Σπήλαιο Λεονταρίου Υμηττού Αττικής. Ένα πετρώδες και ορεινό περιβάλλον : προκαταρκτικά στοιχεία για την έρευνα των ετών 2003-2005
Part of : Αρχαιολογικά ανάλεκτα εξ Αθηνών ; Vol.39, No.1, 2006, pages 31-44
Issue:
Pages:
31-44
Parallel Title:
The Lion cave on mount Hymettos. A rocky, mountainous environment : preliminary evidence for the investigation in 2003-2005
Section Title:
Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά
Abstract:
The Lion cave excavations began in 2003 as a joint project of the Ephorate of Palaeoan- thropology-Spelaeology of South Greece and the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Athens. The site is situated on the east slope of mount Hymettos in Attica and has an outstanding view of the Mesogaea plain. The cave consists of a single chamber divided into two main parts with some rock decoration. Of the excavated areas only trenches A and ΣΤ have reached a considerable depth of undisturbed stratigraphy in the deposit layers: in most other cases excavation ceased due to the large amount of fallen rocks and stalagmitic crusts present just below surface deposits.Surface layers produced mixed material belonging mostly to the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Post-Roman and modem use of the cave. Several figurines and sherds of the classical period indicate that the cave - mainly the inner chamber - was then used as a shrine, probably devoted to Pan. The material is very fragmentary and also includes some metal tools and coins.The main use of the cave, though, is dated to the Neolithic period. The upper layers date to the so called LNIb-IIa phase with characteristic pottery categories such as incised, burnished and coarse wares and a few rolled rim bowls as well as red slipped and burnished sherds, horn and various others lugs and handles. Further below, matt-painted ware, dominate the assemblage. The bichrome variety is found together with other categories of material such as chipped and ground stone, bone tools, a few sea shells and a fair amount of animal bones. This phase probably dates to the LNI phase, while some ceramic elements from the deepest levels of trench A seem to go back to the beginning of the LN. The cave was therefore used during parts of the 5th and 4th millennia BC (radiocarbon dates are not yet available). It should be mentioned that several stone and clay figurines were found in trench A under “floors” of stones, with most of the material almost in situ, a specific depositional practice which seems to continue in the adjacent trench ΣΤ indicating a repeated pattern of space use which is of special interest.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
σπήλαιο, Αττική
Notes:
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