Προϊστορικές ανασκαφικές έρευνες στην περιοχή της Σαμαρίνας, στην Πίνδο του νομού Γρεβενών
Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; Vol.18, No.1, 2004, pages 623-630
Issue:
Pages:
623-630
Parallel Title:
Prehistoric research in the area of Samarina in the Pindus, Grevena
Abstract:
The archaeological surface coverage of the highland areas of NW Grevena province (Grevena Highland Prehistoric Project) was initiated in 2002 and had in the beginning an exploratory character. The aim was to estimate the archaeological merit of highland and alpine areas of Greece (above the elevation of 1600 m) during early prehistoric times. The preliminary results of the 2002 exploratory fieldwork are published in last year’s AEMTH volume (2003, 17, 581-591).The second research season in 2003 came to confirm the findings of the previous year. The survey produced a number of eight new open air «sites» of mainly Middle Palaeolithic date located between the «Vlach» and «Koupatsarei» pastoralist villages of Samarina, Smixi and Filippei which were consequently mapped and recorded. The elevation in all cases exceeds 1700 m. Most of these «sites» were found situated in the zone «above the tree-line» in almost alpine environs, along watersheds and close to water and flint sources.The 2003 field season in the central Pindus region have confirmed two important observations: first, that most of the «sites» found are situated along high altitude watersheds which seem to function as passages between mountainous areas and second, that Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer groups were constantly moving to different directions through mountaintops and not river routes, as usually thought.Far more interesting proved to be the opening of five trial trenches in the «sites» Samarina 8 and Samarina 15 -elevation between 1700 and 1800 m- and their consequent excavation. The archaeological horizon has always been found at a depth of some 20-25 cm, after the removal of the topsoil. It was characterised by a charcoal layer containing a few chert artefacts of either Middle or Upper Palaeolithic date, as well as small potsherds. All the chert and ceramic pieces were mapped in situ. Both sites yielded a number of small natural canals, incised into the sterile polygonal soil, caused by the characteristics of the flisch geological background on which the site is positioned; a fireplace was also found in situ. Charcoal pieces were systematically collected from all sites in order to identify the tree species the prehistoric settlers utilised for making fire, and date them. The AMS radiocarbon dating of three samples of different arboreal species is currently in progress at Groningen University radiocarbon laboratory.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
προϊστορία, Γρεβενά, συνέδρια
Notes:
Περιέχει εικόνες και βιβλιογραφία.
