The 2015 excavation
The excavation season
The fourth excavation season at the site of "Kephala" on Skiathos was carried out the last week of August of 2015 (24-28/8) by the Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly, in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The excavation is directed by Professor A. Mazarakis Ainian from the part of the University and the former Director of the Ephorate Dr. A. Doulgeri-Intzesiloglou from the part of the Ephorate.
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The excavation focused on the main necropolis, situated NW of the ancient settlement along the coast of Xanemos bay. In 2013, two Archaic child enchytrismoi came to light. In the same area, a very important burial was detected this year. This was a cist grave measuring 1.80 X 0.70 m. Its dimensions indicate an adult deceased, while the teeth found in its interior belong to a young individual. It is possible that the burial was double. Thus, the grave contained an inhumed adult in contracted position, as indicated by the few bone remains of the legs, and a small child. The anthropological study of the bones is still pending. The grave was furnished with a clay amphorikos, a clay "button", five bronze rings, two long bronze pins, two iron fibulae (one complete and one partly preserved), as well as four gold hair fasteners. One of them was found coiled around the extremity of a bronze pin.
On the basis of these finds, the conservation of which is still ongoing, the grave can be dated to the early 10th century BC. The grave has been slightly disturbed by a child enchytrismos of the Archaic period.
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Due to the lack of adequate financial support, the excavation season lasted only one week. Mrs Vicky Kock provided the housing for the University excavation team, while the support of Mr. Yannis Stamatas, the deputy mayor of the island, was valuable. Mr. Vasilis Tambakis should be also thanked for his constant help. The University of Thessaly provided the bus for the transportation of the excavation team on the island.
The study season
The excavation has been preceded by a three-week study season at the Archaeological Museum of Volos (3-21/8). All the characteristic finds of the excavation were registered in the database, followed by drawings and photos. The principal aim of the study was to gain an overview of the excavated material and more importantly to associate it with its particular context, namely with the three buildings (A-Ã) which were uncovered in the past three years. Moreover, the excavation assemblages needed to be studied in relation with the material collected during the systematic survey. Special attention was given to specific categories of findings, namely the loom weights and the fragments of the Early Iron Age transport amphorae, due to their importance for the study of the site.
Dr. Tatiana Theodoropoulou completed the study of the mollusks from the site.
The study at the Museum set the basis for the forthcoming final publication of the excavation of Kephala.
Participants
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The director of the project Professor A. Mazarakis Ainian, the archaeologist Dr. Alexandra Alexandridou and the BA students of the Department of Archaeology of the University of Thessaly Dimitra-Irene Angelou, Nikiforos Batis, Georgia Boukouvalas, Georgia Chatzikallinikidou, Eleni Chatzinikolaou, Vaso Gkountroubi, Fotini Kalai, Evangelia Kolofotia, Marianna Liokou, Eleni Mageirakou, Evita Makridou, Pitsalidis Kostas, Eleni Zbita, formed the University excavation and study team, as well as the architect Cecile Buchwalder and baby Electra.
A. Mazarakis Ainian, Professor of Classical Archaeology
Dr. A. Doulgeri-Intzesiloglou, Former Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Magnisia
