Our Cups Are Full: and Society in the Aegean

Papers presented to Jeremy B. Rutter on the occasion of his 65th birthday

Edited by

Walter Gauß Michael Lindblom R. Angus K. Smith James C. Wright

BAR International Series 2227

2011

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Our Cups Are Full: Pottery and Society in the Aegean Bronze Age: Papers presented to Jeremy B. Rutter on the occasion of his 65th birthday

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The Late Helladic IIIA2 Pottery from Mitrou and its Implications for the Chronology of the Mycenaean Mainland

Salvatore Vitale

Abstract In 1941, A. Furumark divided LH IIIA2 into two successive sub-phases. Until recently, however, no pure settlement contexts belonging to the earlier horizon had been published from the Greek mainland and a detailed definition of the period remained elusive. This lack of evidence has now been partially overcome by the discovery of some important LH IIIA2 deposits from Nichoria, Tsoungiza, and Ayios Stephanos. Nevertheless, no significant assemblages of this date have been published thus far from central Greece and, as a result, the validity of Furumark’s subdivision for the entire Mycenaean world still awaits confirmation.

An unusually rich LH IIIA2 sequence was recovered dur- Until recently, no pure settlement contexts belonging to ing the 2004 to 2008 excavations at Mitrou, East Lokris.1 the earlier part of LH IIIA2 had been published from the As in the case of Nichoria, Mitrou’s pottery can be sty- Greek mainland and a detailed definition of this sub-phase listically and stratigraphically assigned to three different remained elusive (French 1965, 160–161; Mountjoy 1986, horizons, here termed LH IIIA2 Early, Middle, and Late. 67; 1999, 28–29). This lack of evidence has now been The aim of this paper is to provide a preliminary report on partially overcome by the discovery of some important Mitrou’s materials and to establish their relationships with deposits from Nichoria, Tsoungiza, and Ayios Stephanos contemporary deposits elsewhere. A new tripartite subdi- (Shelmerdine 1992; Dabney, Halstead, and Thomas 2004; vision of LH IIIA2 is suggested for the entire Mycenaean Mountjoy 2008). Nevertheless, no significant assemblages mainland, including a detailed definition of the relevant dating to the first half of LH IIIA2 have been published diagnostic features and their evolution throughout the ana- in detail from central Greece and, as a result, the validity lyzed period. of Furumark’s subdivision for the entire Mycenaean main- land still awaits confirmation. In 1941, A. Furumark separated LH IIIA2 into an early and a late stage. This division was mainly based on ma- An unusually rich LH IIIA2 sequence was recovered during terials from tombs, the majority of which were situated in the 2004 to 2008 excavations at Mitrou, East Lokris, directed the southeast Aegean and the Levantine area (Furumark by A. Van de Moortel and E. Zahou (Fig. 1.1).2 As in the 1941a, 505–522; 1941b, 56–64, 99–101). While assigning case of Nichoria, Mitrou’s pottery can be stratigraphically certain shapes exclusively to LH IIIA2 early or late, Furu- and stylistically assigned to three different horizons, termed mark emphasized that the stylistic development through- “LH IIIA2 Early,” “Middle,” and “Late.” The aim of this pa- out the period was uniform and that the differences be- per is to provide a preliminary report on Mitrou’s materials tween the two stages were, in many instances, rather subtle and to establish their relationships with the most significant (Furumark 1941b, 101). contemporary deposits elsewhere. Furthermore, a tripartite subdivision of LH IIIA2 will be tentatively suggested for the entire Greek mainland, including a definition of the relevant 1 This contribution is dedicated to my teacher and friend Jerry Rutter, a scholar who has enormously enriched our knowledge of Aegean Bronze diagnostic features throughout the analyzed period. Age ceramics and chronology over the past 35 years and beyond. I would like to particularly thank the following for their unfailing support during my work at Mitrou and/or their useful comments on the manu- 2 The Mitrou Archaeological Project (www.mitrou.org) is a joint under- script of this paper: Mario Benzi, Giuliana Bianco, Giampaolo Graziadio, taking of the University of Tennessee and the 14th Ephorate of Prehis- Teresa Hancock Vitale, Olga Kyriazi, Bartek Lis, Penelope Mountjoy, toric and Classical Antiquities at Lamia, under the auspices of the Ameri- Stepan Rückl, Jeremy Rutter, Cynthia Shelmerdine, Kim Shelton, Patrick can School of Classical Studies at Athens. For previous publications on Thomas, Aleydis Van de Moortel, and Eleni Zahou. I am also grateful to the site of Mitrou, see Van de Moortel 2007; 2009; Van de Moortel and the editors for their work on the manuscript. Zahou 2006; Rutter 2007; Vitale 2008; and Lis 2009.

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The LH IIIA2 Deposits from Mitrou and separation of the different stylistic groups. The specimens their Stratigraphic Contexts dating to LH IIIA2 Early correspond to mendable vessels showing a light degree of wear, while those assignable to The primary source of Mitrou’s tripartite subdivision of LH IIIA2 Middle are represented by non-joining sherds the LH IIIA2 ceramic phase is found in a series of super- with a light to medium degree of wear. The presence of imposed levels recovered from Road 1, a three-meter wide LH IIIC and Protogeometric materials is due to the distur- street situated between Buildings D and F in the northeast bance caused by the recurrent grave digging activity in the excavation sector of the site (Fig. 1.1). These levels corre- northeast excavation sector during the final decades of the spond to seven successive reconstructions of Road 1 (Fig. Late Bronze Age and the beginning of the Early Iron Age, 1.2). In addition to pebbles and other small debris, each which is verified by the presence of cist Graves 4 (Trench surface make-up contained a significant amount of pot- LL785), 32, 35, and 38 (Trench LM784). The pottery dat- tery sherds. Although fragmentary, this material provides ing to these periods is very fragmentary and is character- us with secure information for two main reasons. First, ized by a heavier degree of wear. it comes from stratified sealed deposits. Secondly, since LH IIIA2 may have lasted for a maximum of approximate- The thirty-five LH iiia2 Early mendable vessels from ly sixty-five years (circa 1390/1370 to 1360/1325 B.C.; Trenches LL784-785 show intense burning traces and rep- Manning 1995, 217), the average time span of each level resent the remains of a destructive event affecting the room must have been rather short (around nine years). bounded by Walls 17 and 18, possibly part of Building F. The presence of the LH IIIA2 Middle sherds may imply According to the terminology proposed in the present paper, that this context was not sealed at the time of the catas- the three lowermost street levels correspond to LH IIIA2 trophe, but in the next ceramic sub-phase. The LH IIIA2 Early, the following two to LH IIIA2 Middle, and the up- Early and Middle ceramics from Trenches LM-LN784, permost two to LH IIIA2 Late (Fig. 1.2). It is likely that at including fourteen mendable vases, can be interpreted as least some of the sherds from Road 1 represent materials a fill which was deliberately thrown between Walls 31, discarded after having been used in activities connected to 32, and 85 in order to facilitate the construction of the nearby Buildings D and F. LH IIIA2 Middle floor of Building F. The destruction de- posit from Trenches LL784-785, combined with that found The ceramic sequence from Road 1 allows for a precise in Trench LP782, suggests the occurrence of a widespread dating of the other main LH IIIA2 pottery groups from catastrophe in Mitrou’s northeast excavation sector during Mitrou, all of which have been excavated in the northeast LH IIIA2 Early (Vitale 2008, 229–230). excavation sector (Fig. 1.1). Five assemblages include ma- terials belonging exclusively to one of the three attested The Main Characteristics of the LH sub-phases (see Table 1). Of these, two are assignable to IIIA2 Pottery from Mitrou LH iiia2 Early. The first is a destruction deposit, com- posed of ten mendable vases, found on the floor associated The presentation of the evidence will be divided into two with Wall 122 in Trench LP782, which was part of Build- main parts: (a) a definition of the diagnostic characteristics ing D complex. The second is a dump located in Trench of each of the three LH IIIA2 ceramic sub-phases identified LP785. A third group of materials, a small fill or dump at Mitrou; and (b) an outline description of the quantitative found in Building F at the corner formed by Walls 31 and distribution of the pottery, classified according to six catego- 35 (Trench LN785), can be assigned to LH IIIA2 Middle. ries: painted open shapes, painted closed shapes, fine un- The remaining two deposits date to LH IIIA2 Late. The painted open shapes, fine unpainted closed shapes, unpaint- first comes from one of the street levels ofR oad 2 in Trench ed medium-coarse shapes, and unpainted coarse shapes (for LO785. The other was found in Building F, between Walls these definitions, see Thomas 2005, especially 457). The 31, 32, and 85 (Trenches LM-LN784), above a floor that percentages provided below do not refer to all of the materi- was first built in LH IIIA2 Middle and then used through- als recovered, but only the so-called features, that is rims, out LH IIIA2 Late. It contained five mendable vessels. handle bases, bases, stems, and spouts (see Tables 2–4). Due to the preliminary character of the present report, only Two other deposits, which were brought to light in Trenches some of the essential data will be illustrated here in terms of LL784-785 and LM-LN784 respectively, contained a large charts, drawings, and typology. A more comprehensive ac- amount of LH IIIA2 Early and LH IIIA2 Middle ceramics, count of the evidence will be published elsewhere. together with a smaller percentage of advanced LH IIIC and Protogeometric materials (Vitale 2008; forthcoming). LH IIIA2 Early In both cases, the study of the pottery and its stratigraphic At Mitrou, LH IIIA2 Early pottery is typified by the appear- contexts has provided evidence for the existence of three ance of three new painted shapes: the deep semiglobular distinct depositional streams, thus allowing for a secure

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Fig. 1.1. Mitrou 2009 northeast sector site plan (G. Bianco); 2. Mitrou, Trenches LM784, LM783, LN783: section P-P east/west looking north (G. Bianco).

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TABLE 1. TYPOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LH IIIA2 DEPOSITS FROM MITROU*

Stratigraphically Stylistically DATE/FEATURES Context Location Deposit Typology Closed Pure Road 1, street levels 6-8 LM7831 Street level fills YES YES 2 YES LH IIIA2 Early Floor associated with Wall 122 LP782 Destruction deposit NO Area north of Building D LP7853 Dump NO NO** Road 1, street levels 4-5 LM7834 Street level fills YES YES

LH IIIA2 Middle Building F, corner formed by 5 Walls 31 and 35 LN785 Dump or fill NO NO** Road 1, street levels 2-3 LM7836 Street level fills YES YES Road 2 L07857 Street level fills YES YES LH IIIA2 Late Building F, between Walls 31, 8 32, and 85 LM-LN784 Disturbed floor deposit NO NO**

Building F (?), room formed by 9 LH IIIA2 Early destruction deposit NO** Walls 17 and 18 LL784-785 plus LH IIIA2 Middle fill NO LH IIIA2 Early/ Middle Building F, between Walls 31, 10 32, and 85 LM-LN784 Underfloor terracing fill NO NO** * The term “stratigraphically closed” signifies a deposit which was physically sealed by an overlying floor, surface, or collapsed building material. The term “stylistically pure” means that a given deposit does not include any pottery later than the main represented stylistic phase; a compara- tively small percentage of earlier ceramics may be present. ** Although a few sherds later than the main represented stylistic phase are present, the homogeneity of the deposit is still high. 1 SUs: LM783-122 to -131, -134 to -136. 2 SUs: LP782-015, -021. 3 SUs: LP785-058, -062, -065 to -067, -071 to -073, -083, -087. 4 SUs: LM783-115, -117 to -121. 5 SUs: LN785-016 to -018. 6 SUs: LM783-071 to -072, -074, -076, -096, -098, -100, -102 to -114. 7 SUs: LO785-077, -080 to -081. 8 SUs: LM784-064, -067, -069, -071; LN784-050 to -051. 9 SUs: LL784-007; LL785-014, -016, -019 to -024, -026. 10 SUs: LM784-051 to -052, -060, -063, -066, -074, -077, -080 to -081; LN784-060, -062 to -064, -067.

cup FS 214 with linear exterior and monochrome interior In terms of quantitative distribution, the is by far the (Fig. 2.1), the monochrome deep rounded kylix FS 264 most widespread painted open shape (40.0%; see Table (Fig. 2.2), and the stemmed bowl FS 304 (Fig. 2.3), which 2a). LH IIIA1 goblets FS 255 (12.6%) are still present, may be monochrome or, less frequently, patterned or lin- but are less than one-third in relation to the number of ear. Some of the monochrome or unpainted goblets may be the decorated kylikes. Apart from stemmed bowls FS 304 assigned to the type recently termed “” by P.A. (6.3%), another frequent painted open shape is the basin Mountjoy (Fig. 2.4–5). Kantharoi, which are absent in At- FS 294 (5.3%). Less widespread decorated open shapes tica and Boeotia, constitute one of the main features of a are the FS 7/8 (3.2%; Fig. 2.8), the conical Phocian regional style, extending to the Gulf of Corinth and FS 199 (1.0%; Fig. 2.9), the linear deep semiglobular cup the Ionian Islands (Mountjoy 1999, 29, 744–745, 756). Dur- FS 214 with monochrome interior (2.1%), and the mug ing LH IIIA2 Early, patterned kylikes FS 256 and/or FS 257 FS 225/226 (4.2%). Finally, several other fragments may are not yet attested. Thin everted and everted triangular lips belong to basins FS 294 or ring-based FS 281 are predominant on fine open shapes (Fig. 2.1–5) and closed (8.4%). Painted closed shapes include the large piriform vessels may have a relatively wide decorative zone, some- jar FS 34 (2.8%), the small piriform jar FS 44 (8.6%; Fig. times extending below the handles (Fig. 2.11). Aeginetan 2.10), the straight-sided FS 94 (14.4%; Fig. pottery, which was common during LH II, is now present 2.11), and the transport FS 164 (2.8%). Some but scarce. The only attested painted class is the Aeginetan sherds may belong to the FS 69, the jug FS 105, Painted and Burnished, which is represented by one jar and or the FS 128 (14.4%). A rim fragment could be- two krater rims (Fig. 2.6). Aeginetan cooking vessels (Fig. long to the rounded alabastron FS 85 or the straight-sided 2.7) make up 3.6% of the entire cooking pot assemblage.3 alabastron FS 94 (2.8%), while a handle base comes from an unidentified type of stirrup jar (2.8%).R oughly half of 3 On Aeginetan pottery from Mitrou, see Lis forthcoming. For other the feature sherds could not be assigned to any specific analyses of Aeginetan pottery, see Maran 1992, 179-199; Zerner 1993, form (51.4%). 48-50; Lindblom 2001, 23-38; and Rutter 2001, 125-131, fig. 12.

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Fig. 2. Mitrou, LH IIIA2 Early: 1. linear semiglobular cup FS 214 (B. Konnemann, T. Ross); 2. monochrome deep rounded kylix FS 264 (T. Ross, A. Caputo); 3. monochrome stemmed bowl FS 304 (B. Konnemann, T. Ross); 4. monochrome goblet or “kantharos” (T. Ross); 5. unpainted goblet or “kantharos” (B. Konnemann, T. Ross); 6. Aeginetan Painted and Burnished krater rim (T. Ross); 7. Aeginetan cooking pot base (T. Ross); 8. pat- terned krater FS 7 (T. Ross); 9. patterned conical rhyton FS 199 (T. Ross); 10. patterned piriform jar FS 44 (B. Konnemann, A. Caputo); 11. patterned straight-sided alabastron FS 94 (T. Ross).

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TABLE 2a. LH IIIA2 EARLY DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF PAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 7/8 Conical R hyton F S 199 S emiglobular Cup F S 214 M ug F S 225/226 G oblet F S 255 K ylix F S 264 B asin F S 294 B asin F S 294 or R ing- based K rater F S 281 S temmed B owl F S 304 Unidentified TOTAL Rims 3 1 2 - 4 17 2 3 5 4 41

Handle 14 Bases - - - 1 2 6 - 3 1 1 Bases - - - 3 6 13* 3 2 - 11 38

Stems/ 2 Spouts - - - - - 2 - - - -

3 1 2 4 12 38 5 8 6 16 95 TOTAL (3.2%) (1.0%) (2.1%) (4.2%) (12.6%) (40.0%) (5.3%) (8.4%) (6.3%) (16.9%) * 2 reused as lids.

TABLE 2b. LH IIIA2 EARLY DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF FINE UNPAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 7/8 Conical Cup F S 204 D ipper F S 236 G oblet F S 255 K ylix F S 264 K ylix F S 266 K ylix F S 267 K ylix F S 264/266 K ylix F S 264/266/267 O ther K ylikes B asin F S 294 B asin F S 294 or R ing-based K rater 281 Angular B owl F S 295 S hallow S temmed B owl F 304 L id F S 334 M iscellaneous O pen S hapes Unidentified TOTAL Rims 4 4 4 3 7 1 3 5 48 2** 10 - 1 - 1 1*** 5 99 Handle Bases - - 1 3 - - - - 10 - - 5 - 2 - - 4 25 Bases - - - 2 - - - - 35* - - - - 1 - - 14 52 Stems/ Spouts ------35 ------35 4 4 5 8 7 1 3 5 128 2 10 5 1 3 1 1 23 211 TOTAL 1.9% 1.9% 2.3% 3.8% 3.3% 0.5% 1.4% 2.3% 60.7% 1.0% 4.8% 2.3% 0.5% 1.4% 0.5% 0.5% 10.9% * 4 Reused as lids. ** 1 three-handled kylix and 1 small kylix with high-swung handles (cf. FS 272). *** Miniature conical open shape.

The kylix is also the most widespread open shape among nized as jugs FS 105 or 110 (2.4% and 9.8% respectively), fine unpainted pottery (69.2%; seeT able 2b), including the while others may have belonged to the amphora FS 69, the deep rounded type FS 264, the shallow rounded type FS jug FS 105, or the hydria FS 128 (9.0%). Around three- 266 (Fig. 3.1), the one-handled type FS 267, and the type quarters of the feature sherds could not be identified pre- with high-swung handles (cf. FS 272; Fig. 3.2). Fine un- cisely (75.6%). painted closed shapes include fragments from the rounded alabastron FS 85 (1.6%), a miniature stirrup jug FS 151 Among unpainted medium-coarse pottery, open shapes in- (0.8%; Fig. 3.3), a stirrup jar sherd (0.8%), and various clude the dipper FS 236 (1.9%), the kylix (0.9%), the ba- types of pouring vessels, some of which could be recog- sin FS 294 (0.9%), the brazier FS 312 (0.9%), and the lid

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Fig. 3. Mitrou: LH IIIA2 Early: 1. unpainted shallow rounded kylix FS 266 (T. Ross); 2. unpainted small kylix with high-swung handles, cf. FS 272 (T. Ross); 3. unpainted miniature stirrup jug FS 151 (T. Ross); 4. cooking amphora FS 66/67 (T. Ross, A. Caputo). LH IIIA2 Middle: 5. patterned kylix FS 256 (T. Ross); 6. patterned kylix FS 256 (T. Ross); 7. patterned one-handled bowl FS 283 (T. Ross); 8. patterned stemmed bowl FS 304 (T. Ross); 9. patterned goblet FS 255 (T. Ross); 10. linear semiglobular cup FS 214 (T. Ross); 11. patterned mug FS 225 (T. Ross); 12. unpainted shallow angular bowl FS 295 (T. Ross). LH IIIA2 Late: 13. linear dipper FS 236 (T. Ross); 14. patterned kylix FS 257 (T. Ross); 15. patterned kylix FS 257 (B. Konnemann, T. Ross); 16. linear (as preserved) globular stirrup jar FS 171 (T. Ross); 17. Aeginetan cooking pot with short-everted rim (N. Wright, T. Ross); 18. monochrome deep rounded kylix FS 264 (T. Ross); 19. patterned one-handled bowl FS 283 (J. Pfaff, T. Ross); 20. patterned stemmed bowl FS 304 (T. Ross); 21. unpainted shallow angular bowl FS 295 (T. Ross).

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TABLE 3a. LH IIIA2 MIDDLE DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF PAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 7/8 S emiglobular Cup F S 214 M ug F S 225/226 G oblet F S 255 K ylix F S 256 K ylix F S 264 O ne-handled B owl F S 283 B asin F S 294 or R ing-based K rater F S 281 S temmed B owl F S 304 Unidentified TOTAL Rims 3 2 3 4 5 20 1 5 10 7 60

Handle 18 Bases 4 - - - 8 2 1 - - 3 Bases - 2 - 1 6 10 2 3 1 2 27

Stems/ 9 Spouts - - - - 3 6 - - - -

7 4 3 5 22 38 4 8 11 12 114 TOTAL (6.1%) (3.5%) (2.6%) (4.4%) (19.3%) (33.3%) (3.5%) (7.0%) (9.7%) (10.6%)

TABLE 3b. LH IIIA2 MIDDLE DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF FINE UNPAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 7/8 Conical Cup F S 204 D ipper F S 236 G oblet F S 255 K ylix F S 267 K ylix F S 264/266 K ylix F S 264/266/267 B asin F S 294 B asin F S 294 or R ing- based K rater F S 281 Angular B owl S hallow F S 295 S temmed B owl F S 304 Unidentified TOTAL Rims 1 7 4 5 1 9 70 7 - 6 - 11 121 Handle Bases 2 - - 2 - - 8 - 1 - 2 3 18 Bases - - - 3 - - 44 1 2 - - 5 55

Stems/ 23 Spouts - - - - - 1 22 - - - - -

3 7 4 10 1 10 144 8 3 6 2 19 217 TOTAL (1.4%) (3.2%) (1.8%) (4.6%) (0.5%) (4.6%) (66.3%) (3.7%) (1.4%) (2.8%) (1.0%) (8.7%)

FS 334 (1.9%). Unpainted medium-coarse closed shapes 88, fig. 106). They are decorated with running spiral FM comprise the (2.8%), cooking jugs FS 65 or ampho- 46, chevrons FM 58, or tricurved arch pattern FM 62 (Fig. ras FS 66/67 (67.9%; Fig. 3.4), cooking tripods FS 320 3.5–6). The one-handled bowl FS 283 can be decorated with (9.5%), a handleless cooking jar (0.9%), and several mis- U-pattern FM 45 or triangles FM 61A (Fig. 3.7). Contrary to cellaneous storage vases (12.4%). Unpainted coarse pot- LH IIIA2 Early, patterned and linear stemmed bowl sherds tery includes the pithos (26.3%), various types of cooking FS 304 (Fig. 3.8), when taken together, are more frequent pots (42.1%), and storage vessels (31.6%). than monochrome ones. Mountjoy’s kantharoi are no longer current in this sub-phase and patterned kylikes FS 257 are LH IIIA2 Middle not yet attested. Fine open shape rims now usually have a gentler profile than in LH IIIA2 Early, which may be de- Mitrou’s LH IIIA2 Middle pottery is characterized by the fined as rounded triangular (Fig. 3.5–7). The presence of appearance of three new shapes, the globular stirrup jar FS Aeginetan cooking vessels throughout this sub-phase is 171, the patterned kylix, and the one-handled bowl FS 283. similar to that of LH IIIA2 Early, forming 3.8% of the entire Although they are often fragmentary, patterned kylikes may assemblage. However, a noteworthy increase in this class be assigned to the type FS 256 because of their deep bowl may have occurred towards the end of LH IIIA2 Middle, as and/or the presence of a narrow decorative zone ending at is testified by the fact that it forms 17.0% of the cooking pot the handle bases (Furumark 1941a, 628; Mountjoy 1986, fraction for the latest street level from Road 1.

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The most common painted open shape at Mitrou in LH IIIA2 FM 62, and a series of pictorial designs (perhaps reflecting Middle is again the monochrome deep rounded kylix FS 264 a local preference; for Boeotian and Phocian parallels, see (33.3%), followed by the patterned kylix FS 256 (19.3%), and Mountjoy 1999, 669, 759, fig. 294, no. 63) are also attest- the stemmed bowl FS 304 (9.7%; see Table 3a). Decorated ed. Painted goblets FS 255 die out, while globular stirrup goblets FS 255 are much less widespread than in LH IIIA2 jars FS 171 are now relatively more frequent (Fig. 3.16). Early (4.4%; Fig. 3.9), accounting for less than one-tenth of Fine open shapes usually have a rounded bead rim pro- the decorated kylikes. Other painted open shapes include the file (Fig. 3.14, 18–19).A eginetan cooking vessels increase krater FS 7/8 (6.1%), the deep semiglobular cup FS 214 with dramatically, forming 28.1% of the entire assemblage (Fig. monochrome interior (3.5%; Fig. 3.10), the mug FS 225/226 3.17). The standard type attested during LH IIIA2 Late has (2.6%; Fig. 3.11), the one-handled bowl FS 283 (3.5%), and a short everted rim and may have made its initial appear- other fragments which may belong to basins FS 294 or ring- ance on a small scale toward the end of LH IIIA2 Middle. based kraters FS 281 (7.0%). Painted closed shapes from LH IIIA2 Middle include the piriform jar FS 44 (13.7%), the Of all of the painted open shape features, 27.3% may be as- straight-sided alabastron FS 94 (18.2%), the transport stir- signed to the monochrome kylix FS 264 (Fig. 3.18), 1.6% and rup jar FS 164 (4.5%), and the globular stirrup jar FS 171 4.1% to patterned kylikes FS 256 and 257 respectively. Many (4.5%). Some of the feature sherds may belong to the am- sherds, 16.3%, could belong either to FS 256 or FS 257, but phora FS 69, the jug FS 105, or the hydria FS 128 (13.7%), the vast majority is likely to come from the latter of these while others could not be identified (40.9%). A base frag- two types. One-handled bowls FS 283 account for 4.5% (Fig. ment can be assigned to the rounded alabastron FS 85 or the 3.19), stemmed bowls FS 304 for 17.2% (Fig. 3.20). The rep- straight-sided alabastron FS 94 (4.5%). resentation of the remaining open vessels is shown in Table 4a. Apart from spouted cup FS 249 (0.4%) and deep bowl FS The kylix is still the most widespread open shape among 284 (1.6%) sherds, the occurrence of a linear rim from a shal- fine unpainted pottery (71.4%).T he shallow angular bowl low angular bowl FS 295 (0.4%) is worth noting. This shape FS 295 (Fig. 3.12) is relatively more common than in the is rarely decorated before early LH IIIC, but some LH IIIA2 preceding sub-phase (see Table 3b). Fine unpainted closed examples are known from the Argolid (Mountjoy 1999, 130, shapes include fragments from a straight-sided alabastron fig. 29, nos. 214–215).P ainted closed shapes include the piri- FS 94 (1.9%), jugs FS 105 or 110 (7.5% and 3.8% respec- form jar FS 45 (7.4%), the globular stirrup jar FS 171 (7.4%), tively), and one sherd that may belong to the amphora FS and some fragments that may belong to the amphora FS 69, 69, the jug FS 105, or the hydria FS 128 (1.9%). The vast the jug FS 105, or the hydria FS 128 (55.5%). Other sherds majority of the sherds could not be identified (84.9%). could not be identified (29.7%).

Among unpainted medium-coarse pottery, attested open The range of the attested fine unpainted open shapes is shapes include exclusively the kylix (0.9%) while closed documented in Table 4b. Kylikes account for 79.8%. The shapes comprise a fragment from a pithos (2.8%) and shallow angular bowl FS 295, which is the next most pop- others from cooking jugs FS 65 or FS 66/67 ular type, represents 6.7% (Fig. 3.21). Of fine unpainted (74.6%), cooking tripods FS 320 (3.8%), and miscella- closed shapes, 77.8% could not be assigned to any specific neous storage vases (17.9%). Unpainted coarse pottery form. Other identified feature sherds include jugs FS 105 features are scantily attested, including only one pithos and 110 (4.8% and 11.1% respectively) and specimens that and two unidentified cooking pot rims. may belong to the amphora FS 69, the jug FS 105, or the hydria FS 128 (6.3%). LH IIIA2 Late Unpainted medium-coarse features comprise a basin sherd At Mitrou, the LH IIIA2 Late repertoire is typified by four FS 294 (1.1%), cooking jugs FS 65 or amphoras FS 66/67 new painted shapes: (a) the linear dipper FS 236 (Fig. 3.13); (67.8%), cooking tripods FS 320 (20.0%), some fragments (b) the spouted cup FS 249; (c) the patterned kylix FS 257 from miscellaneous storage vases (8.9%), and others that (Fig. 3.14–15), which may be recognized by the presence could come from amphoras FS 69, jugs FS 105, or of a comparatively shallow bowl and a deep decorative FS 128 (2.2%). Unpainted coarse features include two zone extending below the handles (Furumark 1941a, 628; pithos handles, one cooking pot rim, and one unidentified Mountjoy 1986, 88–90, fig. 107); and (d) the deep bowl storage vase base. FS 284. The final type seems to occur only very late in this sub-phase, that is in the uppermost levels of Road 1. Pat- Contemporary Deposits and Wider terned kylikes are now almost as popular as monochrome Relations ones. The most widespread decorative motif employed on the type corresponding to FS 257 is the diagonal whorl In addition to Mitrou, LH iiia2 stratified ceramic se- shell FM 23. The flower FM 18, the tricurved arch pattern quences have been recovered at Nichoria in Messenia and

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TABLE 4a. LH IIIA2 LATE DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF PAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 8 S emiglobular Cup F 214 M ug F S 225/226 D ipper F S 236 S pouted Cup F 249 K ylix F S 256 K ylix F S 256/257 K ylix F S 257 K ylix F S 264 O ne-handled B owl F S 283 D eep B owl F S 284 B asin F S 294 Angular S hallow B owl F S 295 B asin F S 294 or R ing-based K rater F S 281 S temmed B owl F 304 Unidentified TOTAL Rims 4 2 1 1 - 2 18 5 38 2 4 10 1 9 23 3 123

Handle 3 - - - - 1 5 3 10 - - 3 - 10 14 7 56 Bases Bases 1 - - - - 1 14 2 13 9 - 8 - - 5 3 56

Stems/ - - - - 1 - 3 - 6 ------10 Spouts 8 2 1 1 1 4 40 10 67 11 4 21 1 19 42 13 TOTAL 3.3% 0.8% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 1.6% 16.3% 4.1% 27.3% 4.5% 1.6% 8.6% 0.4% 7.8% 17.2% 5.3% 245

TABLE 4b. LH IIIA2 LATE DEPOSITS. FREQUENCY OF FINE UNPAINTED OPEN SHAPE FEATURES

FEATURES/

SHAPES K rater F S 8 Conical Cup F S 204 D ipper F S 236 K ylix F S 264 K ylix F S 267 K ylix F S 264/266 K ylix F S 264/266/267 B asin F S 294 B asin F S 294 or R ing-based K rater F S 281 Angular B owl F S 295 S hallow S temmed B owl F 304 Unidentified TOTAL Rims 1 7 1 5 6 18 46 2 - 15 - 2 103

Handle - - - 1 - 1 15 - 2 - 1 4 24 Bases Bases ------60 - - 1 - 12 73

Stems/ - - - 1 - - 38 - - - - 39 Spouts 1 7 1 7 6 19 159 2 2 16 1 18 TOTAL (0.4%) (2.9%) (0.4%) (2.9%) (2.5%) (7.9%) (66.5%) (0.9%) (0.9%) (6.7%) (0.4%) (7.6%) 239

Tsoungiza in the Corinthia (Shelmerdine 1992; Dabney, poulos 1917). They include vessels associated with single Halstead, and Thomas 2004; Thomas forthcoming). Sig- burials or assignable with certainty to a given interment, nificant LH iiia2 pottery deposits from settlement con- which was not disturbed during the successive re-use of texts on the Greek mainland have been brought to light the grave. also at and Tiryns in the Argolid (French 1965; Schönfeld 1988, 157–167, figs. 1–2, tables 1–4), Thebes Mitrou’s tripartite subdivision of the LH IIIA2 ceramic in Boeotia (Symeonoglou 1973, 23–43, pls. 27–63), and phase has a very close parallel at Nichoria, where three Ayios Stephanos in Laconia (Mountjoy 2008, 302–314, distinct horizons termed early, middle, and late have been 374–376, figs. 6:3–9, 38). Smaller closed ceramic assem- identified byC .W. Shelmerdine (1992, 495). At Tsoungiza, blages were recovered from tombs, for example at My- two successive stages, called respectively LH IIIA2 early cenae (Wace 1932), Prosymna (Blegen 1937), and Schoi­ and late, have been isolated by P.M. Thomas in the EU 9 nochori in the Argolid (Renaudin 1923), the Athenian deposit (Dabney, Halstead, and Thomas 2004, 205; Thom- Agora in ­Attica (Immerwahr 1971), and Thebes (Keramo- as forthcoming).

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Despite the geographical distance, the comparison of to be attested. Painted goblets FS 255 have disappeared at significant elements shows that similar ceramic develop- Mitrou and Tsoungiza, but a single specimen is present at ments occurred at Mitrou and Nichoria during their earliest Nichoria. The diagonal whorl shell FM 23 is common on LH IIIA2 horizon (for Nichoria’s LH IIIA2 early pottery, kylikes from Mitrou and Nichoria. At Nichoria and Tsoun- see Shelmerdine 1992, 495–503, 537–538, figs. 9:39–40). giza, closed shapes have a narrower decorative zone. At Common diagnostic features include the appearance of Mitrou, a few early examples of the deep bowl FS 284 the monochrome kylix FS 264 and the painted stemmed appear for the first time during this sub-phase. bowl FS 304. Additional defining characteristics are the continuation of the painted goblet FS 255 from LH IIIA1, Following in the footsteps of Shelmerdine, I would term the prevalence of thin everted or everted triangular lips on the ceramic horizons described in the last three paragraphs open shapes, and the absence of patterned kylikes FS 256 “LH IIIA2 Early,” “LH IIIA2 Middle,” and “LH IIIA2 and 257 and of the diagonal whorl shell FM 23. The lin- Late.” The remaining significant deposits from the Greek ear semiglobular cup FS 214 with monochrome interior is mainland can now be placed in the sequence established present at Mitrou, but absent at Nichoria. Closed shapes according to the evidence from Mitrou, Nichoria, and from the former site may have a wide decorative zone Tsoungiza. A detailed list of the pottery groups assign- sometimes extending below the handles. able to LH IIIA2 Early is shown Table 5. They include some of the materials from Mycenae Chamber Tombs 520 The middle stage of LH IIIA2 at Mitrou and Nichoria is (Wace 1932, 21–28, nos. 15, 17, 25–27, 30–31, figs. 9–10, characterized by the simultaneous appearance of the globu- pls. XVI–XVII) and 521 (Wace 1932, 28–31, no. 1, figs. lar stirrup jar FS 171 and the patterned kylix FS 256 (for 9, 15); Prosymna Tomb XLII (Blegen 1937, 147–152, fig. Nichoria’s LH IIIA2 middle pottery, see Shelmerdine 1992, 368); Athenian Agora Tombs XVIII, XXVIII, XXXII, and 496–503, 538–542, figs. 9:40–50).R ounded triangular lips XXXIX (Immerwahr 1971, 209–211, 230–231, 234, 241– are now prevalent on open shapes. Monochrome kylikes 242, nos. XVIII:1–7, XXVIII:1, XXXII:1–3, XXXIX:1–3, FS 264 and painted stemmed bowls FS 304 continue to be pls. 48, 54, 56, 58); and Kolonaki Tomb 21 at Thebes (Ker- common, while patterned kylikes FS 257 and the diagonal amopoulos 1917, 181–183, fig. 130). All of these assem- whorl shell FM 23 have not yet appeared.4 Since all of these blages contain at least some of the typical characteristics characteristics are represented at Tsoungiza within the local of LH IIIA2 Early, which are summarized in the rightmost LH IIIA2 early sub-phase (Dabney, Halstead, and Thomas column in Table 5. On the other hand, they do not show any 2004, 208–211, figs. 2–6; Thomas forthcoming), the latter of the features defining the two succeeding sub-phases. should be synchronized with the middle stages from Mitrou and Nichoria. Minor differences between the ceramic reper- Deposits dating to LH IIIA2 Middle come from Myce- toire of the three sites include the following two: the linear nae Chamber Tombs 527 (Wace 1932, 94–98, nos. 11–12, dipper FS 236 is attested at Tsoungiza, but is still absent at 14, figs. 9, 39, pls. XLVII–XLVIII) and 530 (Wace 1932, Mitrou and Nichoria, while the painted one-handled bowl 106–110, nos. 10–11, 13, 15, figs. 9, 45, pl. LII); Scho- FS 283 is documented at Mitrou and Tsoungiza, but is not inochori Tombs A and E (Renaudin 1923, 199–202, 216– securely present at Nichoria, where the illustrated examples 219, figs. 8–10, 29–31); and from the settlement of Ay- come from uncertain contexts. At Tsoungiza, the decora- ios Stephanos (Mountjoy 2008, 302–314, 374–376, figs. tive zone of closed shapes may be still comparatively wide, 6:3–9). The diagnostic characteristics of this sub-phase extending below the handles. It is possible that this was the are outlined in Table 5. The assemblages assigned here case also at Mitrou and Nichoria, but the fragmentary state to LH IIIA2 Middle do not include any of the defining of preservation of the materials from these two sites does features of LH IIIA2 Late, with the exception of the pot- not allow for any secure conclusion. tery from Ayios Stephanos, where some patterned kylikes of the FS 257 type are attested. The material from this Common pottery elements of the final stage of LH IIIA2 at site was recovered in a wash level found in Area Epsilon Mitrou, Nichoria, and Tsoungiza comprise the appearance and presents a number of interesting idiosyncrasies, in- of the patterned kylix FS 257 (for Nichoria’s and Tsoun- cluding a peculiar group of kylikes heavily influenced by giza’s LH IIIA2 late horizons, see Shelmerdine 1992, 496– Minoan models (Mountjoy 2008, 305–306, 374–375, fig. 503, 538–542, figs. 9:40–50;T homas forthcoming). Open 6:5). The vast majority of the fragments, however, can be shapes are now usually typified by rounded bead lips. closely compared to the LH IIIA2 Middle deposits from Monochrome kylikes FS 264 and painted stemmed bowls Mitrou, Nichoria, and Tsoungiza. The problematic oc- FS 304 are still popular. Patterned kylikes FS 256 continue currence of kylikes of the FS 257 type (Mountjoy 2008, 305–306, 374, fig. 6:4), which are otherwise attested only

4 The decorative motif on a kylix fragment from Nichoria`s LH IIIA2 during LH IIIA2 Late, may be explained in two possible middle sub-phase is assigned by Shelmerdine to the diagonal whorl shell ways: either the deposit included a few later intrusions FM 23 (see Shelmerdine 1992, 497, 538, no. P3656, fig. 9:40), but this or it represents a very late stage of LH IIIA2 Middle, attribution seems uncertain.

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TABLE 5. SIGNIFICANT LH IIIA2 DEPOSITS FROM THE MYCENAEAN MAINLAND

CHRONOLOGY/ Site Settlement Contexts Funerary Contexts Defining Ceramic Features DEPOSITS Chamber (Ch.) Tomb 520, vessels associat- CHARACTERISTIC SHAPES: Mycenae ed with burials III-IV; Ch. Tomb. 521, western Linear semiglobular cup, FS 214 (new but pit, fragments associated with skull no. 11 uncommon); Monochrome kylix, FS 264*; Prosymna Tomb XLII, last burial Painted stemmed bowl, FS 304*. OTHER FEATURES: Agora, Tomb XVIII, last interment; Tomb XX- Prevalence of thin everted or everted triangu- Athens VIII, single burial; Tomb XXXII, west skeleton; lar lips on open shapes; LH IIIA2 Tomb XXXIX, single burial Decoration extending below handles on Early closed shapes. Nichoria LH IIIA2 early horizon ABSENT FEATURES: Thebes Kolonaki, Tomb 21 (possibly a single burial) Globular stirrup jars FS 171; Linear dipper FS 236; Spouted cup FS 249; Patterned kylikes FS 256, 257; Mitrou LH IIIA2 Early horizon Painted one-handled bowl FS 283; Deep bowl FS 284; Diagonal whorl shell FM 23 on open shapes. Ch. Tomb 527, vessels associated with burial CHARACTERISTIC SHAPES: Mycenae VI; Ch. Tomb 530, vessels associated with Painted globular stirrup jar FS 171 (new but burials III-IV uncommon); Painted dipper FS 236 (new but uncommon); Tomb A; Tomb E, vessels associated with Patterned kylix, FS 256*; Furumark’s LH IIIA2 early Furumark’s Schoinochori burial 1 Painted one-handled bowl FS 283 (new but uncommon). Tsoungiza EU 9 deposit, lower OTHER FEATURES: levels Linear FS 214, monochrome FS 264, and LH IIIA2 painted FS 304 continue; Middle Nichoria LH IIIA2 middle horizon Prevalence of rounded triangular lips on open Ayios Wash level, Area Epsilon shapes; Stephanos (with some LH IIIA2 Late) Decoration extending below handles on closed shapes. ABSENT FEATURES: Spouted cup FS 249; Mitrou LH IIIA2 Middle horizon Patterned kylikes FS 257; Deep bowl FS 284; Diagonal whorl shell FM 23 on open shapes. Terrace on the Atreus Ridge and Terrace below the House of Shields Mycenae (both with later intru- Ch. Tomb 529, vessels associated with CHARACTERISTIC SHAPES: sions); Petsas House, burials XI-XII Patterned kylix, FS 257*; Apothiki A; Ch. Tomb Spouted cup FS 249 (new, but uncommon); 505, dromos domestic Deep bowl FS 284 (new, but uncommon). rubbish OTHER FEATURES: FS 171, linear FS 214, linear FS 236, pat- Tiryns Unterburg, SH IIIA2 Spät terned FS 256, monochrome FS 264, painted FS 283, and painted FS 304 continue; LH IIIA2 Prosymna Tomb XLI, vessels associated with burial 16 Prevalence of rounded bead lips on open Late shapes; Tsoungiza EU 9 deposit, upper Decoration prevalently above handles on levels closed shapes; Presence of the diagonal whorl shell FM 23

Furumark’s LH IIIA2 late Furumark’s Nichoria LH IIIA2 late horizon on FS 257; Mitrou LH IIIA2 Late horizon Vertical whorl shell FM 23 is rare or absent. ABSENT FEATURES: Oidipodos Street 14, Painted goblets FS 255 die out. Group A (Ivory Pottery Thebes Hoard burnt deposit); Group B * Shapes appearing for the first time in significant quantities in a given period.

where some innovative characteristics were beginning to 529 (Wace 1932, 98–106, nos. 13, 15–17, 20, figs. 9, 41, be present on a low scale. pl. LI), the SH IIIA2 Spät materials from Tiryns’ Unter- burg (Schönfeld 1988, 157–167, figs. 1–2, tables 1–4), Deposits assignable to LH IIIA2 Late and their defining the vessels associated with burial 16 from Tomb XLI at pottery characteristics are listed in Table 5. The assem- Prosymna (Blegen 1937, 142–147, fig. 353), and GroupA blages dating to this sub-phase comprise five settlement and B deposits from Oidipodos Street 14 at Thebes (Syme- groups from Mycenae (French 1965), the vases assign- onoglou 1973, 23–43, pls. 27–63). Some of the deposits able to burials XI and XII from Mycenae Chamber Tomb from Nichoria, Mycenae, and Thebes include a late feature

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which is not attested at Mitrou and Tsoungiza: the pres- (see Table 5). If this is correct, the conclusion proposed by ence of the vertical whorl shell FM 23 on kylikes FS 257 Shelmerdine in 1992, according to which Furumark’s early (Shelmerdine 1992, 500, 539, no. P3669, pl. 9–60; French sub-phase should be equated to Nichoria’s middle horizon, 1965, 168, 176, 178–179, 186, 188, no. 510, fig. 2:8, fig. appears only partially tenable (Shelmerdine 1992, 496). 6, fig. 7:6–7, 9–10, pl. 51:a.1–3, pl. 52:e.1–4, pl. 53:c.2; Symeonoglou 1973, 40, nos. K69–72, pls. 35, 57–58). The proposed tripartite subdivision of LH IIIA2 does not in- This characteristic, together with the occurrence of the first tend to reject Furumark’s 1941 interpretation, but rather con- examples of the deep bowl FS 284 at Mitrou and Mycenae firms the validity of his original intuition about the separabil- (French 1965, 177–178, 186, 188–189, figs. 7:8, 9:7, pl. ity of this phase. Furthermore, despite the various changes 53:d.2), must be considered as a marker of the very end of that took place, the data at our disposal also confirm that, as LH IIIA2 Late on the Mycenaean mainland. originally thought by the Swedish scholar, the stylistic de- velopment within the whole phase was uniform (Furumark Conclusions 1941b, 101). This is suggested by the survival throughout LH IIIA2 of certain prominent features, such as monochrome The LH IIIA2 materials from Mitrou are crucial for a more deep rounded kylikes FS 264 and painted stemmed bowls FS thorough comprehension of the overall developments of 304, or the continuation of some of the diagnostic shapes of during the 14th century B.C. The oc- LH IIIA2 Middle, such as linear dippers FS 236 and pat- currence of multiple horizons at the site within this pe- terned kylikes FS 256, within LH III2 Late. riod suggests that in central Greece, LH IIIA2 was not a unitary ceramic phase. This conclusion confirms the data from the northeast and southwest , where stratified LH IIIA2 sequences have been brought to light References at Nichoria and Tsoungiza. The wide distribution of the evidence at our disposal implies that a consistent division Blegen, C.W. 1937. Prosymna. The Helladic Settlement Preceding the Argive Heraeum, Cambridge, MA. of this pottery phase can be applied throughout the entire Mycenaean mainland, thus bringing to a close a long-term Cullen, T., ed. 2001. Aegean Prehistory. A Review (AJA Supple- debate among specialists. ment 1), Boston. Dabney, M.K., P. Halstead, and P.M. Thomas. 2004. “Mycenaean New excavations and a complete reassessment of the rel- Feasting on Tsoungiza at Ancient Nemea,” in Wright, ed., 2004, evant assemblages that have been already brought to light pp. 77–95. in the past are needed in order to convincingly establish Deger-Jalkotzy, S., and A.E. Bächle, eds. 2009. 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Proceedings of the In- ternational Workshop Held at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Mitrou may be extended to the rest of continental at Vienna, October 29th and 30th, 2004 (Veröffentlichungen der Greece. At the current stage of research, this appears to be Mykenischen Kommission 28), Vienna. the most likely possibility since closed find groups from French, E.B. 1965. “Late Helladic IIIA 2 Pottery from Mycenae,” the Early, Middle, and Late ceramic horizons seem to be BSA 60, pp. 159–202. represented at the important site of Mycenae (see Table 5). The viability of this system is also supported by the Furumark, A. 1941a. The Mycenaean Pottery: Analysis and Clas- sification, Stockholm. geographical range of the three sub-phases that may occur from central Greece down to the southwest Peloponnese, ———. 1941b. The Chronology of Mycenaean Pottery, Stock- passing through the heartland of the Mycenaean world in holm. the Argolid. Immerwahr, S.A. 1971. The Neolithic and Bronze Ages (Agora XIII), Princeton, NJ. How does the tripartite scheme proposed here relate to Furumark’s bipartite subdivision of LH IIIA2? According Keramopoulos, A.D. 1917. “Θηβαϊκά,” ArchDelt 3, pp. 1–503. to the chronology put forward in this paper, some of the Laffineur, R., L. Hitchcock, and J.L. Crowley, eds. 2008. DAIS. deposits originally assigned by the Swedish scholar to his The Aegean Feast. Proceedings of the 12th International Aegean LH IIIA2 early sub-phase correspond to our LH IIIA2 Ear- Conference, held in Melbourne 25–29 March 2008 (Aegaeum 29), Liège. ly, while others can be attributed to our LH IIIA2 Middle

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