531-543

The organisation of space in a semi-mountainous area of Vermio : the example of Lefkopetra, Imathia prefecture

• Στεφανή, Ευαγγελία

The most important archaeological site explored in the area of Lefkopetra is at Kallipetra, where, since 2000, we have excavated successive occupation phases and well-preserved building remains, covering a wide span of time from the end of the Neolithic to the Late Roman period. The small residential nucleus created at about the end of the 4th millennium gradually expanded until, by the Late Bronze Age, it was an extensive settlement. It is precisely this fact of continuous, uninterrupted occupation that is especially important. The first large buildings —7 in all— were erected at Kallipetra in about the 6th century BC and remained in use, through successive repair phases, until the early 4th century BC. The finds from the interiors of the buildings leave no doubt as to their domestic character; while 3 pottery kilns located near the buildings date to the same periods. The Kallipetra settlement flourished in the Hellenistic period, to which time are dated architectural remains that certainly extend beyond the excavated site. Thirteen spaces have been recognised, organised in two complexes. Inside the spaces were found numerous clay structures (hearths, ovens, platforms, and benches along the walls) and a clay bath. In two cases, semicircular stone structures used as mills were found in corners, while evidence of domestic activities was also found in open-air or semi-covered spaces. The wealth of portable finds is impressive: vessels for storage and everyday use, decorated wares (some for ritual use), clay figurines mainly of Aphrodite and Cybele, iron implements, and mainly bronze, but also gold and silver jewellery. There was also a large number of coins, 16 of them hoarded in a shallow vessel.In 2002 the 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities also decided to systematically clean up the site of the sanctuary of the Autochthonous Mother of the Gods, with unexpected consequences. Although on the drawing made by Petsas from the excavation of 1966 the temple was shown as having 2 spaces, it was realised that what had been taken to be the W. wall was in fact the dividing wall between the cella and the opisthodomos measuring 8.22x5.90 m. The different masonry of the opisthodomos from that of the rest of the temple suggests that it dates to an earlier period, though this can be substantiated only after excavation.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

Ημαθία

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