The Eurotas valley and the Helos plain in the Early Helladic period. Addressing some key issues on the basis of topography and pottery

Emily Banou Pharos XVIII.1 (2011-2012): 39-52.

Περίληψη (στα Αγγλικά)

In comparison with other regions of the mainland, Early Helladic Laconia is not well known or understood. In this paper an attempt is made to clarify the situation in Laconia in the Early Helladic period, by asking some important questions, arising from research in other, better explored regions. Such questions relate to issues such as the beginning of the Early Helladic period, with special reference to the Early Helladic I ceramic phase, the emergence of settlement patterns during the Early Helladic II period, the existence of an Early Helladic III ceramic phase and the comparison of the Early Helladic picture of Laconia gained so far, with the situation in the Late Helladic period.

The paper focuses on the Eurotas valley and the Helos plain, the two Laconian areas most densely occupied throughout the Bronze Age. In addition to data made available through publication, it is based on data gained through extensive survey undertaken by the author, as well as on some preliminary remarks from the current study — in collaboration with Louise Hitchcock and Anne Chapin — of sherd material kept in the collections of the British School and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.