Sarpedon

Zone 6 was laid out on the southeast summit of the Kephali hill, where walls had been identified by our architectural survey in 2007. A Late Minoan architectural complex of several rooms was uncovered during the 2008 excavations. Together with the results of the geophysical survey, this evidence suggests that the hill was densely settled by the end of the Bronze Age.

Zone 6 : Aerial view of a Late Minoan architectural complex

No stratified material has thus far been excavated in Zone 6, which may have served as a dumping ground for domestic refuse during the Late Minoan III period. Among the finds were a miniature stirrup jar and a fragment of a potter’s wheel.

Zone 6 : miniature stirrup jar and a fragment of a potter’s wheel

The latter find could indicate that a pottery workshop was located in the vicinity of Zone 6. A c. 15-cm long triton shell was discovered in the corner of Space 6.1. It was tightly set in the masonry of wall F12, suggesting a foundation ritual. A unique parallel for this discovery is a 155 mm-long triton (Charonia sequenzae) shell discovered in the Late Minoan IIIA domestic shrine of the Central Hillside Houses at Kommos.

Zone 6 : shell discovered in the corner of Space 6.1

Zone 6 : A c. 15-cm long triton