479-485

Ethnoarchaeological research in the highland communities of Rhodope mountains

• Ευστρατίου, Νίκος

An ethnoarchaeological research program was initiated in 1987 in the region of the Rhodope mountains in Thrace. Two were the main aims of the research. First to study the distribution of the archaeological sites in the mountainous region, and second to continue the ethnoarchaeological work which had started a few years ago in the same area. The highlands of the Rhodope mountains offer an astonishing variety of ethnographic material mainly because of the presence of the traditional communities of the Pomaks who have lived in the area for many years in conditions of culturalisolation. In all those years they have kept traditional froms of material andsocioeconomic organization. The ethnoarchaeological work included the recording of information about the space organization of the village, the exploitation strategies of the community, the economy and social structure. Attention was focused on the economic practices of the community which recall precapitalistic forms of organization and may indicate an egalitarian type of society. On the household level the position of the women in the labour process was studied in relation to the marriage patterns. The production of certain ceramics was the focus of special interest. The production and distribution of a ceramic pot —a kind of frying pan with a lid called "ponitse” in the Pomak dialect— can still be seen in the area. The ethnoarchaeological work included also the recording and planning of all the wooden structures of the area which constituted seasonal sites or special purposesites. The archaeological work in the same area produced evidence of a continuous human occupation. The prehistoric "acropolis” of Kremastos Lofos (Asar Tepe) of an Early Iron Age —Thracian as it is called— was found very close to the modern village of Sarakini. Another site dated to the same period —around the 10th century B.C.— was identified further south along the same ravine. Its character is not yet clear although it is possible that we are dealing with another "acropolis”. Furthermore, a number of Byzantine graves of the 10th century A.D. were found in the area around the village. The excavation in the "acropolis” of Kremastos Lofos was limited because of the lack of adequate deposits and disturbed stratigraphy. The stone enclosure survives in some places, giving an idea of how the wall would have looked like, although it must have been originally equipped with a wooden superstructure. The other "acropolis” has produced some more interesting architectural remains: two circular stone structures, bearing indications of a wooden superstructure, were discovered along thestone enclosure running the northern side of the hill.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

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