Hall, Edith H.: Excavations in eastern Crete Sphoungaras (Philadelphia, 1912)

edith h. hall-excavations in eastern crete.

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found in this deposit, having in all probability worked its way
down from a higher level.

All along the margins of these Early Minoan deposits and
indeed sometimes quite within their limits occurred traces of
Middle Minoan III and Late Minoan I burials in inverted jars.

F G H

Fig. 28.—Middle Minoan i Vases. Scale 1:5.

Where such later interments were numerous the earlier deposits
ceased to appear. It seems accordingly possible that the entire
slope had been used as a burial place in Early Minoan times and
that many of these earlier graves had been removed by later
inhabitants to make room for their own dead. It is also possible
that the earlier graves had been plundered by later generations
and that fine goldwork like the pendant of Fig. 24 had thus
disappeared. And if we are to suppose a rich and extensive
cemetery on the hillside of Sphoungaras we must also suppose an
extensive settlement in the town of Gournia. This is indeed the
most important conclusion to be drawn from these early burials,
viz. that the town of Gournia was a large and prosperous com-
munity in the Early Minoan II period.