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Ouvrages Année : 2020

Excavations at Oropos. The Protogeometric and Sub-Protogeometric period (10th – 9th centuries B.C.)

Alexandros Mazarakis Ainian
  • Fonction : Auteur
Irene S. Lemos
  • Fonction : Auteur
Vicky Vlachou
  • Fonction : Auteur

Résumé

The book offers a detailed presentation and thorough analysis of the earliest remains of the Early Iron Age from the area of Oropos in Northern Attica, excavated by the 2nd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities (Ephorate of Eastern Attica today) in 1985-86 and the Archaeological Society at Athens from 1996 to 2011 (see Introduction) (figs 1-3). The emphasis of the study is on the pottery, since this represents the main corpus of evidence from this period. The largest and most important assemblage dated to the Protogeometric and Sub-Protogeometric period was excavated by the late Aliki Dragona in the modern town district of Nea Palatia (OTE plot – the plot of the Greek Telephone Company) that consequently occupies a central place in this study (Chapters I – III) (figs 5-6). A few finds dating from this period and excavated at a short distance along the coast to the West, at the town district of Skala Oropou (OSK plot – the plot of the Organisation of School Buildings) are included in an Annex (end of Chapter II) (figs 7-8). Chapter IV concerns a single burial dating to this period which was investigated by the Ephorate in 2006 at the area of Nea Palatia (Giannouzis plot). In the absence of any specific context for the material assemblage from OTE plot, it is thus arguable that the detailed study of the material per se may provide a useful framework in order to discuss its function within a specific social context (domestic, funerary or ritual). Overall, compared to the abundant funerary material dating from the same period from Attica and Lefkandi, the material from the OTE plot is considered here as of domestic character. Even if certain shapes and types may equally relate to ritual activity and performance, these are discussed in relation to ritual activity within a domestic context. Certain activities can be identified mainly those related to the preparation, offering and consumption of food and drink. The small pottery assemblage from the area of Skala Oropou (OSK plot) manifests that activity in this area predates the installation of the settlement and artisans’ quarter around the middle of the 8th century BC. Indeed, activity in the area of the OTE plot equally continues in the 8th century BC, as this is clearly demonstrated by the finds of mostly Late Geometric date and thus contemporary to the settlement at Skala Oropou. The presence of pottery kilns at the area of Skala Oropou manifests that potters, among other craftsmen were active in this area. The numerous pottery assemblages that have been assigned to the local pottery production, do not differentiate as to their fabrics, manufacture, firing or style to the Protogeometric and Sub-Protogeometric pottery from the OTE plot. They mainly follow the Euboean and Attic style, blended with influences deriving from Boeotia, the Cyclades and Corinth. In this way, it is possible to argue for a continuity of a local pottery production at Oropos since the late 10th/early 9th century BC onwards. In addition to the pottery finds, the few small objects from the OTE plot may provide an alternative way to approach the community which inhabited this area. The fragmentary bronze grater (cat. no. 186) belongs to a restricted class of metal objects, already mentioned in the epics. Such exclusive objects are known from certain 9th century BC burials at Lefkandi and some elite indigene burials of the 7th century BC along the western coast of Italy. Although, this find from Oropos is unique, and from a disturbed and later chronologically stratigraphical layer, it still offers one more aspect of the close connections that Oropos maintained with the opposite Euboean coast and namely Lefkandi.
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Dates et versions

hal-03196620 , version 1 (13-04-2021)

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Copyright (Tous droits réservés)

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  • HAL Id : hal-03196620 , version 1

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Vicky Vlachou, Alexandros Mazarakis Ainian, Irene S. Lemos, Vicky Vlachou. Excavations at Oropos. The Protogeometric and Sub-Protogeometric period (10th – 9th centuries B.C.). University of Thessaly Press, 2020, 978-960-9439-67-1. ⟨hal-03196620⟩

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