A prehistoric settlement in the western Thessalian plain: Magoula Theofani (in Greek)

Μαρία Βαϊοπούλου Αρχαιολογικό Δελτίο 58-64 τόμος Α΄ Μελέτες (2003-2009) [2012]: 1-30.

Abstract

Τhis is a presentation of a Neolithic settlement in the western Thessalian plain known as “Magoula Theofani”.The settlement has been known since the 1960’s from surface surveys, in which sherds of the Late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age had been identified. Excavation brought to light two habitation phases. The first, dated to the Middle Neolithic, is represented by a very few architectural remains such as masses of clay. The second habitation phase, which is represented by pits, dates to the Late Neolithic. The finds are presented by chronological periods. In addition to the pottery, tools, figurines and jewelry are presented. As regards the pottery, which as in all excavations comprised the majority of finds, we may observe that the predominant vase shapes were phialai and skyphoi. The large number of sherds gives us additional shapes, such as cups and kyathoi, as well as bases and a typical section from a vase of the “fruit bowl” type. A fair number of pierced sherds demonstrates the presence of strainers and cheese-pots. The presence of closed shapes with relatively thick and durable walls, normally not very carefully modeled or fired, was also ascertained. The handle type that characterizes the pottery from this excavation is vertical lugs, which we encounter in the Greek bibliography as either «κερατοειδείς αποφύσεις» or «κερατοειδείς λαβές». Our interest was aroused by a lug handle with a human figure, for which we endeavor to provide a semiotic analysis. Finally, we conclude with an initial presentation of the Prehistoric settlements found within a maximum radius of 10 km. from Magoula Theofani. The final paragraph of the paper forms an introduction to our next work, which will examine the cultural interactions of Prehistoric settlements across space and time.

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