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Knossos, the Little Palace North Project, Part I: the Early Greek Periods1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2011

E. Hatzaki ,
M. Prent ,
J.N. Coldstream ,
D. Evely  and
A. LIvarda
E. Hatzaki
Affiliation:
University of Cincinnati
M. Prent
Affiliation:
VU University Amsterdam
J.N. Coldstream
Affiliation:
University College London
D. Evely
Affiliation:
BSA Knossos
A. LIvarda
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
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Abstract

This article is the first of a series presenting the results of two seasons of excavation (2001 and 2002) at the Little Palace North site, Knossos. The excavation was aimed at the exploration of the exposed earth section directly north of the Little Palace, prior to the construction of a drystone wall which was to protect this section from further erosion. While limited in extent, the excavation provided an opportunity to increase our understanding of the layout of the LM and later town and, more generally, of the complex history of occupation of this area, which spans the period from at least the sixteenth century BC to the fourth century AD.

In regard to the early Greek periods, few architectural remains were encountered at the Little Palace North site. Instead, early Greek strata, covering all periods from Subminoan to Orientalizing, yielded evidence for various activities that took place outdoors. These activities included, in one area, the (enigmatic) use of large, clay-lined 'pans' and, in another, metal-working. The results add to our knowledge of the activities at early Greek Knossos and the spatial organization of the settlement.

The article offers a full discussion of the stratigraphy of the early Greek levels, the associated pottery, small finds, and archaeobotanical material.

Σε αυτό το άρθρο δημοσιεύονται – για πρώτη φορά – τα αποτελέσματα των ανασκαφών (2001 και 2002) στην περιοχή βόρεια του Μικρού Ανακτόρου στην Κνωσό. Σκοπός της ανασκαφής ήταν να ερευνηθεί η αρχαιολογική τομή που βρίσκεται αμέσως βόρεια του Μικρού Ανακτόρου, προτού ανεγερθεί ξερολιθιά με σκοπό να προστατευθεί η τομή από περεταίρω διάβρωση. Παρόλο που ήχαν περιορισμένη σε έκταση, η ανασκαφή μας έδωσε την δυνατότητα να καταλάβουμε καλύτερα την δομή της Υστερομινωικής και υστερότερης πόλης, ιδιαίτερα την πολύπλοκη ιστορία της κατοίκησης της περιοχής από το 160 αιώνα π.Χ. μεχρι και τον 40 αιώνα μ.Χ.

Σχετικά με την πρώιμη Ελληνική εποχή, ελάχιστα οικοδομικά λείψανα βρέθηκαν στην περιοχή βόρεια του Μικρού Ανακτόρου. Παρόλα αυτά, τα αρχαιολογικά στρώματα των πρώιμων Ελληνικών χρόνων καλύπτουν από την Υπομινωική μέχρι την Ανατολίζουσα περίοδο, παρουσιάζοντας ενδείξεις για διαφορες δραστηριότητες οι οποίες ελάμβαναν μέρος σε εξωτερικούς χώρους. Οι δραστηριότητες αυτές συμπεριλάμβαναν την αινυγματική χρήση μεγάλων “τηγανιών” με πήλινη επικαλυψη, όπως και μεταλλουργία. Τα αποτελέσματα προσθέτουν στις γνώσεις μας για τις δραστηριότητες στην πρώιμη Ελληνική Κνωσό αλλά και για τη χωροταξία του οικισμού. Το άρθρο αυτό προσφέρει την πλήρη ανάλυση της στρωματογραφίας, της κεραμεικής, των μικροευρημάτων και του αρχαιοβοτανολογικού υλικού των πρώιμων Ελληνικών χρόνων.

Type
Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 103 , November 2008 , pp. 223 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 2008

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