332, fig. 4:22). A stem from a large fruitstand has been also published from the old excavations (Müller, 1938, 30, fig. 23). Perachora-Vouliagmeni: A fragment of a fruitstand preserving the upper part of the stem and the lower part of the bowl has been published (Fossey, 1969, 59, fig. 3:5). Eutresis: Caskey reported a fragment of a fruitstand base from his group V (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 146-147, fig. 7.V.5). Ayia Irini-Keos: Two fragments from a stem and one from the bottom of the bowl of a fruitstand are recorded by Caskey. The surface is brown and smoothed. From the same site comes also a rim fragment of a fruitstand with painted decoration (Caskey, 1972, 363, 366, fig. 4:b64).

(10) Tankards Phase IIb Fig. 54: 33/81; Pl. 35. Only one example is represented and it comes from Phase IIb. Almost half of a double handled vase, this tankard was mended from many pieces and is partially restored with plaster. The rim is oval in shape and below it arise two ribbons, double-reeded handles. It is made of fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside, with a gray-blue polished slip on the surface.

Pefkakia-Thessaly: An unstratified sherd from a fruitstand with slightly everted rim and whitish brown burnished surface has been published from this site (Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 154:2). Fruitstands, as a shape, have a long tradition in southern Greece; they are known from Middle Neolithic down to Late Neolithic periods (Phelps, 1975, 156-157; Jacobsen, 1969, 367-368, fig. 7:6; Coleman, 1977, pl. 30), and they appear again in EH I contexts (Fossey, 1969, 59, fig. 3:5).

(11) “Baking Pans” Phase IIa, Fig. 55: B93, 1006/81, Π3758, 597/81; Pl. 36: 133/81, 187/81, B61, B121, 84/80. Phase IIb, Fig. 55:377/81, 461/82, 535/82, 91/81, 38/81, 133/81, 619/82; Pl. 36:38/81, 144/81,977/81, 377/81 This term is used for large, usually circular utensils with flat or rounded bases and walls either vertical or sloping outwards. The rim rises and dips to form a wide spout; sometimes below the rim there is a row of holes drilled before firing. Those with rounded bases were permanently set in the floor of the room where they were used, with the base below ground level (MacGillivray, 1980, 36-39; Caskey, 1972, 366; Wiencke, 1970, 96, n.8), while those with flat bases were probably meant to be moved around.

The evidence from the sites listed above proves that the use of fruitstands continues into the EH II period, and that they are not exclusively an EH I shape as was suggested by Phelps (1975, 357). Weisshaar correctly notes that fruitstands have not been reported from EH II sites because entire fruitstands have not been found (the examples from Asea are considered as EH I), and rim fragments of both the bowl and the base were mistakenly published as bowl fragments (Weisshaar, 1983, 348). For example the bell-shaped foot of a large fruitstand from the old excavations at Tiryns has been published as a “Kalathos” fragment (Muller, 1938, 30, fig.23).

“Baking pans” have been found in many EBA sites in the mainland, the Cyclades and eastern Aegean islands. In Thessaly at Argissa Magoula they appear for the first time in Graben I= Early Thessalian IIA (Hanschmann and Milojčič, 1976, 46), but, at Pefkakia Magoula they appear

The fruitstand (fig. 53 : Π3756, pl. 34) from Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIb was found inside a hearth in T.N55/E30 together with fragments of two cooking pots and other sherds of fine fabric; on the interior of the 71

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE as early as the Dimini Stratum (Weisshaar, 1977, fig. 1:1). In the south they are known from LN II sites like Kephala and the Athenian Agora (Coleman, 1977, pl. 84:A-N; Immerwahr, 1971, 44-45, nos. 186, 187, 188). “Baking pans” are known also from Samos (Heidenreich, 1935/36, pl. 34:6).

This shape is considered the hallmark of the EH II period in mainland Greece south of Thessaly. Sauceboats are known from the Cyclades where, according to Weinberg, the shape originated (Weinberg, 1969, 5). They are mainly made of fine, well levigated clay and they are considered among the fine “table wares” of the period, in contrast to the kitchen pots. There are also sauceboats made of gold.20 On the basis of the stratigraphy at Lerna, Caskey proposed an evolution of the shape. He distinguished the following four variations:

Scholars still disagree about the function of these vessels. Blegen notes that at Zygouries almost every house had at least one of them (Blegen, 1928, 17). “Baking pans” that were set in the floor have been explained as hearths with wide spouts to facilitate cleaning out the ashes and other remains (MacGillivray, 1980, 36). Since there are fixed hearths made of clay or stones known from many EH sites, there is no need to interpret “baking pans” as hearths. The discovery at Ayios Dhimitrios of “baking pan” fragments in room III of House A together with a fixed hearth indicates that “baking pans” were not used as hearths.

(I) low broad bowl with low spout, (II) hemispherical bowl with rising spout, (III) deep semi cylindrical bowl with high spout, (lV) dumpy bowl with stubby spout. Commenting further, Caskey says: “Type I is the earliest, and finds parallels in the Cyclades. Types II and III are coeval and well-night universal. Type IV occurs in the last phases, that of the house of the Tiles, and is exactly parallel at Tiryns. This chronological development is worth attention, but it may prove not to be widely applicable, for local variations were probably the normal rule” (Caskey, 1960, 290).

Holmberg, who found several fragments of “baking pans” at Asea in a pure Neolithic level as well as in a mixed level, suggested that “baking pans” were a kind of oven: they seem to occur also at Asea in considerable numbers, but it is remarkable that they are often found in twos. This together with some peculiarities in the execution, seems to point to the probability of their having been employed as a sort of oven, one having been superimposed on the other with help of the above mentioned projection on the inside of the vessel so as to form a lid. The projection is namely scarcely strong enough to have served as a handle for such a big vessel. The row of holes could also then be explained as ventilation openings, and the piece of the side missing would represent the opening of the oven, through which loaves of bread could be inserted or taken out, without the lid having to be disturbed (Holmberg, 1944, 56, figs. 57-59).

No complete sauceboats were found at Ayios Dhimitrios. There are some fragments, however, which were large enough for an accurate reconstruction. Inv. nos. Π13770, Π3764, A24 are fragments of sauceboats which come from Phase IIa contexts and they belong to Caskey’s Type I and II. In addition there are some deep and low spouts painted with Urfirnis from Phase IIa layers which belong to Caskey’s Type I (Fig. 56: A23; Pl. 38: 636/81, A23, 1184/81). The sauceboats found in Phase IIb contexts are made of fine fabric in Plain, Urfirnis and Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Wares. According to their profile and the shape of the spouts they belong to Caskey’s Types II and III (Fig. 57; Pl. 38: 482/81, 184/81, 423/82, 614/82, 479/82; 39: Π3762, 426/81).

In light of the present knowledge, Holmberg’s suggestion is very plausible. Only one fragment of a “baking pan” from Ayios Dhimitrios is large enough to estimate the diameter, which was ca. 0.56 m. All the rest are preserved in small fragments. The fabric of the vessels from both phases is coarse and the surface is simply smoothed. The lips are rounded or rolled towards the inside or outside. Below the rim at regular intervals there are, occasionally, ledge lugs, some of which are scalloped at the edge (Pl. 36: 133/81, 187/81, B61). On one fragment the ledge lug appears on the interior at the top of the lip (Fig. 55: 377/81). No holes have been observed along the rim of the fragments recorded.

Two types of handles appear on the sauceboats of both phases: cylindrical handles set horizontally and vertical ribbon handles, sometimes grooved vertically (only in Phase IIb). There is a horizontal handle, probably from a sauceboat made of two strips of clay, which are bound together by two narrow rings clearly imitating a metal prototype (Pl. 40: 489/82). Plastic decoration is not common on sauceboats recorded from other EH II sites (Fahy, 1962, 24). At Ayios Dhimitrios three kinds have been observed: simple, low ridges, usually along the carination of the body; incised, thin

(12) Sauceboats Phase IIa, Fig. 56: Π3770, A23, Π3764, A14, A105, A24; Pl. 38: 636/81, A23, 1184/81; 4I: A30 Phase IIb, Fig. 57: 64/83, 479/82, 65/83, Π3762, 482/81, 1258/81, 480/82; Pls. 38:184/81, 423/82, 614/82, 479/82; 39: Π3762, 175/81, 426/81.

20 Three are known: one from Troy (Schmidt, 1902, 230, no. 5863), one in the Louvre, which is said to have been found near Heraia in Arcadia (Childe, l924, 163-165), and a third one in Jerusalem (Weinberg, 1969, 3-8).

72

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE cordons, applied along the rim; and small, plastic bows, applied on the walls.

tic ribs. Pyxides of Phase IIb, according to their shape, can be divided into two types.

The majority of the bases of the sauceboats of both phases at Ayios Dhimitrios are low pedestals known also as Attic Type bases (Lavezzi, 1978, 424, n. 72).

a. Spherical pyxides Fig. 59: 576/81. b. Lentoid pyxides Fig. 59: 391/81.

The function of this peculiar vase has puzzled archaeologists. Because of the long spout it has been suggested that sauceboats served as lamps. However, since no traces of burning have ever been found, this view has not been accepted (Mylonas, 1959, 25). Weinberg and Renfrew suggested that sauceboats were used as drinking cups (Weinberg, 1969, 6; Renfrew, 1972, 284); the appearance of sauceboats in large quantities in all EH sites adds support to their view (Cherry, 1973, 82). Tsountas mentions that when he found a sauceboat during the excavations at Syros the workers called it “αρμεό” i.e., a vase for milking (Tsountas, 1899, 94). Fahy suggested also that sauceboats were used in some way to separate cream and make cheese (Fahy, 1962, 22). Weinberg did not exclude the possibility of a ritual function for those sauceboats with plastic spouts in the form of a ram’s head (Weinberg, 1969, 6-7). A ritual function for some sauceboats may be suggested by its representation, together with other possible ritual implements, on a seal impression found on a hearth fragment at Ayia Irini in Keos (CMS, V, 2.27).

(14) Lids Phase IIa, Fig. 59: Π3778, Π3777, 4/83. Phase IIb, Fig. 59:42/83, 490/82. Only five pieces of both phases were recorded. Lids, according to their shape, can be divided into three types: a. Small, shallow with slightly curved upper side, and with a pierced lug as handle (Π3777, 42/83, 490/82). b. Deep, cylindrical with tapering sides, and curved upper side (4/83). c. Deep, cylindrical with straight sides, and curved upper side (Π3778). All three types appear during Phase IIa, but only the first type appears during Phase IIb. The first type of lid (usually of small dimensions) covered small pyxides of the spherical or lentoid type (Blegen, 1928, 88, fig. 77); numerous examples come from Cycladic graves where they were found covering pyxides (Zervos, 1957, pls. 200, 242-243). The second type, of which only one example is recorded in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware, covered, very probably, cylindrical pyxides. The third type probably covered jars with vertical necks (Asine: Frödin and Person, 1938, 216, fig.159:2; Berbati: Säflund, 1965, 134, pl. 5; fig. 106 d).

(13) Pyxides Phase IIa, Fig. 59: A61, 174/81, 264/81, Π3772, 293/80, 294/80, 26/83, B25; Pl. 41:A48, A5, A29. The majority of the pyxides come in fine clay and in Urfirnis or Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Wares. According to their form, pyxides of Phase IIa can be divided into the following types: a. Lentoid pyxides. Fig. 59: A61, 174/81, 264/81, 293/80, 26/83.

(15) Askoi Phase IIa, Fig. 60: 1116/81, 57/81, A108, Al12, Al10, 291/80; Pl. 43: 1116/81, A109b, Al12, 515/81, A10, Al19, B85, Al10, 85/81, B37, 1086/81, A108; 44: 291/80, A53. Phase IIb, Fig. 60:482/82, 87/81, l63/81, 522/82, 3/83, 69/81; 61: 3786, 3787, 460/81, Π3788, 301/82, 422/82, 151/81; Pl. 45; 46: 151/81.

b. Spherical pyxides. Fig. 59: Π3772 , 20/81 c. Cylindrical pyxides Fig. 59: B825 Of the last type there is only one example in medium coarse fabric with a smoothed surface. To the first phase belong also examples of pyxides with pattern painted decoration.

For the definition of this shape see Rutter (1979, 17). Askoi of phase IIa are represented by many fragments of handles, bases, and rims. They come in medium coarse and fine fabric. Those of fine fabric are fired gray at core and reddish or buff towards the outside. The surface is covered with Urfirnis or with yellow blue polished slip. Mention should be made here for its shape of a plaited handle fragment painted with Urfirnis, Fig. 60: 291/80; Pl. 44 (cf. Eutresis: Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 159, pl. 48 VIII.80; Aghios Kosmas: Mylonas, 1959, pl. 121:3).

Phase IIb, Fig. 59: 391/81, 576/81, 480/81; Pl. 41: 576/81. Pyxides of Phase IIb come in fine clay and in Urfirnis or Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Wares. In Trench N55/E30 four large fragments in fine Black Slipped and Polished Ware were found. These fragments do not join together, but probably belong to a globular pyxis. The fragments are decorated with horizontal plas73

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The surface of askoi made of medium coarse fabric is smoothed or slightly burnished and the texture is porous. Their rims, handles, and bodies are decorated with thin, incised cordons (Fig. 60; Pl. 43), the elaborate handle (Fig. 60: A108; Pl. 43: A108), together with some rim fragments from the same vase (Fig. 60: A112, A110; Pl. 43) come probably from an askos, like the one from Lerna illustrated by Caskey (Caskey, 1959, 204, pl. 41e).

a. Collared Jars (short or high). Fig. 63: 28/83, 57/83, A149, 218/80, 220/80, 598/81, B96, 1078/81; Pl. 47: B96, 220/80. Jars with vertical and inturning collars have been recorded from Perachora-Vouliagmeni where they are considered a feature of the EH I period (Fossey, 1969, 65). b. Hole-mouthed Jars. Fig. 64: 49/83, B65; Pl. 47: B65.

The askoi from Phase IIb come in fine fabric and in Plain or Urfirnis Wares. The askoid jugs Π3786, Π3787, Π3788 are made of fine clay in Plain Ware. An askoid jug similar to those was found at Ithaka (Heurtley, 1934/35, 19, pl. 6: 42), and another one, almost identical to Π3788, at Voidokoilia in Messenia (Korres, 1979, 153, pl. 113d). The characteristics of Π3788 are worth mentioning. It seems the potter first conceived of this askos as a simple bowl to which he later added an upper body. The two parts are joined at the greatest diameter of the askos (the rim of the bowl) by a rib of clay. From Phase IIb come also some rims from askoi with wide mouths, which most likely belong to the type illustrated by Müller and Caskey (Müller, 1938, pl. IX:7; Caskey, 1956, 169, pl. 46e).

c. Neck Jars Fig. 64: B85, 1119/81, 12/83, 10/83, 991/81, 601/81, B28, 154/81, 156/81, B132; Pl. 47: B11, 469/81. One fragment in Urfirnis Ware is decorated with a row of dot impressions at the beginning of the neck (B11), and two fragments in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware are decorated with a row of impressed triangles (cf. Perachora-Vouliagmeni, Fossey, 1969, 66, fig. 6:10 from Phase 2). Phase IIb Jars from Phase IIb are made of fine or medium coarse fabric and in Plain or Urfirnis Ware. The following types have been distinguished.

(16) Jugs a. Collared jars Fig. 65: 53/81, 60/83, 441/81. Jar inv. no. 60/83 was used for cooking purposes; it was found within the hearth of room III bearing traces of fireblackening.

Phase IIa, Fig. 62:62/83, 1092/82, A130, 7/83, A157, A125, A16; Pl. 46: A16, 1050/81, A140, A157, 1022/82, 1017/81. Jugs from Phase IIa are made of fine or medium coarse fabric and they come in Urfirnis, Plain or Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Wares. There is only a small neck fragment which belongs to Red Slipped and Polished Ware (B132). The handles are usually oval in section and occasionally circular. One neck fragment in fine clay is decorated with Urfirnis in linear pattern (Fig. 62: 62/83).

b. Jars with everted rims Fig. 65: 431/81, 56/81, 495/82. They are made of fine clay and in Plain Ware. A similar jar in Red Urfirnis Ware has been recorded from Strefi from the lower layer of House IV (Koumouzelis, 1980, 68-69, fig. 5:7).

Phase IIb, Fig. 62: 388/82; Pl. 46: 388/82. They are made of medium coarse or fine fabric and they come in Plain or Urfirnis Ware. Their handles are oval in section and their bodies are most likely globular.

c. Neck Jars Fig. 65: 646/82, 903/82; Pl. 47: 646/82. d. Hole-mouthed jars Fig. 65: 440/82. One example is recorded. It is made of medium coarse clay and its rim is thickened-out.

In addition to the neck fragments of the jugs illustrated, there are many handle fragments from both phases which belong to jugs, but the reconstruction of their rim shape is not possible.

(18) Pithoi (17) Jars Only two pieces from Phase IIa have been recorded. One piece preserves the lower part of a pithos with its ring base. It was found in situ east of the wall I of House B. The second piece is a rim fragment from a straight-sided pithos with plastic decoration (Fig. 66: B67; Pl. 31: B67).

Phase IIa. Jars of Phase IIa are made of medium coarse or coarse fabric and they come in Urfirnis, Red Slipped and Burnished and Plain Wares. There is a large variety of rim profiles from this phase, which supplement the published series from the northeastern Peloponnese (Berbati, Säflund, 1965, 149, figs. 114-1117; PerachoraVouliagmeni, Fossey, 1969, 53-70). According to their rim and neck profiles, jars of Phase Ila can be divided into the following types.

From Phase IIb contexts come many fragments of rims, shoulders, handles, and bases which belong to various types of pithoi. They are made of coarse clay fired usually gray to black at core, and in different shades of red towards the outside. The surface is usually simply 74

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE smoothed and in a few instances a thin slip has been applied (for example inv. no. 654/82). The bases are flat or ring bases. Banded pithoi known from the eastern Peloponnese have not been found at Ayios Dhimitrios. Instead the elaborate decoration of the banded pithoi, our pithoi are decorated with a row of thumb impressions on the shoulders (inv. nos. 322/82, 463/82, 633/82), or with a zig-zag incision on the top of the rim, or with applied clay discs on their walls.

17:98). The shape of those hearths is mainly circular (Caskey, 1958, 130, pl. 32c, d; Goldman, 1931, 18-l9, fig. 16) and occasionally horseshoe-shaped (Theocharis, 1954, 73, pl. 25; Caskey, 1972, pl. 79: B73). Their rims frequently are decorated with impressed or incised designs. It has been noted that at Tiryns banded pithoi and a hearth rim were decorated by the same cylinder. Banded pithoi found at Lerna and Zygouries also bear the decoration of the same cylinder. Since clay hearths were made in situ, and the size of the banded pithoi makes them unportable, the appearance of the same decoration at different sites suggests that itinerant specialists were employed to decorate the hearths and the pithoi (Wiencke, 1970, 103; Lavezzi, 1979, 344).

All the pieces illustrated in fig. 66 (except B67) come from room III of House A. According to the rim profile they can be divided into four types, a. Everted and flattened rim Fig. 66: 654/82, 387/82, 904/82, 633/82, 463/82, 322/82. Pithoi of EBA with this rim profile has a lemon-shaped body (cf. MacGillivray, 1980, 38, fig. 15:268, 394, 395; Blegen, 1928, fig. III; Wiencke, 1970, pl. 19).

Four fragments of rim hearths were found at Ayios Dhimitrios. Three come from Phase IIa and only one from Phase IIb. Two fragments with Kerbschnitt decoration from the first phase (2/83, Π3779) were broken, probably near the ends of the legs of a horseshoe shaped hearth. One of the fragments comes from House B and the other was found in T.N85/E45. The third fragment of Phase Ila comes also from House B and it is decorated with incised chevrons (Fig. 62: 8/83).

b. Narrow necked with everted rim Fig. 66: 462/82. c. Collared pithoi Fig. 66: 386/82.

The only fragment from Phase IIb comes from room III of House A and it is decorated with hatched triangles (Fig. 62: 22/83).

d. Straight sided pithoi Fig. 66: 604/82, 631/82 This type of pithoi has a wide mouth and thickened-in rim.

(2) Spoons and Ladles

(19) Kernoi

Fig. 67: 30/81; Pl. 50. One almost complete spoon and three fragments were found; all are made of fine clay and two of them preserve traces of reddish brown Urfirnis. Inv. no. 623/81 preserves part of a round-in-section handle and the beginning of the bowl. Inv. no. 196/81 preserves part of a flat handle and beginning of the bowl. Inv. no. 950/81 preserves part of the bowl and 30/81 (the only example from Phase IIb) preserves almost the entire oval bowl and part of a round-in-section handle which rises obliquely from the bowl. Its size is roughly equivalent to a modern tablespoon; from the preserved fragments the same size is indicated for the other three spoons. A spoon similar to 30/81 with a handle rising obliquely from the bowl, but quadrilateral in section, comes from Asea, from the mixed Neolithic-Early Helladic layer (Holmberg, 1944, fig. 111:2).

Phase IIb, Fig. 67: 396/82; Pl. 47. Only a fragment of a small double vase was found. One of the two vases is missing except for a part of the wall adjacent to the hollow bar connecting the two vases. Of the second vase a globular body and a high narrow neck without its rim is preserved. The base of the vase was probably flat. Fine clay fired pink, surface yellowish red slipped and polished (cf. Schliemann 1881, no. 1331 from Troy; Dörpfeld, 1927, pl. 64:7 from Lefkas, grave R 10c; Mylonas, 1959, fig. 150, no. 209 from a grave at Aghios Kosmas). The term kernos used in the present work is conventional and does not imply any ritual function. Our vase was found within room III of House A, which was used as the kitchen of the house. It is reasonable, therefore to suggest that our kernos was related to cooking activities (cf. also Karagianni, 1984, 51 for early Minoan kernoi).

Although the assemblage from Ayios Dhimitrios is too small to attempt any accurate typological division, it is obvious that there were two types of spoons: one with flat handles, and the other with round handles.

4. Other Utensils and Objects made of Clay (1) Hearth Rims

Clay spoons are known in mainland Greece from Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.21 Early Helladic sites have

Clay hearths fixed permanently within rooms and courtyards of EH houses are known from many sites (for a list of sites where such hearths were found cf. Lavezzi, 1979, 343-344, n. 9; Weisshaar, 1983, 336, n. 19; for a hearth rim from Kythera, Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 28, pl.

21

Cf. for Neolithic , Weinberg, 1962, 199, pl. 66,C 6 from Elateia; Blegen, 1937, 370, fig. 622:1208 from Prosymna; Dörpfeld, 1927, 33, pl. 83a from Choirospilia-Lefkas; Coleman, 1977, 9 no. 168 from Kephala; Immerwahr, 197l, 37, no. 127 from the Athenian Agora.

75

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE produced spoons, but suprisingly, always in small amounts (Banks, 1967, 670 from Lerna; Frödin and Person, 1938, 225, fig. 164 from Asine; Säflund, 1965, 127, no. 1937, 14 from Berbati; Theocharis, 1952, 147, fig. 10 from Raphina; Goldman, 1931, 86, fig. 106:1-3 from Eutresis with loop handles; fig. 106:4 with a solid short handle from the same site). The largest assemblage comes from Lerna where eighteen spoons of fine clay have been recorded. All except three come from Lerna III context (Banks, 1967, 666). Banks distinguished two subtypes on the basis of handle form: (a) with a short, flat handle which sometimes ends in a V-shaped notch and (b) with handles round in section, terminating in animal head finial (Banks, 1967, 670). Of her (b) type of spoons the only known examples come from Lerna. There is a third type of spoon with loop handles which is known mainly from Boeotian sites (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 144, fig. 7, IV.8-9).

Regarding the impression on the base of our fragment, it was natural to suppose that it was one of the many mat impressions that are found on the pottery of the earlier part of the prehistoric period in Greece. They occur as early as the Early Neolithic period, but become much more numerous in the LN II, and continue to proliferate in the EH period.22 In the Middle Bronze Age, however, they virtually cease. This circumstance lends support to the theory that mats were used by potters as a primitive form of turntable until the wheel was introduced in mainland Greece, probably in EH III or a little later (Bosanquet, 1896/97, 61-63, pl. V; Caskey, 1960, 295). Sometimes the impression indicates that the pot was placed upon the centre of a circular mat, and in such cases it is very likely that the mat was indeed used like a slow wheel, in the manner so well recorded by Mrs. Crowfoot (1938, 3-11; also see Vitelli, 1984, 119). More often, however, the impression indicates that the pot was placed towards the outer edge of a large circular mat, or on a part of the mat that had straight warps and wefts, and would, therefore, have been square or rectangular. In such cases, the potters must simply have been looking for a clear surface, which could be moved in various directions, to facilitate the building of the vessel.23 This was almost certainly how the impression on the Ayios Dhimitrios pot was made.

The scarcity of clay spoons in EH sites led Cherry to suggest that they were not a vital part of the EH cooking or eating utensil set. At Keramidaki-Corinth, they represent, together with ladles, 0.74% of the pottery assemblage (Cherry, 1973, 88; Wiseman, 1967b, pl. 86g). Theocharis discovered inside the smith’s workshop at Raphina many fragments of clay spoons (Theocharis, 1951b, 81) and one wonders, since eating spoons could be easily made of wood, whether they might have served a function other than eating or cooking.

It is easy to understand why potters found mats useful to work on. They are usually made of rushes or cereal straw; and so, though light and moderately flexible, are sufficiently stiff to retain their shape while being rotated back and forth. The Ayios Dhimitrios impression, however, shows something different from these mats. When the weave that made the impression is difficult to identify, it is advisable to adopt the method used by the Crowfoots at Vounous (1950, 380-385), and make samples of matting until one is found that will produce an impression similar to the one that is being studied. This proved impossible when one used materials ordinarily used for matting. Even slivers split from stalks of sedge, woven into a fine, hard-spun thread warp, gave an impression that was a little too large, and definitely too stiff and angular. Using a thick woolen weft on the same warp, however, produced an impression slightly finer than, but entirely similar to, the Ayios Dhimitrios sample (Pl. 51c).

Only one fragment of a ladle was found at Ayios Dhimitrios. It comes from Phase IIa and is made of fine clay painted with Urfirnis. According to Cherry ladles are more common than spoons and were functional in cooking (Cherry, 1973, 88). For ladles from EH period cf. Zygouries (Blegen, 1928, 26-27, fig. 84, nos. 399, 566), at least a dozen ladles were found, all in fine clay and painted with Urfirnis; Asine, (Frödin and Person, 1938, 225, fig. 164:3); Tiryns, (Müller, 1938, 36, fig. 32). (3) Palettes Pl. 51: Π3780. A corner fragment from a rectangular vase with curved corners and flat bottom. Near the corner of the fragment, vertical to the base, a hole was pierced before firing. On the bottom of the fragment is an impression made by a textile. Medium coarse clay fired reddish-brown. Marble palettes are known from the Cyclades where they were popular in the Grotta-Pelos culture. Many of them were found with traces of pigment and with stone or obsidian pestles inside. It has been proposed that they were used for mixing colors for ritual rites (Thimme, 1977, 96, nos. 327-337; Zervos, 1957, pl. 15). Two clay palettes have been published from the mainland: one from Asea (Holmberg, 1944, 74, fig. 75c); and the second from Voidokoilia (Korres, 1980a, 170-171, fig. 11, pl. 129g, 130).

The modern sample suffers from a fault very difficult to avoid in hand weaving. The warp threads at the edges of the work are gradually being drawn inwards by the weft being pulled too tight. This gives the outer warp threads a slight inward curve, and means that the cloth does not maintain a constant width. A similar curve is clearly observable in the thinner of the two sets of threads in the Ayios Dhimitrios impression. This means that the clay palette in question was not only made on a piece of cloth 22

I am indebted to Jill Carington-Smith for examining a cast of the palette and for providing useful comments, which I present here in a slightly abridged form. 23 Sometimes leaves were used to dry the pottery, cf. Tsountas, 1898, pl. 9: 11a; Wiseman, 1967a, 25.

76

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE that was made on some form of loom, but was set down near the edge of that piece of cloth.

dium coarse or coarse clay and their surface is smoothed; some fragments are painted with Urfirnis in shades of black and red.

Normally, lacking the selvedge, it is not possible to differentiate between the warps and the wefts in a plain weave, but the curve in one set of threads is as useful as the selvedge itself, and proves that these were the warps. They are more widely spaced than the wefts, and were probably thinner and harder spun; the wefts appear thicker and softer, and are more closely packed. The cloth, then, is a tabby, or plain weave. It is weft-faced, that is, the wefts bend round the warps and largely cover them. Four warps and six to seven wefts can be counted per cm2, or eight warps and fourteen wefts over an area 2 cm2 (the slight discrepancy in the count is normal in handweaving).

(5) Spit Support Pl. 52. Clay object triangular in section. On the top grooves and below on one side a hole made before firing. Crude made piece, coarse clay, fired red with black patches from firing. The base is uneven. From a Phase IIa context. Twenty-one similar objects from an EH context were found on the North Slope of the Athenian Acropolis; they have been explained as spit supports (Hansen, 1937, 566). The scarcity of scalloped-topped spit supports during the Bronze Age in Greece may suggest, according to Scheffer, that they were not used in every day cooking activities, in spite of their utilitarian look (Scheffer, 1984, 161162).

The cloth was very probably made on a warp-weighted loom. This loom was in common use in Greece in the EBA, as is proved by numerous finds of loomweights. The fact that the weft, though dominant, is not as tightly packed as it might be, is also an indication of the warpweighted loom because, as weaving on one starts at the top and progresses downwards, wefts have to be beaten upwards, against the force of gravity, to pack them together. The other type of loom that was in use in the Mediterranean (though not necessarily in Greece) at this early stage, the horizontal ground loom, is inclined to produce a warp-faced weave (see Crowfoot, 1945, 34-46).

(6) Tuyére Fig. 54: 45/83; Pl. 52. H. 0.69 m, low diameter 0.012 m. Hollow clay cone.Gritty clay fired reddish at core and reddish brown towards the interior. Surface simply smoothed. Black patches probably from contact with fire from the hearth of room III in House A. Similar objects come from the following EBA sites.

It makes no sense to form a pot on an ordinary piece of cloth. It is too thin to make any kind of base to work on, and will fold and wrinkle up if one attempts to move around. There is one type of cloth, however, which, though usually made out of wool, on a loom, is in effect a mat; this is the wool carpet known by the name “kilim”. Experiments with a small piece of “kilim” of similar weave to the Ayios Dhimitrios sample, showed that it was sufficiently firm and thick to hold its shape while being used as a working surface, and it was in fact easier to move around than thicker types of matting. It seems certain that the Ayios Dhimitrios impression was made by a ‘kilim’.

Raphina: Four pieces, all from an EH context. They were found within a pit which was identified by the excavator as a furnace. He also suggested that the cones were used as funnels for pooring melted copper into the moulds (Theocharis, 1951b, 80, fig. 3; 1952, 130-132). Thermi: Six pieces; one comes from a late phase of Town II or Town III, three from Town III, one from Town IV, and the last one from Town V (Lamb, 1936, 161, pls. 23, 24). Poliochni: Seven pieces; three from an EB I context and four from an EB II context (Bernabο-Brea, 1964, pls. LXXXIII, r, s,t; CLXVII, 1,2; CLXX, 78).

(4) Roof Tiles Pl. 50. Early Helladic roof tiles were known already before the discovery of the large amount in the House of the Tiles at Lerna (Asine, Frödin and Person, 1938, 233, fig. 170; Tiryns, Müller, 1930, 85, fig. 51; Lerna, Caskey, 1956, 26). Early Helladic roof tiles are flat, and square or rectangular in shape. Their fabric is usually coarse and their surface is smoothed and sometimes painted with Urfirnis (Frödin and Person, 1938, 233).

Troy: Schliemann published a stone “funnel” from his burned city. He also notes that teracotta “funnels” are numerous in all three upper prehistoric cities at Hissarlik (Schliemann, 1881, 410-411, no. 476; 582-583, nos. 1338, 1339). Branigan in his discussion of these objects accepts Theocharis’ view and calls them “pouring cones” (Branigan, 1974, 28, 131, l04, 203). Prentiss de Jesus in his detailed discussion of prehistoric bellows calls these conical objects “Tuyéres” (belows’ nozzles) and suggests that they were used in smithing bellows, i.e., not in a smelting furnace but in a furnace for smelting copper in a crucible (de Jesus, 1980, 40; Tylecote, 1976, 16-19).

Eleven fragments of rooftiles have been recorded, all from Phase IIa contexts (seven fragments were found in trench I 1980, two in trench N85/E45, one in trench A 1982, and one in trench C 1982). They are made of me77

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The “Tuyére” from Ayios Dhimitrios was plugged, with its narrow end towards the center, into the edge of the hearth of room III in House A. Except for the two lead spools found within the room where the hearth was located, nothing else could be used to associate this room and the hearth with metal working activities.

Two holes for nostrils and incised mouth. Skillfullymodelled piece. Uncertain whether it is part of a figurine or attached to a vessel. Fragment of a quadruped. Pl. 54: B83. P. H. 0.043 m, P.L. 0.043 m. From House B. Back legs and part of trunk preserved. Trunk elliptical in section. Short tapering legs, elliptical in section and broken at end. Fairly coarse clay, reddish throughout. Worn surface.

(7) Sealings Phase IIa, Pl. 53: Π3754. M. L. of the handle 0.074 m, D. of handle 0.041 m, D. of the seal impression 0.027 m. Fragment of cylindrical handle probably from a jar. On the top a seal impression. Coarse clay fired reddishyellow. The seal is outlined by a single line border, within which is a circle of scallops surrounding a central ring.

In contrast to the small number of human figurines represented in the EH sites, there is a considerable number of animal figurines. They are quadrupeds, mainly bulls and goats. Rams’ heads appear as finials on spoons (Banks, 1967, 663), or on the spouts of sauceboats (Blegen, 1928, 92-93, pl. X). At Lerna a ram’s head decorates a small vase (Caskey, 1956, 168) and from Aghios Kosmas comes a large fragment from a pithos decorated also with a ram’s head, from the top of the head spring two enormous horns, covering the entire space (Mylonas, l959, pl. 143:510). Similarly, the Ayios Dhimitrios ram’s head may have served as a vessel decoration.

Several handles with seal impressions have been recorded from Ayia Irini (CMS, V, nos. 454, 458, 467, 475; Caskey, 1972, 365, fig. 79:41b; for the use of seal impressions as marks or decoration on pottery during the EBA, see Wiencke-Heath, 1969, 517-520). No exact parallel to our seal impression, to my knowledge, has been recorded from an EBA context.

At Lerna some interesting terracotta rams were found; they are decorated with Urfirnis stripes and slashed on the underside of the belly for most of the length (Banks, 1967, 637-650); similar rams come from Corinth and Tiryns (Kosmopoulos, 1948, 60, figs. 42, 43; Müller, 1938, 6l, pls. V6, XXV 2). Although Banks calls these rams “sacrificial” their context does not justify a ritualistic function. A group of sixteen bulls, however, were found in the middle of a room near a pile of burned earth at Lithares in Boiotia, a circumstance that suggests that they were votive offerings (Tzavella, 1972, 467-469). At Perachora-Vouliagmeni a small structure has been associated with some kind of cult. Within a freestanding building a plastic vase in the form of a sitting ram was found together with some vases lying on the floor in order. The excavator hints at some ritual function for the structure (Fossey, 1973, 150).

The closest parallel seal impression comes from the House of the Tiles at Lerna. Two rows of scallops surround two rings side by side, an “X”, and another object which has been restored in the shape of a wishbone. Phase IIB Fig. 67: 54/83; Pl. 53 P. L. 0.07 m, P.W. 0.05 m, Thickness 0.04 m. Fragment of a clay sealing. Lump of buff clay carrying one complete and two fragmentary, shallow-cut seal impressions. The design is fainty preserved, but it can be reconstructed with considerable accuracy: it consists of groups of parallel chevrons placed around a circle with apexes inwards. The central motif is missing. (8) Spindle Whorl Phase IIb, Fig. 54: l/83. H. 0.027 m, D. 0.044 m. Terracotta spindle-whorl. Convex conical flattened at the apex. Well-centered hole.Gritty micaceous clay fired black, reddish and brown. Simply smoothed surfaces. Convex conical clay spindle-whorls are common during all phases of Lerna III, and also are known from other EH II sites (Banks, 1967, 546).

5. Objects made of Metal Phase IIa, Fig. 38:3. Fragment of a bronze chisel. P.H. 0.027 m, width at top 0.006 m, width at bottom 0.01 m. Tapering fragment from a chisel with rectangular transverse section. From House B area. cf. Lefkas, Dörpfeld, 1927, 293, pl. 63 from R-Graber; Eutresis, Goldman, 1931, 215, fig. 287:3.

(9) Figurines

Phase IIb, Fig. 38:1. Lead spool. Intact. H. 0.041 m, D. 0.021 m. Slightly concave cylinder with flat ends. From room III of House A.

Phase IIa, Pl. 54. Head of a ram. P.L. 0.042 m. From House B. Sculptured terracotta head of a ram. Entirely preserved except for the upper part of the right horn which is missing. Medium coarse clay fired red. Disc shaped eyes and incised relief horns springing from the top of the head. 78

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Fig. 38:2 Lead spool. Intact. H. 0.036 m, D. 0.02 m. Slightly concave cylinder with flat ends. From room III of House A. Spool-like objects of clay or stone are known from Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age in Greece. Branigan lists five metal spools from Early Bronze Age contexts in the Aegean: Two come from Troy, one from Chaladriani, one from Poliochni, and one from Amnisos in Crete (Branigan, 1974, 197, pl. 24). Recently five lead spools from an EH context have been published. Four come from Aigina; two of them were found on the floor of the “Farberhaus” (Walter and Felten, 1983, 142-143), and one from Lithares. The last piece originates from Lavreotic ore (Stoss-Gale and Gale, 1984, 217) and the excavator suggests that it was used for mending pottery (Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, 169). Our lead spools found in room III of House A, in connection with the “Tuyére” found in the same room, most probably were used for mending pottery; in other words, the lead spools were ingots.

79

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Phase IIb 1. Saucers with incurving rim and ring base. Π3784. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. H. 0.068 m, est. D. ca. 0.14 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3793. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 40; Pl. 27 T.N80/E45. H. 0.071 m, est. D. ca. 0.124 m. Almost half of a saucer. Fine clay fired gray at core and very pale brown towards the outside (10YR 7/3). Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3781. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 40; PL. 28 T.N80/E45. H. 0.064 m, D. 0.13 m. Fine clay fired pink (2.5 YR 7/8). Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3783: Saucer Fig. 40; PL.27 T.N80/E45. H. 0.062 m, D. 0.13 m. Fine clay with some inclusions, fired pale brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. 425/82. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. H. 0.066 m, D. 0.126 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. 398/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.13 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pale brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. very pale brown (10YR 7/4). 518/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and very pale brown towards the outside (10YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed. 477/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.13 m. Fine clay gray at core and light red (10R 6/8) towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3759. Saucer Fig. 40; Pl. 27 T.N55/E30. H. 0.057 m, D. 0.137 m. Fine clay fired pale red (10R 6/3). Int. and ext. traces of pale brown polished slip. 520/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired pink. lnt. and ext. pale brown polished slip. 6/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.068 m, est. D. ca. 0.136 m. Fine clay fired pink (7.5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed.

CATALOGUE OF SELECTED EARLY HELLADIC POTTERY (l) Saucers Phase IIa. l. Saucers with incurving rim. B32. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. brown to dusky red burnished slip. 17/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.165 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. B16. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 Surface find. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired gray. Int. brown and ext. brown to black burnished slip. 144/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. 185/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T.N.85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red to black burnished slip. 45/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. A174. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. brown to black burnished slip. A85. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. reddish brown Urfirnis. A15. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.135 m. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. dark brown Urfirnis. 2. Saucers with straight or incurved profile. 1096/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.09 m. Fine clay fired buff. Int. and ext. along the rim band of brown Urfirnis. A74. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.075 m. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. along the rim band of brown Urfirnis. B8. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.11 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. On the rim pellet lug. 910/81. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 39 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.075 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. Traces of beginning of base.

2. Saucers with flat or dimple base, and flaring or straight sided profiles. 29/81. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 43 T.N55/E30. Est. D. ca. 0146 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pale brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. pale brown with gray patches, smoothed. 442/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 43 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.176 m. Fine clay fired dark gray at core and very pale brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. pale brown smoothed. 80

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE 26/81. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 43 T.N55/E30. H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.136 m. Fine clay fired pale brown. Int. and ext. traces of dark brown polished slip. Along the rim three pairs of small crescent lugs extending horizontally. Π3794. Saucer Fig. 43; PL. 29 T.N80/E45. H. 0.049 m, D. 0.014 m. Fine clay fired gray at core (7.5YR 5/0) and brown towards the outside (7.5YR 5/2). Int. and ext. brown smoothed. 32/81. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 43 T.N55/E30. H. 0.049 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. Fine clay fired gray blue at core and very pale brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. very pale brown (10YR 7/4) with gray-blue patches. 592/82. Fragment of Saucer Fig. 43 T.N80/E45. H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. Fine clay fired gray blue at core and very pale brown towards the outside (10YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed.

1122/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T. E 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim plastic decoration with impressed cordon. 233/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.285 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim plastic band which ends in a weaving line. 50/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.24 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim plastic cordon. 1106/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Fine clay fired red. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. Along the rim plastic cordon.

3. Saucers with vertical rim and ring base. 194/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.106 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. 68/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N85/E45. Est . D. ca. 0.126 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Int. and ext. buff polished slip. Π3785. Saucer Fig. 40; Pl. 28 T.N80/E45. H. 0.078 m, D. 0.11 m. M.coarse clay fired gray at core and dark brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. 164/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 40 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.11 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. traces of blue polished slip.

2. Shallow hemispherical bowls. 909/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.21 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. dusky red burnished slip. Along the rim plastic cordon. A205. Rim fragment Fig. 42 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.21 m. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. red Urfirnis. 3. Lugged bowls. 202/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.186 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the lip part of plastic cordon and a spherical lug. B70. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.09 m, est. D. ca. 0.10 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the lip clay strip in a bow-tie shape. 9/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. weak red burnished slip (10R 4/3). On the lip horizontal crescent lug pierced vertically. 74/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core. Int. black ext. red smoothed. Below the lip double horizontal crescent lug.

(2) Dishes Phase IIa 607/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T.N100/E40. Est. D. ca. 0.024 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. thick red polished slip (2.5YR 5/6). 1008/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 39 T.N90/E45, Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. black Urfirnis. (3) Bowls Phase IIa 1. Large deep bowls B3. Rim fragment Fig. 41 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.28 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim impressed plastic cordon. B16. Rim Fragment Fig. 41 Surface find. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. Along the rim plastic cordon.

4. Handled bowls. 27/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 42 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.20 m. M. coarse micaceous clay fired brown. Int. and ext. reddish brown smoothed. Along the rim incised decoration with deep slashes. Vertical ribbon handle. B98. Rim Fragment Fig. 42; Pl. 48a T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.156 m. M. coarse clay fired gray. Int. and ext. reddish with black patches smoothed. Along the lip a row of deep 81

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE 4. Bowls with everted rim. 427/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 44 T.N75/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. buff polished slip. 470/82. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 44; Pl. 29 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.05 m, est. D. ca. 0.10 m. Fine clay fired black at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the rim horizontal handle circular in section. 394/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 44 T.N75/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.15 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow towards the outside. Int. smoothed, ext. traces of reddish yellow polished slip.

slashes, vertical strap handle decorated with deep slashes, below the handle a row of plastic overlapping discs. 578/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 42; Pl. 48b Unstratified. Est. D. ca. 0.216 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. On the rim horizontal tubular lug. 214/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 42 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.14 m. M. coarse clay fired light brown with black patches. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the rim horizontal handle circular in section. 47/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 42 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.246 m. Fine clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. On the rim horizontal handle circular in section 48/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 42 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.175 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. On the rim vertical ribbon handle.

5. Bowls with ledge lugs on the lip. 699/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 44 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.066 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M.coarse to fine clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow towards the outside. Int. and ext. weak red slip. Horizontal ledge lug on the lip. 124/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 44 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Int. and ext. smoothed. Horizontal ledge lug on the lip.

Phase IIb l. Large deep bowls. 1093/82. Rim fragment Fig. 42 T.N75/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. smoothed, ext. pinkish slip. 333/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 42 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Int. and ext. smoothed.

(4) Cups Phase IIb 393/82. Fragment of Cup Fig. 44 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.08 m, est. D. ca. 0.145 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish with black patches. Int. and ext. smoothed. From the lip begins vertical strap handle. 63/83. Fragment of Cup Fig. 44 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0,013 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. smoothed, ext. traces of brown Urfirnis. Below the rim,vertical strap handle.

2. Shallow or medium hemispherical bowls. 55/81. Fragment of Bowl. Fig. 43 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0.13 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the rim horizontal handle oval in section. Π3799. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 43 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.075 m, est. D. ca. 0.245 m. M.coarse clay fired gray at core and light brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. On the rim traces of handle or lug. 17/81. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 43 T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.074 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Int. and ext. reddish brown smoothed. Π3782. Fragment of Bowl Fig. 43; Pl. 28 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.09 m, est. D. ca. 0.13 m. Fine clay fired pink (7.5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the rim and obliquely to the rim-line small loop handle circular in section.

(5) “Frying Pans” Phase IIa B71 . Fragment of “Frying Pan” Fig . 44 ; Pl . 29 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.03 m.P.L. 0.078 m. Coarse clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. 592/81 . Fragment of “Frying Pan” Fig . 44 ; Pl . 29 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.03 m, P.L. 0.12 m. Coarse clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. reddish brown slip. B84 . Fragment of “Frying Pan” Pl . 29 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.024 m, P.L. 0.067 m. Coarse clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. smoothed.

3. Straight-sided bowls. 11/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 43 T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Int. and ext. pink polished slip (7.5YR 7/4). Below the rim and obliquely to the rim-line small handle circular in section.

(6) Basins 1180/81. Rim Fragment Fig.45; Pl.30a T.N90/E50. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.315 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. Along the rim a row of semicircular thumb impressions. 82

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE que oval impressions and a little below an oblique row with overlapping discs. 908/81. Fragment of Basin Fig. 47 T. N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.28 m. Coarse clay fired black at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. carelessly smoothed. On the rim a row of irregular impressions.

B56. Rim Fragment Fig. 45; Pl. 30a T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.38 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. Along the rim a row of thumb impressions and a little below a thumb impressed plastic cordon. 651/81. Rim Fragment Fig.45 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.09 m, est. D. ca. 0.306 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish. Int. smoothed, ext. scoring and traces of brown Urfirnis. 25/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 45 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.37 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. 1041/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 45 T. N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.35 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. reddish brown burnished slip. 932/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 45 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. B135. Rim Fragment Fig. 45 T. I 1980. Est. D. 0.275 m. M. coarse to coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the lip a row of oblique deep slashes. B77. Fragment of Spout of a Basin Fig. 45 T. I 1980. P.L. 0.045 m. Fragment of bridged spout of a basin. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. red burnished. Three parallel plastic impressed cordons, two along the rim and part of a third at the lowest part of the spout. B40. Rim Fragment Fig. 46 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.39 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow (5YR 6/8) towards the outside. Int. and ext. traces of pale brown burnished slip. On the rim vertical strap handle. At the points where the handle joins the vase, two parallel rows of finger impressions. B37. Rim Fragment Fig. 46; Pl. 31 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.036 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. traces of red (10R 4/8) burnished slip. Along the rim two rows of shallow finger impressions. B17. Rim Fragment Fig. 46; Pl. 30b T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished reddish brown (5YR 4/3) slip. Along the rim plastic cordon with finger impressions. B22. Rim Fragment Fig. 46 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim a row of finger impressions. B13. Rim Fragment Fig. 46 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.34 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim obli-

Phase IIb 132/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 47 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.32 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3798. Fragment of Basin Fig. 47 T. N80/E45. P.H. 0.135 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. 608/82. Fragment of Basin Fig. 47; PL.32a T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.l3 m, est. D. ca. 0.30 m. Coarse clay fired black at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Along the rim a row of finger impressions. 59/83. Fragment of Basin Fig. 48 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.17 m, est. D. ca. 0.36 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. 341/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 48 T.N80/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.50 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. (7) Cooking Pots Phase IIa 1102/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 48 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.28 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. carelessly smoothed. Π3797. Fragment of Cooking Pot Fig. 49 T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.17 m, est. D. ca. 0.205 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red (2.5YR 5/6) towards the outside. Int. and ext. carelessly smoothed, ext. black patches from firing. Phase IIb Π3796. Cooking Pot Fig. 48; Pl. 32b T.N80/E45. H. 0.23 m, D.. 0.21 m. Coarse clay fired light red (2.5YR 7/8). Ext. smoothed, gray patches from firing. 464/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 49 T.N75/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pale brown towards the outside. 15/81. Cooking Pot Fig. 49; Pl.32a T.N55/E30. Est. D. ca. 0.185 m, D. of base 0.09 m. Rim and base fragment. Coarse clay fired reddish brown. Ext. carelessly smoothed, from a hemispherical lug a little below the lip begin double cordons with finger impressions forming festoons. 44/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 49 T.N55/E30. Est. D. ca. 0.21 m. Coarse clay fired reddish brown. Ext. black patches 83

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.32 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Handle rising from the rim. B78. Fragment of Pedestal Base Fig. 50; Pl. 33b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.11 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. burnished red slip. B44. Rim Fragment Fig. 52 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.31 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished red slip. 963/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 52 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. burnished red slip. 23/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 52 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. burnished red (10R 4/6) slip; marks of burnishing tool. Below the rim double horizontal handle, round in section. 61/81. Rim Fragment of Fruitstand? Fig. 52; Pl. 33a T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Below the rim double crescent lug pierced vertically. B83. Fragment of Pedestal Base Fig. 52 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.045 m. Fragment of pedestal base and lower bowl. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. and int. of bowl marks of burnishing tool. On the lower part of the fragment, parts of two holes pierced before firing. 16/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 52 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.38 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. burnished yellow red (5YR 5/6) slip. Marks of burnishing tool; underneath the rim deep incised grooves. 992/81. Fragment of Pedestal Base Fig. 52; Pl. 33b T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.09 m. Coarse clay fired red. Ext. polished very pale brown (l0YR 8/4) slip. At the joint of the base with the bowl plastic cordon painted with red Urfirnis (2.5YR 5/8).

from firing. Below the lip horizontal crescent lug with vertical slashes on the edge, near the lug incised net pattern decoration. (8) Fruitstands Phase IIa 1030/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 51 T. N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished yellow red (5YR 5/6) slip. 1081/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 51 T.N90/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.35 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. burnished yellow red (5YR 5/6) slip. 52/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 51 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.27 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. black slip. 130/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 51; Pl. 33a T.N85/E45. est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Int. and ext. burnished reddish brown (5YR 5/4), marks of the burnishing tool. Al. Rim Fragment Fig. 51; Pl. 33a T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. burnished reddish brown slip with black patches. B82. Rim Fragment Fig. 51 T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.32 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Π3769. Fragment of Fruitstand Fig. 51 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.10 m, D. at the narrowest point 0.13 m. Fragment of large pedestal base and part of the upper bowl. Coarse clay fired reddish. Ext. lightly burnished. At the join of the base with the bowl plastic decoration of a cordon with overlapping discs, on the pedestal pair of holes pierced before firing. 290/80. Rim Fragment Fig. 50; Pl. 33a T. I 1980. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished dark brown slip. Below the rim horizontal handle circular in section. 201/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 50; Pl. 33a T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished red. B5. Rim Fragment Fig. 50; Pl. 33a T. I 1980. est. D. ca. 0.30 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished yellow red (5YR 5/6) slip with black patches. Below the rim ledge scalloped lug; beneath the lug part of plastic cordon. 514/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 50 T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.48 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. burnished red. B82. Rim Fragment Fig. 50

Phase IIb Π3756. Fruitstand Fig. 53; Pl. 34a Hearth of T. N55/E30. H. 0.27 m, D. 0.355 m. Fruitstand mended from many pieces and partially restored with plaster. On the middle of the base two holes, one next to the other pierced before firing; below the rim two horizontal handles round in section. On the bowl three pairs of mending holes. M. coarse clay fired pink (7.5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. lightly burnished; black patches from firing. 589/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 53 T.N75/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.36 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Π3795. Pedestal Base of Fruitstand Fig. 53; Pl. 34b T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.17 m, D. of base 0.156 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pale brown towards the outside (l0YR 6/3). Ext. smoothed. A pair of 84

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE 461/82. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T.N80/E45. H. 0.093 m. Coarse clay fired pink (7.5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed; underside of base rough. Probably from same vessel with 535/82. 535/82. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T.N80/E45. H. 0.095 m. Coarse clay fired pink (7.5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. smoothed; underside of base rough. 91/81. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T.N85/E45. H. 0.02 m. Coarse clay fired red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Underside of base rough. Fragment comes from lowest part of vessel's wide spout. 38/81. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55; Pl. 36b T.N55/E30. H. 0.12 m. Fragment of flaring wall and flat base from a baking pan. Rim falls down to create a spout. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside; underside of base rough. 133/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 55 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.042 m. Coarse clay fired reddish. Int. and ext. smoothed. Inside below lip, scalloped ledge lug. 619/82. Fragment of Baking Pan or Brazier Fig. 55 T.N80/E45. H. 0.04 m. Fragment of a shallow circular baking pan or brazier. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed; inside traces of firing. Underside of base rough and a wide notch where once a flat leg was attached. Cf. Weisshaar, 1983, 346, pl. l4:4 from Tiryns; Plassart, 1928, 34, fig. 33 from Delos; Frödin and Person, 1938, 217, fig. 160:3 from Asine.

holes, one next to the other, pierced before firing. (9) Goblets Phase IIa A45. Fragment of Goblet Fig. 54 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.13 m, est. D. ca. 0.22 m. Fine clay fired yellowish red. Int. and ext. dark brown Urfirnis. Π3767. Goblet Fig. 54; Pl. 35a T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.95 m, D. 0.16 m. Mended from many pieces; base is missing. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Int. and ext. weak red to black Urfirnis (10R 4/4). B72. Rim Fragment Fig. 54 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.049 m, est. D. ca. 0.14 m. M. coarse clay fired dark brown at core and reddish towards the outside. Int. and ext. burnished. On the curve of the wall crescent lug. A21. Fragment of Goblet Fig. 54 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.08 m, est. D. ca. 0.184 m. Fine clay fired buff. Int. and ext. black Urfirnis. (10) Tankards Phase IIb 33/81. Fragment of Tankard Fig. 54; Pl. 35b T.N55/E30. P.H. 0.09 m, D. 0.10 m. Mended from many pieces and partially restored with plaster. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Ext. gray blue polished slip. Oval in shape rim; below the lip two vertical double reeded ribbon handles. (11) “Baking Pans” Phase IIa B93. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T. I 1980. H. 0.031 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. lightly burnished. Underside of base rough. 1006/81. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T.N90/E45. H. 0.028 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Scalloped rim. Π3758. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T. I 1980. H. 0.11 m, est. D. ca. 0.56 m. Fragment preserves side walls with outwards thickened rim and beginning of base. On rim interior , scalloped ledge lug. Coarse clay fired red (10R 5/6). Ext. scored. 597/81. Baking Pan Fragment Fig. 55 T.N100/E40. H. 0.03 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed; on int. black patches. Underside of base rough.

(12) Sauceboats Phase IIa Π3770. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 56; Pl. 37a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.078 m. Fine clay fired pink (5YR 7/4). Int. and ext. brown to black Urfirnis. Vertical ribbon handle. A23. Spout of Sauceboat Fig. 56; Pl. 38a T. I 1980. Fine clay fired brown. Int. and ext. black Urfirnis. Π3764. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 56 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.157 m. Fine clay fired pale brown (10YR 6/3). Int. and ext. dark brown Urfirnis. Below the rim seven small parallel incised lines made before firing. A14. Rim Fragment Fig. 56 T I 1980. P.H. 0.85 m. Fine clay fired pink. Int. and ext. gray blue polished slip. On the curve of wall a plastic strip of clay. A105. Rim Fragment Fig. 56 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.047 m. Fine clay fired gray. Int. and ext. blue polished slip. Part of vertical ribbon handle. A24. Rim Fragment Fig. 56; Pl. 37b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.072 m. Fine clay fired gray. Int. and ext. blue polished slip. Horizontal handle round in section. On the curve of the

Phase IIb 377/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 55; Pl. 36a T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.046 m, est. D. ca. 0.42 m. Coarse clay fired black at core, red towards int. and dark brown towards ext. On inside of lip, ledge lug (length of lug 0.089 m). Outside along the rim, a groove and scoring below. 85

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Fine clay fired pink. Ext. yellowish polished slip, two parallel lines and part of hatched triangle painted with black Urfirnis. 26/83. Wall Fragment Fig. 59 T.90/E45. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink (7.5YR 7/4) towards the outside. Ext. net pattern painted with brown Urfirnis. 917/81. Wall Fragment Pl. 42a T.N90/E45. P.L. 0.04 m. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. yellowish polished slip; net pattern, painted with brown Urfirnis. 816/81. Wall Fragment Pl. 42a T.N100/E40. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. yellowish polished slip; net pattern, painted with brown Urfirnis. B25. Pyxis Fragment? Fig. 59 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. of base 0.07 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish brown. Int. and ext. lightly smoothed.

wall horizontal plastic cordon. Phase IIb 64/83. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 57 T. N80/45. P.H. 0.136 m. Fine clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. buff smoothed. Vertical double reeded ribbon handle. 479/82. Spout of Sauceboat Fig. 57; Pl. 38b T.N80/E45. Fine clay fired gray at core and yelowish red towards the outside. Int. and ext. yellow blue polished slip. 65/83. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 57 T.N80/E45. H. 0.102 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. buff polished slip. Vertical ribbon handle, ring base. Π3762. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 57; Pl. 39a T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.105 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Int. and ext. yellow blue polished slip. Horizontal handle round in section. 482/81. Spout of Sauceboat Fig. 57, Pl. 38a T. N75/E45 Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. blue polished slip. 1258/81. Sauceboat Fragment Fig. 57 T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.06 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. buff polished slip. Vertical ribbon handle. 480/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 57 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.06 m. Fine clay fired gray at core. Int. and ext. buff polished slip. Horizontal double reeded ribbon handle.

Phase IIb 391/81. Wall Fragment Fig. 59 T.N75/E45. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. yellow polished slip. On the neck two rows of impressed dots. 576/81. Pyxis Fragment Fig. 59; Pl. 41a T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.03 m. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. blue polished slip. 480/81. Wall Fragment Fig. 59; Pl. 41b T.N75/E45. Fine clay fired gray at core and buff towards the outside. Int. and ext. smoothed. Horizontal double crescent lug pierced vertically.

(13) Pyxides Phase IIa A61. Rim Fragment Fig. 59 T. I 1980. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. black Urfirnis. Tubular lug pierced vertically. 174/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 59 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.025 m, est. D. ca. 0.031 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6). Ext. smoothed. 264/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 59 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.042 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Ext. yellow polished slip. Π3772. Rim Fragment Fig. 59 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.035 m, est. D. ca. 0.03 m. Fine clay fired very pale brown (10R 7/4). Ext. dark brown Urfirnis. On the curve of the wall horizontal crescent lug pierced vertically. 293/80. Wall Fragment Fig. 59 T. I 1980. Fine clay fired buff. Ext. yellow polished slip, apex of cross hatched triangle painted with reddish brown Urfirnis. 294/80. Wall Fragment Fig. 59; Pl. 42a T. I 1980.

(14) Lids Phase IIa Π3777. Lid Fragment Fig. 59; Pl. 42b T.N85/E45. Est. D. ca. 0.06 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish brown. Ext. brown slip. Around the periphery impressed dots. Π3778. Lid Fragment Fig. 59; Pl. 42b T.N85/45. P.H. 0.07 m, est. D. ca. 0.10 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Int. dark brown, ext. reddish Urfirnis. 4/83. Lid Fragment Fig. 59 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. 0.078 m. Gritty clay fired red. Int. and ext. red burnished slip. On the wall two rows of Kerbschnitt decoration filled with white paste. At the beginning of the upper part small crescent lug. Phase IIb 42/83. Lid Fig. 59 House A, room III. D. 0.024 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow. Int. and ext. smoothed. 490/82. Lid Fig. 59 T.N80/E45. D. 0.058 m. M. coarse clay fired yellowish red. Int. and ext. smoothed. 86

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE (15) Askoi Phase IIa 1116/81. Askos Fragment Fig. 60; Pl. 43a T. E 1980. M. coarse clay fired brown at core. Ext. lightly burnished reddish brown. Plastic decoration with incised cordons. 57/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 60 T.N85/E45 (unstratified). P.H. 0.054 m. M. coarse clay fired black at core and light reddish brown (5YR 6/3) towards the outside. Ext. lightly burnished. Along the rim a row of small oval impressions. A108, Al10, All2. Handle and Rim Fragments from Askos. T. I 1980. Fig. 60; Pl. 43a,b M. coarse clay fired reddish brown at core. Ext. red black mottled lightly burnished. Plastic decoration with thin incised cordons. 291/80. Askos Handle? Fig. 60; Pl. 44a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.076 m. Fragment of plaited handle from an askos or jug. Fine clay well-baked and fired pink. Polished buff slip. Fragment decorated with black Urfirnis (round spots on plaits and semicircular bands on sides). Cf. Blegen et al., 1950; 154, fig. 251:14 from Troy.

T.N80/E45. p.H. 0.097 m. Fine clay fired red at core and reddish yellow towards the outside. Ext. gray blue polished slip. Plastic cordon (semicircular in section) runs around vase on carination of belly. Beginning of strap handle above carination. Cf. Korres, 1979, 153, pl. 113d. 301/82. Miniature Askos Fragment Fig. 61. T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.033 m. Fine clay fired reddish. Ext. smoothed. 151/81. Askoid Jug Fragment Fig. 61; Pl. 46a T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.069 m. Fine clay fired black at core and reddish yellow towards the outside (5YR 7/6). Ext. traces of gray blue polished slip. (16) Jugs Phase IIa 62/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 62 T. I 1980. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. buff polished slip; painted pattern with reddish brown Urfirnis. 1092/82. Neck Fragment Fig. 62 T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.05 m, est. D. ca. 0.115 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish yellow. Ext. brown Urfirnis. Strap handle. A130. Neck Fragment Fig. 62 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Ext. traces of brown Urfirnis. Strap handle. 7/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 62 T. I 1980. P. H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.09 m. M. coarse clay fired black at core and rcddish towards the outside. Ext. brown Urfirnis. Strap handle; on the top of it two oblique incised lines. A157. Neck Fragment Fig. 62; Pl. 46b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.126 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish yellow. Ext. traces of reddish brown slip. Strap handle, grooved in the middle. A125. Neck Fragment Fig. 62 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. buff smoothed. Strap handle. A16. Neck Fragment Fig. 62; Pl. 46b T. I 1980. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.075 m. Fine clay fired pink. Ext. reddish brown Urfirnis. Strap handle.

Phase IIb 482/82. Askos Fragment Fig. 60 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.05 m. Fine clay fired yellowish red. Int. and ext. smoothed. Vertical ribbon handle. 87/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 60 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.11 m. Fine clay fired reddish. Ext. diluted yellowish slip. 163/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 60 T. N85/E45. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.11 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6). Ext. reddish yellow Urfirnis. 522/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 60 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.03 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow towards the outside. Ext. pink slip. Vertical strap handle. 3/83. Askos Fragment Fig. 60 House A, room I. P.H. ca. 0.06 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and brown towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. Along the neck an incised line; on shoulder pellet lug from which begin two incised lines. 69/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 60 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. Vertical strap handle. Π3786. Askoid Jug Fig. 61; Pl. 45a T.N80/E45. H. 0.155 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Ext. traces of diluted yellow slip. Vertical strap handle. Π3787. Askoid Jug Fig. 61; Pl. 45b T.N80/E45. H. 0.117 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and very pale brown towards the outside (l0YR 7/4). Ext. traces of reddish brown diluted slip. Vertical double reeded strap handle. 460/81. Askos Fragment Fig. 61 T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.075 m. Fine clay fired reddish yellow. Ext. smoothed. Vertical strap handle. Π3788. Askoid Jug Fig. 61; Pl. 44b

Phase IIb 388/82. Jug Fragment Fig. 62; Pl. 46b T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4) towards the outside. Ext. and int., along the rim, traces of black Urfirnis. (17) Jars Phase IIa l. Collared Jars (short or high). 28/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.0225 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. and int., only along the rim, red burnished slip (l0R 5/6). 57/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.036 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Ext. and int., only along the rim, yellowish red bur-

87

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE nished slip; marks of burnishing tool. A149. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.19 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. and int., only along the rim red burnished slip (10R 5/6); marks of burnishing tool. 218/80. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.044 m, est. D. ca. 0.185 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. red slip. 220/80. Neck Fragment Fig. 63; Pl. 47a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.032 m, est. D. ca. 0.16 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. and int., only along the rim, reddish brown burnished slip. 598/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T.N100/E40. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.153 m. M. coarse clay fired brown. Ext. reddish brown burnished slip. B96. Neck Fragment Fig. 63; Pl. 47a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.047 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish yellow. Ext. and int., only along the rim, thick reddish yellow (5YR 6/6) burnished slip; marks of burnishing tool. 1078/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 63 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.048 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Ext. and int., only along the rim red burnished slip.

M. coarse clay fired red at core and gray towards the outside. Int. and ext. black-brown Urfirnis. B28. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.065 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish yellow (5YR 7/6). Ext. and int., only along the rim. Traces of reddish yellow lightly burnished slip. 154/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.056 m, est. D. ca. 0.105 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 156/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.10 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. and int., only along the rim, red burnished slip. 8132. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.054 m, est. D. ca. 0.06 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. Along the shoulder a row of impressed dots. Phase IIb l. Collared Jars 53/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 65 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.077 m, est. D. ca. 0.125 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside (7.5YR 7/4). Ext. smoothed. 60/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 65 T.N80/E45, House A, hearth of room III. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.126 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and reddish towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 441/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 65 T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.12 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and light brown towards the outside. Ext. smoothed.

2. Hole-mouthed Jars 49/83. Rim Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.03 m, est. D. ca. 0.216 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. red brown burnished. B65. Rim Fragment Fig. 64; Pl. 47a T. I 1980. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M. coarse clay fired reddish at core and reddish brown towards the outside. Ext. reddish brown (5YR 5/4) burnished slip.

2. Jars with Everted Rim. 431/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 65 T.N75/E45. P.H. 0.032 m, est. D. ca. 0.19 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6) towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 56/81. Rim Fragment Fig. 65 T.N85/E45. P.H. 0.063 m, est. D. ca. 0.24 m. Fine clay fired gray at core and light red towards the outside (10R 6/6). Ext. smoothed.

3. Neck Jars B85. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.0. 05 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. red slip. 1119/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. E 1980. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca.0.18 m. Coarse clay fired gray at core and red towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 12/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P.H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.18 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. reddish brown burnished slip. Along the shoulder a row of impressed triangles, once probably filled with white paste. Cf. for decoration, Fossey, 1969, 66, fig. 6:10. 10/83. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T. I 1980. P. H. 0.04 m, est. D. ca. 0.15 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. and int., only along the rim, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) burnished slip. Along the shoulder a row of impressed triangles, once probably filled with white paste. 991/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T.N90/E45. P.H. 0.036 m, est. D. ca. 0.126 m. M. coarse clay fired red. Ext. and int., only along the rim, red burnished slip. 601/81. Neck Fragment Fig. 64 T.NI00/E40. P.H. 0.06 m, est. D. ca. 0.11 m.

3. Neck Jars. 646/82. Neck Fragment Fig. 65; Pl. 47a T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.045 m, est. D. ca. 0.115 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pink (7.5YR 7/4) towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 903/82. Neck Fragment Fig. 65 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.07 m, est. D. ca. 0.075 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside. Ext. smoothed. 4. Hole-mouthed Jars 440/82. Rim Fragment Fig. 65 T.N80/E45. P.H. 0.042 m, est. D. ca. 0.21 m. M. coarse clay fired gray at core and pink towards the outside (7.5YR 7/4). Ext. smoothed.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Seven Period II in its Archaeological Context Phase IIa

decoration of dark Urfirnis on light background (lbid. 150).

In order to trace an artifact horizon within the EH period which corresponds to the assemblage of Phase IIa, one has to begin with Eutresis where a deep stratigraphy revealed a sequence from early EH I into advanced stages of EH II. One must, of course, keep in mind local variations and peculiarities.24

From Goldman’s “second meter of deposit” the following pieces should be mentioned as typologically comparable to Phase IIa types. Sauceboats, Goldman, 1931, fig. 118, from House I, cf. Fig. 56: Π3764 from Ayios Dhimitrios.

Phase IIa at Ayios Dhimitrios includes Red Slipped and Burnished, Urfirnis, Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished, and Plain Wares. Caskey’s Group V at Eutresis includes the following wares: Slipped and Burnished (red brown to gray black), Urfirnis, and Plain Wares. In Group VI the above wares are present, as well as Fine Mottled Ware (Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished). Caskey’s Groups V and VI with Houses 9 and 6 correspond to Goldman’s “second meter of deposit”, where she also assigned the House I (Goldman, 1931, 12-15, 93-97; Renfrew, 1972, 105-106; Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 164; Hanschmann and Milojčič, 1976, 158, tables 25-26). It is not only the presence of the same wares that justifies the placement of Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa within Goldman’s “second meter of deposit” and Caskey’s Groups V and VI, but also a series of other common features, like vase forms, handle and lug types, and various kinds of decoration”. For example, saucers from Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 39: 185/81, 45/80, A174, cf. Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 146, fig. 7, V.3). Fruitstands from Ayios Dhimitrios (Figs. 50-52, cf. Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 146-147, fig. 7, V.5). Jars from Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 63, cf. Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 146). In the Slipped and Burnished Ware of Caskey’s Group VI are included “small bowls or saucers and medium-sized bowls with convex sides and incurving rims” (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 148; cf. from Ayios Dhimitrios Figs. 39: B32, 17/83, B16, 144/80, 185/81, 45/80, A174; 41: 1106/81, 909/81, B16). Coarse ware includes “small bowls and saucers; medium-sized bowls; a cup; large open bowls or basins, some with coating of glaze on interior; jars with broad hollow grips; baking pans; pedestal-base; large flaring base, plastic rope pattern” (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 149; cf. from Ayios Dhimitrios Figs. 45; 46; 55: B93, 1006/81,597/81). The shapes represented in the Urfirnis ware are small bowls, saucers, and sauceboats, cf. from Ayios Dhimitrios Fig. 39: A85, A15. In the Fine Mottled Ware askoi, pyxides, and sauceboats are represented (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 150). In the same Group belong also fragments of a sauceboat with painted

Jars, Goldman, 1931, fig. 117, no.7, cf. Fig. 63: 57/83 from Ayios Dhimitrios. “Kerbschnitt” decoration, Goldman, 1931, fig. 124, cf. Fig. 62:21/83 from Ayios Dhimitrios. Plastic decoration, Goldman, 1931, fig. 119, cf. Fig. 46: B17 from Ayios Dhimitrios. From Goldman’s “first meter of deposit”, Goldman, 1931, figs. 114:1; 114:3, cf. Fig. 42:578/81; Pl. 48: B39 from Ayios Dhimitrios. After my study of the material from Caskey’s excavation, I was convinced that the affinities between the Eutresian pottery and the pottery found at Ayios Dhimitrios were much more extensive than one could conclude from the publication alone. In Group VI the spectrum of pedestal bases in Fine Ware from sauceboats or bowls corresponds to that from Ayios Dhimitrios, cf. Fig. 58. The handles of sauceboats are either vertical ribbon handles or horizontal handles, circular in section. I noticed a rim fragment from a small bowl with a pellet lug, cf. Fig. 39:B8, and also a sherd in medium coarse fabric with a bowshaped plastic decoration, which is common at Ayios Dhimitrios, cf. Pl.39: 164/80, 622/81. Plastic decoration is also present. A strap handle of an askos in fine clay painted with Urfirnis is similar to our fig. 60: A108, 1116/81. Lithares is another Boeotian site where the transitional stage from EH I to EH II is documented. The excavations there revealed a large portion of the last habitation level of the settlement, while in different parts within and around the main excavation area additional stratigraphic trenches were opened. The deepest accumulation occured in stratigraphic trench 70 of 1976. Here, within a deposit 2.80 m thick, seven succesive phases of occupation have been distinguished by the excavator (TzavellaEvjen, 1984, 107, fig. E). Only the uppermost level, which is coeval with the last phase of the settlement, included extensive wall remains, while all the previous phases were distinguished on the basis of successive pebble floors (ibid. 107). Sauceboats appear for the first time in the upper layers of phase five and continue in greater

24

Phelps points out that the material from Caskey’s excavation includes mixed deposits and “too much confidence can not be placed in the chronological association of all the types in a group. The excavator himself (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 162), is cautious in his conclusions” (Phelps, 1975, 356).

89

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE percentages within phases six and seven (ibid. 107, 156). From the final publication of the material it is not clear when Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Ware first appears; the same is true for the Urfirnis Ware which, as I assume, must be present in the upper layers of the fifth phase where sauceboats first occur. Slipped and Burnished Wares, which predominate in the lower phases, continue during the last phases without any noticeable decrease. Saucers with incurved rims in Slipped and Burnished or Urfirnis Ware were found within the deposits of the fifth, sixth and seventh phases (ibid. 151-152). Hemispherical bowls with vertical or inturning rims in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware are common in all phases and the same is true for large bowls or basins with thickened-in or -out rims; the latter increase from the lower to the uppermost phases (ibid. 151). Bowls with Trim are mentioned for the first time in phase five and continue in the last two phases, but always in small amounts (ibid. 103, fig. 8b; pl. 27). Painted decoration and partially glazed vessels are present in the last phase (the phase of the main excavated area), but it is not clear when they begin (ibid. 153, 156, 165; pl. 33g, 79 a, g-d, z, k-n). All the above features, together with the continuity of the pottery development, as it is observed in the stratigraphic trenches, and the popularity of the Slipped and Burnished Wares, as well as the incised decoration during the two last phases, suggest that phases six and seven belong to an early stage of the EH II, that is, to a phase transitional from the EH I to EH II. These two phases are coeval with Caskey’s Groups V and VI and Goldman’s “second meter of deposit” as common wares and shapes in all three assemblages suggest. Some parallel shapes and decorative features between Lithares and Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa are given below.

In the area of ancient Triphylia, material like that of Phase IIa at Ayios Dhimitrios is represented by surface finds at Kleidi-Kato Samikon, Panayia Church-Anilio, and Ayios Yeorgios-Yiannitsochori. On the hill of Kleidi at Kato Samikon McDonald and Hope-Simpson collected sherds of “Faience ware” grey blue slip on orange fabric from sauceboats and shallow bowls, and an Urfirnis pedestal foot (McDonald and Hope-Sipson, 1961, 230, ill. 6,L). Among the other material from Dörpfeld’s excavations at the same site, I noticed a rim fragment from a fruit stand in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (Dörpfeld, 1908, 320-322; 1913, 111114; Sperling 1942, 82, 87). The pottery collected from the area of Panayia Church near the village Anilio included Urfirnis (low pedestal foot), Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished and Burnished Wares.25 The pottery collected by the MME at the site of Ayios Yeorgios-Yiannitsochori includes Urfirnis, Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished, Red Slipped and Burnished and Plain Wares (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 130, pl. 44b, nos. l, 3, 7, 15; 46: E-1, E-7). Studying this material, I identified the following shapes: a rim fragment from a baking pan with a scalloped ledge lug on the interior, cf. fig. 55: Π3758; a flat base with matt impression; a pedestal foot in medium coarse fabric; a ring base from a sauceboat in fine fabric; rim fragments from cooking pots; neck fragments from jars with flaring rim; and a rim fragment from a fruitstand in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware. Not only are the fabrics of the Fine Ware identical with Phase IIa from Ayios Dhimitrios, but the similarities between the Coarse and Plain Ware of the two sites are also easily identifiable.

Bowls with vertical or inturning rim and pellet lugs, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, fig. la; pl. 18b, cf. Figs. 39: B8, 41: B70.

South of Triphylia in Messenia only two sites furnish parallels to Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa, Ellinika and Voidokoilia. The EH site of Ellinika is located on a broad terrace of the Ellinika Ridge near the village Aithaia (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 250-251; 1964, 239; l969, 158-159). The pottery collected by the MME included Urfirnis Ware in shades from red to black (saucers with incurved rim, ring base, low pedestal feet, one is illustrated in MacDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, pl. 44b:9), Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Ware (low pedestal foot), Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (bowl with slightly incurved rim). The site of Ellinika was most probably a major settlement in Messenia. EH sherds, mainly low pedestal bases in Urfirnis and Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Ware, have been found in the fill of the tholos tomb excavated in the area recently by the

Large bowls or basins with thickened in or out rim, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, fig. 4b, second and third from right, cf. Fig. 45: B12, 1041/81. Bowls or basins with T-rim, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, fig. 8b, cf. Fig. 41: 1122/81; 46: B135. Basins or bowls with cylindrical horizontal handles, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984. Pl. 23d, cf. Fig. 42: 214/81, 47/83. Short collared jars, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, fig.16: z, h, i, l, cf. fig. 63: 28/83, A149; 6: B85. Strips or plastic cordons below the rim of bowls, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, pl. 19a, cf, Fig. 41: 50/83. Partially glazed saucers, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, pl. 33g, cf. Fig. 39: 1096/82, A74.

25 During a salvage excavation (18-3-1982) outside the village Anilio near the monastery of Panayia, a pithos grave of the Roman period was excavated and EH pottery sherds were collected. The sherds were scattered over an area of around 100 m2. The site where the sherds were found overlooks a fertile valley which opens towards the sea like the Tholon River Valley below the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios.

Knob lugs, Tzavella-Evjen, 1984, pl. 63: a, b, e, cf. Pl. 49:B141. 90

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE two meters contained only EH pottery and the excavator did not find any variation in the soil down to the bottom of the pit (Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 272). On the basis of the presence of Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (Eutresis Ware), together with Urfirnis and Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Ware, it was suggested that the material belonged to two periods, EH I and EH II, which were mixed together in a “rubbish fill”. The excavators concluded that the material from the Kastraki deposit covered a long span of time “extending from middle stage of EH I (Caskey’s Group III and IV at Eutresis) to a point well down in EH II” (Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 274).

Ephorate of Ancient Olympia (A. Lianguras, oral communication). The material from the excavations at the prehistoric maritime settlement of Voidokoilia in Messenia is known only from preliminary reports. The EH settlement is badly eroded from the construction on the top of it of a MH tumulus and a LH tholos tomb which was cut within the tumulus. In many parts of the settlement and within the cavities of the bedrock LN II pottery was found. The excavator in his preliminary reports speaks of successive EH architectural phases, one of which is represented by a partially preserved monumental building with double walls like the monumental buildings from Akovitika and Lerna (Korres, 1978, 342-345; 1980a, 324, 325; 1980b, 153); the exact number of the architectural phases, however, is not clear. In the NE trench, where a deep accumulation of debris was found, the following sequence of layers and finds was observed. From 0.10 m to 0.05 m (0=datum point of the excavation) an undisturbed destruction layer was found. This destruction layer was found between a blackish layer above (ca. 10 cm) and a thin layer of yellowish clay below (-5 to -7 cm); the latter was identified as a floor. Below the yellowish layer was a layer ca. 10 cm thick (-7 to -18 cm) resting on a thin floor of pebbles; this layer contained Red Slipped and Burnished Wares. Below this point the finds come from a pit within the bedrock. From -18 cm to -47 cm pottery of EH II together with LN II was found. Below -47 cm down to -124 cm, where the pit reached its bottom, the pottery included exclusively LN II wares (Pattern Burnished, Coarse Ware fragments with plastic decoration).

Many pieces from Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa have parallels to the material from the Kastraki pit, which in my opinion represents only one phase in a transitional stage from EH I to EH II and has parallels to Caskey’s Groups V and VI and to Goldman’s “second meter of deposit”. A list of parallels between Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa and the Kastraki assemblage is given below. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 78, pl. 16:26 “wall fragment with lug handle of nose-bridge type”, cf. Pl. 48: B86. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 79, pl.16:27 cf. 48: B1. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 80, pl.16:47, cf. Fig. 41: B3; pl. 47: B65. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 81, fig. 35: 61-64, cf. Fig. 58: B73, B42, B21. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 81, fig. 35:74-76, cf. Fig. 58: A73, 127/81, A13. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 82, fig. 35:83, cf. fig. 45: 25/83. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 77, 35:6 this fragment most probably belongs to a fruitstand. Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, 83, pl. 17:98, cf. Fig. 63: 21/83; Pl. 49: Π3779 . The pottery assemblage of two graves from the tumuli of Nidri at Lefkas provides close parallels with pottery types of Phase IIa found at Ayios Dhimitrios. Grave R 16, which is considered one of the earliest graves in the cemetery (Hammond, 1974, 135) included four vases: a sauceboat with vertical handle and a low pedestal foot, a pyxis with four vertical tubular lugs, an askos, and a fruitstand in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (Dörpfeld, 1927, 236, Pl. 65: l, 2, 3, 4); an additional fruitstand was found among the grave finds of Grave R 12 (ibid. 231232, pl. 46:8). During my study of the grave pottery from Nidri, which is stored in the small Museum of Lefkas, I noticed a bag labelled as “D 203 Steno,” which contained several fragments of pedestals from fruitstands in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware and three low pedestal feet from sauceboats or bowls in Fine Ware. A fragment of a fruitstand’s pedestal preserves a pair of holes pierced before firing. A further fragment from the junction of the bowl to the fruitstand pedestal is decorated with an impressed cordon like the one from Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 51: Π3769). The above noted fragments may be connected with the remains of a settlement traced by Dörpfeld at the Steno area near Nidri (ibid. 173, 177, 277 ff.). The occurrence of the same types of wares and shapes in the earliest tumuli graves provides a strong argument for the assumption that in this case we are dealing with the farthest northwestern assemblage known up-to-

From the EH destruction level comes an assemblage of pottery in the following wares and shapes (Korres, 1980 a, 155-162; 1981, 210-216): fragments of at least two pithoi, a sauceboat in Urfirnis Ware with a pedestal foot and horizontal handle (Korres,1980a,pl. 121), several pedestal feet from sauceboats or bowls, two goblets in fine Urfirnis Ware (ibid. pl. 121:g,d; fig. 6; 7), a fragment of a fruitstand in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (Korres, 1981, 212, fig. 5b) and a fragment of a saucer with incurved rim in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware (Korres, 1980a,159, fig. 8a; pl. 129b). Similar wares and shapes are represented in the assemblage from four cavities within the bedrock below the floor of a circular building in the NW section of the excavation (Korres, 1982, 215-222). The shapes and the wares from the destruction level in the NE trench and the four cavities in section NW at Voidokoilia correspond to Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa; furthermore, the sequence of the two groups at Voidokoilia suggests an early stage of the EH II period. An interesting group of pottery from the island of Kythera also has similarities with Phase IIa. The EH pottery found at Kastraki Hill comes from a circular pit ca. 5 meters in diameter and 3 meters deep and is not associated with any architectural remains. The uppermost meter of the pit consisted of a mixed layer and included Middle Minoan, Late Minoan and Roman material. The lowest 91

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE and sauceboats indicates that Phase IIa belongs to a more advanced stage than Perachora. The 1972 excavation campaign at the same site revealed stratified deposits of the EH II period. Since the material is still unpublished, it would be premature to conclude that the transitional phase from EH I to EH II is represented there (Fossey, 1973, 149-151).

date, which clearly belongs to the same chronological horizon with the Phase IIa at Ayios Dhimitrios. At Asea in Arcadia EH pottery comes from two strata. One is ca. 90 cm thick in which LN II and earlier material was found mixed with EH pottery; above this stratum is a pure EH layer ca. 45 cm thick. The pottery from the mixed deposit, apart from the Neolithic wares, includes Burnished wares (in shades of red to reddish brown, brown, brownish black and black), Slipped and Burnished Ware (in shades of red, brown or black, the red color is dominant), Urfirnis, Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished, Painted and Plain Wares. The Burnished Ware disappears in the next EH stratum, while the Red Slipped and Burnished continues in smaller quantities. Although the excavator excludes the possibility of an EH I phase at his site, R. Howell, in a survey of prehistoric Arcadia, pointed out that many sherds illustrated in Holmberg’s publication belong to EH I and have parallels at Perachora, Zygouries, Palaia Kokkinia, and Eutresis (Howell, 1970, 108).

The excavations conducted for the past ten years in the Lower Acropolis of Tiryns have uncovered architectural remains and finds that constitute a series of thirteen successive assemblages (Fundhorizonte) (Weisshaar, 1981; 1982a; 1983). On the basis of the stratigraphic sequence of different architectural phases, supplemented by statistical and typological observations on the evolution of vase forms, four EH phases have been distinguished: Horizons 1-4 belong to an early stage of EH II and horizons 5-8b to a developed stage; horizon 9 represents a transitional to EH III stage, and horizons 10-13 represent the EH II period. The first phase (horizons 1-4) includes, according to Weisshaar (1983, 332-342) the following wares: pithoi, Coarse Kitchen Ware, Medium Coarse Unslipped Ware, Medium Coarse Slipped Ware, Medium Coarse Urfirnis Ware, Fine Urfirnis Ware, and Fayence Ware. A few Neolithic sherds found dispersed all over the Lower Acropolis furnish some evidence for the Neolithic occupation of the site. Only a few sherds found in the lowest horizons are covered with the typical EH I red slip (Weisshaar, 1983, 341, fig. 3:13; 6:14). Fine Urfirnis Ware appears already in the lowest deposit, increasing in percentage towards the middle phase. In horizon 8b and in horizon 9 (transitional according to Weisshaar to EH III), Urfirnis Ware decreases considerably (ibid. 332).

Among the other shapes from the mixed deposit, fruitstands in Red Slipped and Burnished Ware have been found (Holmberg 1944, 60, 63, 64, figs. 67, 72). The profiles and the ware from the published examples are identical with those from Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa cf. Figs. 50, 51. Ayios Dhimitrios furnishes, thus, the first stratified, close parallels to those vases which appeared strange within the EH repertory (ibid. 60, 64, n. 4). In addition to the fruitstands the following parallel from the mixed deposit at Asea should be cited here. Holmberg, 1944, fig. 65e, cf. Fig. 41: 9/83. Holmberg, 1944, fig. 68g, cf. pl. 30: B58, 907/81. Holmberg, 1944, 115, fig. 111:2, cf. Pl. 50: 196/81.

In the second, developed EH II phase, coarse wares predominate, followed by the medium coarse wares with or without slip (ibid. 342). While in the earliest deposits vases of Urfirnis Ware were almost exclusively wholly glazed (monochrome), a rich variety of decorative Urfirnis bands, running parallel to the wholly glazed vases, appears to be one of the striking features of the pottery of this developed phase. Most common are narrow bands along the outside of the rim (“b-streifen,” ibid. 346). Another interesting development is the considerably increasing percentage of Plain Ware (“al”) towards the end of this phase.26 Undecorated clay-colored sauceboats are rare. One completely preserved sauceboat with low spout from horizon 8a, indicates that this type, generally placed exclusively at the beginning of the typological evolution, might have lasted until the late stage of EH II (ibid. 351, fig. 19:17).

Based on the above evidence, one may safely assume that Phase IIa of Ayios Dhimitrios is represented at Asea; Ayios Dhimitrios is located on an ancient route that leads to the interior of Arcadia, and the direct cross-country distance to Asea is only ca. 50 km. Three succesive phases of EH I have been found at Perachora-Vouliagmeni in the Corinthia. The wares recorded there are Plain, and Burnished with or without slip. No Urfιrnis or Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished Wares have been recorded in the 1969 preliminary report (Fossey, 1969, 53-70). Fossey, commenting on the profiles of jars found at Perachora, says that “the purely vertical and inturning collars seem to be a feature of EH I only” (ibid. 65). Vertical and inturning, collared jars like those from Vouliagmeni have excellent parallels with Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa; e.g., Fossey, 1969, fig. 2:9-15 from Phase X, and fig. 4:16-20 from Phase Y, cf. Fig. 64: 49/83, B65 from Ayios Dhimitrios. Also “a peculiar sherd from an obviously large vessel of uncertain shape” (ibid. 59, fig. 3, no. 5) belongs to a fruitstand (Phelps, 1975, 357). Consequently, although Phase IIa has elements that appear at EH I Perachora, the presence of EH II Urfirnis

The next phase represented in horizon 9 and characterized as “transitional” to EH III, adheres generally to the traditional vase-repertory of the developed EH II phase, changing only the percentage of the different wares and 26 Unpainted saucers of Weisshaar’s Type al number only six in horizons 1-4, while they total 74 examples in horizons 5-8b (Weisshaar, 1983, 341, fig. 10).

92

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE underlying EH II deposit. Below that stratum a 0.50 m thick layer lacking any architectural remains as well as any Urfirnis fragments was uncovered. The pottery from this level included almost exclusively a Red Slipped slightly polished ware, usually decorated with linear incised patterns. Among the shapes of this ware are deep, open bowls with outsplaying incised rims (ibid. fig. 19: 163-166) resting either on flat bottoms (ibid., fig. 19: 166) or on high cylindrical pedestals bearing incised decoration and openings (ibid., fig. 19: 167-169). Strap handles of askoid shapes with plastic decoration are also present (ibid. fig. 19: 172). The repertory of fruitstands in Red Slipped and Polished or unpolished Ware in the Argolid is further enriched by numerous surface finds from two sites, Talioti (near Nauplia) and Makrovouni (near Argos).

shapes (for example, the undecorated saucers are now predominant). The actual innovation is the appearance of polished Protominyan Ware and some Minyan sherds (ibid. 353). To summarize the above information, the EH sequence of Tiryns has the following characteristics. At the beginning wholly glazed saucers and sauceboats in silvery Urfirnis predominate and, along with other forms, there is a relatively high percentage of cooking pots. In the developed EH II phase the banded Urfirnis decoration of saucers becomes popular, small deep bowls are by far the predominant vase shape, the first T-rims appear, and the silvery Urfirnis becomes rare. In the succeeding transitional phase, along with the inherited EH II repertory, some EH III elements appear, e.g., Protominyan and Gray-Minyan pottery, Ouzo cups, and “Smear Ware”. Dark-on-light painted pottery, however, is still unknown. The strong tradition of EH II pottery, which is quantitatively reflected in the later assemblages, and the slow appearance of new elements, indicates, according to Weisshaar, a continuous development (ibid. 354).

Thus, this horizon, which appears throughout the Argolid and Hermionid as well as in Corinthia (ibid., fig. 22), and which is dated by Dousougli to the second half of EH I at a “pre-sauceboat stage”, includes fruitstands similar to those from Ayios Dhimitrios and Voidokoilia (the incised decoration on the rims and the vertical handles should be considered as a northeastern Peloponnesian feature). Other shapes included in this horizon are small hemispherical bowls (ibid., fig. 5: 1,2), deep, large bowls with flattened or slightly thickened incurving rims, and plastic decoration recalling trumpet-lugs (ibid. fig. 7: 24-26, 28, 30, 32; 18:160), askoid vases with vertical high-swung strap handles (ibid. fig. 14: 111-113), and jars with short collars and cylindrical handles (ibid. fig. 12: 96; 17: 107). Some of the above shapes are repeated in the same ware in the assemblage of our Phase IIa (for example cf. Figs. 41: B16; 39: 1008/81; 63: 1116/81; 64: 57/83).

Although the Bronze Age sequence at Tiryns, judged by the results of the old and new excavations, appears to be almost uninterrupted, it fails us in the very beginning of the period, that is, what is called EH I. Furthermore, from the picture obtained by the detailed preliminary reports of the new excavations at the Lower Acropolis, it seems that a transitional stage to EH II, as it is represented in our assemblage at Ayios Dhimitrios IIa, is also absent. As noted by Weisshaar (ibid. 341) only a few sherds from the early layers are covered with the “strawberry-red” slip, typical of the EH I period. In addition, none of the typical Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa shapes (fruitstands, collared jars, askoi with flat strap handles and cordon decoration) is here reported.

At the large EH settlement of Makrovouni (which is known only on the basis of surface finds), together with the pottery described above in Red Slipped Ware, numerous pieces of sauceboats, saucers, basins and jars covered with thick red or black Urfirnis, have been found. On the basis of typological comparisons, mainly with the early horizons of Tiryns, they have been dated to the very early stage of EH II. Although the circumstances under which the finds came to light (destruction of the deposits by bulldozing, and surface collection of the pottery), I suggest that the published pottery from Makrovouni does not represent two succesive horizons (an EH I late and an EH II early), but only one transitional phase corresponding to our Triphylian horizon IIa. In addition, this transitional phase, where Eutresis Ware is combined with wholly glazed sauceboats and saucers, is represented by an assemblage connected with architectural remains, that was excavated in the property of Lembetzis at Argos (unpublished; A. Dousougli, oral communication).

The same observation is valid also for Lerna, where “none of the typical red burnished ware - Blegen’s Class AII - that appears in Early Helladic I at Korakou, Zygouries, and Asine, and in great abundance at Eutresis, has been recognised with certainty. We conclude therefore that Lerna remained uninhabited for a time at the beginning of the Early Bronze Age” (Caskey, 1960, 288). Comparisons with the earliest material of Lerna III, sparsely illustrated in the preliminary reports, lead us to the conclusion that the assemblage of Ayios Dhimitrios IIa, as a whole, is not represented at this site. At Zygouries EH I wares (Blegen’s Classes AI and AII) were found mainly in pits below EH II house complexes (Blegen, 1928, 28). Recent finds also indicate the existence of an EH I horizon in the Argolid (Dousougli, 1987). A small test-trench dug on the low mound of Kefalari-Magoula (ca. 2 km north of Lerna) has revealed a long sequence of Bronze Age deposits. While the top mixed Early Mycenean-Middle Helladic stratum contained only graves (reported in ΑΔ 29, 1973/74, Χρονικά, 246), some architectural remains were revealed in the

Phase IIb Salvage excavations at the site of Strefi in Elis, revealed three architectural phases of the EH II period within a deposit ranging from 0.30-1.50 m in thickness (Koumou93

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE zelis, 1980, 35). The first phase is represented by a layer of stones that belong to an elliptical wall. The second phase is represented by two structures, Building VI and House V. This phase was ended by a fire which destroyed the structures (ibid. 47); in the same phase belong also a series of bothroi. Of the last phase only one building, namely House IV, was excavated. The pottery found in all architectural phases includes Urfirnis, Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished, Plain,27 white Slipped, and Slipped Wares (the last ware comes in shades of red, brown or black). To the above wares should be added one painted sherd from a pyxis and two unslipped polished sherds from bowls with a band of finger impressions along the rim (ibid. 63-97).

surface of the vases is covered partially with it and the traces of the brush applied become apparent. Numerous sherds have only a few worn traces of Urfirnis paint, and at this point, the distinction between slipped wares and partially glazed wares becomes uncertain (pls. 40, 41) ibid. 67-68. According to Koumouzelis the second phase at Strefi should be placed before the House of the Tiles at Lerna, while the third upper stratum corresponds to the phase of the House of the Tiles. During this last phase the plain wares predominate and Urfirnis paint is thinner. The same characteristics appear also at Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIb. From the same phase at Ayios Dhimitrios come also examples of jars with everted rims (Fig. 65: 431/81, 56/81) which have good parallels at the last phase at Strefi (cf. Koumouzelis, 1980, 68, fig. 5:7; pl. 27a).

Because of the salvage nature of the excavations at Strefi, the provenance of most of the published material could not be exactly given. It is not possible, therefore, to correlate the pottery by phase to other contemporary sites. Some general remarks, however, can be given.

South of Triphylia in Messenia the material collected by the MME from the site Aristodhemion-Glykorizi includes features which can be compared with Phase IIb. Aristodhemion-Glykorizi is a low mound ca. 120 m. E-W and 70 m. N-S, near the village Aristodhemion. The existence near the settlement of a cemetery with cist graves of the EH period has been claimed by the MME (HopeSimpson, 1957, I43-245; 1966, 121-124; McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1964, 235; 1969, 157, pl.44b: 2, 4-6, 8, 10-13). The pottery collected from the settlement includes Yellow Blue Slipped and Polished, and Plain Fine wares. The fabric of both wares is powdery and similar to Phase IIb from Ayios Dhimitrios.

There is a lack of slipped and burnished wares at Strefi, a fact that excludes the correlation of Strefi with Phase IIa at Ayios Dhimitrios. Some elements, however, from the earliest phase at Strefi parallel finds at Ayios Dhimitrios. An askos fragment from a pithos burial with a strap handle, which starts from the mouth and forms a high-swung loop, is compared by Koumouzelis with an askos from Lerna (Koumouzelis, 1980, 94; cf. Caskey, 1959, 204, pl. 41e from a closed deposit on the floor of a house below the foundations of Building BG). Our fragments Fig. 60: A108, A112, A110, 1116/81 come from similar askoi. From the earliest phase at Strefi come also some sauceboat fragments with a broad low spout, and large shallow bowls (Koumouzelis, 1980, 41, pl. 36, cf. Fig. 56: Π3770, A23; Pl. 38: 636/81, A23). The two sherds from unslipped polished bowls with a band of finger impressions belong most probably to the first phase at Strefi. Koumouzelis noticed also an evolution of the Urfirnis paint through the three phases:

A group of pottery interesting for its similarity with the pottery of Phase IIb comes from the site of Voidokoilia. This group comes from the NNE sector of the excavations and it was found in a building of which only two parallel walls were preserved (Korres, 1979, 153). Fragments of a pithos and at least twelve vases were found widely scattered in a pattern which suggests that they may have fallen from shelves (Korres, 1979, pl. lla, b). The assemblage includes two sauceboats with vertical handles and ring bases (ibid. pl. 113e), several saucers with either straight walls and countersunk bases or with incurved rims and ring bases (ibid. fig. 2 g, d), and an askoid jug with a ring base and a triple-reeded handle (ibid. pl. 113d, cf. Fig. 61: Π3786, Π3787 and D3788). This group of pottery is identical with the pottery found within the Room III of House A at Ayios Dhimitrios, where the position of the pottery found gives the impression of sudden destruction.

In its earlier phase, as everywhere else, the Urfirnis paint is red and thickly applied on the walls of vases having a tendency to flake off (pls. 27, 28). Later, when it is uniformly and evenly applied, it forms a handsome smooth surface (pls. 28a-d, f; 31) with a metallic gloss (pl. 28b) and pleasing colors which range from red (10R 4/8) to yellowish red (5 YR 5/8) and dark brown (10 YR 2.5/5). It gradually becomes thinner and darker in color with less lustre. Dark colors are predominant (pl. 39). In its final phase, the

The pottery from the excavations at Akovitika remains still unpublished. From the preliminary reports it is evident that a late stage of the EH II period is represented there. Themelis speaks of pottery that can be characterized as MH, and Karagiorga mentions a few incised MH sherds (Themelis, 1970, 307; Karagiorga, 1971, 126). Koumouzelis, in a preliminary study of the material, makes the following remarks:

27

This ware is described by Koumouzelis as follows: “This particular category comprises fine ware, especially shallow bowls, and coarse ware. In both cases the walls are first covered by a very thin light grey slip (in the case of fine bowls, pinkish slip is used), over which Urfirnis paint is applied. In the fine fabric, the Urfirnis paint was usually of good quality and brown color. In the domestic ware, the porous surface of sandy ware becomes more or less smoothed with the addition of grey slip, but the quality of the Urfirnis paint, when applied, is very thin, and in most cases it is only partially or poorly preserved” (Koumouzelis, 1980, 87-88).

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Forms of our Phase IIb like Figs. 43: Π3782, 11/81; 44: 470/82; 54: 133/81; 61: Π3786, Π3787, do not appear in the Argolid. Some forms, however, like the askoid jugs (fig. 61: Π3786, Π3787, are present at Ithaka (Heurtley, 1934/35, 19, pl. 6: 42) and Messenia where also saucers with dimple base and straight sided walls occur (Korres, 1979, 153, pl. 113d; fig. 2: d, g). This common ceramic feature suggests the distinction of a pottery zone which extended from the Ionian Islands down to Triphylia and Messenia.

“The bulk of the pottery is locally made, shown by the use of local clays. Characteristic for this site are an abundance of light red clay and slip, pink burnished slip, a fair amount of white ware, and very shallow plates. The scarcity of obsidian and the lack of incised Cycladic pottery are noteworthy. Links with Attica are documented by several sherds of fine gray slipped ware” (Koumouzelis, 1981, 202-203). Since more than one architectural phase is represented at Akovitika, the exact position of each phase could be demonstrated only after the publication of the pottery excavated and the completion of the excavation; according to Papathanasopoulos (1970, 178) the interior of most of the rooms has not been excavated.

The cultural connections suggested in the preceding discussion are illustrated in a table showing the relative chronologies of the most important sites and culture areas in the Aegean (fig. 72). For a discussion of the radiocarbon dates from Ayios Dhimitrios, see Appendix I.

From the foregoing discussion on the evolution of the EH II pottery excavated at Tiryns, it becomes evident that our Phase IIb should be placed after the early phase at Tiryns and before the transitional phase to the EH III, in other words, within the developed (“Entwickelt”) EH II phase. Only during that phase did plain and banded decorated saucers increase considerably. According to Weisshaar, within this phase belong also the strata (Schichten) VI and VII of the 1978 and 1979 excavations at the center of the Lower Citadel (Weisshaar, 1982, fig. 78; 1983, 341). In the pottery assemblage of strata VI and VII occur saucers with dimple base and straight sided profiles, as well as saucers with vertical rim, cf. Fig. 40: Π3785; 43: 29/81, Π3794 with Weisshaar, 1981, fig. 80: 11, 3). Although in the 1982 report on Tiryns Weisshaar correlates strata VI and VII with the House of the Tiles (1982, fig. 78), in his last report he speaks of discrepancies between the assemblages from the center of the Lower Citadel (where strata VI and VII were uncovered) and those of the eastern part of the Citadel that produced the majority of the material, on which he based his statistical observations (Weisshaar, 1983, 341). Therefore, until the final publication of the Tiryns excavations, our conclusions should be taken as tentative. At Lerna at least five architectural stages antedate the House of the Tiles, representing a continuous development without abrupt changes (Caskey, 1956, 167; 1958, 132, 143-144; 1960, 288). During the early stages the Urfirnis paint is of good quality and it has an iridescent sheen (Caskey, 1960, 289). Plain wares appear in greater proportion during the later stages, while Yellow Mottled Ware decreases considerably (Caskey, 1960, 289). A relatively small amount of pottery, mostly in Plain Ware, comes from the House of the Tiles; the shapes represented are sauceboats, pithoi, plain bowls and saucers, and coarse domestic vessels (Caskey, 1954, 24-25; 1955, 41). From the preliminary reports on Lerna, where only a small amount of pottery is illustrated (mostly without profiles), it is very difficult to correlate exactly our Phase IIb assemblage with Lerna. I tentatively synchronize Phase IIb with the House of the Tiles on the base of the common predominace of the plain wares. 95

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Chapter Eight Conclusions settlements in the southwestern Peloponnese and the rest of southern Greece where the EH culture had spread.

In the foregoing sections dealing with the settlement of period II at Ayios Dhimitrios (Chapters six and seven), an attempt has been made to assemble and discuss the material culture according to its context and to relate it with assemblages of other EH sites in southern Greece. The principal features of the settlement, its cultural aspects, and its relationship with contemporary settlements in Triphylia and the rest of Peloponnese may be summarized as follows.

The settlement is located in the controlling position of the narrow Tholon River Valley, which opens towards the sea. The hill of Ayios Dhimitrios has three advantages for a prehistoric settlement: the hill is naturally very steep, and except for the north side, all the other sides would not require defensive works; an abundant source of water is located only 300 meters away; and a variety of natural resources are available near the settlement.

The Early Helladic settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios occupies an area of ca. 6,000 square meters. An area this large is substantiated for Phase IIa by the fact that characteristic pottery sherds of this phase were found at the present northern limits of the hill near the church of Panayia where the cemetery of modern Lepreo is located. The settlement during Phase IIb occupied probably less space because pottery of this phase was not found in the area of the modern cemetery. In any case, the overall estimation of the extent of the settlement may be justified because the steepness of the hill on its south, east, and west sides presents a misleadingly wide scatter of pottery.

At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether or not agriculture was a principal activity of the inhabitants of Ayios Dhimitrios during the Early Bronze Age. The evidence for agriculture throughout the rest of the Aegean during this period is also very sparse (Hansen, 1988). Renfrew, using data from sites in the Aegean area, postulated the emergence of an economic system during the EBA in southern Greece based on the agriculture of the Mediterranean polycultural triad i.e., wheat, olive, and the vine. The cultivation of these species allowed an expansion into marginal areas, and contributed to an increase in population and settlement (Renfew, 1972, 280 ff.).

An estimate of 130 persons per hectare for the settled area of a Bronze Age village in Messenia has been proposed by the MME. This estimate is based on statistics from the population of modern Messenian villages. The statistics show 112 persons per hectare, but this number was increased to 130 persons per hectare because a denser population for prehistoric villages has been accepted (McDonald and Rapp, 1972, 254). Renfrew, on the other hand, proposed 300 persons per hectare for the Early Bronze Age and 200 persons for the Neolithic period in Greece (Renfrew, 1972, 251). If we accept MME’s estimation, the Early Helladic settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios will number 78 inhabitants; based on Renfrew’s estimation it will number 180 persons. Since Renfrew’s estimation reflects the upper utilization (Renfrew, 1972, 251), I suggest a population of ca. 100 persons for the Early Helladic settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios.

His thesis, however, which is largely based on the assumption of the introduction of the domesticated olive and grape vine at the beginning of the third millennium B.C., has recently been called into question. In a study of the origins of the domesticated olive in the Aegean, Runnels and Hansen conclude that economically significant use of olives and olive oil from wild and domesticated plants in southern Greece has its origins in the second millennium, and not in the third as proposed by Renfrew (Runnels and Hansen, 1986). Hansen also demonstrates that there are not enough data to determine with certainty when the grape becomes domesticated in the Aegean (Hansen, 1988). No traces of grains were found at Ayios Dhimitrios, and consequently we cannot speak with accuracy about the kind of plants, if any, that were cultivated during EH times by the inhabitants of the site. The data from other sites of the same period are also limited. The best examples of grains or plants that may have supplemented the diet of EH people comes from Lerna, where the following species were recovered in EH II strata: Vicia faba, Lens sp., Pisum sp., Vicia (?), Lathyrus (?), Vicia ervilia, Lathyrus cicera, Triticum monococcum, Triticum dicoccum, Ficus carica, Linum sp., Prunus sp. (Hopf, 1962, 4). Grape pips were recorded in EH II strata while several seed impressions in pottery were found in EH II strata (ibid., 4, 10).

The houses of the settlement were built on stone foundations with a superstructure made of unbaked mud bricks. The long axes of the houses run from north to south. This orientation may suggest that the doors were opened on the short axis facing north which was protected from the north winds by the heights of Missokataracho which rises steeply towards the northern limits of the hill. A pavement of small stones and pottery sherds in front of room II in House A suggests the presence of a street. The architectural remains from the site are, however, very limited and further suggestions for the settlement’s layout would be speculative. The present evidence is enough, however, to indicate that the main architectural features of the settlement did not differ from those of other EH 96

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE In addition to the possible cultivation of plants, the inhabitants of the EH settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios probably engaged in herding or stockraising activities; a preliminary evaluation of the animal bones from the EH strata indicates the predominance of sheep and goats, with smaller numbers of bovines. The EH inhabitants of the site were doubtless also familiar with, and exploited, the resources of the general environment around their settlement, as is evidenced by the presence of the remains of crabs, snails, and wild game.

These finds are clear evidence for the working of obsidian within this part of House A. Also from the same room of House A came two sickle elements. The economic pattern and the mechanism of EBA trade is not yet clear. The recent studies at Melos, for example, have shown that the obsidian “was not traded within the context of a commercial marketing system,” in contrast to the view advocated by Bosanquet and Mackenzie at the beginning of the century (Torrence, 1982, 220; interesting remarks concerning trade during the EBA in the Aegean have been made by Renfrew, 1972, 471-475).

The presence of metals at Ayios Dhimitrios testifies to the contacts of the community with the rest of the Aegean world. Since no metal sources have been recorded in the western Peloponnese (McGeehan-Lyritzis, 1983, 174176), I assume that the copper and lead found at the site were imported. A wide distribution of the metals within the Aegean world has been attested in several cases. For example, at Lithares in Boiotia, lead was imported from Lavrion and Siphnos (Stos-Gale and Gale, 1984, 217); the exploitation of the silver sources at Siphnos and lead at Lavrion during the EBA has been attested by various scholars (Muhly, 1985, 122-123).

A model of coastal sites used as redistributing centers for trade with the inland sites, like the pairing pattern of “ano-kato/skala” system of the traditional Greek communities however, can be applied in the case of Ayios Dhimitrios (Bintliff, 1977, 114, and glossary; Zachos, 1986). From the evidence to date, the only known EH site that could have served as the “skala” to the Ayios Dhimitrios “ano” settlement is the site of Ayios Georgios in the village of Giannitsochori. This site is located near the sea and not far away from the mouth of the river Tholon, where today a small village is located, which was referred to as the “skala” of Lepreo (formely Strovitsi) in the last century (Leake, vol. I, 55, see also footnote on page 11). The site of Ayios Georgios could have served as a fishing station as well as redistribution center for inland sites. Its location near the Neda River increases its importance (Map 1). It is known from ancient sources that the Neda River during classical times was navigable (Pausanias, 5.14.4; Cooper, 1972, 359-367; this literary evidence was confirmed by the discovery of a small anchorage near ancient Phigaleia, Cooper, 1972, 359-367). The settlement of Ayios Georgios could thus have served as a station for the navigation of the Neda River and the communication of inland towns with the Ionian Sea.

A relatively small number of flaked stone artifacts was recovered from the EH strata at Ayios Dhimitrios.28 Of a total of 95 artifacts, 83 or 87.4% consist of obsidian, presumed to be of Melian origin, while the remaining 12 (12.6%) are of chert. Blades with no retouch are common in the assemblage. Only 17 tools are included in the EH sample. They include four retouched tools; three pièces esquilées; two end scrapers; two perforators; three sickle elements; and three truncated pieces. As in the Neolithic period, pressure flaking is the predominant method of tool manufacture. The small size of the EH lithic sample makes it difficult to generalize about the nature of the industry. A complete lack of projectile points, for example, is noted for the EH assemblage, but it is not certain if this represents the actual situation during the EH period, or if it is the result of the small sample. The lithic analysis was able to demonstrate an improvement in the basic techniques of pressure flaking during the EH period as compared to the Neolithic assemblage. In particular, the preparation and flaking of basic prismatic blades from obsidian cores appears to approach a kind of standardization for that tool type.

The landscape of Triphylia, with small valleys that break the mountain range and open towards the sea, favors the development of the “ano-kato/skala” settlement pattern. North of Ayios Georgios the only known site that could serve as the “skala” to the “ano” settlements of the small valleys north of Tholon River is the settlement of Kleidi at Kato Samikon. This settlement was important during MH and LN times. Inferences about other economic activities at the site may be drawn from the material assemblage of Room III of House A. This assemblage indicates not only the function of the room itself within an individual house of the settlement, but also gives a good picture of the household activities and crafts that were being practised within the community.

Of particular interest in the EH lithic assemblage is the material excavated in room III of House A. This structure, belonging to Phase IIb of the settlement, apparently was destroyed during some catastrophic event; the contents of the house were found to be virtually in place. A prismatic obsidian core was found in House A, along with several blades that could be refitted to the core.

The presence of different type of vessels within the room i.e., vessels for storing food and goods (pithoi), vessels for preparing food (cooking pots, baking pans, basins), for serving food and pouring liquids (various bowls, saucers, sauceboats, jars, jugs, askoid jugs), together with the millstones, and the food remains (animal bones,

28 I am indebted to Antikleia Moundrea-Agrafioti for the analysis of the flaked stone industry at Ayios Dhimitrios; see Appendix III.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE snails, crab claws) suggests that this place was a part of the house where storage, preparation, and consumption of food took place. The obsidian core, debitage, and tools found within the room, together with the worked bones, indicate not only that tool making took place within the room, but also that a member or members of the house had the skills needed to knap obsidian and work the bones in order to produce specific implements. The presence of the spindle whorl suggests weaving activities (the same activity is further evident from the cloth impression on the base of a clay palette, if we may assume that the pottery was made locally).

nucleus craft specialization thus occurs at village level in what is still basically a subsistence economy” (Renfrew, 1972, 482). The uniformity of the houses excavated in other EH settlements (e.g., Askitario, Lithares, Zygouries) in different regions of southern Greece allows the assumption that the other houses of the settlement at Ayios Dhimitrios were similar in plan and dimension and their inhabitants most probably were involved in similar domestic and economic activities. What kind of social organization these economic relationships reflect is not clear. The presence of the clay sealing and the seal impression on a vase suggest the concept of private property and ownership (Cherry, 1973, 116). In addition to the sealings found at several sites, other objects of EBA context suggest that a social stratification begins to emerge in the Cyclades and on the mainland. Renfrew, for example, has pointed out that the finds from Lefkas, Syros, and Amorgos represent emblems of chieftains rather than just precious objects (Renfrew, 1972, 381-383; also Branigan, 1975, 42-49). The monumental buildings from Lerna, Akovitika, Tiryns, Aegina and the recently discovered one from Thebes (Aravantinos, 1986) may suggest also a concentrated power. Scholars do not agree concerning the function of these buildings. Vermeule, for example, although she speaks of an impression made by the architecture of concentrated power, suggests that Building BG and the House of the Tiles at Lerna were “village granges to which all citizens had equal access” (Vermeule, 1964, 36). Themelis has recently pointed out that Lerna and Akovitika are not organized settlements, and neither are towns like Aghios Kosmas, Zygouries, Lithares, Askitario, etc., and suggested that these buildings had a multifunctional character “constituting at one and the same time administrative, financial and perhaps religious centres for a broad geographical area which would have comprised more than one settlement” (Themelis, 1984, 351). The existence of monumental buildings like the House of the Tiles within settlements should not be excluded. Recently it has been suggested on the basis of the plan of the excavations at Zygouries that a monumental building existed there (D. Pullen, personal communication); Korres also speaks of a monumental building on the site of Voidokoilia in Messenia (Korres, 1978, 343-345).

The presence of a clay tuyére with its narrow end plugged into the side of the hearth of room III indicates smithing activities. Tuyéres are associated always with metalworking smelting, or melting metal (de Jesus, 1980, 39; Tylecote, 1976, 17). Tylecote describes as follows a prehistoric melting furnace. “For the purpose of melting scraps of metal in crucibles a ring of stones, a pile of hot charcoal, and a clay tuyére connected to bellows is all that would have been required.” “Nothing would have remained of this arrangement except for the clay tuyére” (Tylecote, 1976, 16-17). The hearth found within room III together with the clay tuyére fit Tylecote’s description. At Kastri on Syros Tsountas in room 20, two moulds for casting flat axes and chisels, and in addition, a crucible containing traces of lead were found. In another room (room 11) he found a hearth together with a crucible and copper slag (Renfrew, 1972, 315). Although no tuyéres were found it is clear that in both rooms melting activities were taking place. Tuyéres related to metal activities were found by Theocharis at Raphina; four were found in a pit together with slag, pottery fragments, and clay spoons, which according to him was a smith’s workshop (Theocharis, 1951b, 77-92; 1952, 130-131; Muhly, 1985, 12529). That the presence of the tuyére in room III at Ayios Dhimitrios indicates the use of the hearth for melting metal in addition to food preparing, is further supported by the presence of a crucible on the site. This crucible is not entirely preserved; it was found in trench A 1982 in a mixed MH/EH deposit and belongs to Tylecote’s type Jl. Despite the uncertain dating of the crucible, its presence on the site indicates metal working activities (see also Muhly’s remarks for melting copper within rooms of a settlement, 1985, 125-126).

Our knowledge of the religious beliefs of the EBA people in mainland Greece is very incomplete. The ceremonial hearth found at Lerna (Caskey, 1958, 130) has been associated with religious functions (Renfrew, 1972, 426), as also the clay hearths with decorated rims from other sites (Goldman, 1931, 18-20). The “Chasm” from Eutresis has been related by Caskey with religious rituals connected with Earth and the chthonic powers (Caskey and Caskey, 1960, 162-163). Human figurines are not common during the EH II period; on the contrary animal figurines, mainly caprines and bulls, are common and have been related to religious rituals. Fourteen entire bulls and two

Although the preparation of different tools and implements requires skill and special knowledge, the work within room III implies an incipient specialization to cover the needs of a household rather than specialization for mass production controlled by a central agency. As Renfrew points out, “the increased village population reaches the threshold level to support craft specialists. A 29 A tuyére comes also from the site of Lithares in Boiotia. One may assume that the object pictured in plate 69b (Tzavela-Evjen, 1984) is a tuyére, but no context is given for it in the publication.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE deposit” which, as we have shown, represents a transitional phase from EH I to EH II (Goldman, 1931, 94) and also are common in Caskey’s Group VI (personal observation).

fragments of bulls have been found within a room at Lithares and the excavator suggested that the room was a sanctuary; a plastic vase in the shape of a ram was found together with a number of other vases within a structure at Perachora which probably had some religious significance (Fossey, 1973, 150). The rams from Lerna, Corinth, and Tiryns which are slashed on the underside of the belly may be sacrificial offerings (Banks, 1967, 638, 644, 647), and the sauceboats with spouts ending in a ram’s head have been also associated with a ritual function (Weinberg, 1967). Most animal figurines of EH context come from settlements and not from cemeteries. More evidence is needed in order to understand the function of these figurines during the EH period.

Branigan considers the low pedestal bases to be a Cycladic element; among the other characteristics of the pottery from Pelikata and the graves at Steno in Lefkas, which constitute contacts with the Cyclades, he stresses the presence of low pedestal bases (Branigan, 1975, 40). Lavezzi calls the low pedestal bases “Attic type” in contrast to low ring bases which he calls “Argive type” because the former are common in Attic sites like Askitario, Aghios Kosmas, and Raphina, but rare in the Argolid (Lavezzi, 1978, 424, n. 72). In the Hermionid, the higher percentage of low pedestal bases, according to Pullen, is one element which, with others (a higher percentage of YellowBlue Mottled Ware, and Pattern-painted; and a lower percentage of Urfirnis covered vessels) characterizes a separate Saronic Gulf/Hermionid cultural sphere (Pullen, 1984, 257).

During the discussion of Phase IIa (Chapter seven), I traced a cultural horizon that extended from Eutresis and Lithares in Boiotia down to Triphylia, Messenia, and the island of Kythera. In Arcadia this horizon is represented at Asea where the characteristic slipped and burnished fruitstands constitute the largest and, typologically, the assemblage most closely related to that from Ayios Dhimitrios. This horizon, which is placed in the latest stage of the EH I period, transitional to EH II, has not been attested at the two well-excavated sites in the Argolid, namely Lerna and Tiryns. Nevertheless, this horizon has been documented at several sites in the Argolid. The presence of Red Slipped and Burnished fruitstands at Kleidi - Kato Samikon, Ayios Georgios-Giannitsochori, and Voidokoilia, where also other pottery features are closely related with Ayios Dhimitrios Phase IIa, allow the isolation of a southwestern Peloponnesian cultural sphere within the “koine” of the rest of the Peloponnese and southern Greece. Here mention should be made also of the low pedestal bases that belong either to sauceboats or to saucers/bowls. This type is very common at Ayios Dhimitrios, especially during Phase IIa. In a total of 209 bases in fine ware, 180 are low pedestals and only 29 are ring bases. During the second phase (IIb) ring bases increase, but low pedestals are still present. The same picture appears also at Voidokoilia where during the early phases the low pedestals predominate (Korres, 1982, 219; 1980, 157, fig. 6-7, pl. 121b, c). Low pedestals are a common feature at Strefi (Koumouzelis, 1980, 217, Pl. 32d, 36b, c). In Triphylia (except Ayios Dhimitrios) they are known from Kleidi-Kato Samikon (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 230, ill. 8L), Ayios GeorgiosGiannitsochori (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1969, 130, pl. 44b, no. 14), Anilio-Panayia Church (sherds deposited in the Ephorate of Ancient Olympia). In Messenia low pedestals are known from the site of Ellinika (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1961, 250-251; 1964, 239; Lianguras, A. personal communication), Aristodhemion-Glykorizi (McDonald and Hope-Simpson, 1964, 235, pl. 70, fig. 7; 1969, 157, pl. 44b, nos. 11-12, pl. 46E11), and Voidokoilia mentioned above. Pedestal bases also appear at Kythera (Coldstream and Huxley, 1972, pl. 17:74-76, 86-89), Ithaka (Heurtley, 1934/35, fig. 17), and Lefkas (Dörpfeld, 1927, pls. 64:1; 65:1). At Eutresis pedestal bases are characteristic of the “second meter of

From the previous discussion it is evident, however, that the pedestal bases have a wide distribution and instead of trying to find influences, it is better to accept that “this feature could well be an Early Helladic characteristic occurring everywhere except in the Northeastern Peloponnese” (Koumouzelis, 1980, 217). During the discussion of Phase IIb we also traced a cultural horizon that corresponds to an advanced stage of the EH II period (Fig. 72). The almost identical askoid jugs from Ayios Dhimitrios (Fig. 61: Π3786, Π3787, Π3788), Ithaka (Heurtley, 1934/35, fig. 12:42; pl. 6:42), and Voidokoilia (Korres, 1979, 153, pl. 113d) may suggest also the distinction of a cultural sphere that extended from the Ionian islands down the Triphylia and Messenia. The predominance of plain wares during this stage at Ayios Dhimitrios, on the other hand, corresponds to the similar phenomenon found in other parts of Greece where plain wares also dominate towards the end of this period (Caskey, 1960, 289; Weisshaar, 1983, 342-351). The excavation data from House A suggest that the house was violently destroyed without giving the inhabitants the opportunity to save valuable items, e.g., the two lead spools. The equipment of room III was scattered all over the area and many vases were found upside down, giving the impression that they had fallen from shelves. The cause of that sudden destruction, on the basis of the available evidence, cannot be definitely proved for the moment.30 30 A possible cause could be a natural phenomenon like earthquake. The western Peloponnese, together with the Ionian Islands, has the highest incidence of earthquake activity in Greece. Galanopoulos cites 327 earthquakes from 1893 to 1930 in Elis, some of which was violent and had an epicenter in the area (Galanopoulos, 1940, 92-107; the Gelological Map of Greece shows that Ayios Dhimitrios is surrounded by geological faults: Map by the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration-Kiparissia Sheet). A picture similar to that suggested for Room III is discussed by Korres in the NNE sector of Voidokoilia (Korres, 1979,

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The excavations at Ayios Dhimitrios have provided us with necessary evidence to distinguish at least two EH II stages: a transitional EH I/II and an advanced EH II stage. These can now be recognized in other EH assemblages of the southwestern Peloponnese, which have not yet been ordered to form a developmental and chronological sequence appropriate to this region. It is certain that stages of the EBA cultural development that are missing in Ayios Dhimitrios (i.e., the timespan after our Period I and the Koufiero-phase and before our Phase IIa as well as the stages intervening between IIa and IIb) are to be found by future archaeological research in the southwestern Peloponnese. An intensive survey of Triphylia, supplemented by small scale stratigraphical excavations in Triphylian and Messenian key sites, like Kleidi-Kato Samikon, Ayios Georgios-Giannitsochori (on the parts which were not destroyed by the construction of the modern church) and Ellinika, would fill the missing spaces in EH cultural development of the southwestern Peloponnese and reveal, as we hope, its individuality, in relation to the northeastern Peloponnese, which predominates the EBA scholarship in southern Greece.

153, fig. 2g-d, pl. 111a-b; 113d-e). The pottery assemblage from NNE sector is related to the assemblage from Room III of House A at Ayios Dhimitrios. Could the same event have destroyed both settlements?

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Fig. 15 Period I. Open Bowls (Types A1, A2, A4). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 16 Period I. Open Bowls (Type A5; 35/81 A2). Scale 1:3

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Fig. 17 Period I. Open Bowls (Type A5). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 18 Period I. Open Bowls (Types A2, A3, A5, A6). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 19 Period I. Open Bowls (Types A7, A8, A9). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 20 Period I. Open Bowls (Type A10) and Miscellanea. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 21 Period I. Closed Bowls (Type A11). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 22 Period I. Closed Bowls (Type A11) and Open Bowl (776/81: Type A8). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 23 Period I. Closed Carinated Bowls (Type A12) and Shouldered Concave Bowls (Type A13). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 24 Period I. Collared Jars (Type B1) and Hole-mouthed Jar (Type B2). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 25 Period I. Closed Pithoi (Type C1). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 26 Period I. Pithos fragment Π3751 (Type C1). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 27 Period I. Bucket Shaped Pithoi (Type C2); Vertical Sided Pithoi (Type C3); Wide Mouthed Pithoi (Type C4). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 28 Period I. Various Types of Bases. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 29 Period I. Various Types of Bases. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 30 Period I. Bowls with Crusted (51/83, 1256/81, 1257/81, 883/81, 408/81, 1245/81) and Pattern Burnished Decoration. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 31 Period I. Sherds with Pattern Burnished Decoration. Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 32 Period I. Sherds with Matt Painted (38/81) and Pattern Burnished Decoration. Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 33 Period I. Sherds with Incised Decoration. Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 34 Pottery from Koufiero Cave. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 35 Pottery from Prosymna-West Yerogalaro Deposit. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 36 Pottery from Prosymna-West Yerogalaro Deposit. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 37 Period I. Terracotta Figurine (Π 3693) and Stone Axe (278). Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 38 Metal objects: M1324, M1357: Period I; 1, 2, 3: Period II. Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 39 Period II. Saucers and Dishes of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 40 Period II. Saucers of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 41 Period II. Bowls of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 42 Period II. Bowls of Phase IIa (27/83, B98, 578/81, 47/83, A205) and Phase IIb (1093/82, 333/82). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 43 Period II. Bowls and Saucers of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 44 Period II. Bowls and Cups of Phase IIb; Frying Pans of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 45 Period II. Basins of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 46 Period II. Basins of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 47 Period II. Basins of Phase IIa (908/81) and Phase IIb (132/81, Π 3798, 608/82). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 48 Period II. Basins (59/83, 341/82: Phase IIb) and Cooking Pots (1102/81: Phase IIa; Π 3796: Phase IIb). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 49 Period II. Cooking Pots of Phase IIa (Π 3797) and Phase IIb (464/81, 15/81, 44/81). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 50 Period II. Fruitstands of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 51 Period II. Fruitstands of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 52 Period II. Fruitstands of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 53 Period II. Fruitstands of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 54 Period II. Goblets of Phase IIa (A45, Π 3767, B72, A21); Tankard of Phase IIb (33/81); spindle whorl (1/83) and Tuyére (45/83) of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 55 Period II. Baking Pans of Phase IIa (B93, 1006/81, Π 3758, 597/81) and Phase IIb (461/82, 535/82, 38/81, 91/81, 619/82, 133/81). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 56 Period II. Sauceboats of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 57 Period II. Sauceboats of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 58 Period II. Various types of bases of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 59 Period II. Pyxides of Phase IIa (A61, 174/81, 264/81, Π 3772, 293/80, 294/80, 26/83, B25, 20/81) and Phase IIb (391/81, 576/81, 480/81); Lids of Phase IIa (Π 3778, Π 3777, 4/83) and Phase IIb (42/83, 490/82). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 60 Period II. Askoi of Phase IIa (1116/81, 57/81, A108, A112, A110, 291/80) and Phase IIb (482/82, 87/81, 163/81, 522/82, 3/83, 69/81). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 61 Period II. Pyxis (Π 3774) and Askoid Jugs of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 62 Period II. Jugs of Phase IIa (62/83, 1092/82, A130, 7/83, A157, A125, A16) and Phase IIb (388/82); fragments from Hearthrims (22/83 from House A; 21/83, 8/83 from House B). Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 63 Period II. Jars of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 64 Period II. Jars of Phase IIa. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 65 Period II. Jars of Phase IIb. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 66 Period II. Pithoi of Phase IIa (386/82, 462/82, 654/82, 387/82, 904/82, 633/82, 463/82, 322/82, 634/82, 604/82, 631/82) and Phase IIb (B67). Various scales.

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Fig. 67 Period II. Kernos (396/82); Terracotta spoon (30/81); Stone axe (489); Clay seal (54/83). Scale 1:1.

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Fig. 68 Period II. Stone Tools. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 69 Middle Helladic and Mycenaean Pottery from Ayios Dhimitrios. Scale 1:3.

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Fig. 70 Ayios Dhimitrios. Vase Shapes of Phases IIa and IIb.

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Fig. 71 Ayios Dhimitrios. Vase Shapes of Phases IIa and IIb.

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Fig. 72 Chronological Table (after Maran 1998, Taf.81).

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Colour plate 1 a. b. c. d. e.

Period I. Bowl with Crusted decoration (51/83) Period I. Sherds of bowls with Pattern Burnished decoration (20/82, Δ7) Period I. Bowls with Crusted decoration (1256/81, 1245/81) Period I. Sherd with Matt Painted decoration (38/81) Period I. Sherds with Incised decoration (Δ59, 27/82, 295/80, A161)

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Colour Plate 2 a. b. c. d. e.

f.

Period II. Fragment from Hearthrim (21/83 from House B) Period II. Ram’s head from House B Period II. Fruitstand of phase IIb (Π3756) Period II. Clay sealing (54/83) Period II. Fragment of handle with seal impression (Π3754) Period II. Tuyére (Π3780)

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Plate 1 The Hill of Ayios Dhi,itrios seen from west. On the left the heights of Missokatarracho with the fortification wall of Classical Lepreon (after Blouet, 1831-1838)

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Plate 2 a. Map of the area of Classical Lepreon. Letter B designates the Classical Citadel and letter D the hill of Ayios Dhimitrios (after Blouet 1831-1838) b. Part of the Classical fortification wall (after Blouet 1831-1838)

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Plate 3 a. The hill of Ayios Dhimitrios seen from west b. The Tholon River Valley seen from the top of Ayios Dhimitrios

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Plate 4 a. House A from north. In the foreground the area of Room III b. House A from south. In the foreground the area of Room I

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Plate 5 a. Room I of House A from east b. Room III of House A from east with the hearth at the center

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 6 a. Room III of House A during the excavation b. Room III of House A during the excavation

166

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 7 a. Room III of House A b. Room III of House A and Trench N85/E45 from east

167

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 8 a. House B from east b. Hearth in Trench N55/E30

168

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 9 a. Middle Helladic cist grave in Trench C, 1982 b. Middle Helladic pit grave in Trench A, 1982

169

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 10 a. Period I. Bowls (D46, 42/81 and 7/78) b. Period I. Bowls (38/81, 46/81, 1240/81, 683/81, D79, 17/78, D19)

170

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 11 a. Period I. Shallow or medium hemispherical jar (Π3752) b. Period I. Sherds of Pithoi with plastic decoration (D80, 512/81, 705/81, 45/82 and D31)

171

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 12 a. Period I. Fragment of Pithos with plastic decoration (Π3751) b. Period I. Rolled rim bowls (780/81, 41/81, D39, 273/81)

172

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 13 a. Period I. Sherds with plastic decoration (B95, B103) b. Period I. Sherds with plastic decoration (D22, D23, 682/81, 25/82, D87)

173

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 14 a. Period I. Rim fragment of a Pithos (856/81) b. Period I. Rim fragments of pithoi (534/81, 837/81, 311/81, B127, 861/81, 810/81, 306/81)

174

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 15 a. Period I. Fragments of Strainers (17/82, 849/81, 29/82, 67/82, 654/81) b. Period I. Fragment of Strainer (14/82)

175

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 16 a. Period I. Sherds with Pattern Burnished decoration (D7, 20/82, 491/81, D28, 42/82, D51, 717/81, 797/81, D15, D1, D8, 50/82) b. Period I. Sherds with Crusted decoration (1256/81, 1245/81)

176

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 17 a. Period I. Sherds with Incised decoration (D59, 27/82, 36/81, A161) b. Period I. Sherds of bowls with ribbon handles (D30, D13, 289/80, 63/82, 877/81, 712/81, 530/81, 56/82)

177

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 18 a. Period I. Handles and lugs (24/82, 70/82, 657/81, D87, 284/82, 1247/81, 100/80, 184/80, 848/81, 338/81, D25, D10) b. Period I. Handles (862/81, 41/82, 44/82, 33/82, 5/82, 813/81)

178

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 19 a. Period I. Knob lugs (66/82, 49/82, 209/80, 37/82, 325/81, 53/82, 758/81), crescent lugs (D35, 1/82) b. Period I. Knob lugs (232/81, 1061/81, 536/81), crescent lugs D76, D38, 60/82,247/81, 1255/81, D81, 26/82, 801/81) and tongue lugs (704/81)

179

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 20 a. Period I. Horizontal lugs with central indentation (19/82, 58/82, 887/81, D36, D27, 9/82, 276/81), knob lugs (D16, D26) and crescent lugs (43/82, 8/82) b. Period I. Horizontal lugs with central indentation (1253/81, 2/82), tongue lug (1253/80) and crescent lug (390/81)

180

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 21 a. Period I. Tongue lugs (893/81, 134/78, 12/82, 291/81, D32, 713/81) b. Period I. Pellet lugs (65/82, 492/81, 32/82), tubular lugs (3/82, 891/81, 36/82, D6) and knob lugs (1242/81, 667/81)

181

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 22 a. Period I. Bases: Raised hollow (286/80, 511/81), flat raised (4/82, 71/82) and flat (D53) b. Period I. Flat raised base (D43)

182

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 23 a. Period I. Low Base (1/82) b. Period I. Bases: Low (62/82, 1235/81, 565/81, D84, D71) and high (1248/81) ring feet

183

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 24 a. Period I. High ring feet (43/81) and low ring feet (264/80) b. Period I. High ring feet (11/82) and low ring feet (21/82), pedestal (142/78) and flat countersunk base (D47)

184

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 25 a. Period I. Clay Figurines (Π3693, Π3753) b. Period I. Copper dagger (M1321) and copper awl (M1357)

185

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 26 a. Period I. Worked bone b. Period I. Stone beads (332, 333)

186

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 27 a, b, c. Period II. Saucers with incurving rim and ring bases (Π3783, Π3759, Π3793)

187

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 28 a,b. Period II. Saucers with incurving and vertical rims and ring bases (Π3781, Π3785) c. Hemispherical bowl of phase IIb (Π 3782)

188

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 29 a,b. Period II. Saucer with flat or dimple base, and flaring or straight sided profile (Π3794). Bowl with everted rim (470/82) c. Frying Pans of phase II a (592/81, B84 and B71)

189

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 30 a. Period II. Rims of basins of phase IIa (B56, 603/81, 1047/81, 1180/81) b. Period II. Rims of basins and fragments from stems of fruitstands of Phase II a (B17, B10 and B29)

190

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 31 Period II. Rims from Pithos (B67) and Basin of Phase II a (B37)

191

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 32 a. Period II. Rims from a Basin (608/82) and a cooking pot (15/81) b. Period II. Cooking pot from Room III of House A (Π3796)

192

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 33 a. Period II. Rims of Fruitstands of phase IIa (290/80, 61/81, B5, 130/81, A1, 201/81) b. Period II. Stem fragments of fruitstands of Phase II a (992/81, 80/81, B78 and B106)

193

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 34 a. Period II. Fruitstand from hearth of Trench N55/E30 (Π3756) b. Period II. Pedestal base of Fruitstand from Room III of House A, phase II b (Π3795)

194

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 35 a. Period II. Goblet, phase IIa (Π3767) b. Period II. Tankards, phase IIb (33/81)

195

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 36 a. Period II. Baking Pans, phase IIa (133/81, 187/81, B61, B121, 84/80) and phase IIb (377/81) b. Period II. Baking pans, phase IIb (38/81, 144/81, 977/81)

196

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 37 a. Period II. Part of a Sauceboat, phase IIa (Π3770) b. Period II. Sherds of sauceboats (A33, 186/81, A158, 1911/81, 458/82, B75, A63, 56/80, A24, 1103/81, 164/80, 622/81)

197

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 38 a. Period II. Spouts of Sauceboats, phase IIa (636/81, A23, 1184/81) and phase IIb (184/81, 423/82, 614/82, 482/81) b. Period II. Spout of a sauceboat of phase IIb (479/82)

198

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 39 a. Period II. Part of a sauceboat of phase IIb (Π3762)

199

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

b. Period II. Handles of sauceboats (175/81, A30, 426/81)

Plate 40 a. Period II. Handles and lugs (58/81, 422/82, 72/81, 305/81, 397/82, A68, 1094/82, 489/82, 984/81, 577/81, 435/82, 569/81, 44/83) b. Period II. Various types of Bases (A135, A69, A65, A20, A138)

200

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 41 a. Period II. Pyxides (A48, 576/81) b. Period II. Rims and lugs of Pyxides (198/81, A5, 470/81, 135/81, 1157/81, A22a, A29, 480/81, 359/81, B84a, A181, 364/81)

201

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 42 a. Period II. Sherds with pattern painted decoration (917/81, 816/81, 294/80) b. Period II. Lids (Π3778, Π3777)

202

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 43 a. Period II. Sherds of askoi (1116/81, A109b, A112, 515/81, A10, A119, B85, A110) b. Period II. Handles of askoi (85/81, B37, 1086/81, A108)

203

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 44 a. Period II. Handles of askoi (291/80, 104/81, 582/81, A53) b. Period II. Askoid jug (Π3788)

204

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 45 Period II. a,b. Askoid Jugs of phase II a (Π3786, Π3787)

205

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 46 a. Period II. Askoid jug (151/81) b. Period II. Rims and handles of jugs (A16, 1050/81, A140, A157, 1022/82, 1017/81, 388/82)

206

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 47 a. Period II. Jars (B96, 220/80, B65, B11, 469/81, 646/82) b. Period II. Kernos (396/82)

207

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 48 a. Period II. Handles of various types (B1, B98, 1095/82, B64, 575/81, 508/82) b. Period II. Handles and lugs (B47, 1179/81, 1166/81, B86, B113, 578/81, 295/82, B31, 96/80, B39)

208

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 49 a. Period II. Handles and lugs (B81a, B4, B91, B141, B87, B31) b. Period II. Rim of hearth with Kerbschnitt decoration (Π3779)

209

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 50 a. Period II. Spoons and Ladle (196/81, 623/81, 950/81, 30/81, A6) b. Period II. Roof tile (Π3766)

210

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 51 a. Period II. Fragment of clay Palette with textile impression b. Period II. Positive impression on top, negative on bottom c. Period II. Modern sample impression on bottom, impression of original clay palette on top; both negative

211

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 52 a. Period II. Clay Spit Support (Π3755) b. Period II. Tuyére (45/83)

212

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 53 a. Period II. Fragment of handle with seal (Π3754) b. Period II. Clay sealing (54/83)

213

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Plate 54 a, b . Period II. Ram’s head from House B c. Period II. Fragment of a quadruped from House B (B83)

214

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Bibliography ABBREVIATIONS AAA: Αρχαιολογικά Ανάλεκτα εξ Αθηνών ΑΔ: Αρχαιολογικόν Δελτίον ΑΕ: Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίς AJA: American Journal of Archaeology AM: Mitteilungen des deutschen archäologischen Instituts BAR: British Archaeological Reports, International Series BCH: Bulletin de correspondance hellénique BSA: The Annual of the British School at Athens CAH: Cambridge Ancient History JFA: Journal of Field Archaeology JHS: Journal of Hellenic Studies JRGZM: Jahrbuch des römisch-germanischen Zentralmuseums Mainz ΠΑΕ: Πρακτικά της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας PPS: Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society REFERENCES Äberg N. 1933 Bronzezeitliche und Früheisenzeitliche Chronologie, IV: Griechenland. Ammerman A. 1979 “A study of obsidian exchange”, World Archaeology 11, 95-110. Aravantinos V. 1986 “The Early Helladic II Building of Thebes: Some Notes on its Architecture”, in Early Helladic Architecture and Urbanisation, Proceedings of a seminar held at the Swedish Institute in Athens, June 8, 1985, 57-63. Baedeker K. 1883 Griechenland. Leipzig. Banks E. 1967 The Early and Middle Helladic Small Objects from Lerna. Unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, University of Cincinnati. Barber R. and MacGillivray J., 1980 “The Early Cycladic Period: Matters of Definition and Technology”, AJA 84, 141-157. Beck C. 1927 “Classification and Nomenclature of Beads and Pendants”, Archaeologia 77(1927), 1-76. Belmont J. and Renfrew C. 1964 “Two Prehistoric Sites on Mykonos”, AJA 68, 395-400. Benton S. 1932 “The Ionian Islands”, BSA 32, 213-246. 1939 “Excavations in Ithaca III: The Cave at Polis, II”, BSA 39, 1-51. 1947 “Hagios Nikolaos near Astakos in Akarnania”, BSA 42, 156-183. Bernabo-Brea L. 1964 Poliochni: Citta Preistorica nell’ Isola di Lemnos. Rome. Biers, W., 1969, “Excavations at Phlius, 1924: The Prehistoric Deposits”, Hesperia 38, 443- 458. Bintliff J. 1975 “Mediterranean Alluvation”, PPS 41 (1975), 78-84. 1976 (ed.), Mycenean Geography: Proceedings of the Cambridge Colloquium. 1977 Natural Environment and Human Settlement in Prehistoric Greece. London. Bisbee H. 1937 “Samikon”, Hesperia 6, 525-538. Blegen C. 1921 Korakou: A Prehistoric Site Near Corinth. Boston.

1928 Zygouries. Cambridge-Massachusetts. 1928a “Ayioryitika”, AJA 32, 533-535. 1930 “Gonia”, Metropolitan Museum Studies III, 55-80. 1937 Prosymna.Cambridge-Massachusetts. 1949 “Hyria”, Hesperia Suppl. Vol. 8, 39-42. Blegen C. et al. 1950: Blegen C., Caskey J., Rawson M., Sperling J. TROY I: The First and Second Settlements. Princeton. Blegen C. and Wace A. 1918 “The Pre-Mycenean Pottery of the Mainland”, BSA 22, 175-189. Blouet A. 1831-1838 Expédition Scientifique de Morée: Architectures, Sculptures, Inscriptions et Vues de Péloponnése, de Cyclades et de l’ Attique, 3 vols. Paris. Bokönyi S. 1972”Zoological Evidence for Seasonal or Permanent Occupation of Prehistoric Settlements”, in P. Ucko et al. (eds.) Man, Settlement and Urbanism. Cambridge. Bosanquet R. C. 1896/1897 “Notes from the Cyclades”, BSA 3, 61-63. 1904 “The obsidian trade”, in Atkinson et al. (eds.) Excavations at Phylakopi in Melos. The society for the promotion of Hellenic studies, supplementary paper 4, 216-232. Branigan K. 1974 Aegean Metalwork of the Early and Middle Bronze Age. Oxford. 1975 “The Round Graves of Leukas Reconsidered” BSA 70, 37-49. Bursian L. 1868 Geographie von Griechenland. Leipzig. Caskey J. 1954 “Excavations at Lerna, 1952-1953”, Hesperia 23, 3-30. 1956 “Excavations at Lerna, 1955”, Hesperia 25, 147173. 1957 “Excavations at Lerna, 1956”, Hesperia 26, 142162. 1958 “Excavations at Lerna, 1957”, Hesperia 27, 125144.

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1939 “Excavations at Corinth, 1938-1939”, AJA 43, 592600. 1947 “Aegean Chronology: Neolithic Period and Early Bronze Age”, AJA 51, 165-182. 1948 “A Cross-Section of Corinthian Antiquities”, Hesperia 17, 197-241. 1951 “Neolithic Figurines and Aegean Interrelations”, AJA 55, 121-133. 1954 “The Relative Chronology of the Aegean in the Neolithic Period and the Early Bronze Age”, in Ehrich R. (ed.) Relative Chronologies in Old World Archaeology, 86-107. 1962 “Excavations at Prehistoric Elateia, 1959”, Hesperia 31, 158-209. 1965a “The Relative Chronology of the Aegean in the Stone and Early Bronze Age”, in Ehrich R. (ed.) Chronologies in Old World Archaeology, 285-320. 1965b “The Stone Age in the Aegean”, CAH 3 I, 557617. 1965c “Ceramics and the Supernatural”, in Matson F. (ed.) Ceramics and Man. New York. 187. 1969 “A Gold Sauceboat in the Israel Museum”, Antike Kunst 12, 3-8. Weisshaar H.-J.1977 Die Funde der Rachmani-Zeit von der Pevkakia-Magula bei Volos, Thessalien. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Heidelberg. 1978 “Kupferzeitliche Funde von der Pyrasos-Magula, Thessalien”, Archaeologisches Korrespondenzblatt 8, 181-186. 1979a “Nordgriechischer Import im Kupferzeitichen Thessalien”, Jahrbuch des Romisch-Germanischen Zentral-Museums Mainz 26, 114-130. 1979b “Ausgrabungen auf der Pevkakia Magula und der Beginn der Frühen Bronzezeit in Griechenland”, Archaeologisches Korrespodenzblatt 9, 385-392. 1981 “Ausgrabungen in Tiryns 1978-1979: Bericht zur Fruhhelladischen Keramik”, Archaeologischer Anzeiger, 220-256.

222

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Appendix I Radiocarbon Dates for Ayios Dhimitrios Periods I and II Three samples from Ayios Dhimitrios were dated by the Institut für Umweltphysik of the University of Heidelberg.31 All samples were pieces of charcoal.

Kephala: P-12804826±56 B.P. Halieis: P-1377 5102±72 B.P.

Samples HD-10020 and HD-10163 come from layers of Period I (the LN II stratum), while HD-10164 comes from Period Ilb (the EH II stratum). The samples collected from layers of Period Ila (EH I/ll) were of insufficient size to provide accurate dates.

Franchthi: P-16605261±64 B.P. P-16595163±78 B.P. Kitsos Cave: Gif-1280 couche 3a Gif-1610 couche 3 Gif-1832 couche 3 Gif-4440 couche 3

The Ayios Dhimitrios dates are presented below. The conversion of radiocarbon dates to calendar dates is based on Pearson’s Calibration Curve.32 Sample HD-10020

HD-10163

HD-10164

Context Charcoal from Trench N85/E45, basket 19 (LNII) Charcoal from Trench N85/E45, basket 12 (LNII) Charcoal from Trench N80/E45, basket 3; destruction layer (EHII)

C14 5400±35

Calibrated 4160-4340 B.C.

5330±75

4040-4250 B.C.

3500±135

5470±150 B.P. 5350±200 B.P. 5650±130 B.P. 5550±120 B. P.

The apparent discrepancy between the Kephala date, which appears to be too recent, and the other dates, has been noted by Coleman, who suspects that the sample was contaminated (Coleman, 1977, 110). It should also be noted that the dates from Kitsos Cave all come from couche 3, which, according to my analysis of the ceramic assemblage, represents a mixture of late LN I materials and early LN II materials. The Halieis and Franchthi dates also represent an early stage of LN II. The available dates for the EH II period are also very limited in number. The following dates have been published.34

1675-1980 B.C.

Eutresis: P-317 Group VIII 4210±64 B.P. Lerna: P-321 Lerna Illc 3940±68 B.P. P-312 Lerna Illd 3840±72 B.P. P-318 Lerna Illd 4070±72 B.P. P-319 Lerna Illd 3980±66 B.P. P-320 Lerna Illd/lVa 3930±65 B.P.

The two radiocarbon dates from the LN II stratum show good internal consistency and confirm my suggestion that the stratum represents a single cultural phase. Although the number of radiocarbon dates from other LN II sites in Greece is very limited, the available dates tend to indicate that Ayios Dhimitrios Period I should be considered as an early stage of LN II. A list of published radiocarbon dates from other LN II sites in Greece is presented below.33

Aigina- Kolona HD-6361 Stadt III 3870±45 B.P. The Ayios Dhimitrios date for the EH II period (3500 + 135 B.P.) shows a discrepancy of between 340-570 radiocarbon years when compared to the published dates. The Ayios Dhimitrios date comes from charcoal found in a hearth from room III of House A; the sample may be contaminated, because the hearth was found only a few centimeters below the topsoil.

31 I am very grateful to Drs. B. Krommer of the Institut fur Umweltphysik of the University of Heidelberg, and to Dr. J. Maniatis of the Demokritos Nuclear Research Center in Athens, for processing the radiocarbon samples, and for providing valuable advice about the results. 32 G. W. Pearson, et al., 1985, “High Precision Radiocarbon Timescale Calibration”, paper presented at the 12th International Radiocarbon Conference in Trondheim, Norway. 33 Data after Coleman, 1977, 109-110; Treuil, 1983, 117-118; Lambert, 1981, (vol. 2), 681-684.

34

223

Data after Treuil, 1983, 123; Walter and Felten, 1981.

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Appendix II The mammal bones from Ayios Dhimitrios Christina Rushe and Paul Halstead35 A total of 2436 mammalian bone fragments was recovered from Final Neolithic, Early Helladic II and mixed deposits at the site of Ayios Dhimitrios. Among these fragments, 445 “diagnostic zones” (see below) were identified to the following species: cow (Bos taurus), pig (Sus scrofa), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), dog (Canis familiaris), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and hare (Lepus europaeus). In addition, one fragment of human bone was encountered.35

recognised for a minority of relatively well preserved specimens. A few pelves could be sexed on morphological grounds, following Boessneck et al. (1964) for sheep and Grigson (1982) for cow. Cut marks were assigned to “dismembering” or “filleting”, where possible, following Binford (1981). Evidence of burning and of gnawing by dogs etc. was recorded as “present” or “absent”. THE ASSEMBLAGE Of the identifiable animal bone (Table 1), 174 diagnostic zones came from deposits securely dated to the Final Neolithic period, 58 zones from Early Helladic IIA and 94 zones from Early Helladic IIB. Because of their small size (152 zones in total), the EHIIA and EHIIB assemblages are here treated together. A substantial fraction of the identifiable material (119 zones) came from chronologically mixed deposits.

METHODS The representation of different body parts and of different mammalian species (Table 1) is calculated in terms of the minimum number of certain anatomical units (cf. “diagnostic zones” - Watson 1979). The following 43 diagnostic zones were defined for the purpose of this study: atlas; axis; the left and right horncore/antler, mandible, calcaneum and astragalus; the articular regions of the left and right scapula and left and right pelvis; the left and right proximal ulna; the proximal and distal halves of the left and right humerus, left and right radius, left and right metacarpal, left and right femur, left and right tibia and left and right metatarsal; phalanx 1, phalanx 2 and phalanx 3.

SPECIES REPRESENTATION Of the identifiable bone from the FN deposits, sheep and goat make up 51% (88 diagnostic zones, including 7 assigned to sheep and 2 to goat). Pig, cow and dog make up 22%, 5% and 6% of the assemblage respectively, while ‘wild’ animals are represented by red deer and roe deer (together 14%) and hare (1%).

The separation of sheep and goat follows Boessneck (1969) and Payne (1985a). Few fragments from Ayios Dhimitrios were measurable, but metrical data were useful for distinguishing between different species of deer. On the basis of metrical comparison with other neolithic and Bronze Age sites in Greece (Bokönyi 1971; Amberger 1979; Becker 1986), both red deer and roe deer were identified (Table 4) but not fallow deer (Dama dama); specimens only identifiable to the level of red/fallow deer have accordingly been referred to red deer. The age at death of animals is estimated from the state of eruption and wear of mandibular cheek teeth (Table 2) and from the state of epiphyseal fusion of postcranial bones (Table 3). The recording and analysis of tooth eruption and wear follows Payne (1973) for sheep and goat, Halstead (1985) and Silver (1969 - 20C figures) for cow, and Grant (1982) and Bull and Payne (1982) for pig. Ages of epiphyseal fusion follow Silver (1969). In addition, on the basis of size, shape and texture, a few postcranial bones have been classified as “neonatal”; these specimens have been excluded from the totals of unfused bones, because a distinction between “neonatal” and “older than neonatal” is possible for most fragments, whereas state of epiphyseal fusion can only be

The EHII assemblage includes 42% sheep and goat (64 zones, including 15 of goat and 3 of sheep). Again pig is the next most common taxon (26%), followed by cow (23%). Dog is represented by only two diagnostic zones, while red deer make up 7% of the assemblage. Thus sheep/goat is the commonest taxon in both periods, with pig and (in the EHII deposits) cow also well represented. The number of identified specimens is small, and it would be unwise to place emphasis on differences between the two periods; the proportion of cattle in the FN is strikingly low, however, and there is also a relatively large number of deer bones from the FN deposits. Only a small proportion of the sheep/goat bones could be assigned to one of these two species, offering slight evidence that sheep were commoner in the FN and goat in EHII. The small samples of bones from the EHIIa House B and the EHIIb House A are too small to sustain quantitative analysis, but the range of species recorded in each house is worth noting: House B - sheep, goat, pig, cow and red deer; House A - sheep, goat, pig, cow, dog and red deer. This finding is consistent with the sparse evidence from other neolithic settlements in

35 The faunal material was analysed in Olympia Museum by CR; this report has been revised for publication by PH.

224

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 1. Representation of species (minimum numbers of identified anatomical units) a. Final Neolithic deposits horncore/antler mandible scapula humerus p humerus d radius p radius d ulna metacarpal p metacarpal d pelvis femur p femur d tibia p tibia d calcaneum astragalus metatarsal p metatarsal d phalanx 1 phalanx 2 phalanx 3 total

(174) %

Cow 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 9 5.2

Sheep 1 2 2 1 1 7 4.0

Sheep 6 4 5 6 9 8 4 4 4 2 4 2 1 6 1 5 3 5 79 45.4

Goat 1 1 2

Pig 4 4 7 2 1 5 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 39

Dog 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 11

Red 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 7 1 21

Roe 1 1 2 4

Hare 1 1 2

1.1

22.4

6.3

12.1

2.3

1.1

b. Early Helladic II deposits Cow

Sheep

horncore/antler mandible scapula humerus p humerus d radius p radius d ulna metacarpal p metacarpal d pelvis femur p femur d tibia p tibia d calcaneum astragalus metatarsal p metatarsal d phalanx 1 phalanx 2 phalanx 3 total

1 1 2 1 2 3 1 5 2 2 3 1 1 2 4 4 35

1 1 1 3

%

23.0

2.0

(152)

Sheep /Goat 10 3 4 7 3 1 3 3 2 3 1 1 1 4 46 30.3

Goat

Pig

Dog

4 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 15

6 2 3 5 1 1 3 3 3 1 3 3 1 1 1 2 1 40

1 1 2

Red Deer 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 11

9.9

26.3

1.3

7.2

225

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE c. Deposits of mixed date horncore/antler mandible scapula humerus p humerus d radius p radius d ulna metacarpal p metacarpal d pelvis femur p femur d tibia p tibia d calcaneum astragalus metatarsal p metatarsal d phalanx 1 phalanx 2 phalanx 3 total*

(119) %

Key

Cow 2 2 3 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 2 29 24.4

Sheep 1 1 1 1 1 5 4.2

Sheep 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 5 2 1 3 28 23.5

Goat 1 1 2 4

Pig 2 3 4 8 1 3 2 1 7 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 43

Dog 1 1

Red 2 1 1 1 1 1 7

Roe 1 1

Hare 1 1

3.4

36.1

0.8

5.9

0.8

0.8

p = proximal, d = distal, excluding one human phalanx 2.

*

Butchery marks were found on FN bones of sheep, pig and red deer and on a goat bone of EHII date, but not on stratigraphically unmixed bones of cow, dog, roe deer or hare; five of the six securely dated marks appeared to result from dismembering. Overall, traces of butchery and burning were found on 3% and 4% respectively of identified postcranial specimens in FN and on 3 years

no. of mandibles + loose mandibular d4 and M3 FN EHII Mixed 1 3

c. Pig age stage 0-6 mths. 6-12 mths. 12-24 mths. 24-36 mths.

no. of mandibles + loose mandibular d4 and M3 FN EHII Mixed 1 1 3 2 -

Key d4 = 4th deciduous premolar, M3 = third molar Table 3. Age at death - postcranial evidence a. Sheep and goat age stage FN EHII 6-10 mths. (scapula, pelvis [acetabulum], humerus d, radius p) no. unfused 1 no. fused 5 4 % dead 18-28 mths. (metacarpal d, metatarsal d, tibia d) no. unfused 1 no. fused 4 % dead.

-

Mixed 2 -

1 9 10

2

1 4 20

30-42 mths. (humerus p, radius d, ulna p, femur p+d, tibia p, calcaneum) no. unfused 5 2 no. fused 1 3 1 % dead

227

Total FN+EHII

7 4 64

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE b. Cow age stage FN EHII 7-10 mths. (scapula, pelvis [acetabulum], humerus d, radius p) no. unfused 1 no. fused 1 7 % dead 24-36 mths. (metacarpal d, metatarsal d, tibia d) no. unfused no. fused 1 % dead.

2

Mixed

Total FN+EHII

7

1 8 11

1

3 0

36-48 mths. (humerus p, radius d, ulna p, femur p+d, tibia p, calcaneum) no. unfused 4 no. fused 1 1 1 % dead

4 2 67

c. Pig age stage FN infancy (all postcranial diagnostic zones) no. neonatal 2 no. older 45 % dead

EHII

Mixed

Total FN-EHII

39

1 54

2 84 2

12 mths. (scapula, pelvis [acetabulum], humerus d, radius p, phalanx 2 p) no. unfused 3 2 no. fused 2 3 8 % dead

3 5 38

24-30 mths. (metacarpal d, metatarsal d, tibia d, calcaneum, phalanx 1 p) no. unfused 1 2 1 no. fused 1 3 2 % dead.

3 4 43

36-42 mths. (humerus p, radius d, ulna p, femur p+d, tibia p) no. unfused 2 no. fused 1 1 % dead.

2 2 50

3 -

Key p = proximal, d = distal The wild species certainly include red and roe deer, with no firm evidence of fallow deer; this range is usual for peninsular Greece and contrasts sharply with the evidence from Macedonia and the Aegean islands where fallow deer is well represented (Bokönyi 1971; Payne 1985b; Becker 1986; Halstead 1987).

There are too few sexable pelves (one male sheep from the FN and two female cows from EHII) to draw any conclusions concerning the adult sex ratio of the herds. CONCLUSIONS As is usual for open settlements of the Neolithic and Bronze Age in Greece, the animal remains from Ayios Dhimitrios are dominated by domesticates (sheep, goat, cow and pig). In eastern mainland Greece, sheep tend to dominate early assemblages, giving way to increasing proportions of goat, cow and pig through the Neolithic (Halstead 1981); in this respect, the relatively even representation of the four principal domesticates in the Ayios Dhimitrios assemblage may be regarded as “typical”.

The evidence for age at death is too sparse for detailed analysis of mortality patterns, but that for sheep/goat is at least consistent with a ‘meat’ production strategy involving the slaughter of juveniles or young adults (as opposed to infants and old individuals - Payne 1973; Halstead 1987) and offers no indication of specialisation on “secondary products” (Sherratt 1981) such as milk, wool or traction. The contrasting FN and EHII mortality 228

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 4. Metrical data for red deer and roe deer Element scapula radius

Species red deer red deer

Date EHII EHII

metacarpal phalanx 1

roe deer red deer red deer

FN EHII FN

6.2 phalanx 2

Bp 22.2 red deer

FN

red deer

EHII

roe deer

mixed

Measurements (mm.)* GLP 55.0 LG 40.6 Bd 47.2 Bd 47.3 Bd 25.7 Bp 43.0 GLpe 58.6 Bp 23.1 GLpe 5 GLpe GLpe GLpe GLpe GLpe

40.7 45.3 39.6 39.2 27.6

BG 35.5

Bp 20.6 Bp 29.1 Bp 29.2 Bp 11.1

* after von den Driesch (1976) movements of livestock to higher pasture cannot be excluded, the limited faunal evidence does not support the idea of long-distance mobility. For other parts of later prehistoric Greece, similar evidence has been interpreted as suggesting sedentary mixed farming rather than specialised pastoralism (Halstead 1987). Within the acute limitations imposed by small sample size, the Ayios Dhimitrios faunal assemblage offers no indication that the apparently delayed neolithic colonisation of southwestern Greece was accompanied or enabled by radical changes in animal exploitation.

patterns might be interpreted as a shift from meat production (characterised by juvenile/sub-adult deaths) to a mixed meat/wool strategy (with young adult deaths), but this is contradicted by hints that goats predominated over sheep in the EHII assemblage. The wide range of body parts represented (cf. the very uneven pattern for fallow deer at Neolithic Kalythies Cave, Rhodes - Halstead and Jones 1987; Halstead 1987: 76 Fig. 2b) implies slaughter at or near Ayios Dhimitrios, rather than the importing of parts of carcases. For pig, the presence of neonatal specimens also suggests the local raising of animals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Amberger, K-P. 1979 Neue Tierknochenfunde aus der Magula Pevkakia in Thessalien, 2: die Wiederkδuer. Dissertation, University of Munich. Becker, C. 1986 Kastanas: die Tierknochenfunde. Berlin, Volker Spiess. Binford, L.R. 1981 Bones: ancient men and modern myths. New York, Academic Press. Boessneck, J. 1969 Osteological differences between sheep (Ovis aries Linnι) and goats (Capra hircus Linn), in D. Brothwell and E. Higgs (eds.) Science in archaeology2. London, Thames and Hudson, 331-58. Boessneck, J., Mόller, H.-H. and Teichert, M. 1964 Osteologische Unterscheidungsmerkmale zwischen Schaf (Ovis aries Linn) und Ziege (Capra hircus Linnι), Köhn-Archiv 78, 1-29. Bokönyi, S. 1971 Angaben zum frόhholozdnen Vorkommen des Damhirsches, Cervus (Dama) dama (Linn, 1758) in Europa, Saögetierkundliche Mitteilungen 19, 206-17. Bull, G. and Payne, S. 1982 Tooth eruption and epiphysial fusion in pigs and wild boar, in B. Wilson, C. Grigson and S. Payne (eds.) Ageing and sexing animal bones from archaeological sites (BAR 109). Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, 55-71.

Assuming late winter/spring farrowing, the neonatal pigs would be consistent with later winter/spring occupation of the site, but the possibility of occasional late farrowing (and so of summer occupation) cannot be excluded. Assuming winter (say December-February) lambing/ kidding with a few late births (say in March-May), young sheep/goat deaths at 2-6 months and 6-12 months are also compatible with either winter/spring or summer occupation. It was unclear whether or not the fragments of deer antler were shed, so these cast no light on seasonality. Can the faunal assemblage shed any light on the excavator’s tentative suggestion that Ayios Dhimitrios was a seasonal (presumably winter) settlement of a nomadic/transhumant economy? The limited seasonality data could be consistent with either winter/spring or summer occupation, and all the domesticates represented here are capable of long-distance movements (even pigs!), but modern nomadic/transhumant pastoralists tend to specialise in one species (usually sheep, sometimes goat or cow) and to rely heavily on secondary products. The inhabitants of Ayios Dhimitrios seem to have maintained a broad mixture of livestock and to have slaughtered their animals at an age more suggestive of meat than milk or wool production. While seasonal 229

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Driesch, A. von den 1976 A guide to the measurement of animal bones from archaeological sites (Peabody Museum Bulletin 1). Harvard, Peabody Museum. Grant, A. 1982 The use of tooth wear as a guide to the age of domestic ungulates, in B. Wilson, C. Grigson and S. Payne (eds.) Ageing and sexing animal bones from archaeological sites (BAR 109). Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, 91-108. Grigson, C. 1982 Sex and age determination of some bones and teeth of domestic cattle: a review of the literature, in B. Wilson, C. Grigson and S. Payne (eds.) Ageing and sexing animal bones from archaeological sites (BAR 109). Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, 7-23. Halstead, P. 1981 Counting sheep in neolithic and bronze age Greece, in I. Hodder, G. Isaac and N. Hammond (eds.) Pattern of the past: studies in honour of David Clarke. Cambridge, University Press, 307-339. Halstead, P. 1985 A study of mandibular teeth from Romano-British contexts at Maxey, in F. Pryor and C. French ‘Archaeology and Environment in the Lower Welland Valley, 1’, East Anglian Archaeology 27, 219-224. Halstead, P. 1987 Man and other animals in later Greek prehistory, BSA 82, 71-83. Halstead, P. 1992a From reciprocity to redistribution: modelling the exchange of livestock in neolithic Greece, Anthropozoologica 16: 19-30. Halstead, P. 1992b Dhimini and the ‘DMP’: faunal remains and animal exploitation in late neolithic Thessaly, BSA 87, 29-59. Halstead, P. and Jones, G. 1987 Bioarchaeological remains from Kalythies cave, Rhodes, in A. Sampson I neolithiki periodos sta Dodekanisa. Athens, Ministry of Culture, 135-52. Payne, S. 1973 Kill-off patterns in sheep and goats: the mandibles from Asvan Kalι, Anatolian Studies 23, 281-303. Payne, S. 1985a Morphological distinctions between the mandibular teeth of young sheep, Ovis, and goats, Capra, Journal of Archaeological Science 12, 139-47. Payne, S. 1985b Zoo-archaeology in Greece: a reader’s guide, in N.C. Wilkie and W.D.E. Coulson (eds.) Contributions to Aegean archaeology: studies in honor of William A. McDonald. Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, 211-244. Sherratt, A. 1981 Plough and pastoralism, in I. Hodder, G. Isaac and N. Hammond (Eds.) Pattern of the past: studies in honour of David Clarke. Cambridge, University Press, 261-305. Silver, I. 1969 The ageing of domestic animals, in D. Brothwell and E. Higgs ds.) Science in Archaeology2. London, Thames and Hudson, 283-302. Watson, J.P.N. 1979 The estimation of the relative frequencies of mammalian species: Khirokitia 1972, Journal of Archaeological Science 6, 127-137.

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Appendix III Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Flaked Stone Industry of Ayios Dhimitrios (Lepreo) Antikleia Moundrea – Agrafioti ‘trade’ contributed to the formation of complex societies and to the appearance of specialized artisans (Βosanque, 1904). But the systematic study of the chipped stone industries of the Cyclades, particularly of by-products from the quarries on Melos, has recently led to new considerations which alter our view concerning the existence of organized exploitation of the Melian obsidian quarries and the economic consequences of their exploitation during the Late Neolithic and the Bronze Age (Torrence 1982, 1984).

1. INTRODUCTION36 More systematic study and publication of chipped stone assemblages from prehistoric sites in Greece following the 1970s has permitted a better understanding of the prehistoric flaked stone technology of mainland Greece and the Cyclades. Studies of the lithic industries of settlements and the obsidian quarries on Melos have examined in detail the techniques of flaking, typology of tools, and traces of use, providing the first reliable qualitative and quantitative data, and thus enabling a better understanding of the structure of the flaked stone industry of the Neolithic and Bronze Age (Banks 1967; Christopoulou 1979; Evans and Renfrew 1968; Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981,1983; Perlès 1973, 1981, 1982; Perlès et Vaughan 1983; Runnels 1985; Torrence 1979, 1982, 1984; Van Horn 1976, 1978, 1980; Vaughan 1984; Banks 1967). New systematic research has revealed that the flaked stone industries involving obsidian and flint, which were considered by scholars of the early post-war period as “atypical”, can yield a good number of characteristics and contribute both to distinguishing chronological and cultural particularities on the basis of stratigraphy and periodisation, as well as to defining broader technological horizons determined by internal characteristics of the flaked stone industries. An examination of the lithic technology and in particular the reconstruction of the technical processes of flaking and retouch allow us to identify autonomous technological sequencies that signal basic changes in the production processes of flaked stone artefacts.

Furthermore, the study of the modes of exploitation and use of flint, which was generally considered to be an easily-accessible, ‘local’ raw material for the flaked stone industries of mainland Greece, has also changed. It has been shown that various qualities of flint, both local and imported, were employed in prehistoric settlements. Some varieties of flint are of an exceptional quality, and varieties like the so-called ‘honey-flint’ normally appear in a small number of blanks and tools. To date the natural outcrops of these varieties remain unknown, and no sites have been identified where it is certain that it was worked in situ. As early as the beginning of the Neolithic, but particularly during its Late and Final phases, it appears that high quality flint and jasper, yellow or chocolate in color, were non-local raw materials which circulated great distances in the form of pre-formed blanks or as finished tools, with mechanisms of exchange probably analogous and complementary to those for obsidian. The question of the conditions under which non-local raw materials were required, in particular the differing conditions of circulation of obsidian and high-quality flint, constitutes a central theme for contemporary studies, one which permits a holistic approach to the economy of raw materials in prehistoric settlements.

The relation between technical choices and the main raw materials employed for production of flaked tools obsidian and flint - and the modes of production and exchange of these raw materials, hold an important place in studies dealing with the Cyclades (Renfrew 1972, 1984; Torrence 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986). From the early 20th century, Melian obsidian had been considered a ‘precious’ material whose modes of exploitation and

Within this framework, the flaked stone industry of Ayios Dhimitrios presents special interest for a number of reasons. Ayios Dhimitrios is a settlement in the southwest Peloponnese, distant from the Aegean coastline, at a location on the western periphery of the distribution area of obsidian. Thus, the means for acquiring raw materials, in particular Melian obsidian, must have been different from those at sites on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese. Furthermore, Stratum I is one of the few known open-air sites of the Final Neolithic in the Peloponnese, where habitation in caves appears to have characterised this period. Unfortunately the site was not inhabited during EH I, and we are unable to make direct comparisons regarding technological changes between the Final Neolithic and the very beginning of the Bronze Age, which is critical for an understanding of the changes

36

Study of the flaked stone tool industry of Ayios Dhimitrios took place in 1985. The present work was written and passed on to the excavator in 1987, without being published at that time. The text was circulated in typescript and has been cited in many publications dealing with the flaked stone tool industry in Greece. The present text is published without having the possibility of updating the bibliography and approaching its topics on the basis of more recent publications. The text’s tables were done in their present form in SPSS and are more exact, and more detailed, than those in the typescript version of the text. A number of statistical details have been slightly modified, without this changing the general statistical results. We considered that it would be helpful to add some additional tables and charts to allow a better understanding of the themes involved in the flaked stone industry of Ayios Dhimitrios.

231

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE in blade production technology between the two periods. But as at Lerna, where we encounter no EH I phase, so at Ayios Dhimitrios we have a stratigraphic succession between an early and an advanced phase of EH II, something which permits us to compare the stone industry of a geographically marginalized EH II site with that at Lerna in regards to technology and typology, despite the fact that the two sites are clearly on quite different scales.

of Stratum I, chiefly in Pit 2, which may be connected to the floor of a Neolithic hut (Trench Ν85/Ε45, 128 tools = 29.7% of Stratum I). A number of lithic artefacts were also found in Pit 1,38 (Trench Ι, 1980, 74 tools = 23.2%). These differences may indicate a different organisation of space in Stratum I, but we do not know how the pits came to be filled, having detected no stratification within them. Following the abandonment of the site, Stratum I was succeeded by two EH II phases. Stratum II is discernible on the basis of the pottery and the architectural remains in phase IIa, which is dated to the beginning of the EH II (transitional EHI/II)39 and to phase IIb, which corresponds to the advanced EH II stage40 (pp. 5-6). Interesting architectural remains were uncovered in Stratum II. These belong to two long rectangular houses preserving only the first course of their stone foundations. The flaked industry of the two EH phases of the settlement was found primarily in the interior of two dwellings (House B for phase IIa; House A for phase IIb) and in the area of the hearth north of House A (Table 2). These two houses, located on the northwestern side of the hill, present similarities with respect to their size and the bulk of their fill. In House B, dated to the transitional phase EH I/II, no floors were found in situ. House Α, which belonged to the advanced EH II phase, was preserved in good condition, and on its floors were found storage vessels and grindstones in situ (pp. 64-65). House A appears to have been destroyed by violence, with the destruction level preserved intact, left untouched by habitation in the MH. According to the excavator, the EH II habitation phase of the settlement had a total extent of 6,000 sq. m. Most of the flaked tools of Stratum II were found in House B (ΤΙ.1980, 28 tools = 34.1%, and Τ,Ν90/Ε45, 10 artefacts = 12.2%). There were 22 artefacts from the area of House A, 26.8% of the total in Stratum II (Table 2). Some refittings of obsidian specimens also testify to the abandonment of House A without disruption of the spacial associations of the finds (see below Chap. 4.2.). The settlement was also inhabited during the Middle Bronze Age, but only a very small number of flaked arefacts were found in undisturbed MH strata (10 total).

1.1 General characteristics of the flaked stone industry at Ayios Dhimitrios. The flaked stone industry of Ayios Dhimitrios is not a very extensive one: the settlement yielded a total of 431 obsidian and flint artefacts. The majority of these came from the Final Neolithic layer (Table 1): 319 artefacts, 77% of the entire assemblage, came from Stratum Ι. There were 83 artefacts (19.3% of the total) from the two EH II layers (Stratum II). Finally, a small number of flaked atefacts (29 in all, or 6.7%) were found in surface or in mixed MH strata.37 The distribution of the chipped stone industry according to excavation trench and stratum is given in Table 2. Table 1. Density distribution of lithic artifacts by stratum and by period. I Period

FNL EH a EH b MH SURFAC E

Total

Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %

STRATUM II

mixed

319 100,0% 41 49,4% 42 50,6%

319 100,0%

83 100,0%

10 34,5% 19 65,5% 29 100,0%

Total 319 74,0% 41 9,5% 42 9,7% 10 2,3% 19 4,4% 431 100,0%

The artefacts belong to the Final Neolithic (Stratum I) came from three different areas in the northern and northeastern part of the site (Fig . 1 ) . The Final Neolithic settlement, excavated over an area of 90m2, did not yield clear architectural remains. Two large pits (bothroi) dug into the travertine natural bed-rock, a few post holes, and two hearths were the only definitive structures identified in Stratum I. The excavator hypothesized that there were huts, built of branches and reeds, scattered over a total area of 5,000 sq. m (p. 46). On the basis of the two radio-carbon datings of Stratum I (p. 223), the settlement belonged to an early phase of the Final Neolithic (end of the 5th millenium cal B.C.). The chalcolithic characacter of Stratum I is also attested by two bronze tools (p. 27). The flaked stone industry from the Final Neolithic is unevenly distributed among the different trenches, with the majority found in the two pits

38 Pit 1 is larger than Pit 2, but it contained fewer flaked stone objects. In some trenches a thin sterile stratum was identified between the two phases; thus, the site was abandoned following the Neolithic, as the pottery also demonstrates 39 At Ayios Dhimitrios, in common with Lerna and Tiryns, the first phase of the Early Bronze Age (EH I) is missing, but this phase is attested from other sites in the Argolid. 40 In some trenches a thin sterile stratum was identified between the two phases.

37 Description of the settlement’s stratigraphy and habitation phases is found in Ch. 2.5, and the finds from each stratum are described in detail in Chs. 3 and 6 of the present volume.

232

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 2. Density of lithic artifacts by excavation square and by stratum.

We will then investigate to what extent the successive stages of tool production present continuity or discontinuity in each of the settlement’s habitation layers. It is of interest to determine the extent to which the production sequence can be fully reconstructed for each material, or whether the absence of some phases demonstrates that some materials arrived as roughly-preformed nodules or as cores, finished blanks, or tools at the settlement. We will also attempt to determine the existence of changes in knapping techniques for blade production, in techniques for shaping tools, and in the typology connected with the socio-economic, chronological, and/or cultural particularities of each phase. Finally, beyond the chronological significance of types, the composition of the tool kit for each stratum may also throw light on the techno-economic activities of inhabitants.

EXCAVATION SQUARE BY STRATUM

I EXCAVATION SQUARE

T.N105/E40 T.B 1982 T.B N80/E40 T.I 1980 T.N100/E40 T.N55/E30 T.N70/E40 T.N75/E40 T.N75/E45 T.N80/E45 T.N85/E30 T.N85/E45 T.N90/E45 MH Stratum surface

Total

Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %

1 ,3% 24 7,5% 46 14,4% 74 23,2% 38 11,9% 1 ,3%

7 2,2%

128 40,1%

319 100,0%

STRATUM II

mixed

Total

1 3,4% 10 34,5% 18 62,1% 29 100,0%

1 ,2% 24 5,6% 46 10,7% 103 23,9% 38 8,8% 3 ,7% 6 1,4% 4 ,9% 8 1,9% 29 6,7% 1 ,2% 129 29,9% 11 2,6% 10 2,3% 18 4,2% 431 100,0%

29 34,9%

2 2,4% 6 7,2% 4 4,8% 8 9,6% 22 26,5% 1 1,2% 1 1,2% 10 12,0%

83 100,0%

The comparative data we have at our disposal regarding the above topics are limited, and they come from settlements which differ considerably as regards type (caves, mounds, open-air settlements, etc.), size, length of occupation, permanent or seasonal habitation, etc. For the the Final Neolithic, we will employ comparative data chiefly from sites of the Late and Final Neolithic in central Greece (Kitsos, Agora)( Perlès 1981, Immerwahr 1971), southeastern Thessaly (Dimini, Aghios Petros) (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981) and the Cyclades (Kephala, Saliagos) (Coleman 1977, Evans and Renfrew 1968). For the Peloponnese the important Late and Final Neolithic sites of Franchthi and Alepotrypa are known to us only through preliminary publications (Jacobsen 1973a, b, 1976, Perlès 1984, Papathanasopoulos 1971). For the EH period, the preliminary publication of the chipped stone industry at Lerna (EH II, EH III, MH) (Runnels 1985) has afforded the first reliable information about the lithic assemblages of the Early and Middle Bronze Age. Numerically, the industry of Lerna is the largest assemblage of flaked stone implements published to date.41 Other EH and MH settlements in the Peloponnese which were excavated in the past (Asea, Zygouries, Malthi: Holmberg 1944, Blegen 1928, Valmin 1938) provide only limited comparative data since their lithic industries have not been published in detail.

2 Characteristics of the flaked stone industry In what follows, we will present the lithic assemblage of Ayios Dhimitrios as regards two topics: a) knapping techniques, that is, the basic technology for production of blanks, beginning from the initial stage, that of acquisition of raw materials through the production of blanks, flakes or blades, and b) shaping techniques and the tool kit, i.e., knowledge and choices regarding the deliberate retouch of blanks in order to obtain tools senso strictu, as well as the morphological groupings of tools by group and type. Our purpose is to determine, for each stratum of the settlement, the degree of establishment of the different phases of the production chain, that is, the technical actions and choices for production of blanks and implements of obsidian or flint. In theory, the series of knapping events are chronologically sequential: selection, pre-forming (roughing out) of the raw material, shaping of cores, organized production of blanks (blades and/or flakes), shaping of tools from selected blanks, use, repair, rejuvenation, re-use and finally discarding (Tixier et al. 1980, 1730). The various phases in the production chain could differ according to raw materials, knapping techniques (direct or indirect percussion, pressure), individual skills and choices, and cultural traditions. Furthermore, we may not encounter all of the theoretical phases of the production sequence described above at every site; the production chain may be temporally or spatially discontinuous.

2.1

RAW MATERIALS

Obsidian is the numerically predominant raw material for the lithic industry of Ayios Dhimitrios, representing 87.7% of the total (378 artefacts) (Table 3.1.). It is met with in comparable proportions in both Stratum I and Stratum II of the settlement. The frequency of obsidian is discernibly lower in mixed and surface strata (65.5%), where flint is more abundant. It is possible that the presence in the upper and surface strata of MH occupation debris may be taken to indicate a lower frequency of obsidian, since it is believed that the 41 Lerna’s two EH phases yielded 8.312 artefacts made of obsidian and flint; thus, at Lerna we are dealing at Lerna with an assemblage on a totally different scale than the small one at Ayios Dhimitrios (Runnels 1985, Table 1).

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Table 3. Raw materials by stratum (3.1) and by period (3.2.) 3. 1. Raw materials by Stratum

I Raw materials

obsidian flint

Total

Count % Count % Count %

286 89,7% 33 10,3% 319 100,0%

STRATUM II 73 88,0% 10 12,0% 83 100,0%

mixed 19 65,5% 10 34,5% 29 100,0%

Total 378 87,7% 53 12,3% 431 100,0%

3.2. Raw materials by Period

Raw materials

obsidian flint

Total

Count % Count % Count %

FNL 286 89,7% 33 10,3% 319 100,0%

EH a 34 82,9% 7 17,1% 41 100,0%

Period EH b 39 92,9% 3 7,1% 42 100,0%

MH 7 70,0% 3 30,0% 10 100,0%

SURFACE 12 63,2% 7 36,8% 19 100,0%

Total 378 87,7% 53 12,3% 431 100,0%

mainly shades of grey and white (11 artefacts, 2.6%, Plates 5,6,7,9,16). The range of geological provenance of the various qualities of flint at Ayios Dhimitrios is apparent, chiefly from differences of grain and degree of transparency, since the color can vary within natural nodules from the same geological stratum (Luedtke,1979). A separation of flint into two categories, that of probable local provenance, which is coarsegrained, and that containing high- quality, fine-grained non-local ‘imports’, has been observed at most settlements in the Peloponnese (Valmin 1938: 339, Runnels 1985:360). The exact provenance of high quality flint from prehistoric sites in mainland Greece has yet to be precisely determined, in particular the provenance of the light-colored yellow variety called ‘honey-flint’. We note that at Ayios Dhimitrios we do not meet the characteristic translucent and banded honey-flint known normally in the form of large prismatic blades or triangular spearheads. The surface of the light-colored, translucent flints is nearly always covered by a milky patina, while the red-brown radiolarites bear a shiny, transparent patina. Some flint artefacts have been burned, by virtue of having been discarded where there were hearths, or in a destruction of the settlement by fire. Thermal action has wrought a change in color and structure of the stone, and sometimes caused characteristic conchoidal cupules and fissures on the artefacts’ surface (Plate 17.2)

frequency of use of obsidian declined during the MH period (Runnels 1985, 381-82). For the most part the obsidian of the site is grey, opaque, slightly grainy, i.e., the characteristics of obsidian of Melos (Plate 1,13,14,15). There are also a fair number of examples of the more vitreous variant of Melian obsidian, translucent and banded, as well as a very small number of pieces of transparent obsidian with gray bands and a slightly brownish tinge, well-known variants of obsidian from both quarries on Melos (Renfrew et al. 1965). The obsidian’s surface has a slight, dull patina which should be connected to post-deposit conditions. There is no question about the Melian provenance of all the the obsidian at Ayios Dhimitrios. It would certainly be of interest to identify which quarry the obsidian came from in order to determine whether the use of obsidian from both Melian quarries, Adamas and Dhemenegaki, attested for the majority of prehistoric sites42 can also be ascertained at a site so distant from the source. Different varieties of flint43 were employed at Ayios Dhimitrios in only small quantities (53 artefacts, 12.3% of the total, Table 3). There is a fair amount of variation in respect to color, texture, and degree of transparency. One encounters flint that is opaque, and coarse-grained, brown or greenish in hue, and probably coming from the immediate area (Plate 2). At the same time there are highquality, fine-grained varieties, such as dark brown jasper, which in color and texture resembles the characteristic chocolate radiolarites of Pindus (Pl.12, Pl.17.1) as well as translucent flints (chalcedony) of various light colors,

In terms of numbers, obsidian predominates in both phases of the settlement. It is interesting that there is not much difference in the average frequency of obsidian between the Final Neolithic (89.7%) and the Early Helladic stratum (88%), as we would expect.44 But there

42 At most sites, obsidian from the quarry of Adamas predominates numerically; this was the most accessible source. But analyses have shown that at all sites, the Dhemenegaki quarry is usually represented as well, as e.g. in the Kitsos Cave, where 8 of 18 samples analyzed came from Dhemenegaki (Filippakis et al. 1981). 43 Flint, chert, calcedony, jaspe, radiolarite, etc.

44 However, the frequency of obsidian at Ayios Dhimitrios is much lower than at EH Lerna (Lerna III and IV), where it exceeds 90% (Runnels 1985).

234

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE is a differentiation between the two EH phases: the frequency of obsidian artefacts found in Stratum IIa of Ayios Dhimitrios is strikingly low (82.9%), which indicates important differences in the role of obsidian between the two EH phases at the site. Of course it should be recalled that estimates of the relative frequency of use of raw materials based simply on counting by category of material employed may give mistaken impressions regarding the frequency with which materials were used, especially when we are speaking of lithic industries containing only small numbers of total finds (Wright 1969, Ammerman 1979). The spatial factor can significantly affect the frequency of materials. For example, when at certain areas throughout the settlement there was onsite production of blanks from obsidian (or another material), then its relative frequency can be expected to be high. The EH settlement of Ayios Dhimitrios gives us some indications about the impact of specialized use of space: the frequency of obsidian in House Α, belonging to the second EH II phase of the settlement, rises to 90.7%, i.e. considerably higher than the average for obsidian in the settlement’s EH phase overall. We shall see below that this is due to the fact that obsidian was flaked in situ.

raw materials, we must ask ourselves whether obsidian and flint were not simply alternative materals, but were also destined for different uses.47 What is perhaps of greatest interest today regarding frequency of use of these two raw materials is to explore the role each played within settlements’ tool and technology systems.

2.2

FLAKING TECHNIQUES AND DEBITAGE

Issues related to the flaking process are based on an analysis of the techno-morphology of cores and by-products of flaking in order to determine the flaking methods chosen for production of blanks, chiefly blades, during the two habitation periods of Ayios Dhimitrios. The main question is whether the settlement had onsite production of obsidian or flint blanks, or whether blades or shapedout tools were imported. This, we could hypothesize for the obsidian artefacts in the case of a site in the western Peloponnese, that is, one on the periphery of the distribution area of obsidian, and thus exclude the hypothesis of direct access to sources. To answer this question one must investigate the extent to which the full spectrum of the production chain may be reconstructed for each material, especially with respect to its first part, i.e. the shaping out of cores (presence of stored raw materials, onsite cortex removal from the natural nodules, shaping of the core, onsite initial debitage of the cores as demonstrated by both primary and secondary crested blades, the development of regular debitage of series of blades, repair of cores, and finally, their discarding.48

The frequency of use of obsidian in relation to flint has been connected with a settlement’s distance from Melos, as well as with the degree of development of mechanisms and networks for circulation of obsidian as the Neolithic advanced and the Bronze Age began (Renfrew 1972:442).45 The frequency of obsidian in the Neolithic settlements of eastern Greece is high for all those sites located in a direct line up to about 300 kilometres from Melos. According to Renfrew’s down the line model, the western Peloponnese is situated in the wider area of dissemination of obsidian, which is related to the expansion of contacts between mainland Greece and the Cyclades during the EC ΙΙ period (Renfrew 1972, f ig.20 .1). The high percentage of obsidian use in the Final Neolithic stratum at Ayios Dhimitrios (Stratum I) shows that regular contacts with the Cyclades must already have been formed at the end of the Neolithic period, since the frequency is so high for a site in the western Peloponnese. The frequency of obsidian usage is believed to have decreased in mainland Greece after the middle phase of the Early Bronze Age (EH II). The use of flint rises discernibly during the MH period, during which it has been proposed that obsidian passed into permanent abeyance because there was by that time a sufficient number of bronze tools (Howell 1974:77, 82, Renfrew et al. 1965:240). On the basis of the evidence at Lerna, the use of obsidian continues important during the EH II and into EH III, but clearly decreases during the MH.46 But beyond the general frequencies of use of these

On the basis of general distributions of artefacts with a view to reconstructing the production chain, we observe first the total absence of unworked obsidian (Table 4). Two nodules of poor quality flint were found in mixed strata, and for this reason we conclude that inhabitants must have had access to coarse-grained flint in the immediate area of the settlement. Here we would like to observe that the absence of natural nodules of high-quality raw materials is characteristic not only of Ayios Dhimitrios, but is the usual picture presented by most prehistoric settlements. We note that as regards obsidian, it is only in rare cases that unworked nodules are found, as e.g. in EH Attica. This is why sites along the coast of Attica, as a natural final destination of sea routes in the Cyclades, were considered to be emporia, exchange networks for importation/redistribution of obsidian from the Cyclades to the mainland (Mylonas 1956, 143-144).

45

47 We ascertained this, for example, by studying the tools from Neolithic Thessaly, where we discerned an almost exclusive use of flint for the construction of sickle elements (Moundrea- Agrafioti 1981, 1983). 48 This approach to lithic industries, which emphasizes the dynamic aspect of prehistoric production through a “reading” of the technical characteristics of these artefacts, is described in detail by Tixier et al. 1980, 19-20.

. Of course other factors could influence the relative frequencies, such as the degree of preservation of the lithic industry, the fragility of the blanks, excavation methods, etc. (Perlès 1981, Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981). 46 The frequency of obsidian at Lerna III (EH II) is 94.2%, at Lerna IV (EH III) 92.3%, while in the MH period it decreases to 81.8% (Runnels 1985, Table 1).

235

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 4. Technical categories of the assemblage by raw material, obsidian or flint.

come from different cores; it must have been imported in the form of tools. This fact is impressive in view of the site’s actual location. It would seem that this small settlement in the western Peloponnese managed obsidian more easily, despite the great distance from Melos (about 280 km. by direct route, but possibly much further, since its transport by land and sea routes was indirect). However, this is not the case with high-quality flint, which could have come from the Ionian Islands.

Debitage categories by raw materials Raw Material obsidian flint Categories

Raw nodules Cores Technical piecesa Decorticageb Plain blanks Utilized blanks Shaped tools Splintered pieces Debris Indeterminate

Total

Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %

2 3,8% 2 ,5% 26 6,9% 32 8,5% 151 39,9% 51 13,5% 60 15,9% 28 7,4% 18 4,8% 10 2,6% 378 100,0%

1 1,9% 7 13,2% 9 17,0% 4 7,5% 25 47,2% 4 7,5%

1 1,9% 53 100,0%

Total 2 ,5% 2 ,5% 27 6,3% 39 9,0% 160 37,1% 55 12,8% 85 19,7% 32 7,4% 18 4,2% 11 2,6% 431 100,0%

Thus, only obsidian debitage techniques for blade production may be partially reconstructed at Ayios Dhimitrios. The process of decortication of nodules and initial shaping of obsidian cores must have occurred off-site. This is indicated by the small number of cortical byproducts (which does not exceed 7.7% in the two strata (Table 4) (there were found 41 partial cortical artefacts, representing 9.4% of the lithic industry).50 Obsidian cores are not completely decorticated, even in advanced stages of exploitation (Fig.1:180, 5). It is probable that obsidian was imported in the form of partially decorticated macrocores, i.e. roughly pre-shaped cores, like those found in abundance in the quarries of Melos (Torrence 1984:5560). Technical by-products connected with the shaping of cores for blade production, and the initial stage of blade removal, are few. Crested blades (1 primary, 5 secondary) were found only in Stratum II (Fig. 1: 165, 91, 34). No crested blades were found in the Neolithic strata, despite the relative abundance of obsidian blades. One does encounter examples of plunging blades, proving that cores were flaked in the settlement, though in very small numbers (Fig. 4, 236). Characteristic by-products are greater in number where the process of flaking is demonstrated to have occurred in situ, as in the EH IIb phase of the settlement (Fig. 4: 91, Plate 13).

a. Crested blades (primary and secondary), core platform rejuvenation flakes, plunging blades, core fragments. b. Cortical blanks or blanks with cortical lateral edges

With respect to cores, there were only two obsidian blade cores found at Ayios Dhimitrios, one from each stratum; both correspond to an advanced stage of exploitation (Fig.1:180, 5). No flint cores were discovered. Thus obsidian, though imported, was flaked in situ, but only to a limited extent. The first stages of shaping and reduction of the obsidian cores may be attested by the presence of the characteristic by-products of the first stages of flaking: cortical pieces and characteristic blanks connected with the process of shaping the cores for blade removal.49 Cortical flakes are rare, while technical by-products (crested blades, rejuvenation flakes, etc.) represent only 6.2% of the entire lithic assemblage. These are relatively more numerous in the EH phases (13.4% of the whole in the EH, versus only 4.4% in the Final Neolithic). Thus, the absence of unworked raw materials and the low representation of the initial stages of core preparation show that obsidian arrived at Ayios Dhimitrios primarily in the form of preshaped cores.

The general picture of the first stages in the obsidian reduction process at Ayios Dhimitrios is therefore incomplete and comparable to what we have seen in quite a number of settlements in mainland Greece: an absence of a stock of unworked raw materials, a small number of cortical and technical by-products, which are connected with the shaping or the rejuvenation of blade cores, few cores-usually in an advanced stage of exploitation51-and finally, important differences regarding the exploitation of the two raw materials, obsidian and flint. 2.3

We also discern a total absence of flint cores and technical by-products. Debitage processes involving this material are not evidenced at the settlement; according to all indications, the production of flint blanks, flakes, and blades took place outside the settlement, possible at different locations. The range of color and quality seen in flint blades and flakes shows that this material came from different production chains. The light-colored, high-quality flint in particular has yielded unique artefacts which

The tools

We have classified as tools with traces of use those blanks, blades, or flakes which have on their edges scattered, discontinuous removals attributed to use. These traces characterize the blanks as tools a posteriori. Sometimes, apart from marginal use removals, abrasion, and polishing of the natural cutting-edges has been ascertained; this is created when the cutting-edge is employed 50

The percentages for cortex at Lerna (13,6% for Lerna III, 15.6% for Lerna IV) are twice those of Ayios Dhimitrios, and testify to different strategies for exploiting obsidian cores (Runnels 1983, Table 3). 51 These observations obtain, for example, for Kephala (Coleman 1977), Kitsos (Perlès 1981), Dimini (Μοundrea 1981), as well as Lerna.

49

These are first and second-series crested blades, rejuvenation cores for the percussion platform, pyramidia or plunging blades, i.e., accidents, which occurred during debitage or were connected with technical choices concerning rejuvenation or correction of the core’s shape.

236

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE these pieces,52 we consider as most persuasive that which would interpret them as intermediate tools employed with direct percussion, like a wedge or chisel, although we cannot determine what material they were used on.

on hard or soft materials. In this study we will not examine use-wear systematically, and therefore we will make no further reference to this dimension of tools senso latu, which constitutes the object of specialized study of macro-traces.

Next in order of frequency is the group of end-scrapers (12.8%), a typological group defined by the characteristic abrupt or semi-abrupt retouch of its active part (Fig. 4). The following groups consist of only a few tools each. Piercing tools (6% of the whole) are characterized by a sharp point formed by abrupt or semi-abrupt lateral retouch, and more rarely by notches. The distinction between piercers and drills is based chiefly on the shape of the point and morphology of the tool’s proximal part (Fig. 5). The various morphological categories of drills are probably related to how the tools were used: piercers opened holes by means of alternating circular hand movements, while drills were fixed on the axis of a more advanced mechanism, the bow-drill, which was set in motion by continuous back-and-forth circular motion (with a bow or belt-drive).

We also classify as tools those blanks which have undergone shaping through deliberate retouch of their ends and/or faces. These are the so-called tools senso strictu, which can then be classified into techno-morphological groups and types. Table 11 gives the frequencies of the three basic categories of the lithic industry at Ayios Dhimitrios: -

those remaining unworked and unused following debitage (about half the total, 50.3%). Two-thirds of this category consists of flakes; thus, a significant percentage of blades were not used as tools;

-

those with removals from use and/or macroscopic abrasions of their cutting edges (16.3% of the total). Traces of use are chiefly identified on one edge of the blank, and less often on both edges. Direct peripheral removals on one edge predominate; less frequent are notches or denticulations;

-

The group of sickles is defined by the presence of silica gloss on the edges of a blank, normally retouched with successive denticulations on the edges, a cutting tool employed for reaping (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1983) (3% of the total) (Fig. 6). This is a functional group of tools which is distinguished on the basis of use traces and not by the form and position of retouch. Silica gloss is easily discernible on flint. The sickle’s coming into contact with stalks rich in silicon, or with other plants such as reeds, produces a pronounced sheen. On obsidian the harvesting of plants produces dull abrasion of the naturally glossy surface of the vitreous stone, and it is more difficult to discern macroscopically the presence of silica gloss. Study of the sickles which combine silica gloss with retouch has shown that apart from the denticulated retouch on the active edges, sickles were frequently shaped with truncations of their ends, in order to make it easier to fit them into the handle. Truncations and extensive bifacial retouch of the faces are common in the Bronze Age, when sizable denticulated sickle elements appear, shaped with bifacial invasive retouch (Van Horn 1976, 1977; Runnels 1985, 370). Finally, truncated pieces constitute a characteristic type of tools featuring abrupt direct retouch at the ends of the blank; at Ayios Dhimitrios we meet only a small number of representative examples (2.3% of the whole) (Fig. 6).

those which have been modified by deliberate retouch, and which constitute the category of tools senso strictu (33.5% of the total). From the distribution of tools by stratum we see that in Stratum I there are a great number of tools senso strictu, while their relative frequency is much lower in Stratum II (36.2% for Stratum I; 23.2% for Stratum II) (Table 12).

2.3.1 Tool groups The presence of systematic retouch on the edges or faces, and the manner of combining the shape of the blank (flake or blade) with techno-morphological characteristics of retouch (position, extent, shape) (Tixier et al. 1981) were employed as chief distinguishing traits in order to classify the tools of Ayios Dhimitrios in technomorphological groups. On the basis of the above, we arrived at a classification system with eight groups of tools, shown in Table 12 in order of frequency vis-à-vis the entirety of tools at the settlement. The most numerous group of tools at Ayios Dhimitrios are those displaying lateral retouch (33.8% of the total). Splintered pieces (24.8% of the whole) (Fig.2) follow. Another important group of tools is made up of projectile points (16.5% of the whole) (Fig. 3). Spintered pieces (pièces esquillées) are here included among tools, despite the fact that we are here dealing with tools a posteriori, i.e., tools which have not been shaped through deliberate retouch, but whose characteristic shape arose through use. The extremities and/or edges of the blank are covered with elongated removals created by direct percussion. Flakes or blades, and sometimes also tools or cores, carry on their extremities the characteristic bifacial removals created through use in direct percussion. Among the various hypotheses concerning the identification of the use of

In what follows we will discuss how the structure of tools at Ayios Dhimitrios is specialized within each stratum. As we can see by briefly surveying Table 12, there are a number of quite significant differences between the compositions of the tool-kits of the settlement’s two periods, as we would in any event expect.

52 We presented a synthesis of the various views concerning how splintered pieces were produced, taking as our starting-point Thessalian Neolithic tools, in Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981; see also Newcomer et al. 1974, Perlès 1981, 140-2, Mazière 1984, Runnels 1985, 372).

237

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 5. Distribution according to morphology of the blank and stratum Products of debitage by Stratum

I Blanks

flake blade flake-blade debris indeterminate

Total

Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %

111 35,0% 118 37,2% 26 8,2% 18 5,7% 44 13,9% 317 100,0%

STRATUM II 18 22,0% 50 61,0% 4 4,9% 1 1,2% 9 11,0% 82 100,0%

mixed 15 55,6% 7 25,9% 2 7,4% 1 3,7% 2 7,4% 27 100,0%

Total 144 33,8% 175 41,1% 32 7,5% 20 4,7% 55 12,9% 426 100,0%

Table 6. Minimal number of blanks by stratum (only complete blanks and lower sections taken into account) Minimal number of blanks by stratum

I Blank

blade flake blade-flake

Total

Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum

51 35,2% 78 53,8% 16 11,0% 145 100,0%

STRATUM II 27 58,7% 15 32,6% 4 8,7% 46 100,0%

mixed 5 25,0% 13 65,0% 2 10,0% 20 100,0%

Total 83 39,3% 106 50,2% 22 10,4% 211 100,0%

Table 7. Distribution according to the morphology of the butt and blank type, according to stratum. Butt categories by blank morphology and by stratum

STRATUM Stratum I BUTT

plain faceted or dihedral linear or punctiform indeterminate

Total Stratum II

BUTT

plain faceted or dihedral linear or punctiform indeterminate

Total

Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %

238

BLANK Blade Flake 13 27 28,9% 35,5% 27 23

Total 40 33,1% 50

60,0%

30,3%

41,3%

1 2,2% 4 8,9% 45 100,0% 2 7,4% 23

15 19,7% 11 14,5% 76 100,0% 2 16,7% 3

16 13,2% 15 12,4% 121 100,0% 4 10,3% 26

85,2%

25,0%

66,7%

2 7,4% 27 100,0%

4 33,3% 3 25,0% 12 100,0%

4 10,3% 5 12,8% 39 100,0%

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE with pressure. A scarcity of rejuvenation tablets has also been noted for the Cyclades, despite the fact that avoiding the removal of rejuvenatiion tablets to economize on raw material does not seem logical for sites in the Cyclades (Torrence 1979).53

3 The lithic industry of Stratum I The deeper stratum at Ayios Dhimitrios, which dates to the Final Neolithic, yielded 319 flaked stone artefacts, the largest number of flaked artefacts at the site (74% of the total of the settlement’s total lithic industry) (Table 1). The frequency of obsidian in Stratum I, which reaches 89.7%, may be considered high (Table 3); for example, it is greater than that determined at Dimini (LN) (84.4%)( Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981), but much lower than the average frequency of obsidian in the Kitsos Cave (97.5%), a site nearly contemporary with Stratum I at Ayios Dhimitrios (Perlès 1982, 135). 3.1

Examining the morphology of the debitage in Stratum I of the Final Neolithic, we see that both flakes and blades appear in the entirety of the lithic industry of this phase in approximately equal proportions (51.7% flakes, 39.2% blades, and 9,1% blade-shaped flakes) (Table 5). A large quantity of blanks (corresponding to one-fifth of the total) has been significantly altered through retouch or usage, so that one canno longer tell the original shape of the blank. If one takes into consideration the fact that blades are far more fragile than flakes, and break into more pieces because of their greater elongation, then the relation of blades/flakes is more precisely arrived at by taking the lowest possible number, i.e., from debitage pieces which preserve their butt (whole or lower section). Calculating the smallest quantities of both categories of blanks, we arrive at a more precise picture as regards the frequency of supports (Table 5.1). The frequency of prismatic blades in Stratum I is discernibly smaller than that of flakes; it reaches 35.2% of the total number of recognisable supports in the stratum, with blade-shaped flakes representing 11%.54 Flakes shatter less than blades: about half of the flakes preserve their lower portion, while only one-third of the blades are either whole or preserve their lower section. From the above we conclude that while the Neolithic flaked stone industry is considered primarily an industry of blade-production, this impression is created by the significant breakage undergone by elongated blanks, and the fact that they appear as very numerous in simple counts.

The Debitage of Stratum I

As we saw above, products related to preparation and initial exploitation of the core appear less frequently in the Neolithic stratum than in the EH stratum, representing 4.4% of the total products belonging to this phase (Table 4). The percentage of by-products with cortex is also exceptionally low (92.1% of the total number of blanks in Stratum I have no cortical remains) (Table 7). From these details it would seem that decortication and the shaping and rejuvenation of cores of obsidian and flint occurred for the most part outside the settlement. However, a small amount of obsidian blade removal did take place on-site, as a small number of technical by-products demonstrates. Cores are exceptionally rare: only one conical blade core of obsidian and a pyramidion from a conical blade core are preserved. These are cores for small blades, which present the typical features of pressure debitage (Fig.1:180). Pressure debitage for blades was executed alternately on the two faces of core nr. 180, whose end is broadened. This core, as demonstrated by its small dimensions (length 26 mm., thickness 13 mm.), must have been in the final stage of reduction. On its active debitage surface, it bears the negatives from three bladelets which have been removed one after the other. The striking platform is faceted and at a right angle to the debitage surface. We note that the core’s projecting overhang has not been removed (and, as we shall see, this is not accidental). Small accidental removals are attested on the proximal end of the core; these were probably produced by the proximal’s end serving as counterweight during the application of pressure. On one edge the core preserves cortical remains the negatives of the crest The core’s reverse bears the negatives of wider blades with parallel edges which had been removed in reverse order in a previous phase of exploitation.

Flakes are a numerically significant group of blanks in Stratum I; most are small (length and thickness less than 20 mm.) (Chart 1-2). The numerous small flakes should be connected with the shaping and rejuvenation of the striking platform of cores. However, there was independent production of larger flakes, both obsidian and flint. Flakes were not employed often as tools (68.7% remain unworked and without use traces, versus 39% of the blades). One of the basic questions of interest regarding knapping during the Final Neolithic is to ascertain changes in the techniques of obsidian blade removal in relation to the previous period of the Late Neolithic. At Ayios Dhimitrios we have the good fortune to observe what happened during the Final Neolithic without disturbances from earlier strata, and we can also compare the FN technology with the following EH phase. The general morphology of blades, but more importantly, the form of the butt and the

Rejuvenation of the core’s pressure platform must have been frequent. Rejuvenation tablets are absent from Ayios Dhimtrios, and we believe they avoided rejuvenation by this means which would have significantly shortened the core’s original length. A characteristic type of round, thin flake with centripetal negatives of preparation and a large faceted or dihedral butt should be connected with the process of rejuvenation of the core’s striking platform. (Fig. 1:165). These flakes, thin and with a diffuse cone, must have been removed

53

Core rejuvenation flakes of obsidian exist, e.g., in Neolithic Thessaly (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981: 72). 54 Using corresponding calculations, the minimum percentage of blades is 8% for Dimini (LN) and 58.4% for Kitsos. As regards Kephala, the general frequency of blades is about 56%.

239

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Chart 1. Stratum I and II. Scatter plot of length / width for obsidian blanks

Chart 2. Strata I and II. Histogram of obsidian blade length

Obsidian blades. Strata I & II

Stratum I and II. Obsidian blanks

Length distribution

80

10 70

8

60 50

6

40

4

30 20

Frequency

Blank categories

LENGTH (mm)

blade flake

10

flake

2

Std. Dev = 13,77 Mean = 35 N = 25,00

0 10

blade

0 0

10

20

30

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

40

LENGTH (mm)

WIDTH (mm)

Chart 3. Obsidian blades width distribution. Stratum I (3.1.) and II (3.2).

3.1. Stratum I (FN)

3.2. Stratum II (EH)

Obsidian blades, width distribution

Obsidian blades, width distribution

40

20

30

20

10

Frequency

Frequency

10 Std. Dev = 2,95 Mean = 11 N = 109,00

0 4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Std. Dev = 2,22 Mean = 9 N = 45,00

0

20

5

WIDTH (mm)

7

9

11

13

15

17

Width (mm)

Chart 4. Comparison of obsidian blade widths in the two strata. Chart 5 Length / width scatterplot for projectile points

Obsidian blades

Stratum I. Projectile Points

25

40

20

35

15

30

25

LENGTH (mm)

WIDTH (mm)

10

5

0 N=

109

45

Stratum I

Stratum II

20

Groups 15

Triangular points

10

Tanged points 0

Stratum

5

10

WIDTH (mm)

240

15

20

25

30

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Chart 6 Histogram of tanged point width distribution

Runnels 1985: 364,366). At Ayios Dhimitrios, faceted preparation constitutes almost the exclusive means of preparing the butts of obsidian blades in Stratum I (Fig. 1:5169, 422,448).

Tanged points 6

5

Table 8. Cortex extension by stratum

Count

4

3

non-cortical

2

cortical palges Std. Dev = 2,84

1 0 6

8

10

12

14

Mean = 10

cortical lateral edge

N = 13,00

cortex total

16

Total

WIDTH

means of preparation of the core’s overhang, provide details concern flaking techniques. In examining the morphology of the butt as regards the blanks, we initially ascertain a significant absence of homogeneity on the basis of type of blank (Table 7). Faceted and dihedral butts showing careful preparation of the striking surface prevail among the blades: 65.9% of the blades in Stratum I have a faceted butt, versus 30.5% of the flakes. A flat butt is more frequently encountered among flakes, as is the cortical butt, which is not found among the blades of Stratum I. We note that at Ayios Dhimitrios we do not encounter preparation of the butt through friction. Concerning blade morphology, in Stratum I we see the coexistence of prismatic blades with straight parallel or converging edges, triangular or trapezoidal in section, together with blades having more irregular edges and ridges (Fig. 1, Pl. 1). Both categories of blade display the same preparation of the butt: faceted preparation of the pressure platform precedes flaking, without removal of the core’s overhang (Figure 1: 5b, 169, 422, 448, Plate 1). Normally, a right angle is formed by the faceted butt with the dorsal face of the blade. As we will see, this technique is also encountered in the EH stratum of Ayios Dhimitrios.

Count % within stratum Count % within stratum Count % within stratum Count % within stratum Count % within stratum

Stratum Stratum I Stratum II 293 76 91,8% 91,6% 11 4

Total 369 91,8% 15

3,4%

4,8%

3,7%

13 4,1% 2 ,6% 319 100,0%

1 1,2% 2 2,4% 83 100,0%

14 3,5% 4 1,0% 402 100,0%

The major result of the pressure technique is the systematic is the systematic removal of regular blades of small thickness and consistent width. The blades from Neolithic Ayios Dhimitrios present the following characteristics: on average they have a width of 10.89 mm., with a small deviation of 2.95 mm. (Table 8); their average thickness is 3 mm. The length of the few preserved complete blades is less than 50 mm. Judging from the fact that only onethird of the blades had a width greater than 12 mm., it would seem that the Neolithic stratum’s entire obsidian blade production was devoted to production of small blades, with elongation (ratio of width/length) ranging from 1:3 to 1:4 on average. But upon comparison of the blade morphology of Stratum I with that of Stratum II (Fig. 1), it seems to us clear that the latter have the typical prismatic form of blades of the Bronze Age, while those belonging to Stratum I are less regular. We therefore believe that the debitage technique empployed for the blades in Stratum I was not identical with that in Stratum II. 3.1

The tools in Stratum I

The following points emerge from an examination of the distribution of blanks in Stratum I with respect to their raw material and degree of retouch (cf. Table 10):

Faceted preparation of the butt of blades is more systematic during the Late Neolithic. This should be connected to a change in the manner of breaking off blades, together with improvement in the pressure technique. It has been determined at various Greek sites that while the removal of the core’s overhang was systematically carried out from the Early Neolithic up until the end of the Middle Neolithic, during the Late Neolithic the method changes and pressure is applied to the core’s striking platform, which has been carefully shaped through faceted preparation, without removal of the overhang (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981, 98-99, Perlès 1982).55 It is believed likely that this is due to the use of a punch with a metal point(Perlès 1982,130, Torrence 1979,

- Half of the obsidian blanks, chiefly obsidian flakes, remain waste, while only one-third of the total number of blades (46) belong to this category. In contrast, only a small proportion of the total number of flint implements, chiefly flakes of low-quality stone, remained waste. - 45 blanks (14.2% of the total) bear lateral use-retouch. Of these, nine-tenths are obsidian blades. - The percentage of tools is high overall: 36.2% of blanks have undergone retouch, and of these, three-quarters are obsidian, chiefly blades. Finally, one-half of all tools in Stratum I have been subjected to such an amount of bifacial retouch that it is no longer possible to identify the form of blank.

55 It is interesting that while this observation holds for sites in mainland Greece, it does not obtain for the blades of Kephala on Kea, where a smooth butt predominates among blades (Coleman 1977, 6-7).

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 9. Descriptive statistics of the dimensions of obsidian blanks by type of blank ( flake or blade) and by stratum Table 9.1.Obsidian flakes Stratum I. Obsidian flakes. Descriptive Statistics N WIDTH (mm.) THICKNESS (mm.) Valid N (listwise)

Minimum 7 1

100 100 100

Maximum 36 13

Mean 15,45 3,62

Std. Deviation 5,42 2,22

Stratum II. Obsidian Flakes. Descriptive Statistics N WIDTH (mm.) THICKNESS (mm.) Valid N (listwise)

Minimum 9 2

16 16 16

Maximum 23 9

Mean 15,63 4,25

Std. Deviation 3,88 2,02

9.2. Obsidian blades Stratum I . Obsidian blades. Descriptive Statistics N WIDTH (mm.) THICKNESS (mm.) Valid N (listwise)

109 109 109

Minimum 4 1

Maximum 19 5

Mean 10,89 2,97

Std. Deviation 2,95 ,98

Stratum II. Obsidian blades. Descriptive Statistics N WIDTH (mm.) THICKNESS (mm.) Valid N (listwise)

45 45 45

Minimum 6 1

Maximum 14 5

Mean 9,07 2,69

Std. Deviation 2,22 ,92

Table 10. Shaping categories of the lithic assemblage by stratum Shaping categories by Stratum

STRATUM

Stratum I Stratum II

Total

Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum

Shaping Categories Waste Use-wear Tools 158 46 114 49,7% 14,5% 35,8% 43 20 19 52,4% 24,4% 23,2% 201 66 133 50,3% 16,5% 33,3%

Total 318 100,0% 82 100,0% 400 100,0%

Table 11. Tool groups by Stratum Tool Groups by Stratum

GROUPS

Lateral retouched pieces Splintered pieces Projectile points End-scrapers Piercing tools Sickle elements Truncations Others

Total

Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum Count % within Stratum

242

STRATUM Stratum I Stratum II 40 5 35,1% 26,3% 27 6 23,7% 31,6% 22 19,3% 15 2 13,2% 10,5% 6 2 5,3% 10,5% 1 3 ,9% 15,8% 2 1 1,8% 5,3% 1 ,9% 114 19 100,0% 100,0%

Total 45 33,8% 33 24,8% 22 16,5% 17 12,8% 8 6,0% 4 3,0% 3 2,3% 1 ,8% 133 100,0%

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE Table 12. Distribution of lithic artifacts in Stratum II (EH) according to phase

3.1.1 Tools with lateral retouch This group consists chiefly of obsidian blades with unilateral and bilateral retouch. It is the most numerous tool group, encompassing more than one-third of the total of Neolithic tools (40 pieces, 25%) (Fig.2). The modes of retouch (in order of frequency) are: semi-abrupt continuous, denticulation, bilateral marginal or invasive), but they do not appear in enough repeated combinations to permit classification into representative sub-categories. However, we consider that some systematic repetitions of certain categories of retouch have significance, and for this reason we present these categories in greater detail.

Stratum II ( EH). Shaping categories

Shaping categories

Wast e Core s Tools Usewear

Total

Count % within Phase Count % within Phase Count % within Phase Count % within Phase Count % within Phase

Phase EH IIa EH IIb 19 24 45,2% 58,5% 1

Total 43 51,8% 1

2,4%

1,2%

6 14,6% 10 24,4% 41 100,0%

19 22,9% 20 24,1% 83 100,0%

13 31,0% 10 23,8% 42 100,0%

Blades with semi-abrupt bilateral marginal retouch constitute the most interesting category, and the only one which appears with a relatively high frequency in Stratum I (Fig. 2: 166, 389). Sometimes we have alternating retouch (Fig. 2:71), or a combination of invasive and semi-abrupt retouch.

Table 13. Stratum II. Tool groups by phase Stratum II. Tools Stratum II EH IIa EH IIb 5

Lateral retouched pieces

Count

Splintered pieces

Count

3

1

End-scrapers

Count

1

1

Piercing tools

Count

2

Sickle elements

Count

1

2

Truncations

Count

1

2

Count

13

6

Total

Denticulated tools normally have semi-abrupt retouch, but these do not make up a significant category of tools in Stratum I (Fig. 2: 218). Discontinuous denticulations and notches are common in the use-wear category of tools. As a characteristic of secondary use, denticulations are also met with in other categories of tools, above all among sickles.

Total 5 26,3% 4 21,1% 2 10,5% 2 10,5% 3 15,8% 3 15,8% 19 100,0%

A large blade of white flint bears lateral invasive direct retouch. Retouch is regular, flat, and sub-parallel, and must have been executed by pressure. The blade’s cutting edges are slightly denticulated, but without abrasion or gloss (Fig. 2: 232, Plate 15). This piece, which must initially have been quite long, is an exceptional example of a tool with continuous retouch made from high-quality flint; it recalls analogous tools of the Rachmani period.

- As regards the materials used, flint is employed almost exclusively for tools: of 33 flint flaked pieces from the settlement, only three have not been retouched. Thus, flint tools arrived at the settlement already retouched. One encounters flint, largely in the form of retouched tools (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981: 55-60, Perlès 1982, 1617), both in Neolithic Thessaly and in other regions of mainland Greece. The same holds true for the artifacts from EH and MH Lerna (Runnels 1985, 367). We therefore should not think that obsidian and flint are interchangeable materials. Rather, there were reasons – probably functional ones – that influenced the choice of materials employed in tool-making. Furthermore, while obsidian tools could be manufactured in situ, flint tools arrived at the site already retouched.

3.1.2 Splintered pieces The Neolithic stratum yielded 27 splintered pieces representing 16.9% of the settlement’s Neolithic tools (Table 11, Fig. 2, Plates 10-11). Most of the splintered pieces are from obsidian (25/27). The splintered pieces are chiefly first-stage with scars from splintering only at the extremities (Fig. 2: 112), or, less frequently, secondstage with bifacial scars (Fig. 2: 466, 467, 225). There are a fewbatonets, triangular fragments splintered off from the sides of the piece (Fig. 2, 118, Plate10:1, Plate11:1). Splintered pieces are very numerous at Neolithic settlements; for example, they represent one-fourth of the tools of Neolithic Thessaly and one-sixth of those from Kitsos Cave. Perhaps it is to be connected with common activities in the working of soft materials such as wood or bone. These activities have been marginalized in Stratum II.

The Neolithic stratum’s tool kit is dominated by four main groups of tools (Table 11). The most numerous group is composed of blanks with lateral retouch (35.1%), followed by the group of splintered pieces (pièces esquillées) (23.7%). There then come two groups of tools senso strictu (13.2%): projectile points and endscrapers. The next groups, consisting of piercers, sickles, and truncated pieces, though typologically clear and distinctive, include only a few pieces each. Below we present each of these groups of tools in somewhat greater detail.

3.1.3 Projectile points Technically and numerically, projectile points for arrows and spears are the most important group of tools from Stratum I (Fig. 3, Pl. 6-10). They are characterized by a high degree of retouch, which gives a clear and standard243

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE ized form to the blank, thus making it possible to group them into techno-morphological sub-categories.

of the Kitsos Cave (Fig. 3). We thus have a unique assemblage which makes it possible for us to examine the structure of an entire corpus of projectile points belonging to the Final Neolithic.

Furthermore, projectile points are the only type of flaked tool which can have chronological significance. Tanged points appear in mainland Greece, the Cyclades, and the eastern Aegean – i.e., across a wide geographical horizon – at the beginning of the Late Neolithic. In contrast to the Near East, there are no tanged points in Greece during the earlier Neolithic periods.56

For the classification of the points of Ayios Dhimitrios, we retained as our main distinguishing feature the morphology of the base, that is, that part of the point which was fitted into the shaft. In the case of tanged points, one discerns variations regarding the shaping and length of the tang, the degree of elongation of the barbs, and the degree of retouch on the face(s). Ayios Dhimitrios yielded no notched points.59

Saliagos is the first settlement that yielded a large number of projectile points, in such numbers that they characterized the ‘Saliagos Culture’ at the outset of the Late Neolithic. From this site came the largest assemblage of points we know of to date from the Neolithic Aegean.57 They were grouped in four categories, according to whether they possessed a tang and barbs, and whether they displayed bifacial retouch. Tanged points predominate at Saliagos, followed by a category unknown in mainland Greece, that of large ovates (leaf-shaped spearpoints). However, there are no triangular spear-points from Saliagos, which is in accord with the early date of the site.

1. Points with tangs and barbs (16) This is the most numerous group in Stratum I (15 obsidian, 1 flint). The tang is normally formed in a portion of the butt of the blank. They are well preserved; thirteen are intact, or nearly so, and there are two upper sections (one of flint) and one tang (Pl. 3-4). According to the extent of retouch of the head, techniques for shaping the barbs (lateral protuberances at the point where the head and tang joined, extending outwards from the shaft, possessed ballistic importance), and the morphology and length of the tang, we distinguish four subcategories, each however having only a small number of exemplars.

Kitsos yielded the second-largest assemblage of points belonging to the Late Neolithic: 41 tanged points, and two leaf-shaped ones (Perlès, 1981, 175-186). The effort to classify the tanged points from Kitsos using factor analysis involving techno-morphological and measurement data did not end in a clear classification of the points. However, the overall pattern which emerged from this classification according to the two main parameters (morphology/size) is useful for an understanding of the structure of the whole assemblage, which is essentially composed of three sub-groups: small points with a short tang, rhomboid points, and elongated points with a short tang (Perlès & Ambroise 1981, 175-186, Fig. 120). Many other Neolithic sites of the 5th and 4th millennia BC have produced small assemblages of projectile points, to which we will not make detailed reference here. We should stress the fact that normally the number of projectile points found at Neolithic settlements in mainland Greece is small. For example, new excavations in Neolithic Dimini have yielded a total of only eight tanged points.58 There are 22 projectile points from Stratum I at Ayios Dhimitrios, thus making it the settlement which to date has yielded the third-largest number of points after Saliagos and Kitsos (figure 3, Plate 3-7). We consider it very important that the points from Ayios Dhimitrios came from an undisturbed stratum belonging only to the Early Final Neolithic (p. 48, 97), without contamination from earlier periods, as happens for example, in the case 56 We do not refer here to some geometric microliths of the first phases of the Neolithic, which may have served as tranversal projectile points. 57 A total of 249 points are referred to (Evans and Renfrew 1968, 56). 58 Together with 10 projectile points Tsountas notes from Dimini, this number is very low for a site which was investigated over such a large expanse.

1.

Retouch of the head is bifacial, accomplished with pressure, and slightly irregular. (Only one example has oblique, sub-parallel bifacial retouch and a perfectly symmetrical profile). The tang, shaped in a similar manner, is long and fully developed, with converging edges. The barbs are shaped with bifacial notches during the final stage of production. The barbs are small and symmetrical; in some cases, there may be only one barb, making the point symmetrical (Fig.3: 457, 129, 324, 93, Pl.3: 1-3.).

2.

The head is formed by lateral retouch (with invasive bifacial or alternating retouch). In this category, much of the face of the blank remains plain. The barbs are formed by notches, while the tang may be short or long. Normally the blank is an obsidian blade, with a small amount of retouch. There is much variation in the sharpening of the tip, and in the form of barbs and tang (Fig.3: 2 a, 38, 455, 202, Plate 3:4, 9-11).

3.

Rhomboid points constitute a characteristic variant. They are formed by marginal semiabrupt bifacial retouch of tang and head, are quite wide, and have a sharp tang (Fig. 3: 17, 69, Plate 3: 7-8).

59 It is well known that notched points appear during the EH period, but predominate in the MH and LH (Torrence 1979: 22-23, Runnels 1985:372).

244

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 6. Distribution of Barbed and Tanged Points. 1. Paramythia: Dakaris et al., 1964, 209, fig.6:6; 2. Hermones, Corfu: Lintovois, oral communication; 3. Choirospilia Cave, Lefkas: Velde, 1913, fig.8; 4. Kephallonia: Marinatos, 1960, 43, pl. 17; 5. Sesklo: Tsountas, 1908, pl. 42:3; 6. Pefkakia, Thessaly: Weisshaar, 1977, pl.75:12; 121:2,3; 153: 14, 15; 7. Dimini: Tsountas, 1908, pl. 42:1, 3-7; 8. Phthiotic Thebes: Weisshaar, 1984, 6, fig. 8:6; 9. Ayia Sofia Magoula: Milojčič, 1976, Pl.25:9; 10. Skyros: Diamant, 1977, 184; 11. Elateia: Weinberg, 1962, pl. 70h, 1.2-3; 12. Rizopyrgos, Aliveri, Euboia: Sampson, 1980, 138; 13. Varka-Psachna, Euboia: Sampson, 1980, 84, fig.57; 14. Vrana, Marathon: Diamant, 1977, 381-386, figs. 2, 3; 15. Athens, Acropolis: Skias, 1902, 128, fig.3; 16. Athens, Acropolis: Levi, 1930/31, 483, fig.67 i.1; 17. Philothei, Athens: Emmanuelides, 1969, fig. 1a-e; 18. Ayios Ioannis, Lavreotiki: Diamant, 1977, 384; 19. Kitsos Cave: Perlès, 1981, 175-188, pl. VIII; 1-18; 20. Corinth: Kosmopoulos, 1948, 70, Pl.3b, 4e,f; Robinson and Weinberg, 1960, Pl.63g: 4-6; Lavezzi, 1978, 425, Pl.106: 66-71; 21. Prosymna: Blegen, 1937, 457, fig.32:2; 22. Lerna: Belmont and Renfrew, 1964, 400; Banks, 1967, 159-177; 23. Asine: Frödin and Persson, 1938,243, fig.175:4; 24. Franchthi Cave: Jacobsen, 1969, 7 top left nos. 1, 3, 4; 1973, 82, fig.10; pl. 17b; Diamant, 1974, figs. 4.9; 4.10; 25. Didyma, Argolid: Diamant, 1977, 384; 26. Thermisi Kastro, Argolid: Diamant, 1974,7, 384; 27. Kouphovouno-Lakonia: Diamant, 1977, 384; 28. Alepotrypa Cave: Papathanasopoulos, 1971, fig.21; 29. Voidokoilia: Korres, 1977, pl.147b; 1979, 139, fig.1d; 30. Ayios Dhimitrios: present work, Appendix III; 31. Paura, Keos: Coleman, 1977, pl.95; 32. Mavrispilia, Mykonos; Belmont and Renfrew, 1964, Pl. 126; 33. Saliagos: Evans and Renfrew, 1968, figs. 65-66, pl.37; 34. Vouni, Antiparos: Evans and Renfrew, 1968, 74-75, fig.74: 2-5, pl.56b; 35. Naxos: Belmont and Renfrew, 1964, 399; 36. Melos: Belmont and Renfrew, 1964, 399; 37. Siphnos: Wagner et al., 1980, 75, pl.1.

245

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE points.60 There are none at Saliagos, where in the final habitation phase ovates, a category of large ovoid points which are not found on the mainland, (Evans and Renfrew 1968, 56-58) predominate. In contrast, we know of examples of triangular points from Kitsos (two fragments from what were probably large points), and two from Kephala (Coleman 1977, Pl.78). Significant for this site was the fact that the two points were found in a cemetery, one in grave 35 containing a male burial. In Thessaly, triangular spearpoints are rather elongated and come in two sizes; they are found at Sesklo, Dimini, Pirgos, and Rachmani (Tsountas, Pl. 42:14, 15, 17, 18; Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981, Pl. 10:14). Triangular points seem to have been rare in the Peloponnese (one, of white flint, comes from Asea) (Holmberg 1944, 129). The most interesting examples were found in the Final Neolithic levels of the Franchthi Cave (Jacobsen 1976: 80).

Finally, two points have a peculiar tang-tongue formed by alternating oblique semi-truncations, straight or curved (Fig. 3:172, 152, plate 4). One of the two points of this category is very small (Fig. 3: 152). The second bears abrasion on its edges; this should be connected with a particular use for this point (Fig. 3: 172). Dimensions of tanged points vary (Chart 5-6). Length ranges from 14-29 mm (average 21.77 mm., SD: 4.34 mm. N=13p.); average width of the tanged points is 10.31 mm, with a small deviation from the median (SD: 2.84 mm.). All the above indicate that the morphological variation of tanged points is owing to the modes of shaping the head, the tang, and the barbs. The first category includes the best-formed points, due to bifacial retouch of their head and tang. The other categories exhibit a careless shaping of the head, simply correcting the outline of the blank (sharpening the tip, shaping a short tang, forming small barbs with notches). Despite the presence of common technical traits in all four categories, each point is unique, and thus we are not dealing with standardized production which followed a single prototype. For this reason we believe that here we have to do with individualized construction by users rather than systematic production by specialized craftsmen. This variability of form may also be connected with functionality (one determined by the prey).

The triangular sperpoints of Ayios Dhimitrios, like the majority of flint products at the settlement, were not incorporated into a local production chain. It is highly probable that they were products of exchange, produced by artisans specializing in the working of high-quality flint. The poor state of preservation of most of them shows that they were actually used, even though it has also been proposed that they were luxury goods with symbolic function (Torrence 1979). The discovery of spearheads in burials, as well as the considerable skill required for their manufacture, would support the hypothesis that apart from being utilitarian objects, they must also have had symbolic significance as prestige objects.

2. Triangular spearheads (6) This category of projectiles is clearly distinguished from the tanged points in respect to raw material: all are made of flint. Secondly, they are distinguished for their technomorphological characteristics and dimensions: triangular or leaf-shaped, and formed through total bifacial retouch, and large.

Hunting activities appear to have been especially important for the inhabitants of Stratum Ι. The shapes of arrows and spears, or morphological and size differentiations, are related to the variety of wild animal being hunted, and perhaps to an increase in the hunting of large herbivores (deer). On the basis of the frequency of fauna in the settlement, the bones of red and roe deer represent 14% of the total (Halstead 1987), while the bones of wild hare, the second major prey at the site, represent 1% of the total fauna. Thus, deer and hare-hunting may have been accomplished with spearheads found at the site. Were the forms of arrow- and spearheads, or their morphological features and dimensions, related to specialization with regard to the type of wild animal being hunted? Or perhaps, beyond hunting, might they also be connected with military activities? Nothing confirms the hypothesis that the spearheads were employed for martial purposes; on the other hand, one cannot connect them with certainty to hunting either.

Six spearheads were found in Stratum I, but they were in a poor state of preservation, and only two are complete. One of these is large and triangular (length 40 mm., thickness 6 mm. (Fig. 3:233 Pl.5 and 6:5). The second is small (length 25 mm.), almost isosceles in shape, with convex sides (Fig. 3:197, Pl. 6:2). The other four spearheads are only partly preserved: three must have belonged to large triangular points, while the fourth is leafshaped (Pl. 6: 1, 3, 4 and Plate 7:1). Five of the triangular points were found in Trench Ν100/Ε40, which contained the largest number of points found at the site. We assume that this spatial concentration cannot be hazardous. The mode of bifacial retouch varies: there are some examples with semi-parallel or oblique bifacial retouch. These are tools of exceptional quality, and it is probable that they were subjected to thermal treatment. The variation in the points’ morphology and the uniqueness of each example is increased by variation in color and quality of the flint.

3.1.4 End scrapers The Neolithic stratum of Ayios Dhimitrios yielded 15 end scrapers, representing 13.2% of the total number of tools from this period and constituting the fourth-largest group 60 See present volume Map 6, where most of the sites which have yielded arrow-points. However, it is certain that all Late and Final Neolithic sites had arrow-points in their stone tool repertoire, with the single exception of Crete.

Triangular points are found only in settlements of the Final Neolithic, but they are not as numerous as tanged 246

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE

Map 7. Distribution of Triangular Points. 1. Rachmani: Wace and Thompson, 1912, fig.270q; 2. Magoula Karditsa: Diamant, 1974, 234; 3. Pyrgos: Tsountas, 1908, pl.42:16; 4. Sesklo: Tsountas, 1908, pl.42: 14, 15, 17, 18; 5. Pramanda: Dakaris et als., 1964, fig.3; 6. Choirospilia Cave, Lefkas: Velde, 1913, 1159, fig.2; 7. Kitsos Cave: Perlès, 1981, 170, pl.VII: 7, 8; 8. Kephala: Coleman, 1977, 5, pl.68; 9. Franchthi Cave: Diamant, 1974, figs. 4.11, 4.12; 10. Lerna: Banks, 1967, 159; 11. Asea: Holmberg, 1944, fig.120:5; 12. Ayios Dhmitrios: Present work, Appendix III; 13. Koufiero Cave: Unpublished; 14. Alepotrypa Cave: Papathanasopoulos, 1971a, fig.22.

247

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE of tools at the settlement (Table 11, Fig. 4, Pl. 8 and 9). These are the only tools among which obsidian and flint are equally represented. Flakes of either obsidian or flint predominate among the end scrapers, while the few end scrapers on blades are exclusively of obsidian. Despite the relative abundance of sturdy supports, half were found broken along their long axis. Some of these fractures are intentional (Fig 4: 214, Plate 8:3); most, however, were accidental. In three examples, the end scraper front has been shaped on the butt of the blank, an option we encounter frequently among end scrapers (Fig. 4:236). From the intact examples, we see that the proximal part has been left unmodified; however, there are two end scrapers whose proximal face has been subjected to total retouch, their sides converging to a finished point (Fig. 4: 400, 391, Plate 8:1). This variant is also well known in other Late Neolithic settlements, chiefly in end scrapers of high-quality flint.61 In these cases we may have to do with a composite tool. The end scraper 400 (Fig. 4 Pl.8:1) displays a perfect longitudinal symmetry and delicate, deep pressure retouch on the front. The point on the end scraper’s base does not show any visible traces of use. Perhaps the sharpened form of the base made fitting the tool into a handle easier.

Neolithic settlements (Dimini, Agia Sophia, Kitsos, Koufiero), while they are quite rare in the earlier Neolithic phases, at least as far as we can judge from SE Thessaly. 3.1.5. Piercing tools: piercers and drills (6) Six piercing tools on obsidian blades and one of highquality flint come from the Neolithic stratum of Ayios Dhimitrios (5,3% of the tools Table 11, Figure 5). Two fall within the category of becs (Figure 5:176, 428), and three in the category of drills (Figure 5:104, 209, 228). The second category is technically well-defined: two elongated drills have been shaped on obsidian blades with total semi-abrupt direct lateral retouch. The active point has been formed with bifacial retouch and bears extensive signs of abrasion from rotation. This sort of wear is explained by the drills’ use on hard inorganic materials (stone, shells, or pottery). Drill 104 (Figure 5) is the only flint drill in the group, and it has a different morphotechnology: the bit is made by pressure bifacial retouch, it is bulky and convex in section, with semi-parallel, oblique overlapping retouch on the dorsal face. It bears no visible traces of use on its point or sides. This type of retouch recalls the “slugs” of Saliagos, except that in our case we clearly have a less elongated and wider tool.

On the basis of the morphology of the front, Stratum I’s end scrapers belong to the following categories:

The Stratum I yielded only a few pierced objects: two beads made from natural pebbles, pierced by a rather amateurish hole, biconical in section and done with a drill having a maximum diameter of 5 mm. Two drills (no 319 and 228) were found in the same context, but we have no indication that they were connected with the making of these beads. A large pebble of unknown provenance bears the signs of having been pierced by a drill, with four unfinished holes at the ends of its two main axes.

1. End scrapers on a flake of flint with a broad, circular front (6 tools): This is the largest and most characteristic group. The front assumes the shape of a semi-circle, with abrupt regular retouch; the edges are also subjected to regular retouch (Fig. 4:188, 214, 351, Platte 8:2-3). 2. Elongated end scrapers: The blank is a blade, and the end scraper is not very resistant. Retouch of the front is abrupt and denticulated (Fig. 4: 236, 145).

In conclusion, we see that the piercing of hard materials by employing well-formed drills is well documented in the Final Neolithic stratum. These tools do not appear to have been used for specialized production, although they show the use of composite drilling mechanisms, such as the bow-drill, in the Final Neolithic. But these implements are distinct from the large bow-drills of the EH IIa phase of the settlement, which are more specialized tools used for drilling holes of greater diameter and depth.

3. Snouted/Snub-nosed end scrapers: The front is narrower than the body, with the retouched sides of the blank converging to form the front (Fig. 4: 76,65). 4. Composite scrapers: There are 2 end scrapers+points with significant elongation (length/width: 2-2.5) (Fig.4: 400, 391, Plate 8:1). 5. Finally, one end scraper is formed on a bulky triangular blank of poor quality flint, and resembles the so-called keel-shaped end scrapers.

3.1.6. Sickles (1)

We note the rarity of clear macroscopic traces of use on the fronts of the scrapers. There is visible abrasion from use on only two end scrapers (Fig. 4:188,400). Other end scrapers show abrasion on their sides, an example of multiple or alternative uses (Fig. 4:145).

Only one coarse flint blade from Stratum I could be considered a sickle by virtue of its bearing characteristic sickle gloss on its left edge (Plate 2:5). The cutting-edge was unretouched. The gloss extends diagonally up its long axis. No other artefact from Stratum I bears macroscopic traces of use which could be connected to reaping.

Use of these tools for the scraping of skins can only be advanced as a hypothesis, since there was no study of their use traces. End scrapers are more numerous in Late

3.1.7. Truncated pieces (3) Three tools of transparent, fine-grained flint are quite exceptional artifacts. They have undergone a high degree

61 We know of analogous examples from Dimini (Μοundrea 1981: Ρ1.5), Agia Sophia (Milojčič 1976, Fig. 23:1 5) , and the Kitsos Cave (Perlès 1981, P1,VI:2).

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE technical activities which incorporate piercing (e.g., jewelry-making) are but little developed.

of retouch, and could be sickle elements, but they are missing the characteristic use traces. These are two elongated parallelograms, formed on prismatic, regular flint blades (Fig. 6: 358, 430, Plate 9:4-5), and formed by continuous bifacial marginal pressure retouch; both ends bear truncation at a perfect right angle to their long axis. One is preserved in its entirety, while the other preserves only its distal section, but there is no question of its being a tool of the same type. They are probably two inserts from the same composite cutting tool, and indeed came from the same context (Trench N85/Ε45). We know of no parallels for this sort of tool, which stands out among the tools of Stratum I for the geometric perfection of its outline and high-quality material. They recall the denticulated flint sickle elements from the final EH stage at Lerna IV(Runnels 1985, Fig:10,C); the latter, however, do not display the technical perfection of the two rectangular pieces from Ayios Dhimitrios.

We may deduce that the near-total absence of sickles from Ayios Dhimitrios’ Final Neolithic phase must reflect the absence of harvest-related activities in Stratum I. There are no preserved grain seeds in the settlement (pp. 13, 96), although it is certain that the millstones and grindstones are connected with grinding and foodprocessing. But there is nothing to confirm that cultivation and gathering of cereals at harvest were carried out by the inhabitants of Stratum I. As regards the absence of harvesting tools, Ayios Dhimitrios offers a clear contrast to Neolithic sites of the 6th and 5th millennia. Sickles normally make up the most numerous tool group in agricultural communities of the Early and Middle Neolithic. In Southeast Thessaly there has been observed a decrease in the frequency of sickles during the Late Neolithic (Moundrea-Agrafioti 1981, 1983). At Kitsos, a site probably contemporary with Ayios Dhimitrios, sickles are also in short supply (five examples, 2.5 % of the cave’s tools). On the basis of other data, the excavator surmised that Ayios Dhimitrios was likely to have been a settlement of pastoralists. The absence of sickles supports this hypothesis, while the points and end scrapers may be linked to the activities of herdsmen (hunting, processing of skins) who moved from winter to summer locations according to season.

3.1.8. Others Finally, a bifacial denticulated tool in Stratum I is also unique(Fig. 5: 163, Plate 7). The blank is a flake of finegrained, light-colored, translucent flint. Its dorsal face bears a envading or covering retouch. Its sides are slightly denticulated by bifacial large retouch, extending far down the proximal extremity of the blank and forming a large notch. This piece clearly recalls the denticulated sickle elements of the Early and Middle Bronze Age.

4. The lithic industry of Stratum II 3.2.

Conclusions: Stratum I

The settlement’s second stratum, which is dated to the EH II period, yielded a smaller number of knapped implements (total 83 artefacts) (Table 2). Each of the two EH phases yielded an almost identical number of pieces (41 from Stratum IIa [EH I/II] and 42 from Stratum IIb (advanced phase of EH II) (Table 1). The provenance of the lithic industry of Stratum II is entirely different from that of Stratum I. In Stratum II, we have artefacts found primarily within, and on the floors, of the two EH houses, while the lithic industry of Stratum I belonging to the Final Neolithic come mostly from pits, and display a high density of artefacts.

To summarize our conclusions concerning the tools in Stratum I, we have determined that the settlement’s Final Neolithic habitation phase presents a comprehensive tool assemblage, with tools grouped into basic technomorphological categories, but showing significant variations within each group. Many of the tools in Stratum I are not encountered in Stratum II, which is in general poorer in respect to both number and variety of tools. The tools in the Neolithic stratum were fashioned with a significant amount of intervention in the shapingout of the blank, through either lateral or bifacial retouch. Pressure retouch, which creates delicate removals, invasive or overlapping the faces, is a type of retouch which involves significant shaping of the blank, and which further creates predetermined forms. The points, barbed and tanged or triangular, extend the bifacial retouch tradition to its furthest limits; however, it is also encountered in rectangular denticulated sickle elements in the following period. The optimum type of retouch is met in flint products imported into the settlement, which appear as tools of unique shapes.

The small number of knapped tools from this phase makes comparisons with the lithics of the Neolithic habitation phase of Ayios Dhimitrios difficult. Thus, only a limited number of comparisons between the two phases are possible. However, comparisons between the two are of particular interest, as we analyzed in Chapter 2 above, in order to ascertain any possible changes in debitage strategies and tool shaping techniques. We present below the knapped stone industry of the two EH phases separately, because these artefacts were found chiefly within the two houses, and there is value in presenting them in context.

The main activities represented by the tool groups are quite distinct. Tools with lateral retouch must be connected with cutting activities. Splintered pieces – tools a posteriori – are connected with the working of soft materials, such as bone or wood. Projectile points and spearpoints testify to increased hunting and/or military activities. End scrapers indicate the processing of skins;

4.1.

The lithic industry of phase IIa

Obsidian appears in the first EH phase in lower frequency than in the Final Neolithic (34 tools). No cores were found in Stratum IIa, but some technical by-products may 249

AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE be connected with the production of obsidian blades by pressure technique (first and second-series crested blades, pressure platform rejuvenation flakes, cortical byproducts etc.) (Figure 1:91, 34). The flint of Stratum IIa is opaque, and is exclusively light-colored; it is found only in a select number of products.

than 7 mm. and perhaps to pierce deep holes through stone objects. However, no object with an analogous pierced holes was found in the environment of House B, or in Ayios Dhimitrios Statum II more generally. From phase IIa comes an obsidian end-scraper of a different shape than the broad semi-circular endscrapers of the Final Neolithic. It has a keel-shaped front and ends in a natural triangle at its base (Figure 4:259). The shaping of this end-scraper recalls a surface find from Ayios Dhimitrios which may be MH: an end-scraper with its proximal part shaped in bilateral convexities by direct retouch (Figure 4: 291). A comparable end-scraper comes from Lerna IV (EH III) (Runnels 1985: fig. 12).

Blades in Stratum IIa appear in quantities higher than those in which they appear in the Neolithic stratum (62,5% of the minimal number of blanks of this phase are blades), but their frequency is noticeably higher in phase IIb. As we will see below, this is due to exploitation of the blade cores in situ in House A. With regard to their technical features, the blades of the Strarum IIa are produced in much the same way we have described for the Final Neolithic. Pressure debitage is exerted on a faceted, prepared pressure platform, without removal of the overhang. However, prismatic blades and bladelets with trapezoidal in section, are more abundant in this phase than in the Neolithic layer, an indication of more regular application of the pressure technique, and possibly, of changes in its method of implementation.

This phase yielded an exceptional denticulated element of brown fine quality flint, with a pronounced oblique sheen, a sickle gloss on its cutting edge, which has been rejuvenated with discontinuous denticulations. It has been shaped into a semi-circle with bifacial semi-abrupt retouch on its back, the part which fitted into the handle (Figure 6:253, Plate 12). Analogous denticulated sickle elements are found in phase IV at Lerna (EH III), but the example from Ayios Dhimitrios is older (EH I/II). The discovery of this denticulated sickle element in a welldated context is particularly important because it establishes that these characteristic geometric sickles, made exclusively from flint, had already made their appearance in the initial phases of EH II. Comparable geometric sickle elements are usually found in MH levels.

The tools The percentage of tools is low in Stratum IIa (31% of the total) (Table 11). Half of the debitage by-products, mainly flakes, remained unretouched and with no visible use traces (45,2%), while one-fourth of the implements show peripheral use traces (23,8%). Table 12 presents the shaping categories encountered in the two phases of Stratum II. We observe the very low numerical representation in each category, as well as the relative “poverty” of tools modified by retouch in phase IIb.

Finally, we note the presence of a tool with double truncation in the shape of a parallelogram (Figure 6:250), which clearly belongs to the tradition of composite tools, with a cutting edge created by composite elements of a pre-determined length. We also note that this tool is much inferior in quality of manufacture to the two flint parallelograms from Stratum I (Figure 6:358, 430).

Thirteen tools come from House B in Stratum IIa (Table 13). As would be expected, the tools with lateral retouch and the splintered pieces display no particularities, given that in both cases we are dealing with tools a posteriori. In contrast, the tools modified by retouch – end-scrapers, piercers, sickles, and truncated pieces – are preserved intact and present a high degree of retouch.

In summary, we would stress that the initial EH phase at Ayios Dhimitrios yielded technically developed tools representing agricultural or technical activities. But they are so few in number that we cannot derive any conclusions regarding the importance of the technical activities in this phase. The tool which is notable for its absence for the EH layer at Ayios Dhimitrios is the projectile points, thus declaring the absence of hunting/military activities in this transitional phase of EHI/II, and clearly distinguishing it from the previous Stratum I, the Final Neolithic, in which projectile points constituted an exceptionally numerous tool group.

Two obsidian piercing tools of exceptional quality come from the area of the walls of House B. One is a piercer on a pointed flake, formed by lateral semi-abrupt direct retouch. It has pronounced traces of abrasion created by cyclical movement on the bit, and further abrasion along the entire length of its sides (Figure 5:1). The second tool is an elongated drill on an obsidian blade, with its base shaped into a long tang for hafting (Figure 5:17). This tool is symmetrical, produced by semi-abrupt retouch of its sides and bifacial overlapping retouch on its point and tang.62 It has pronounced abrasion from cyclical movement on the bit, but not on its sides. We may hypothesize that this tool is related to a more developed form of drill than that of the drills nr. 228 and 209 belonging to the Final Neolithic, to which it displays a number of similarities. It was meant to open holes with a diameter greater

4.2.

The lithic industry of Stratum IIb

A relatively small number of knapped tools (41) come from the second EH habitation phase of the settlement (Stratum IIb, EH II); these were found chiefly within House A (Table 12). One core and a large number of unretouched blanks represent two-thirds of the lithic industry of Stratum IIb; the number of retouched tools is exceptionally small ( 6 pieces, 14,6%, Table 12). House A is a large rectangular building 11.60 m. in length, divided

62

The projectile points of arrows are frequently used as drills, but in the case of tool 17 we have a tanged drill.

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE into three rooms. Destroyed by fire, it preserved most of its finds in situ. The percentage of obsidian is quite high in House A: 90% of the knapped artefacts are made from obsidian, while each of the two light-coloured flint objects are of unique varieties of flint.

this phase (Table 13). The small number of shaped tools points more generally to the basic difference between the two periods (Stratum I and ΙΙ). This difference is chiefly owed to the absence of projectile points from Stratum II. Arrow-points are exceptionally few in the EH phases of Lerna as well,64 where they are tanged but with a notch in the base as well, a new characteristic Bronze Age type of arrow head which first appears in Lerna III (EH II). At Ayios Dhimitrios, not a single arrow-point was found in context with the fill of Stratum II. It would appear that there is also a difference in tool frequencies between the two phases of Stratum II. There are only six tools belonging to phase IIb. But we should be cautious about drawing conclusions from such a small assemblage as that of Stratum II.

The particularity of the knapped finds in House A lies in the possibility of reconstructing a part of the production chain of prismatic pressure blades originating from the same core (blade core nr. 5, found together with a number of prismatic blades, small platform rejuvenation flakes and chips). It was possible to re-fit some of the debitage products to the surface of the debitage and the platform of the tabular core (Figure 1: 5, 6, 4, 7, Plate15). The core and related debitage come from room III in House A, which the excavator called the ‘kitchen’, and where we had the good fortune to ascertain that obsidian pressure blades must have been removed in situ.63 The tabular core has been widened by a narrow faceted pressure platform, and it is in the final stage of blade removal (its length does not exceed 40 mm.). A series of blades came from an earlier stage of pressure blade removals, as well as the small rejuvenation flakes from the core’s pressure platform. Blades were removed only from one face of the core. From the negatives preserved on the core’s surface, the tactic for blade removal is discerned: blades were detached alternately and at a distance from each other. Thus, the detachment of each blade was prepared for by two parallel ridges, without removal of the core’s overhang, and at right angles to the pressure platform. Among the blades in Stratum II, 85.2% have a faceted or dihedral butt, versus a much smaller percentage for such morphology among the blades in Stratum I (60%) (Table 7). Nearly all the blades found in context with the tabular core have a faceted butt. This shows either that these blades came from a single core – and by extension, testify to the presence of a craftsman who employed the pressure technique to remove blades in sequence using the same technical procedure – or, more generally, to a high degree of standardization in the pressure removal of blades during phase IIb of the settlement. Both hypotheses seem equally probable. Another distinguishing feature of pressure blade removal during this phase is the deviation of the point of application of pressure from the orientation of the blades axis, and the oblique placement of the punch on the core platform during application of pressure (Figure 1: 6,9,7,4). Finally, the average width of the blades in Stratum II is ca. 9 mm., and with a smaller deviation from the mean than in Stratum I (Table 9.2, Chart 3, and 4) These characteristics show, I believe, an evolution of the pressure technique in relation to the Final Neolithic.

The only obsidian tools from Stratum IIb at Ayios Dhimitrios are two truncated pieces on obsidian blades (oblique truncations) (Figure 6: 275, 271, Plate 17:4). An endscraper has been shaped on the distal part of a delicate plunging obsidian blade (Plate 17. 3). The most interesting tools of this phase are two flint sickles, both found in the area of the hearth in Room III, House Α (p. 64). The first, made of red flint, has suffered severe fracturing as a result of fire (Figure 6: 405, Plate 17.2). The other sickle is an exceptional tool, formed on a large prismatic blade from light-colored flint with a gloss on one side. The sickle blade had been broken and was found at two different locations within House A. This is a typical Early Bronze Age sickle on a elongate prismatic blade with inverse regular denticulation which rejuvenated the cutting edge, dulled during reaping (Fig: 6:414, Plate 16 a and b). Comparable flint sickle blades with unilateral or bi-lateral inverse denticulations are known from Lerna III (EH II) and Learn IV (EH III) (Runnels 1985, 370, figs.7 and 13). But at Lerna sickles are numerous, representing a significant portion of the EH tool assemblage. From the above, we may discern a clear differentiation of the tool kit associated with the third phase of the settlement, the advanced EH II phase (Stratum IIb) from those of the two previous phases. Obsidian tools are characterized in this phase by a rudimentary level of shaping, while the use of plain obsidian blades is frequent. The sickles made from fine-grained flint are imported tools, and in this respect Ayios Dhimitrios resembles other EH sites. It is important that this small EH settlement in the western Peloponnese could share the same networks for supplying rare raw materials and tools as other, larger sites, but it would seem that they obtained them only to a limited extent. There are no indications at all of specialized industrial activities in phase IIb. The excavator determined the presence of some exploitation activity on a limited scale in Room III of House A. However, we believe that the information provided by the core cluster of blades and by-products of debitage from the same space is extremely important for the information it provides concerning the conditions of obsidian pressure blade re-

4.2.1. The tools of phase IIb In contrast to the abundant information we can draw from the implements in Stratum IIb regarding obsidian blade removal, the degree of shaping of tools is quite low in 63 In this room, where the destruction layer and most of the household’s equipment were preserved, a number of household activities occurred, around or in connection with the central hearth (see Chapter 6 this volume).

64 Five projectile points were recorded, among a total of 218 tools (2.3% of the total of tools from Lerna III).

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AYIOS DHIMITRIOS, A PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PELOPONNESE The lithics of Ayios Dhimitrios make it possible for us to understand the distinguishing characteristics of a Final Neolithic industry at a peripheral site. The EH settlement was also limited and marginal in comparison to the large EH sites of the period, as Lerna. However, the lithic industries of the settlement’s two periods did participate in a wider system of organization of production strategies and use of knapped stone tools, one based on complex networks of communication connecting both smaller and larger sites within Greece, and uniformly insuring supplies of the requisite imported raw materials, including Melian obsidian and one-of-a-kind implements made from high-quality flint.

moval. Though much has been said regarding the high degree of specialization required by the technology of pressure blade removal, in the case of House A we have proof that the process of removing prismatic obsidian blades could be a small-scale household activity, most probably for the needs of the household itself, which was conducted within the dwelling and not in dedicated work spaces we have been accustomed to calling “workshops.” 5. General conclusions The presentation of the knapped stone industry from the two strata at Ayios Dhimitrios was necessarily an uneven one, given the small number of implements coming from Stratum II. We hope that it has become apparent that we have here two different tool traditions, which present common characteristics in respect to the economy of raw materials involved and the conditions under which these were obtained, but which are also significantly different as concerns both the basic technology employed for pressure blade production as well as their tool kits manufacture traditions. First, there is a great difference between the two strata in the frequency of use of knapped implements. During the Final Neolithic, the lithic industries played an important role, participating in a broad spectrum of technical activities. The tool kit had a great number of a posteriori tools, such as splintered pieces, of tools with lateral useretouch, and tools shaped with a high degree of retouch, such as end-scrapers, drills, and truncated pieces. Furthermore, the many arrow- and spear-points testify to activities which must have been particularly important for the inhabitants of the Final Neolithic, but which are absent from the EH settlement. Similarities were noted between the two strata regarding the means by which the inhabitants obtained obsidian and flint. Obsidian constituted the primary raw material for production of pressure blades used unmodified, as cutting tools, or modified by retouch as piercing tools, and arrow points, all tools which must have been made in situ. Flint arrived at the settlement already pre-shaped into tools and weapons of exceptional morphology, such as endscrapers, geometric truncated pieces, and points for spears. We believe that the rarity of tools which characterizes the EH phases of Ayios Dhimitrios is closely connected to a significant change in industrial and economic activities during the EH period. The analysis of the production chain for obsidian pressure blades production has shown that the inhabitants of the EH phases followed the same basic technology for producing obsidian blades, but that by the EH period they had a better knowledge of how to employ the pressure technique. This knowledge made it possible for them to produce more standardized prismatic blades. The range of the EH inhabitants’ technical activities in which knapped implements had a role is discernibly reduced and slightly differentiated. They concern agricultural activities and basic household uses.

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Figure 1. Obsidian cores, technical pieces and plain pressure blades Obsidian cores. (180: conical blade core, Stratum I, FN. 5: tabular blade core, Stratum IIb, EH II). Technical pieces (Platform rejuvenation flakes: 165 Stratum I; 34, Stratum IIa; crested blade, second series: 91, Stratum IIa). Obsidian pressure blades (irregular blades: 28, 5, 216, 169, 22, 448, Stratum I; regular blades: 254, 323, Stratum IIa, EHI/II; prismatic blades, knapped from core no.5: 6,9,4,7, Stratum IIb, EHII).

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Figure 2. Tools with lateral retouch. Stratum I, FN. Obsidian blades with unilateral (389) or bilateral retouch (direct, 166, or alternate, 71). Large cortical blade with invasive, direct, bilateral pressure retouch. High quality translucent patinated flint (232). Splintered pieces of first (112) or advanced stage of use (466, 467, 225).

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Figure 3. Projectile points, Stratum I, FN. Tanged and barbed points. With bifacial or semi-bifacial retouch (457, 129, 324, 93). With lateral invasive (2a, 38) or marginal retouch (455, 202. Rhomboidal (9, 17, 69); small points with a tongue formed by obliques semi-truncations (172, 152). All obsidian. Triangular spearheads, small (197) or large (233), both from flint.

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Figure 4. Endscrapers, Stratum I, FN. Endscrapers with semi-circular front (188, 214, 351); elongated endscrapers on blades (236, 145); composite tools endscrapers/points (400, 391); nosed end-scrapers (76, 65). Stratum I. Carinated endscrapers (259, Stratum IIa, 291, surface). All flnt; 236, 391, 145, 259 obsidian.

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Figure 5. Piercing tools, Strata I and II (FN, EH) Becs (176, 428) and drills (104, 228, 209, Stratum I); 17: Drill with a tang at the proximal end, Stratum ΙΙa); 1: piercer on flake (Stratum ΙΙa) . All of obsidian, no 104 of light coloured flint. 163: Foliated piece: Proximal part of a foliated denticulate, light colored flint, Stratum IΙa.

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Figure 6. Varia. Parallelograms, truncations, sickles. Truncations. 358, 430: bi-truncated elements on regular prismatic blades of fine quality flints, Stratum I. 250: bi-truncated irregular element, obsidian, Stratum IIb. Sickles. 253: Large denticulate sickle-element with bifacial invasive retouch and large denticulations, brown flint, Stratum IIa. 275,: fragment of a sickle-blade, bi-lateral gloss. 271: Elongated sickle on a prismatic blade with inverse regular denticulation. Fine quality banded flint, Stratum IIb.

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Plate 1. Obsidian blades, Stratum I, FN.

Plate 2. Coarse grained flint Flakes of low quality flint (1-4) Sickle, Stratum I, FN (5)

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Plate 3. Projectile points, obsidian, Stratum I, FN

Plate 4. Small projectile points.

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Plate 5. Triangular foliated spearhead. Flint stratum I, FN

Plate 6. Spearheads from different varieties of high quality flint. Stratum I, FN.

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Plate 7. Large foliated spear point, fragment, Stratum I, FN. Foliated denticulate, proximal fragment, Stratum IIa, EHI/II. Different varieties of high quality flint.

Plate 8. End-scrapers. Brown flint. Stratum I, FN.

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Plate 9. Tools and spearheads from different varieties of high quality flint. Stratum I, FN.

Plate 10. Splintered pieces in an initial stage of use, obsidian, Stratum I, FN

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Plate 11. Splintered pieces in an advanced state of use. Obsidian, stratum I, FN

Plate 12. Sickle denticulate element, brown flint, Stratum IIa, EH I/II

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Plate 13. Obsidian blades, crested blade, second series (91), Stratum II a, EH I/II

Plate 14. Obsidian prismatic blades, Stratum II b, EH II

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Plate 15. Obsidian tabular core and related prismatic bladelets, Stratum IIb, House A, Kitchen, EH II

Plate 16. Sickle blade with unilateral gloss and regular inverse denticulations. High quality yellow flint, stratum IIb, House A, EH II.

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