303-311

Early helladic megaron at Akovitika in Messenia

Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά

• Θέμελης, Πέτρος Γ.

In the summer of 1969 a large scale excavation was carried out near the village Akovitika, 3-4 klm. West of Kalamata. A huge megaron type building of the EH period was revealed (plans 1-2). It is preserved to alength of 28 m. but its original length would be more than 35 m. Its width is about 15 m. The thickness of the walls varies from 0.80 to 1.45 m. It has deep foundations (T 1 m.) (fig. 1 ) of natural river stones joined with a hard mortar òf clay and sand, on which rests a stone socle that supported the superstructure of crude brick.The megaron comprises the following parts :1. The prodomos ( antechamber ) 11.50x10 m.2. The central hall, 8x 12.50 m.3. Narrow corridors along both sides of the central hall (fig. 2 ).4. A paved passage along the West side of the megaron (fig. 3 ).5. The prothyron ( porch ), at the Southwest corner of the megaron (fig. 4 ), which was roofed with schist slabs, fragments of which were found on the floor.6. The back part of the megaron, almost completely destroyed by the bulldozer.The pottery found in the megaron may be roughly dated to the EH IIperiod. A few fragments may belong to the MH period; it seems possible that part of the megaron had been reoccupied in this period, although the architectural remains seem to represent one structural phase.No evidence of a violent destruction of the palace was found, although the brick fragments, red and hard, seem to have been baked by fire. The destruction and abandonment of the palace is probably due to the flooding of the river Aris.Compared to the known contemporary « monumental » palaces ( Building BG and House of Tiles of Lerna III, central megaron of Troy II) the megaron of Akovitika has proved to be the largest of all ( cf. p 1 a n 3 ). It represents a stage of development from the simple Troy megaron to the « classical» House of Tiles.

• History and Archaeology
• Arts

• Αρχαιολογία
• Architecture, Ancient

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