Prehistoric cemetery found in southern Macedonia

An extensive prehistoric cemetery, dating to the second half of the 2nd millennium BC and covering a large area on a hill, has been discovered at 'Strivos' at Karyes Pieria, in the foothills of the Pierian Mountains, in the southern part of Macedonia, Greece.

A looted cist grave at 'Strivos' [Credit: Ethnos]

So far archaeologists have recorded 20 tumuli and 17 cist graves, lined and covered with large schist slabs, while a farmer handed to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Pieria a section of a hand-made kantharos (a cup-shaped vase with handles) of the Thessalian type, originating from the region.  

Archaeologist Miltiadis Myteletsis said that "the findings lead naturally to the interpretation that it is an extensive cemetery, which according to initial indications, is dated to the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age."

"From the first moment it was realized that this is an important archaeological site because of the high density and dispersion of the findings," says Myteletsis who added that nearby, to the northwest of Karyes, a citadel with exposed walls and fortified buildings had also been detected.

According to archaeologists the area had been illegally excavated by looters in the past and therefore requires immediate state intervention for its protection until archaeological investigations are concluded.

Source: Ethnos [October 16, 2015]