APXAIOΛOΓIKO EPΓO ΘEΣΣAΛIAΣ KAI ΣTEPEAΣ EΛΛAΔAΣ, 2003-2005
ΑΠΟ ΤΟΥΣ ΠΡΟΪΣΤΟΡΙΚΟΥΣ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΝΕΩΤΕΡΟΥΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΥΣ

Περίληψη ομιλίας

Agios Nikolaos Mylon: Some Speculations on the Bronze Age of Southern Euboea.

Zarko Tankosic

[Indiana University, USA]

Iro Mathioudaki

[University of Athens]

The topic of this paper is the development of the Bronze Age in the Bay of Karystos, Southern Euboea, in the light of the finds from the site of Agios Nikolaos Mylon. Our work is mostly based on the results of the intensive survey of the area performed by Dr. Donald Keller and the subsequent work done by the Southern Euboea Exploration Project (SEEP). Special attention is given to the Middle Bronze Age (MBA) and Late Bronze Age (LBA) in the attempt to explain the lack of more substantial signs of occupation during these periods. The scarcity of evidence for MBA and LBA habitation stands in sharp contrast to the Early Bronze Age (EBA) and, indeed, the evidence for subsequent occupation in the region. This seems as an anomaly considering the important location of this area on the trading routes connecting the mainland (e.g. Attica and Northern Euboea) with the Cyclades (e.g. Kea and Andros in particular). Bronze Age material evidence from the location in question is analysed in order to establish typological similarities and differences between this area and the adjacent regions and note possible trade and/or exchange contacts and their nature. We also examine the evidence for cultural and population change in the region during the Bronze Age in order to establish its general causes and consequences. Although our main aim is to provide an explanation for the marked difference in the intensity of occupation in the area between the EBA on one side and the MBA and LBA on the other, this paper also aspires to make a contribution to the state of general archaeological knowledge of Southern Euboea, which still remains inadequate.