309-314

Arhondiko 1998 : prehistoric settlement

• Παπαευθυμίου-Παπανθίμου, Αικατερίνη
• Πιλάλη-Παπαστερίου, Αγγελική

This paper discusses some of the results of the archaeometrical investigationswhich have begun in association with the Archaeometry Workshop ofDemocritus as part of the interdisciplinary programmes connected with theexcavation. The investigations relate to the radiocarbon dating and firingtechnology of clay structures and pottery.As far as radiocarbon dating is concerned, the successive habitation phasesof the settlement have been determined by means of a series of 13 datings thatrange from 2300 to 1600 BC. Seven new datings have now been added fromtrenches ΙΔ and IT in the 1997 excavation.With regard to firing technology, the investigation of the pottery is not yetcomplete, but the investigation of clay structures has produced some preliminaryfindings. More specifically, 21 samples from 7 clay structures were analysed,and it was found that 4 of them (from trenches ΙΔ, ΩΛ, and Π) belong tothe same phase, another in trench Ψ is earlier, and 2 at the top of the mound, intrench Ξ, represent an even later phase of the settlement. Most of the samplescome from ellipsoidal structures 0.70-1.0 m long, constructed out of piled clay.The floors are frequently coated with a layer of clay up to 5 cm thick toppedwith a 1-2 mm layer of calcium carbonate. In some cases —such as the 3structures on the top of the mound, for instance, and another in trench ΙΔ— theyrest on a bed of sherds, the surface of which is then coated with clay. It has beenascertained that most of the structures examined functioned as large or smallovens for cooking food. The interior walls and the floors reached temperaturesof the order of 500-650°C, which were maintained for about 30 minutes the firsttime the oven was used. Subsequently, it was heated to lower temperatures ofno more than 400°C. Heating the walls and floor of the oven to 400°C couldmaintain an interior temperature suitable for cooking food (200°C) for quitesome time.Exceptions are structures Γ and ΣΤ, from which only fallen fragments fromthe interior were examined, the results of which do not necessarily indicate thatthey were used as ovens.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

προϊστορία, Πέλλα, συνέδρια

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