The exhibition of the Benaki Museum in Athens
by Axiothea Cleomenes
An exhibition concerning the Bull in the Mediterranean and the Society- religion took place in July at the Benaki Museum at Athens.
Agenor, the king of Tyre, had a fair daughter, whose name was Europe. The father of Gods and men, Zeus, fall in love with Europe, and in order to attract her, He transformed into a magnificent white bull. He started to play with her so gently that she finally coast and swam away with Him to Crete (H.J. Rose, A Handbook Of Greek Mythology, London 1928).
By tow quite impressing objects representing this myth the exhibition "The Bull in the Mediterranean" was opened at the Beneki Museum at Athens. The exhibition was separated into tow parts. The first was presenting the Bull in different cultures of the Mediterranean area. In the second and last part, the exhibition showed the role that the Bull plaid in the ancient Societies and religions of different cultures.
The exhibition provided information about myths, historical facts and theories originated by archaeological evidences, concerning the theme.
It was closed by objects which show the relation between the Bull’s divinity and the death.
To the surprise of us who were attended at the exhibition, the more interesting the subject was, the less successful the organization was.
Unfortunately, the lighting was not the appropriate and it was quite confusing the way the objects were exhibited (without a chronological sequence, for example).
It could be characterized either as an archaeologically interesting exhibition, or as a quite interesting and enjoyable theme in general, if a better and more careful organization would exploit properly the subjects.
Phylakopi Project 2003
by Axiothea Cleomenes
The prehistoric settlements in Cyclades emerged in the Neolithic Ages (before 3000BC) and continued to be in existence for the major period of the Bronze Age (2000- 1100BC). For some of the Cycladic islands, such as Keos, the end of the 4th millennium BC, represents the end of the Neolithic Age and for the others, like Melos, it represents the beginning of the Early Cycladic Period (Early Bronze Age 2300- 2000BC).
The Southernmost Island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea is Melos, which lies between the Mainland Greece and Crete.
The island’s volcano eruption caused great geomorphic changes to its strata and shape, which before was approximately circular.
Melos’ importance is huge in every aspect. Its prehistoric occupation, Phylakopi, signifies its archaeological importance as at the same time its monopoly of obsidian (black volcanic glass whose sources in the island have been located by Duncan Mackenzie) during the Bronze Age states its huge importance at that time.
Phylakopi has been excavated for three times: in 1896- 1899 by Duncan Mackenzie, in 1911 by Dawkins and Droop and in 1974- 1978 by Colin Renfrew. Thanks to these pioneers evidences that shows the remarkable activity of the prehistoric occupation at Phylakopi have been brought into light.
Mackenzie, who was the first excavator of the site, introduced three major architectural phases, identifying them by the term “City”. Mackenzie’s City I- Phylakopi Period characterized the First Cycladic Period (Early Bronze Age 2200- 2000BC). His City II follows signifying the Middle Cycladic Period (Middle Bronze Age) when City III signifies the Late Cycladic Period (Late Bronze Age 1600- 1100BC). Mackenzie also included a pre- City phase. In 1911, Dawkins and Droop became the next excavators of the site and a further area had been uncovered, when Colin Renfrew started a new series of excavations in 1974.
Renfrew’s project answered important questions about the prehistoric Melians’ social structure, economy and religion, as a Mycenaean sanctuary was discovered.
The 2003 Project
In 2003, the British School at Athens organized, supported and financed a project undertaken at Phylakopi. Either the illustration of a state plan of the site as it exists today, or the architectural and geophysical survey of the site or the creation of a complete conservation plan for the prehistoric settlement and its immediate surroundings, were the aims of this project. Additionally, the results will incorporate into both geographical information and a digital archive.
The project will also continue in the summer of 2004, and its results, including the new plan of the site as it exist today, in 2005.
Until then I cannot publish anything about the finds or the results of the 2003 project, except of my personal optimism that its results will raise not only a great interest, but also a strong belief that this settlement has even more archaeological evidences to give.
Bibliography:
Hatzithakis, Josef "The history of the island Melos", Athens, 1927.
The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies Excavations at Phylakopi
Conducted by the British School At Athens: T. D. Atkinson, R. C. Bosanquet, C. C. Edgar, A. J. Evans, D. G. Hogarth, D. MacKenzie, C. Smith, and F. B. Welch.
Feb. 1904.
Aifa's Archaeology Notes
by Aifa Niafer
Egypt – In response to the work of Dr. Johann Fletcher and the airing of the Discovery Channel special on Nefertiti, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawas has decided to prevent Dr. Fletcher from completing her work in Egypt. Dr. Fletcher had announced that a mummy found in KV 35 in 1898 was in fact Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. After the airing of the special the SCA decided to investigate her claims and called them “mere lies”. Dr. Hawas believes that mummy is that of a man saying that Dr. Fletcher’s supervisor that it was also male. The head of the expedition, Don Brothwell, from the University of York submitted a report to the SCA which stated that the mummy was female aged 19-30. Dr. Hawas suspended the expedition on the grounds that Dr. Fletcher had broken the SCA’s code of ethics because she didn’t maintain scientific standards and she had intentionally violated Egyptian laws by making a public declaration of any Egyptian discovery without receiving permission from the SCA who are required to authenticate the find.
England – A dig at Sedgeford in northwest Norfolk has yielded a hoard of Iron Age gold coins. The 18 coins, dated at 2000 years old, sow a horse on one side and were found stuffed in a cow bone. Also found at the site were a number of loose coins.
France – During rescue operations at a highway construction site a previously unknown type of Gallic tomb was discovered at Gondole, near Clermond-Ferrand in central France. The bodies of seven adult males, and adolescent, none of which showed signs of violence or injury, and eight horses were found carefully arranged in a rectangular grave. Two other tombs have been located nearby but haven’t yet been excavated.
England – Archaeologists excavating in Poulton, south of Chester, have unearthed fiber Bronze Age burial mounds (dating back 9000 years), two Roman buildings, along with a medieval chapel and cemetery. One of the Roman buildings has so far yielded numerous brooches and coins as well as having windows fitted with glass. About 160 skeletons have been removed from the medieval cemetery.
Turkey – Excavations at the ancient city of Hasankeyf, in the south eastern province of Mardin, have been resumed. The dig is three months behind schedule and time may run out before completion of construction of a dam of the Tigris River unleashes floodwaters on the site. Hasankeyf is one of the world’s only intact medieval cities and is full of cave houses carved into rocks along with mosques, places and old bridges which cross the Tigris.
Israel – Excavating ahead highway construction at Ptora east of the nearby town of Kiryat Gat, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered an 8000 year old Bronze Age settlement and part of a 1st century Jewish homestead. The settlement was continuously occupied until about 3000 BCE.
Wales – Archaeologists from Cambria Archeological Trust have found several large circular Bronze Age graves near Llandysul. Nearby were the remains of a farmyard foundation believed to be 5000 years old. The site had been in the process of being cleared for farmland by the Welsh Developmental Agency when the dark circles in the soil and archeologists were called in. Carbon dating from the burial mounds has yielded a date of 2000 BC.
Britain – A 3000 year old stone circle was found buried near the stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The 30 meter circle predates Stonehenge and was discovered by archeologists from Manchester University. The circle appears to have been built on the site of the quarry from which the stones originated.
Scotland – During an excavation of the old Moray House site in Cramond Road North northwest of Edinburgh a section of Roman road, pottery, metal work and defensive ditches were found. The site was opened to public view for one day before it closed for construction of 155 homes. The Cramond Lioness, found nearby in 1997, is set to return to the area as part of an exhibition to showcase the area’s Roman ruins. Cramond is only one of three Scottish sites associated with the Roman Emperor Severus.
Ireland – A man working on his garden wall at his place on Lone Moor Road Clonliffe Park in Culmere in Derry stumbled on a large stone 9000 year old axe. Two local archeologists investigated and verified the find. The axe was handed over to the Environment and Heritage Services of the Department of the Environment for further investigation and will one day be returned to its finder.
Greece – During a coast guard operation in the main port of Rhodes to locate an elderly man who’d gone missing in his car a group of submerged amphorae were discovered. Some of the 12 amphorae still retained their original seal but have not as yet been dated. The elderly man was safely located.
England – A previously unknown Romano-British goddess by the name of Senua has been discovered within a group of gold and silver pieces found in a field near Bladock in Hertfordshire last year. The 26 pieces are believed to have been left in her honor at her shrine and carefully hidden late in the 3rd century. It is believed that Senua is an older Celtic goddess that was adopted and Romanized much the way Sulis was at Bath. Among the offerings were silver plaque with gold highlights, seven gold plaques, a set of jewelry which included a brooch and cloak clasps. The names of some of the donors can still be read in the faint markings found on the plaques. Although the depiction of the goddess was typical of Minerva, the name found was previously unknown.
Turkey – An excavation started by the Governor of Gaziantep province in the ancient Zeugma City located in Belkis Village 10 kilometers east from Nizip town has discovered several new mosaics and frescos.
Egypt – The Supreme Council of Antiquities is starting legal procedures to recover artifacts smuggled from Egypt to Switzerland earlier this year. Authorities had sized a package at the Bern airport on January 31 and alerted Interpol who in turn contacted Egypt. The package was sent to the custom’s warehouses where it remains.
Egypt – The oldest human remains, dating back 6000 years, ever found in the Delta were unearthed by a team of French archaeologists recently. The site includes antiquities from the predynastic civilization of Naquada which later formed the cultural bases for Egyptian civilization.
Germany – An intricate Ivory carving of a Lowenmensch or lion man discovered last year at the Hohle Feis cave near Ulm by a US archeologist has been carbon dated to around 30,000 years ago. The Lowenmensch and other objects including figures of a horse and a bird, are the oldest examples of figurative art in the world. Although the debris in which the carving was found didn’t include any Neanderthal fossils, it has been suggested that they may have been the people who carved the objects since it is know that they lived in the region contemporaneously with modern humans.
England – Archaeologist are attempting to raise a 1500 year old canoe, hollowed out of an oak tree trunk, from the mud of Langstone Harbor near Plymouth. One end of the canoe was first spotted in March 2002. It’s only the second one of its kind found in the Solent.
England – A family digging in one of their flowerbed at a house in Kirklington Road, North Shields uncovered a skull of a middle aged man which dates back to the Iron Age. No other bones were found.
United States – An ancient fish trap found last year in the lower Chilkoot River near Haines, Alaska, have recently been carbon dated to 2100 years ago. It is the oldest known artifact found in the Chilkoot river valley.
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On 8 Cuauhtli, 14 Teotleco, the Phoenix will be
arriving again to the ports of Machu Picchu. This means there will be lots of tourists around, looking for souvenirs, things to eat, things to wear - an ideal oppourtunity
for all citizens of Machu Piccu to make a modest profit by tendering
their wares! Reserve your place on time, limited trading space available.
The first 8 applicants will receive a premier location in the
middle of the square. Reservations to be sent to: