289-304

The caves of Diros, 1971

Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά

• Παπαθανασόπουλος, Γ. Α.

In 1971, in the region of the Caves of Diros extensive investigation was undertaken with the result that traces of human habitation were noted also outside the Cave Alepotrypa.In the inmost recess of the Gulf of Diros, near the entrance of the Cave Alepotrypa, toward the North, on an extended rocky elevation of soil, the site of the Neolithic acropolis of Diros was recognized; sherds and fragments of obsidian blades and flint were collected there. Similar finds were noted on the south slope of the acropolis on the side of the entrance to the Cave Alepotrypa, where partially destroyed shelters exist in the abrupt edges of the rock.Traces of prehistoric man were also evident in most other sites, in both the immediate and wider region of the Caves of Diros.The excavation research of the Cave Alepotrypa in the year 1971 was carried out in the north section of Room B (Colour plate IV, 5 and AAA IV ( 1971 ), p. 149 ff.) in the positions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 of Room Δ ( see plans nos. 1 - 4 ) and in a small section outside the Cave by the entrance.In the positions 9 and 10 was discovered an extensive ossuary containingfifteen skulls and many bones from disintegrated human skeletons (figs. 2 - 5 ). Thfe finds are extremely important for the study of the secondary tombs and, in general, of the burial customs of the Neolithic and early Bronze Ages in the land of Greece.The results of the excavation activity in positions Θ. 12 and Θ. 14 have contributed to the investigation of the way of life of prehistoric man living in caves, with the discovery in place of three clay disc-shaped ovens for the baking of bread, in position 12 ( f i g s. 6 and 7, and plans 2-3), as well as a primitive stone floor, an amphora preserved in situ and a hearth, in position 14 (fig. 8, plans 2 and 4 ), where there was a small natural niche-like compartment.It should be noted that the general research of the Caves included a preliminary underwater investigation of the bed of the lakes of Alepotrypa and Glyphada (see fig. 1 ).Likewise, drawings and illustrations of the areas investigated, as well as other works of special nature were executed for the preservation, protection and presentation of the finds in situ within the cave, i.e. of the clay vases (Colour plate IV, 1-4) and small objects, and the anthropological material.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

σπήλαια, Λακωνία

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