ήΒ· βΊ h &ÒL

OU·).

THE ISLANDS OF KARPATHOS, SAROS AND

KASOS IN THE NEOLITHIC AND BRONZE AGES

Emmanuel Melas

Thesis submitted for the Ph. D. Degree

Bedford College
University of London
 ABSTRACT

The theoretical objective of this thesis is of a synthetic nature, for

it makes an effort to build up a picture of human activity on the islands
concerned, that is their social, economic and cultural evolution in Pre-
historic times. However, the method followed is largely analytical, since
archaeological data are combined with results from other disciplines in order
to reconstruct the Prehistory of these islands, no matter how incomplete and
unambitious this may be.
A total of 71 Prehistoric sites have been identified so far. Most of
them are on elevated locations near the coast and date from Middle Minoan III
to Late Minoan I. Late and Final Neolithic occupation is also represented by
numerous sites, whereas the scantiness of Early Bronze Age sites may be
attributed to the deficiency of surface investigation and lack of strati-
graphy. During Late Minoan/Late Helladic III the number of sites decreases
and this implies new factors then operating.
In the Neolithic and Early Bronze periods the primitive inhabitants,
who probably came from Anatolia, were pursuing a peaceful life based on a
self-sufficient economy, which involved both food-appropriation and food-
production (mixed farming). External relations are documented by Melian and
Yali obsidian, and by parallel pottery forms. During the following Middle
Minoan and Late Minoan I periods the Minoan colonization brought about
different settlement patterns, social changes and wealth. After the Thera
eruption, c. 1500, which probably had a disastrous effect, there is a radical
change in the occupation patterns and new developments are reflected in the
archaeological record: choice for defensible sites, decrease in the number
of settlements, signs of emerging urbanization and settlement hierarchy.
The arrival of Mycenaeans seems likely and is corroborated by Mycenaean
imports. Yet the culture of the islands remains essentially Minoan to the
end of the Bronze Age.
Chapter One discusses the natural environment of the islands. In
Chapters Two and Three the Prehistoric sites and associated finds are
described. There follows an analysis and relative chronology of the objects
(Chapter Four). In the concluding Chapter Five, a historical reconstruction
is attempted with an emphasis on Prehistoric economy, religion and foreign
contacts, as well as in the historical significance of the successive
transformations of settlement patterns.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of figures 10
Acknowledgements 15
Introduction 16

CHAPTER ONE: THE PHYSICAL BACKGROUND 20

I. Geographical Setting 20
II. The Geology 21
III. Topography and Environment 23
III(A). Karpathos 24
III(B). Saros 28
III(C). Kasos 28
IV. Climatic Conditions 29
V. Hydrography 33
VI. Economic Geography 34
VI(A). Minerals 34
VI(B). Agriculture 35
VI(C). Stock-breeding 36
VI(D). Hunting and Fishing 37
VI (E). Trade 38
VII. Natural Environment and Human Settlement 40

CHAPTER TWO: PREHISTORIC HABITATION 42

I. Southern Karpàthos 42
I(AJ. Pigadia District 42
Al. Tsoulakis' Cave 42
A2. Ayia Kara-Kefali 43
A3. Lothiko 43
A4-6. Skopi 43
A4. Embasi-Diakonis' hotel 43
A5. Anemomiloi and Plateau 44
A6. The Anemomiloi and Makeli cemetery 44
A7. Xenona, Avla and Makeli 45
A8-10.Vroulidia 46
A8. Manolakakis' Land 46
A9. Sfayia 47
AIO. Sevdalis' Land 48
All. Sisamos 48
A12. Acropolis 48
1(B). Area of Lai 49
B13. Karvounolakos 49
 1(C). Region of Laki 49
C14. Vathipotanio 49
C15. Ayioi Apostoloi 49
C16. Sakeli Kremos 50
1(D). Area of Afiartis 50
D17. Kremos Tis Kipou 50
Dl8. Vouno 51
D19. Damatria 52
D20. Tou Stavrou To Kefali 52
D21. Stous Fournous 52
D22. Laspoma 53
D23. Palio Mitato 54
D24. Midi 55
D25. Tripes 55
D26. Lakos 56
D27. Ais Minas 56
D28. Kastelos 57
D29. Psorari 57
D30. Baela 58
D31. Mastikharia 59
D32. Kourouklos 59
D33. Tsigounas 59
1(E). Arkasa District 59
E34. Poliatses 59
E35. Leftoporos 60
E36. Paliokastro 62
E37. Finiki 63
E38. Sakeli Krema 64
E39. Asomatoi 64
E40. Vonies 64
II. Central Karpathos 66
F41. Piles-Romani 66
F42. Aperi-Football field 67
F43. Apela 68
II(G-H) District of Mesokhoria 68
11(G). Lefko s Region 68
G44. Moutsouma 69
G45. Pelekito 70
G46. Ria 70
G47. Arolimna 71
β

G48. Rizes 71
 G50. Mandraki
G51. Vounos
G52. Skamnos
H53. Mesokhori-Kaminakia
III. Northern Karpathos
154. Dafani-Kambi
J55. Avlona
J56. Vroukounda
IV. Saros
K57. Palatia
K58. Argos
K59. Kato-yi
V. Kasos
V(L). Southern Kasos-Khelatros
L60. Trapeza
L61. Kefala
L62. Tou Starnati Ta Lakia
L63. Amoudiarides
V(M). Northern Kasos
M64. Argos
M65 Ellinokamara
M66. Amoua, Faneromeni and Vrisi
M67. TOU Fridiou Tanefama
M68. Emborios
M69. Kato Vounara
M70. Pano Vounara
M71. Poli

CHAPTER THREE: CATALOGUE OF FINDS

CHAPTER FOUR: CLASSIFICATION AND SUMMARY OF OBJ

I. Ceramic I n d u s t r y
1(A). N e o l i t h i c and E a r l y Bronze Age P o t t e r y
a. Fabric
b. Shapes
1. Large Storage Jars and Basins
2. Open Bowls
3. Jars
3(a). Hole-mouthed Jars
3(b). Constricted-neck Jars
3(c). Cylindrical-neck Jars
3(d). Tripod Pots
 5(c)a. MM-LM I Rounded Bowls and Basins 188
5(c)b. LM/LH III Bowls and Basins 189
5(d). Cross-incised Basins 190
6. Goblets and Kylikes 191
6(a). Goblets 191
6(b). Low-stemmed and Medium-sized Kylikes 193
6(c). Tall Kylikes 194
6(d). Plain Kylikes 197
7. Crater and Amphoroid Craters 197
7(a). Crater 197
7(b). Amphoroid Craters 198
8. Three-handled Piriform Jars 208
8(a). Three-handled Pithoid Jar 209
8(b). Broad-mouthed Piriform Jar 211
8(c). High-neck and Narrow-based Piriform
Jars 212
8(d). Piriform Jars of the Standard
Mycenaean Type 214
8(e). Small Piriform Jars 215
9. Stirrup Jars 216
9(a). Storage Stirrup Jars 217
9(b). Medium-sized Piriform Stirrup Jars 218
9(c). Small Piriform Stirrup Jars 220
9(d). Globular-conical Stirrup Jars 221
9(e). Depressed or Squat Globular Stirrup
Jars 222
9(e)a. Squat Globular Stirrup Jars 222
9(e)b. Weighed-down Globular Stirrup Jars 223
9(e)c. Perked-up Globular Stirrup Jars 224
9(e)d. Globular Biconical Stirrup Jars 225
10. Jugs and Ewers 226
10(a). Middle Minoan Ill-Late Minoan I Jugs
and Ewers 226
10(b). Bridge-spouted Jugs, Furumark form 22 228
10(c). Low-beaked Jugs, Furumark form 41 228
10(d). Tall Narrow-necked Ewer 230
10(e). Wide-necked and Broad-mouthed Jugs,
Furumark forms 24-25 231
10(f). Small and Miniature Narrow-necked Jugs 231
11. Oval-mouthed Amphorae 233
12. Hole-mouthed, Bridge-spouted Jars 233
13. Pilgrim Flask 234
14. Cylindrical Side-spouted Jar 235
 d. Plastic Decoration 163
l(B). Middle and Late Bronze Age Pottery 165
a. Summary of pottery characteristics 165
b. Shapes 167
1. Conical Cups 167
1(a). Straight-sided Conical Cups 171
l(a)a. Deep Straight-sided Conical Cups 171
l(a)b. Medium-height Straight-sided
Conical Cups 171
l(a)c. Shallow Straight-sided Conical Cups 172
Kb). Concave-sided Conical Cups 173
1(c). Convex-sided Conical Cups 173
1(d). Convex-concave-sided Conical Cups 173
l(d)a. Deep Convex-concave-sided Conical Cups 173
l(d)b. Shallow and Broad-mouthed Convex-
concave- sided Cups 174
2. Carinated Cups 174
3. Rounded Cups 175
3(a)a. MM III-LM I Semiglobular or Rounded
Cups with Vertical Rims 176
3(a)b. LM III Rounded Cups with Vertical Rims 177
3(b). Rounded Cups with Flat Internally
Bevelled Rims 178
3(c). Bell-shaped Cups 179
3(d)a. MM III-LM I Rounded Cups with
Spreading Rims 179
3(d)b. LM III Rounded Cups with Spreading Rims 180
3(e). Rounded Cups with Everted Rims 181
3(e)a. Rounded Cups with Short Everted Lips 182
3(e)b. Rounded Cups with Long Out-and-Up
Turned Lips 182
3(e)c. Rounded Cups with Off-set, Almost
Horizontal Lips 182
3(e)d. LM III Rounded Cups with Everted Lips 183
4. Saucers and Shallow Plates 185
4(a). Saucers 185
4(b). Shallow Plates 185
5. Bowls and Basins 185
5(a). Straight-sided Bowls and Basins 185
5(a)a. Small Conical Bowls 185
5(a)b. Larger and Deeper Conical Bowls 186
5(a)c. Conical Basins 186
5(b). Concave-sided Bowls and Basins 187
 16. Various Jars 236
16(a). Middle Minoan-Late Minoan I Jar
Fragments 237
16(b). Late Minoan III and Late Helladic III
Jars 238
17. Ritual Vessels 239
17(a). Rhytons 239
17(b). Composite Vessels 242
17(c). Bird-vase and Vase with Plastic Bird
Attachments 243
18. Basket Vases 244
19. Crater Stands 244
20. Coarse Side-spouted Jars 245
21. Pithoi 245
21(a). Pithos Rims 246
21(b). Pithoi with Relief or Splash-and-
Trickle Decoration 246
22. Tripod Cooking Pots 247
22(a). Globular Hole-mouthed Cooking Vessels 248
22(b). Open-mouthed Cooking Pots 248
22(c). Cooking Tray 248
22(d). Tripod Feet 249
23. Tripod Perforated Vessels 250
24. Fire Boxes or Censers 251
25. Clay Lamps 252
II. Chipped-Stone Industry 253
A. Retouched Implements 255
A(l). Points 255
A(2>. Parallel-sided Blades 257
A(3). Burins etc. 257
B. Waste Pieces 258
B(l). Cores 258
B(2). Flakes 258
B(3). Blades 259
III. Ground-Stone Industry 261
1. Whetstones
Stone Axes and Stone Rubbers 261
263
Stone Querns and Grinders 264
Mortars and Pestles 265
Stonepounders and Hammerstones 265
Macehead 265
IV. Stone Vases 266
 VI. Metal Industry 271
A. Early and Middle Bronze Ages 271
B. Late Bronze Age 275
1. Swords 276
2. Spearheads 278
3. Knife and Razors 279
4. Other Metal Objects 280

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 281

I. Settlement Patterns, Subsistence and Socio-economic Development 281
1(A). Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages 284
1(B). Middle Bronze and Late Bronze I Periods 290
1(C). Late Bronze III Period 296
II. Religion and Burial Customs 299
11(A). Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Religion 300
11(B). Middle Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age Religion 301
(a) Cult Places 301
(b) Cult Objects and Symbols 303
11(C). Burial Customs 307
III. Relative Chronology, Population and External Relations 310
III(A). Neolithic and Early Bronze Age 310
III(B). The Middle Minoan I to Late Minoan I periods and
the Minoan Colonization 316
III(C). Late Minoan II/III to Late Minoan IIIA2: Period of
Recovery and Rhodian Contacts 321
Table 1. The Chronological Distribution of LM/LH III Vase
Shapes 322
III(D). Late Minoan IIIA2 to IIIB1 and IIIA2/IIIB1 to IIIC1:
Mycenaean Arrival and Minoan Continuity 324
 LIST OF FIGURES

1. Geological map of Karpathos.

2. Physical map of Kasos.
3. General map of Prehistoric sites; inset: The Aegean as seen from
Gemini 5 (Zakros, fig. on p.6).
4. Distribution of NL and EBA sites; inset: physical map of Karpathos,
Saros and Kasos.
5. Distribution of MM and LM I sites; inset: map of the eastern Mediterranean
showing surface marine currents and prevailing winds (Kemp-Merrillees
1980, fig. 78).
6. Distribution of LM/LH III sites.
7. Map of Prehistoric sites in the district of Pigadia.
8. Map of Prehistoric sites in the town of Pigadia.
9. Map of Prehistoric sites in the area of Afiartis.
10. Sketch plans of Fournoi and Laspoma.
11. Sketch plans of Palio Mitato, and of Tripes and Lakos.
12. Sketch plans of Psorari and Baela.
13. Sketch map of Leftoporos.
14. Ground plan of the apsidal building at Leftoporos.
15. Sketch map of Tou Sakeli Ta Krema, Asomatoi and Vonies.
16. Ground plan and section of the chamber tomb at Vonies.
17. Map of Prehistoric sites in the region of Lefkos.
18. Sketch plan of Moutsouna.
.19. Sketch map of Palatia, Argos and Kato-yi.
20. Sketch map of Khelatros.
21. Sketch map of Amoua, Fomeromeni and Vrisi.
22. Thickness and areal distribution of the Upper Thera (Minoan) ash (z-2)
as determined in moist cores (McCoy 1978A, figs. 5 and 7).
23. Map showing Minoan sea routes (History of the Hellenic world I).
24. Stone and bronze implements, and LM/LH III pottery from the area of Pigadia
25. MM-LM/LH III pottery and stone vase, and EBA copper daggers from Pigadia.
26. MM III-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
27. MM III-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
28. MM III-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land, Sevdalis' land and Sfayia.
29. Obsidian and LN-LM/LH III pottery from Kipos, Vouno, Tou Stavrou to Kefali
and Fournoi.
30. MM-LM I pottery from Fournoi, Laspoma and Palio Mitato.
31. MM-LM I pottery from Palio Mitato.
32. LN-LM III pottery and stone objects from Palio Mitato, Midi, Tripes, Lakos,
Psorari, Baela and Tsigounas.
33. LN-LM I pottery and stone objects from Leftoporos and Tou Sakeli Ta Krema.
34. MM-LM* I pottery from Tou Sakeli Ta Krema and Asomatoi; LM III larnax and
vases from Vonies.
35. LM/LH III vases from Vonies.
36. LM/LH III pottery from Vonies.
37. LM/LH III vases from Vonies.
38. FN-LM/LH III pottery, stone axes and stone vase from Vonies, Piles,
Aperi, Lefkos and Moutsouna.
39. Stone objects and MM-LM/LH III pottery from Moutsouna, Pelekito, Ria,
Rizes, Aouroi and Skamnos.
40. Pottery, and stone and metal implements from Skamnos, Kaminakia, Diafani
and Palatia.
41. MM-LM I pottery from Trapeza, Kefala and Tou Starnati Ta Lakia.
42. Flint flake, Minoan stone vase and LN-LM/LH III pottery from Tou Starnati
Ta Lakia, Ammoudiarides, Argos, Ellinokamara, Amoua etc., Kato Vounara
and Poli.
43. A chart of MM-LM I cup forms.
44. a-b, Minoan deposits at Vroulidia; c-d, Acropolis at Pigadia from south
and "cyclopean" wall on the site.
45. a-b, Vathipotamo and Ayioi Apostoloi from NW and SW; c-d, Vouno in
Afiartis from west and stretch of circuit or retaining wall on its SE side.
46. a-b, Tou Stavrou To Kefali and Stous Fournous from NE and SW; c-d, Stous
Fournous: Minoan pottery in situ and ruins of a Minoan house.
47. a-b, the ruins of a Minoan house Stous Fournous and looking from Palio
Mitato towards the sea; c-d, Palio Mitato: the site from SW and ruins
of a Minoan house on the site.
48. a-b, Tripes: the site from SW and rock-cut architectural feature; c-d,
Lakos: foundations and ruins of Minoan houses.
49. a-b, Psorari: the site from the north and Minoan wall foundations; c-d,
Leftoporos: the site from NE and looking from the interior of the apsidal
building.
50. a-b, Paliokastro: the site from the east and "cyclopean" wall; c-d, Finiki
from SE and. Tou Sakeli Ta Krema from NW.
51. a-b, Asomatoi from NW and Vonies from the east; c-d, Moutsouna: the site
from the west and remains of a Minoan (?) wall.
52. The chamber tomb at Vonies; a, the tomb with the larnax after excavation;
b, vases 1001, 1003, 1005 and 1017 west of the larnax; c, vases 986, 1028,
1033 and skeleton remains south-east of the larnax; d, vases 1007-9,
1038, 1041 west of the larnax.
53. a-b, Aouroi seen from Rizes and Skamnos from the south; c-d, Skamnos
from the east with Vounos in the background and Minoan (?) wall founda-
tions at Skamnos.
54. a-b, Saros: the bays of Palatia (foreground) and Alimunda, and Palatia
seen from the sea; c-d, Argos in Saros: the modern settlement seen from
the ancient site which is seen in 54:d.
55. Khelatros: a-b, Trapeza seen from NW and east; c-d, ancient ruins and
stone querns at Trapeza, and Kefala from the south.
56. a-b, Tou Starnati Ta Lakia from NE and Amoudiarides from SE; c-d, the Argos
plateau on Kasos, and Amoua and Faneromeni seen from Ellinokamara.
57. a-b, Prehistoric (?) walls at Amoua, and Emborios from the south; c-d,
Poli: the citadel from SE and looking from the summit towards the valley.
58. Stone objects and LN-LB 3 pottery from the area of Pigadia (nos. A-B)
and particularly from Tsoulakis' cave (1-8) and Embasi (10).
59. LM/LH III pottery from Embasi.
60. LM/LH III pottery and bronzes from Anemomiloi and the Skopi plateau
. (27-33), and from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery (34-42). \*>
61. LM III stirrup jars from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery.
62. LM vases from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery.
63. LM/LH III pottery from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery.
64. MM-LM I stone vases and LM/LH III pottery from the Anemomiloi-Makeli
cemetery.
65. LM III stirrup jars from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery.
66. LM/LH III pottery from the Anemomiloi-Makeli cemetery (64-69); MM-LM III
pottery and EBA copper daggers from Xenona, Avlâ and Makeli (70-79).
67. MM III-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
68. MM III-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
69. MM-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
70. MM-LM I pottery from Manolakakis' land.
71. MM-LM I pottery from Sevdalis' land (271-3) and Sfayia (274-308).
72. MM-LM I stone objects and pottery from Manolakakis' land (80, 207-13, 254),
Sevdalis' land (270) and Sfayia (290, 299).
73. MM III-LM I stone vase from Sisamos (309); LN-LBA pottery and stone
objects from Vathipotamo (311-12), Kremos Tis Kipou (324-30) and Vouno
(331-42, 359-60).
74. LM/LH III pottery from Tou Stavrou To Kefali.
75. MM-LM I pottery from Stous Fournous,
76. MM-LM I pottery from Stous Fournous (428-61) and Laspoma (463-87).
77. MM-LM I pottery from Palio Mitato.
78. MM III-LM I pottery from Palio Mitato.
79. MM-LM I and (;) M Cycl. (558) pottery from Palio Mitato.
80. MM-LM I cooking pot fragments from Palio Mitato.
81. Stone objects from Palio Mitato (620-1); LN-LM I pottery and stone
objects from Tripes (625-34, 636); MM-LM I pottery from Midi (622-4)
and Lakos (650-77).
82. MM-LM III pottery from Ais Minas (679-81), Psorari (685-737), Baela
(738-58) and Tsigouhas (769-78); LN-EBA pottery from Kourouklos (763-8).
83. LN-EBA pottery from Leftoporos.
84. LN-LM I pottery from Leftoporos.
85. Obsidian from Leftoporos.
86. Stone objects from Leftoporos.
87. Stone objects (943-7) and sea-shells from Leftoporos; MM-LM I pottery
from Tou Sakeli Ta Krema (948-77) and Asomatoi; Clay larnax from Vonies
(984).
88. LM III vases from Vonies.
89. LM III amphoroid craters from Vonies.
90. LM III pottery from Vonies.
91. LM/LH JII stirrup jars from Vonies.
92. LM III stirrup jars from Vonies.