Ofrynio Toumba, an example of habitation in Eastern Macedonia (Northern ) in the Late Bronze Age

Ioannis Soukantos a, Dimitria Malamidou b a Department of History-Archaeology and Social Anthropology, University of Thessaly, Argonauton & Fillelinon Str, Building complex of Papastratos, Volos, Greece; [email protected] b Ephorate of Antiquities of , 48 Ethnikis Antistasis Str., Serres, Greece; [email protected]

ABSTRACT Toumba is a typical Late Bronze Age (1600-1100 BC) site located 60 km west of the city of and 2 km southeast of the modern village of Ofrynio in the Municipality of Pangaion, in Northern Greece. The geographical position of the tell on the west bank of the Strymon river, near the coastline of Orphanos bay and south of the metalliferous Mount Pangaion, emphasizes its geostrategic role and attests to its character as an im- portant prehistoric settlement. Analogous sites east of the Strymon river are relatively rare unlike to what hap- pens in , the valley of Axios, around the Thermaicos gulf, the Langadas basin and Chalkidike. The systematic research in the field began in 2012 and continues to this day, under the supervision ofthe Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala-Thasos and is supported financially by the Municipality of Pangaion and the INSTAP foundation (Institute of Aegean Prehistory). Excavation has already revealed important features, such as architectural remains, characteristic pottery of the Late Bronze Age, small artifacts mainly connected to the household equipment and a rich zooarchaeological material. The architectural remains (enclosure-apsidal building) unearthed till now, in the upper archaeological layer, are dated in the last period of the Late Bronze Age (LH IIIC/1200-1100 BC), according to the characteristic pottery. Ofrynio Toumba will allow an opportunity to study a settlement of the Late Bronze Age in the coastal area of Eastern Macedonia, decisively contributing to the enrichment of the archaeological record of the area. KEYWORDS Ofrynio toumba, Kavala, Northern Greece, Late Bronze Age, East Macedonia.

Introduction

The settlement of Ofrynio Toumba, a typical Late Bronze Age Τell (Andreou, Kotsakis 1987, 9-15) is located in Northern Greece, 60 km west of the city of Kavala and 2 km south-

east of the modern village of Ofrynio in the Municipality of Pangaion (fig. 1). The top of the toumba lies 82m above sea level. The toumba measures 11m in height. It has a flat part, 1.950 sq.m wide, on its top, while the lower part measures up to 3.700 sq.m. The perimeter of it has been disturbed by trenches created during World War I by German-Bulgarian troops, during the fights for the control of the passage that connects the valley of to the Strymon River and Central Macedonia. The area around the toumba, mainly on its lower south/southeast parts, was cultivated thus resulting to the alteration of the original relief. However, the flat top of the hill did not suffer much change in surface, since it was only used for the cultivation of tobacco (20-25 years ago), a practice that does not afflict strata, not even superficial depositions (fig. 2). The geographical position of the toumba, on the west bank of the Strymon River, near

Be-JA Бе-СА Supplementa 7 (2019) 191–210 Bulgarian e-Journal of Archaeology Българско е-Списание за Археология http://be-ja.org ISSN 2603-3216 Ioannis Soukantos, Dimitria Malamidou

Fig. 1. Map of Northern Greece with locations of modern city of Kavala and Ofrynio village, such as the site of Ofrynio toumba (Google Earth) Обр. 1. Карта на Северна Гърция с местоположението на съвременния град Кавала и с. Офринио, както и мястото на Офринио тумба (Google Еarth) the coastline of Orphanos bay and south in the foothills of metalliferous Mount Pangaion (Vaxevanopoulos 2016;) which, as suggested, was mined as early as this era, emphasizes its geostrategic role and attests to its character as an important prehistoric settlement (fig. 3). The artifacts and the architectural remains excavated on the top, attest that the site was inhabited during the Late Bronze Age when it was abandoned without any further trace of habitation in historical times. All of the above characteristics attribute to it, an important geostrategic character, both in terms of habitation as well as for the role in the wider local network of settlements that have already been detected in the surrounding area after field’s surveys that took place in the past1, dated also in the Late Bronze Age (1600-1100 BC).

History of research

Analogous sites east of the Strymon river are relatively studied and excavated, in contradiction to what happens in central Macedonia, the valley of Axios, around the Ther- maicos gulf, the Langadas basin and Chalkidike peninsula (Andreou et al. 2001; Andreou 2001; 2010; 2012). toumba (Andreou, Kotsakis 1995; 1997), toumba (Wardle 1980; 1983; 1989), Kastanas toumba (Hochstetter 1984; 1987; Hansel 1989), toumba of Agios Ma- mas (Horeijs 2007; Hansel, Aslanis 2010) and Aggelochori toumba (Stefani 2010;) are the most known and best excavated/studied sites of this type for that period. So far, we have only data from settlements in the hinterland of Eastern Macedonia territory, namely the

1 Sites of Palaiokastro toumba and Profitis Helias toumba.

192 Ofrynio Toumba, an example of habitation in Eastern Macedonia (Northern Greece) in ...

Fig. 2 Aerial view of Ofrynio Toumba from N/NE (by the author) Фиг.2 Въздушен изглед към Офринио Тумба от С/СИ (от автора) valleys of Serres and Drama. Specifically, we mention the sites of Railway Station of Aggista (Koukouli 1980), Faia Petra Sidirokastrou (Valla 2007) and Sfelinos Toumba (Tolia Christakou 2009) in the area of Serres, the cemeteries at Potamoi and Exochi (Grammenos 1979) north of Drama city and the settlement of Dikili Tash near Philippi (Treuil 1992). In addition, on the island of Tha- sos, the site of Kastri Theologos (Koukouli 1992) has been excavated and offers important information concerning this period (fig. 4). It is very interesting to ascertain whether and in what extent the characteristics of Ofrynio toumba repeat the norms of Central Macedonia (Andreou 2010;) or whether the site is rather more related to the ones in East Macedo- nia (Koukouli 1982; 2007; Papadopoulos 2010) and the Balkan inland (Stefanovich, Bankof 1998; Delev, Vulcheva 2002; Alexandrov et al. 2007; Leshtakov 2008;), in terms of intra- community organization and inter-communal relationships. In bibliography the site is known as “Lakkovikia” or with the name “Harman Tepe” as well. For the first time it is noted with the surveys made by David French in the ‘60s (French 1967), align with a number of prehistoric sites that are located in the surround- ing area. Superficial artifacts were collected by D. Grammenos and M. Fotiadis during the survey for chronicling the prehistoric sites in East Macedonia, in the beginning of the ‘80s (Grammenos, Fotiadis 1980; Grammenos 1980-1981). The tell, no longer cultivated for sev- eral years, presented in surface, only an important amount of handmade pottery of Late Bronze Age period.

Excavation project

The excavation program begun in 2012 and continued in 2013 as a rescue intervention

193 Ioannis Soukantos, Dimitria Malamidou

Fig. 3. The location of Ofrynio Toumba and the wider area (by the author) Фиг. 3. Местоположението на Офринио Тумба и околността (от автора)

(Soukantos et al. 2012; Malamidou et al.2013), after a recent attempt of an illegal excavation on the top of the toumba. The Municipality of Pangaion has been an important supporter, from the very start of this project both by funding the excavation and by offering a group of workers. From 2015 until today, the research of the project was carried out thanks to the financial support by INSTAP which granted with a New Research Grant along with the continuous support of the Municipality of Pangaion. The research continues as a system- atic excavation of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala under the direction of Dr. Dimitria Malamidou2. An inter-disciplinary research team was put together consisting of PhD candidates and post graduates of archaeology (Msc), of various fields, a survey engineer and an archi- tect3. We first proceeded to the topographic mapping of the site and the creation of a general one square meter grid for the entire extent of the mount to support the archaeological field work. Prior to the beginning of the excavation, we used our own equipment for low altitude air photography. Eight sectors have been excavated on top of the toumba during the last 4 years. The end of each excavation season was followed by the archiving of all data using an electronic data base and by recording of sectors via aerial photogrammetry and air photog- raphy, with the aid also of computer-design techniques. After four excavation campaigns, the eight sectors on the flat top of the mount un- covered important architectural and domestic remains and it seems that we have already touched two different habitation levels.

Archaeological Data

Architectural/residential remains An enclosure (massive surrounding wall) 1m thick, was unearthed in two different parts at the top of the toumba in a depth of 0.5m from the surface (fig.6). This stone struc- ture which we interpreted as an enclosure seems to have collapsed to the East side (fig. 5). Following the axis S/SW-NE, it was unearthed at about 4.5m long in each part and covers a significant area of the excavated sectors. It consists of large irregular rocks, with a small quantity of clayey mud as binding material between them. Its location in the limits on the

2 Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala, head supervisor of Archaeological Sites in Kavala and Thassos. 3 Our scientific research team consists from: Spyridon Thermos (Msc Archaeology/Mycenean era) Aggeliki Pateli (Msc.Archaeology/ computer-data bases), Gianni Papadia (PhD Archaeology/ petrographic analysis), Niki Saridaki (Phd Archaeology/Neolithic) Athanasia Kiakou (Msc Archaeology, GIS-Bronze age pottery) Danai Chondrou (Phd Archaeology/Lithics)), Daphne Nikolaidou (Msc. Archaeology/ zooarchaeology), Dimitra Kotsachristou (Phd.Archaeology/ archaeobotanist) Sophia Vlachopoulou (Msc. Surveying Engineer) and Ioulia Stamou (Msc. Architect). Their participation is voluntary and based on common research interests in faith for teamwork and the development of scientific knowledge about the habitation in Macedonia during Prehistory.

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Fig. 4. The most known and best excavated sites in East Macedonia with LBA habitation (Google Earth) Фиг. 4. Най-известните и най-добре проучените обекти в Източна Македония, обитавани през късната Бронзова епоха (Google Earth) flat top of the mound makes us think that it probably had a double function, as a retaining wall as well as a defensive one. However, the limited extent of the excavation cannot, for the time being, lead us to safe conclusions concerning its character. There is a strong possibil- ity this wall surrounding all the settlement, following the pattern/parallels which located in Assiros toumba (Wardle 1983; 395) and Toumba Thessaloniki (Kotsakis, Andreou 1987;

226) on that period. In the interior, right below the surface layer, in a depth of only 10-15 cm., we un- earthed a thick layer of a yellowish/off-white compact clay with calcareous inclusions ap- parently belong to the superstructure of fallen walls and roofs. Some concentrations of ir- regular pointed medium and small sized stones with clay masses bearing imprints from wooden elements were characteristic elements of this layer (fig. 6). Important amounts of pottery fragments were collected between them. We also unearthed big storage vessels in situ about 60-70 cm. in diameter in which one of them bears three lead joints (fig. 7) and small vessels shells and various spindle whorls. The second layer, in a lower level, contains an apsidal building, only partly unearthed for the moment. Two postholes, a heating struc- ture, part of a floor made of yellowish/off-white clay with calcareous inclusions, surround- ed with masses of burned building material strengthen our argument that we are inside a house. The building is defined on the East by a row of large and medium sized stones and compact clay as binding material, going parallel to the external enclosure, and being the foundation of a wall. The north side of the building is curved. Another stone foundation in a SE-NW axis, 2 m long and 50 cm thick, seems to form a separating wall, which lies in the same level. In a central point of a supposed room, a curve-lined stone structure was re- vealed, with a maximum external diameter 50 cm, forming an alcove 12 cm deep, probably

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Fig. 5. The two parts of the enclosure wall (surrounding wall) (by the author) Фиг. 5. Двете части на стената на заграждението (заобикалящата стена) (от автора) used as a socket or a superstructure support (fig. 8). Moreover, further to the West, an oval-like structure, 90 cm maximum length and 30cm width, made of conglomerate stones resting on a layer of compact clay was brought to light. Around this structure we collected a significant amount of pottery, dated to the Late Bronze Age, as well as bones, shells and clay masses (daub). This structure could be interpreted as a bench or as the negative of a rubbish pit of belonging to the first occupation level. Excavation did not penetrate much into these two destruction layers. It remains for the future to clarify the relation between the two levels of occupation and their connection with the stone enclosure. Special attention was given to the collection of sediments from these sectors, in order to retrieve a maximum number of archeaobotanical data in context by water-sieving. Furthermore, we excavated one more sector (sector Z) on the east slope of the toumba (fig. 9), in order to check for other enclosures or terrace walls surrounding the hill. Traces

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Fig. 6. Clay masses with imprints from wooden elements (by the author) Фиг. 6. Глинена късове с отпечатъци от дървена конструкция (от автора) of two such possible structures were detected in two different levels on the slopes, having the form of concentrations of stones in rows. The sector Z was opened in the lower one. No clear structure was found, and the pottery collected was minimal. The row of stones unearthed here, was placed on the natural soil, whitish-yellowish with a sandy texture. The stone structure, if ever existed, collapsed and the stones scattered lower on the slope. There is a strong possibility that this structure relate with modern configurations in space, and it may belong to modern constructions from farmers to delimiting fields.

Pottery

A preliminary examination of the pottery, after the four excavation periods on top of

Fig. 7. Big storage vessels. One of them bears three lead joints (by the author) Фиг. 7. Големи съдове за съхранение. Един от тях има три оловни сглобки (от автора)

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Fig. 8 The second layer which contains the apsidal building with the other architectural remains (postholes-heating structure-floor-socket and oval structure-wall) (by the author) Фиг. 8. Вторият слой, в който е разположена апсидалната сграда с другите архитектурни останки (стълбова яма-отоплителна конструкция-под-цокъл и овална структура-стена) (от автора) the toumba showed that the majority belongs to handmade vases, characteristic of the Late Bronze Age of Macedonia, similar to what was found in many Late Bronze Age settlements such as Thessaloniki Toumba (Kiriatzi 2000), Assiros and Kastanas mounds (Hochstetter 1984), which have been meticulously studied. They are yielded big amounts of handmade pottery fragments with shapes and decorations of that period. The sherds represent mainly rough monochrome and burnished brown ware, belonging probably to both cooking ware as well as larger vases (storage containers, jars etc). So far, the material studied, shows wares with: incised decoration made of geometrical motifs, plastic decoration (additional elements on the pot), impressed decoration and incised decoration with white or white and pink paste (fig 10-11). The incised decoration on the present material seem to be connected, mainly, to parts

198 Ofrynio Toumba, an example of habitation in Eastern Macedonia (Northern Greece) in ...

Fig. 9. Sector Z on the east slope of the toumba (by the author) Фиг. 9. Сектор Z на източния склон на могилата (от автора)

Fig. 10. Incised decoration made of geometrical Fig. 11. Incised decoration with white or white motifs, plastic decoration (additional elements and pink paste (by the author) on the pot) and impressed decoration Фиг. 11. Врязана украса, запълнена с бяла (by the author) или бяла и розова паста (от автора) Фиг. 10. Врязана украса, изработена от геометрични мотиви, пластична украса (допълнителни елементи на съда) и релефна декорация (от автора)

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Fig. 12. Sherd with probably ‘matt painted’ decoration (by the author) Фиг. 12. Фрагмент вероятно с украса матова боя (от автора)

Fig. 13. Sherd from the neck of a wheel made vessel, with a brownish slip paint consisting of parallel black bands on both the inside and outside surface (by the author) Фиг. 13. Фрагмент от гърлото на съд, изработен на грънчарско колело, с кафeникава ангоба, състояща се от успоредни черни ленти както по вътрешната, така и по външната повърхност (от автора) of closed vessels like two handled kantharos shaped amphoras, whilst the plastic decora- tion is related to cooking vessels (wide outward rimmed deep vases) and pithoi. There is one sample of painted decoration on a sherd from the body of a vessel, which could belong to the matt-painted category (fig. 12). However its small size and the lack of other parallels in sites of East Macedonia, make us hesitating for further discussion. Nevertheless, this find could be a first clue in our work- ing hypothesis that this settlement did participate in the network settlements of Central Macedonia sharing such pottery categories. One other fine ware sherd, collected from the surface layer, from the neck of a wheel made vessel, with a brownish slip paint consisting of parallel black bands on both the inside and outside, probably belongs to Submycenean or a later period such as Early Iron Age (fig. 13). This sample combined with the presence of unidentified wheel made sherds from the superficial layers, are, for the time being, the only signs of a later/last activity on the moun- tain and do not influence the overall picture of the stratified pottery from the non-disturbed layers, which undoubtedly belong to the Late Bronze Age. We collected also a one-handled cup, bearing incised decoration with white paste, and a one handle small jar, vessels, typical of LBA (IIIB-IIIC) period, which detected in the

200 Ofrynio Toumba, an example of habitation in Eastern Macedonia (Northern Greece) in ...

Fig.14.a. One-handled cup, bearing incised decoration with white paste. b. One handle small jar (by the author) Фиг.14.a. Чаша с една дръжка, с врязана декорация с бяла паста. b. Малък съд с една дръжка (аот автора) first layer occupation (fig 14).

Small finds

Among the building remains we collected also small finds/artifacts, mainly connected to the household equipment, in which through their typology and use we can gather im- portant information concerning daily activities of the settlement’s inhabitants in the Late Bronze Age. We mention the vast quantity of clay spindle whorls of different shapes, coni- cal, sub conical, biconical and round shaped (fig. 15). Some worked shells with mounting hole, probably used as pendants (fig. 16). A num- ber of ground stone tools have been also collected mainly, grinding, polishing (e.g. pol- isher) and impact tools (e.g. polyhedron quartz pounder), consist of cobbles and pebbles attesting to the use of materials gathered from secondary deposits in the surrounding area (coastal banks, torrent-beds and riverbeds) (fig. 17). As we mentioned above we discovered lead joints of big storage vessels (pithoi)4 (fig. 18). The presence of a fragment also, of a small bronze knife of the Aegean type (fig. 19), found among the stone series of the enclo- sure (peribolos), attests to the presence of a wide contact network prevailing on the Aegean area during this period, which was eventually further extended from the East Mediterra- nean to the Balkan inland.

Faunal remains

Taking under consideration that the process of cleaning the material has not yet been completed, the first data concerning the faunal archive have a character of general observa- tions, about the type of animals represented and the state of bones preservation. We were able to study the faunal remains from two sectors, A and C, where we excavated the ap-

4 Specifically we located three lead joints in situ inside a pithos and picked up another during exca- vation. Samples taken from these objects to study isotopes and expected results for the identification of their source of origin. The assumption most likely come from mining source of the adjacent Mount Paggaio is strong. See again Vaxevanopoulo M., 2016;

201 Ioannis Soukantos, Dimitria Malamidou

Fig. 15. Clay spindle whorls of different shapes (by the author) Фиг. 15. Глинени вретена с различна форма (от автора)

Fig. 16. Shells with mounting hole, probably Fig. 17. Number of ground stone tools used as pendants (by the author) (by the author) Фиг. 16. Мидени черупки с отворза Фиг. 17. Каменни инструменти закачване, вероятно използвани като (от автора) висулки (от автора) sidal building. This preliminary examination of the zooarchaeological material what was expected for the Late Bronze Age. It shows that the domestic animals were dominant, with sheep and goats being the majority. Bones of pigs, bovine, dogs and a few of wild animals like deer and hare as well as small equines have also been collected (fig. 20). Concerning the marine fauna (fig. 21), the majority of the shells, found in all the sec- tors, are mainly of the cardium and the Muricidae (purple shellfish) type (Murex brandaris and trunculus). Given the fact that the dye obtained from these animals has been used, in the Mediterranean as well as in the Black Sea area, to colour fibres or textiles since, at least, as early as the Middle Bronze Age, we might think that in Ofrynio Toumba, besides the daily diet, these shells probably were processed for colour production (purple-blue) (Veropou- lidou et al. 2005).

Geophysical survey

We proceeded also to geomorphological investigations aiming to define the depo- sitional sequence and eventually to reach the earliest levels and the natural soil. With this method, we achieved to have a first glimpse of the stratigraphy and have some preliminary

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Fig. 18. Lead joint (by the author) Fig. 19. Aegean type bronze knife Фиг. 18. Оловна сглобка (от автора) (by the author) Фиг. 19. Част от бронзов нож егейски тип (от автора) indications for the settlement’s evolution. More specifically, we performed one drilling within the site east of the sector D on top of the hill, for intra-site core sampling. We have been able to spot the natural soil in a depth of 1,58 m below the surface. Several occupation layers are discerned and many soil and charcoal samples were collected for different kinds of analyses5. In first sight, the totality of the anthropogenic layers seems to be of a LBA date. The fact that we located the natural soil at a depth of only about 1,60 m below the surface of the flat top of the mount is of particular interest for the settlement patterns of the LBA; it means probably that the Late Bronze Age settlers chose to settle on top of a natural hill with a particular shape, reminding a toumba from earlier times.

Results and discussion

Going on a first preliminary synthetic assessment of all data, (mobile and architec- tural remains), compared with other similar sites of the same period in the region, we can draw some preliminary conclusions. The characteristic incised pottery without and with white / pink paste located in the two habitation levels and suggesting the appropriate shape of type vessels Kantharo-Cup, leaves no room for doubt that we are in the Late Bronze Age, specific IIIB - early to middle IIIC period (1200-1100 B.C). This pottery strongly occurs during that period in the cemetery of Faia Petra Sidirokastrou in Serres, Sfelinos Toumba, in R.S. of Aggista, Kastri cemetery in Thassos island, as in the Toumba Thessaloniki and toumba of Assiros. More specifically, as regards the first/ upper occupation layer, of the ex- istence of residential waste, such as storage jars, drinking/transport vessels, spindle whorls, stone tools, shells, suggest to us that we are on the inside of one or two smaller spaces stor- age usage with heavy human activity in which probably store and prepared food needs and probably made textiles. It reminds us of the respective phase 6 (1150-1100 BC) of Assiros toumba, which is characterized by the partial and scattered in space saving materials (jars-vessels) and the construction of smaller dimensions rooms, plus giving the impression that it was a small

5 Charcoal samples which collected with the core sample method were sent for analysis by the C14 method. The synthetic evaluation of the results obtained from this study will be announced in the near future together with the results of the samples from metal objects (lead joints).

203 Ioannis Soukantos, Dimitria Malamidou

Goats-Sheeps (Ovis aries, Capra hircus) Pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) Bovine (Bos taurus) Dogs (Canis familiaris), Deer (Cervidae) Hare (Lepus europaeus) Small equines (Equus asinus)

Fig. 20. Most common categories of animal bones (by the author) Фиг. 20. Най-често срещаните категории животински кости (от автора) village (Wardle 1980; 1983, 395; 1989). As also the interior of the building A in Toumba Thessaloniki during phase 4 (1100 BC), in which included several different areas of use, as storage spaces and spaces for food-preparation activities (Andreou, Kotsakis 1997). As concern the second habitation layer which defined by the presence of the apsidal building at a lower level along with the other residential remains, which we have mentioned above, reminds us of the phase 5 (1200-1150 BC) of Thessaloniki Toumba, which did not differen- tiate a lot from next phase 4 (Andreou, Kotsakis 1995; 1997). On that earlier phase under building A, a construction of an apsidal building wall was located, while in the rooms out- side the apsidal building, identified clusters jars and floors.

Conclusion

The geostrategic location of Ofrynio Toumba, between the Aegean coast and the Bal- kan hinterland, as far as the Danube and Central Europe, offers us a great opportunity to examine more systematically, various aspects of contacts and cultural relations between settlements during the LBA. The continuation of the project will offer valuable information concerning a series of questions related to settlement planning, household organization and intra / inter- site organization; it will shed light to issues like economy and technology of this society, while tracing contacts that might be connected with other settlements from the surrounding area. Moreover, investigation will provide information about social networks and transfer of items and ideas during the Mycenaean era. This will allow dealing with challenging historical issues about cultural changes in the Mycenaean and Aegean world. For instance, given the extent of Mycenaean ‘presence’ in other parts of Greek Macedonian, at sites like Assiros or Thessaloniki Toumba, but also further North, R.S. Aggista and in Faia Petra, or in the territory of modern Bulgaria ex. Kamenska Cucka (Stefanovich, Bankoff 1998), Koprivlen (Alexandrov 2002), Levunovo (Domaradzki 1986a), Marikostinovo (Ger- gova 1995), the role of the Strymon as a route of communication and transfer of items and influences during the Mycenaean era is worthy to investigate. On the other hand, it is in- teresting to deal with the degree in which the Mount Pangaion was exploited for its metal sources from local populations or even from incomers such as the Mycenaeans.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks we ought to give to the former Head of Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala, Mrs.Maria Nicolaidou Patera, as also to the former mayor of Municipality of Pag- gaio, Mr.Vasileio Xoulogi, for their active and wholehearted support shown, morally and

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Fig. 21. Most common categories of marine fauna (by the author) Фиг. 21 Най-често срещаните категории морска фауна (от автора) economically, in the first steps of this project. We also have to thank the local guardof antiquities, Mr. Nico Chrysafoudi, which his essential aid in organizational and practical issues was invaluable. We also thanks a lot the workers: Antoni Giovanou, Giorgo Koukousi, Nikolao Boun- toudi, Giorgo Spartsi, Nikolao Katsina, Aggelo Palouki, Stavro Paramazoglou Costa Molla, Strato Koulaxizi, Foti Rida, Nikolao Rida, who have shown and continue to show enthusi- asm during the excavation. We also thanks, Assistant Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology of the University of Ioannina of the Depart. of History and Archaeology, Mr. Andrea Vla- chopoulo, for trusting us his students: Maria Zoumaki, Anastasio Pasiali, Maria Gkaloufa, Panteli Kotsou and Maria Fotiadi. Finally, we would like to thank the Institute of Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) for the financial support, giving us the opportunity to consolidate the excavation project of Ofrynio Toumba with the continuous and uninterrupted study and research.

References

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Офринио Тумба, пример за селище в Източна Македония (Северна Гърция) през късната бронзова епоха

Йоанис Сукантос, Димитра Маламиду (резюме)

Офринио Тумба е типичен обект от късната бронзова епоха (1600-1100 г. пр. Хр.), разположен на 60 км западно от град Кавала и на 2 км югоизточно от съвременното село Офринио в община Пангайон, Северна Гърция. Географското разположение на селищната могила на западния бряг на река Стримон (Струма), в близост до брегова- та ивица на залива Орфанос и на юг от планината Пангей, богата на метални залежи, подчертава нейната геостратегическа роля и свидетелства за характера ѝ като важно праисторическо селище. Системните проучвания в тази област започват през 2012 г. и продължават и до днес под надзора на Ефората по старините на Кавала-Тасос и се подпомагат финан- сово от община Пангайон и INSTAP (Институт по Егейска праистория). В процеса на разкопките се разкриха съществени материали като архитектурни останки, диаг- ностична керамика от късната бронзова епоха, малки артефакти, свързани главно с домакинството и богат зооархеологически материал. На базата на характерната кера- мика, архитектурните останки от горния пласт (вкл. затворено-апсидна постройка) се

208 Ofrynio Toumba, an example of habitation in Eastern Macedonia (Northern Greece) in ...

отнасят към последния период на късната бронзова епоха (LH IIIC / 1200-1100 пр. Хр.). Офринио Тумба предоставя възможност за проучване на селище от късната бронзова епоха в крайбрежната зона на Източна Македония, което ще обогати значи- телно археологическите данни за района. Възобновяването на изследванията в облас- тта между Егейско море и Европа хвърля допълнителна светлина върху различните модели на обитаване и социалните взаимоотношения в Северна Гърция и на Балкан- ския полуостров.

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