Neolithic and Early Bronze Age finds from excavations at the citadel of Midea 2004–2006

The first use of this area which is documented by a fill with extremely fragmented sherds is dated to the later part of the Late Neolithic period (4800–4500 BC). A pit grave which was partly dug into this fill contained a probably secondary inhumation of a woman of 40–50 years. According to the radiocarbon dates the burial is dated between 4350 and 4270 BC. A disturbed rock-cut tomb may be dated from the Final Neolithic till EH II. For EH I (3100–2700 BC) a horizon of use was identified. EH II (2700–2200 BC) evidence is present for its developed phase, and a strong wall, most probably part of a fortification, as well as a deposit of a dining set belong to this period. In the excavated area habitation was interrupted from the late phase of EH II to the late phase of EH III. For the start of the Middle Bronze Age there is evidence for a floor horizon on which entire vessels were located in certain distance from each other.

The archaeological and scientific analysis (petrography, chemical and Neutron Activation Analysis) of the pottery produced interesting aspects on the position of Midea in the Northeastern Peloponnese. For EH I a number of local and regional fabrics have been identified. This includes a fabric originating from an important centre of production in the Talioti Valley which specialised in the fruitstand form in particular. In addition we have identified an import from the island of Aegina. During EH II the assemblage is dominated by the ›Talioti‹ fabric but includes other regional and local fabrics, however, these are in a smaller proportion than in the Neolithic and EH I periods. In addition about 10 % of the pottery appears to be imported from the Korinthia. These pottery is associated with high fired, dark slipped table wares in particular consisting of saucers and sauceboats indicative of communal consumption practices.