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Appendix IV Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery

from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

Maria Dikomitou-Eliadou, Evangelia Kiriatzi and Athanasios K. Vionis*

*The petrographic analysis of the LC cooking pots from Pyla Kokkinokremos was conducted in the framework of the research project entitled ‘Stirring pots on fire! A diachronic and interdisciplinary study of cooking pots from Cyprus’. This research project is funded by the A.G. Leventis Foundation via the University of Cyprus, and is coordinated by Dr Athanasios K. Vionis from the Department of History and Archaeology, University of Cyprus. The selection of the three LM pottery samples was made by V. Karageorghis, who heartily encouraged the petrographic analysis of the pot-tery discussed here. The petrographic analysis of the cooking pots and LM pottery samples was conducted at the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens, in the framework of a bursary awarded to Dr Maria Dikomitou-Eliadou by the British School at Athens (2011–2012).

AIV.1 Late Cypriot IIC–IIIA cooking pots from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

Ten cooking pot samples were selected from the ceramic assemblage recovered at Pyla-Kokkinokremos during the excavation season 2010–2011 (Table AIV.1), representing the main types of cooking vessels recorded at the settlement. The ten samples (sherd nos 240–249) come from handmade, small- and large-sized cooking pots, including the small, one-handled cooking pot with a flaring rim, short neck and globular body (see Georgiou Chapter ?, and nos

3, 5, 64; Karageorghis & Demas 1984: pl. XXXVI.102, 104; this type is represented in the sample by nos 241–243, 246–247), and the larger two-handled cooking pot with a thick rim, short concave neck and globular to ovoid body. On this latter type of cooking pot, the two short vertical handles are attached from rim to shoulder (see Georgiou Chapter ? and nos 9, 113; this type is represented in the sample by nos 240, 245, 248–249). As on other LC settlements (cf. South et al. 1989: 6, fig. 10), Coarse Ware jars were also used for cooking (sherd no. 244). However, the most distinctive and well-attested types are the small- and large-sized

Sample no. Sherd no. Vessel size Vessel part Excavation contextPK-1 240 large rim PK2011, R.2011.39 L2PK-2 241 small rim/handle PK2011, R2011.42. Casemate Level 1

PK-3 242 small rimPK201. Excavation boundary towards Β1 and extension of Δ.32, 2

PK-4 243 small rim PK2011, R.2011.34. Eastern half PK-5 244 large rim PK2011, R.2011.34. Eastern half

PK-6 245 large rim/handlePK2011. Extension west south of R.2012.7, Level 1

PK-7 246 small rimPK2011. Extension west south of R.2012.7, Level 1

PK-8 247 small rim PK2011, R2011.37, Level 2PK-9 248 large rim/body PK2011, R2011.11, Level 2

Table AIV.1. The ten cooking pot samples selected for petrographic analysis

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cooking vessels noted above.The small number of samples selected corresponds

to the small number of cooking pots recorded at the site. According to Georgiou (Chapter ?), the number of recorded cooking pots is remarkably small considering the fact that Pyla-Kokkinokremos is a settlement site. In addition to the small size of the overall cooking pot assemblage, the lack of typological variability is another factor that explains the collection of a small number of samples for petrographic analysis.

The petrographic analysis of the cooking pot samples from Pyla-Kokkinokremos aimed at their technological and compositional characterization, in order to assess technological and fabric variability within this small and relatively homogeneous assemblage from a short-lived settlement, with a lifespan of about 50 years. In the long-term the results will be integrated in a broader, diachronic investigation of the technological and typological development of ancient Cypriot cooking pots. The results of this study will also be compared with petrographic analyses conducted on cooking pot samples from the contemporary site of Maa-Palaeokastro, as well as from the somewhat earlier urban settlement of Kalavasos-Ayios Demetrios.

Macroscopic study of the cooking pot samples both in terms of their typology and their fabric, as studied in clean sherd sections, shows that the cooking pot assemblage from Pyla-Kokkinokremos is relatively homogeneous, with minor variations in the thickness of rims, the size of the vessel necks, the degree of oxidation during firing, and/or the density of inclusions across the section (Colour Pl. VI.1). Petrographic analysis gave rise to similar observations, as almost all of the cooking pot samples were found to be made with the same igneous fabric, which is characterized by the presence of intermediate volcanic minerals, such as plagioclase feldspars, pyroxenes, amphiboles and biotite, and gabbros in the form of rocks (Tables AIV.2–AIV.3, Colour Pl. VI.2). The cooking pots made with this dominant fabric have dark brown cores and light brown margins, their groundmass is homogeneous throughout the section and they are optically inactive. The matrix is fine, with poorly sorted inclusions, including the frequent presence of orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes, amphiboles and gabbros, all of which are sub-angular in shape, vary from high to low sphericity and range in size from 2mm to fine fraction. Biotite is also a common constituent of the composition of this fabric, along with 3% of tremolite. More rarely, some fragments of epidote and basalts were also recorded.

Only two specimens (sherd nos 240 and 244) from the cooking pot sample were categorized as outliers due to their differing composition. Sample no. 240 is made of a very fine fabric that is characterized by the presence of micritic limestone and microfossils (Table AIV.3, Colour Pl. VI.3 left). This is the finest among the analyzed cooking pot specimens. This cooking

fabric has a very dark brown colour in thin section without a core and is optically inactive. The micro and meso vughs frequently observed across the section are almost parallel to the walls of the vessel. The dominant inclusion is micritic limestone, found in sub-angular and sub-rounded fragments of low sphericity that never exceed 1mm in length. Microfossils are also frequent constituents of this fabric; they are primarily 0.20mm in diameter, but in some cases reach 0.40mm, and are frequently filled with calcite. Opaque amorphous concentration features and a few iron oxides also occur in this second fabric, and rarely some angular plagioclase feldspars that never exceed 0.1mm in length.

The third fabric recorded in the Pyla-Kokkinokremos sample is represented by sherd no. 244 (Colour Pl. VI.3 right). This fabric is characterized by few macro channels and macro vughs and the frequent presence of meso and micro vughs, all of which are randomly orientated. The groundmass of the sample is homogeneous and its colour varies from reddish brown close to the external wall of the vessel to orange brown close to the internal wall of the vessel. A darker orange brown core is visible between the margins of the vessel. This fabric is characterized by the restricted presence of basic volcanic rocks, such as basalts and dolerites, sub-angular in shape and of medium sphericity. Other inclusions are monocrystalline and polycrystalline quartz, plagioclase feldspars and amorphous concentration features, which for the most part are opaque. Monocrystalline quartz in fine fraction is frequently visible in the composition of the amorphous concentration features.

A core of a dark brown colour is visible in most of the cooking pot specimens, characterizing particularly the samples made with the predominant fabric, Fabric I. The presence of a core suggests that these vessels were not fired in an oxidized atmosphere and/or in a high temperature for long enough for the organic materials to thoroughly burn out. The optical inactivity of the samples is also suggestive of low firing temperatures. In terms of the production of the

predominant >70%dominant 50–70%frequent 30–50%common 15–30%few 5–15%very few 2–5%rare 0.5–2%very rare <0.5%

Table AIV.2. Quantitative definitions of terms used to describe inclusion abundances. Percentage in the context of this work is the ration by volume of an inclusion to the total inclusion assemblage (after Kemp 1985: table 3, 17)

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

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Table AIV.3. Description of the fabrics identified by petrography (continued below)

I

Fabric Coarse fabric with gabbros, pyroxenes, amphiboles and biotiteSamples Sherd nos 241–243, 245–249

MicrostructureRare to absent meso and micro channels, randomly orientated, few macro vughs and frequent micro and meso vughs, randomly orientated, single- to double-spaced

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Distinct core, very dark brown in contrast to the margins that have a lighter yellowish brown colour. Optically inactive

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 70:10:20Coarse fraction: 3mm to 0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from granules to very fine sand. The fine fraction is of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with poorly-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is close- to single-spaced and it has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supported. Frequent: Orthopyroxenes, sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 2–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Clinopyroxenes, sub-angular, low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Amphiboles, sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 2–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Gabbros, sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 3–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Monocrystalline quartz, angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.75–≤0.0625mmCommon: Biotite, sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 2.5–≤0.0625mmCommon: Amorphous concentration features, sub-rounded and rounded, medium to low sphericity, 1–≤0.0625mm.Few: Plagioclase feldspars, angular, low sphericity, 0.2–≤0.0625mmVery few: Tremolite, sub-angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.75–≤0.0625mmVery few: Alkali feldspars, angular, low sphericity, 0.15–≤0.0625mmVery few: Calcite, sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 0.5–≤0.0625mmRare: Epidote, sub-angular, low sphericity, 1–≤0.0625mmVery rare: Basalts, high to low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mm (sherd no. 243)

CommentsSome samples present more micro and meso vughs than others (sherd nos 241–243), suggesting the presence of organics that were burned-out during firing. Intergrowths of orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes, as well as pyroxenes and tremolites

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

ceramic fabrics, the bimodal grain distribution of the samples made with Fabric I, and the density of the inorganic, igneous inclusions, suggests that sand was added to the clay to increase the number of aplastic components in the fabric. A similar technique seems to have been used for the production of Fabric II; in this case sand containing micritic limestone and bioclasts was used as temper. Fabric II is finer than Fabric I; the density and size of aplastic inclusions in Fabric II are smaller. The inclusions and voids are orientated parallel to the vessel’s margins, as the overall fabric was more plastic and easy to work before and while building the vessel.

It is very difficult to associate Fabric II with a specific geological area in Cyprus, due to the absence of discriminating petrology in the sample. On the other hand, both Fabrics I and III can be directly associated with the Troodos Ophiolite Complex and its plutonic and volcanic stratigraphic orders (Cohen et al. 2011; Constantinou 2002). The presence of basalts and dolerites in the composition of fabric

III is what distinguishes it from the other fabrics. Nonetheless, basalts and dolerites can be found in the entire Troodos circumference, around the foothills of the mountain range, as the Troodos Sheeted Dyke complex, characterized by intrusive rocks of a basaltic to doleritic composition, extends across the centre of the mountain range (Constantinou 2002). A more focused identification of an area of production is therefore not possible.

The presence of basic volcanic minerals and rocks, in the form of orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes and gabbros, and the very rare presence of basalts, suggest that the raw materials for the production of the predominant Fabric I were collected from the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range, and specifically from river valleys in contact with the Troodos Plutonics, among the main cumulate rocks of which are gabbros and pyroxenites. It is important to note that cooking pots of an identical fabric to Fabric I at Pyla-Kokkinokremos are recorded at the urban settlement of Kalavasos-Ayios Demetrios.

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III

Fabric Fine fabric with basic volcanic rocksSamples Sherd no. 244

MicrostructureFew macro channels parallel to vessel walls, few macro vughs and frequent micro and meso vughs, most randomly orientated, single- to open-spaced

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Reddish brown at end of external wall, orangish brown close to internal wall. Visible core, darker orangish brown in colour. Optically active

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 45:20:35Coarse fraction: 1.5– 0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from very coarse sand to very fine sand. The fine fraction is of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with poorly-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is single- to double-spaced and has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supportedFrequent: Monocrystalline quartz, angular, low sphericity, 0.30–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Amorphous concentration features, sub-rounded and sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mm. In almost all cases they are opaque. Monocrystalline quartz fragments can be observed in fine fraction in someFew: Basalts, sub-rounded, medium sphericity, 1–≤0.0625mmVery few: Dolerites, sub-rounded, medium sphericity, 1.0–≤0.0625mmVery few: Altered plagioclase feldspars, angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.4–≤0.0625mmVery few: Polycrystalline quartz, angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.3–≤0.0625mmVery rare: micritic limestone, sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 0.5–≤0.0625mm

Comments Some inclusions altered

Table AIV.3. Description of the fabrics identified by petrography (continued)

II

Fabric Fine fabric with dominant presence of micrite and microfossilsSamples Sherd no. 240

MicrostructureRare to absent meso and micro channels, almost parallel to vessel walls, rare macro vughs and frequent micro and meso vughs, most parallel to vessel walls, single- to double-spaced

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Very dark brown across section. No colour differentiation between core of vessel and walls. Optically inactive

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 70:10:20Coarse fraction: 2–0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from granules to very fine sand. The fine fraction is of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with well-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is close- to single-spaced and it has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supported. Dominant: Micritic limestone, sub-angular and sub-rounded , low sphericity, 1–≤0.0625mmFrequent: microfossils, most rounded and sub-rounded, low sphericity, calcite filled, mode of size: 0.20mm in diameter, with one or two 0.40mm in diameterFrequent: Amorphous concentration features, sub-rounded and sub-angular, high to medium sphericity, 2–≤0.0625mm. Most are opaque. Some quartz fragments in fine fraction can be observed in the composition of some of themFew: Monocrystalline quartz, angular and sub-angular, low sphericity, size mode: 0.15mm Very few: Iron oxides, rounded, low sphericity, bright red, mode of size: 0.15mmRare: Plagioclase feldspars, angular, low sphericity, mode of size: 0.1mm

CommentsTextural concentration features are the largest inclusions. Tense presence of carbonaceous inclusions which follows a standard size mode, 0.2–0.5mm. The largest inclusions that reach 2.00mm in long diameter are very rare.

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

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Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

The typological (see Georgiou chapter ?) and compositional similarity between the cooking pots from these two sites, as well as the proximity of Kalavasos to the foothills of the Troodos mountain range, where gabbros and pyroxenites are the dominant rocks, suggest that the cooking pots from Pyla and Kalavasos could have been made with raw materials collected from the same sources, located between the southern foothills of the Troodos and the south coast. More detailed comparative, typological and compositional analyses of cooking pot samples from Pyla, Kalavasos and other LC sites are, however, needed to confirm this suggestion and assess cooking pot variability during this period.

Overall, it can be argued that most of the cooking vessels at Pyla-Kokkinokremos, including both the small, single-handled type and the larger two-handled type with the short concave neck, are made with the same fabric, characterized by the presence of basic volcanic rocks, most probably added to the clay to reduce its initial plasticity. Only a very small number of cooking pots are made with other fabrics, such as the Coarse Ware jar also used during this period for cooking. This preliminary petrographic analysis suggests that during the settlement’s short lifespan, its inhabitants predominantly used cooking vessels made by a single production centre, or by multiple production centres exploiting raw materials from a specific geological area, with some restricted variation in the types and fabrics of vessels used for cooking. The typology and composition of the cooking vessels at Pyla show many similarities with those of other LC communities, particularly the cooking vessels from Kalavasos-Ayios Demetrios. More systematic typological and compositional investigations are needed, however, to determine the degree of similarity of the cooking pot assemblage from Pyla with those from Kalavasos and other LC sites, in order to assess local versus non-local production and the scale of cooking pot distribution and shed more light on Pyla-Kokkinokremos and its interactions with the surrounding world.

AIV.2 Late Minoan III pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

Two large large amphoroid kraters and a pithos dated to the LM III period, representing common types of Minoan pottery found at Pyla-Kokkinokremos, were sampled for petrographic analysis. The aim of this short investigation was primarily the compositional and technological characterization of the pottery samples, comparison with Cretan regional geology, and, if possible, the identification of the region(s) from where these pottery types were imported to Cyprus. Specifically, considering the relatively high proportion of Minoan artefacts found at Pyla-Kokkinokremos (Catling & Karageorghis 1960), this investigation can be regarded as a small contribution to the study of

Minoika in Cyprus.Of the three collected samples, PK-11 (Georgiou

Chapter ?, no. 83) and PK-12 (Georgiou Chapter ?, no. 10) are both fragments from large amphoroid kraters decorated with a prominent octopus motif, while PK-13 is a large pithos with a pie-crust ornament (Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010: no. 13). According to Karageorghis and Georgiou (2010), storage vessels are the most frequent type of pottery recorded in the LM III ceramic assemblage recovered at the site; and the pithoid/amphoroid krater is the most common LM III shape..

The three LM III pottery samples from Pyla-Kokkinokremos are made with three different fabrics Table AIV.4). PK-11 is made with a fabric that is tempered with textural concentration features, identified as mudstone fragments (Colour Pl. VII.4). The mudstone fragments form the predominant type of inclusion in the fabric and are densely distributed across the section, ranging in size from 3mm in length to fine fraction. It should be noted that the mudstones in the PK-11 fabric are moderately sorted and most of them follow a size mode of about 1.5mm in length. They present several inclusions in fine fraction in their composition, the predominant one being monocrystalline quartz. Finally, the mudstone fragments were artificially added to a finer clay, which is characterized by the absence of any other discriminant petrology, the most frequent inclusions being opaque amorphous concentration features, and monocrystalline quartz of low sphericity, not surpassing 0.4mm in length. The fabric is characterized by the frequent presence of micro vughs, a homogeneous groundmass throughout the section without any core, and is optically active.

The most distinctive petrographic and technological characteristic of PK-11 is the presence of mudstone fragments. Considering the size of the mudstone fragments in relation to the finer groundmass, in which they are found, as well as the dense mode of their distribution across the section, it can be argued that these were artificially added by the potter. This was a common practice in central and west Crete in the Bronze Age for the production of pithoi and cooking pots (Kiriatzi 2003: 125). Another example of a pithoid/amphoroid krater from Pyla-Kokkinokremos made with this fabric is recorded by Karageorghis and Georgiou (2010: no. 6).

PK-12 is made with a totally different fabric which is characterized by the dominant presence of angular and sub-angular chert fragments, ranging from high to low sphericity and from 2.5mm in length to fine fraction (Colour Pl. VII.5). Other common constituents of this fabric are tremolite, sub-angular of medium sphericity, ranging from 2.0mm in length to fine fraction and opaque amorphous concentration features, sub-angular and sub-rounded, of medium to low sphericity, ranging from 1.0mm in length to fine fraction. A few fragments of monocrystalline

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and polycrystalline quartz and calcite, as well as some textural concentration features containing monocrystalline quartz in fine fraction, were also recorded. Finally, some dolerite fragments are also present in the fabric of PK-12. There are several voids ranging in size and shape in the specimen, including a few macro and meso channels, a few macro vughs and common meso and micro vughs. The groundmass is homogeneous throughout the section without a core at the centre of the sample, which is optically active. The rocks and minerals in this fabric are altered from weathering.

PK-12 is differentiated from the other two fabrics by the presence in its composition of a few dolerite fragments that suggest that the raw materials originated in an area where igneous volcanic rocks constitute the main geological feature. The central–south part of Crete is the strongest candidate for the production and distribution of this fabric, due to the presence of basaltic rocks in the region, deriving from the ophiolite series (reference geological map of Greece/Crete? Bonneau 1984?).

PK-13 is made with a third fabric distinguished from the others by the presence of a few schists and phyllites in its composition (Colour Pl. VII.6). The dominant inclusion is monocrystalline quartz,

angular and of low sphericity, ranging from 0.75mm to fine fraction. Other frequent inclusions are polycrystalline quartz and amorphous concentration features. Polycrystalline quartz fragments are angular, ranging from high to low sphericity and from 3mm to fine fraction in size. The amorphous concentration features are smaller, sub-rounded, of medium to low sphericity, ranging in size from 1.5mm to fine fraction. While the schists and phyllites are few in number, they constitute the largest inclusions in the PK-13 fabric, all sub-angular, ranging from 4.0mm in length to fine fraction. Rarely some textural concentration features are recorded, sub-rounded, of high to low sphericity, 1mm to fine fraction in size and containing fragments of monocrystalline quartz in fine fraction. This sample is optically active. The external wall of the vessel is reddish brown, while the centre and internal wall are dark brown. A few macro and meso channels are randomly orientated across the section, as well as meso and micro vughs.

The most characteristic non-plastic constituents in the composition of PK-13 are the coarse, elongate phyllite and schist fragments set in a fine groundmass containing mainly small and angular monocrystalline quartz fragments. Phyllite series occur in different regions across Crete from east to west (reference

Table AIV.4. Description of the LM fabrics identified by petrography (continued below)

PK11

FabricCoarse fabric with predominant presence of textural concentration features (mudstone)

MicrostructureCommon macro and meso channels randomly oriented, common macro vughs and frequent micro and meso vughs, also randomly orientated, double- to open-spaced. Presence of secondary calcite

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Light brown across section. No colour differentiation between core of vessel and walls. Optically active

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 45:25:30Coarse fraction: 3–0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from granules to very fine sand. The fine fraction if of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with moderately-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is single- to open-spaced and it has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supportedPredominant: textural concentration features – mudstone, sub-angular and sub-rounded high to medium sphericity, 3–≤0.0625mm. These fragments are dark brown in colour and contain fragments of monocrystalline quartz, which vary in size from 0.15–≤0.0625mm. Rarely some iron oxides are also visible in their composition. Some mudstone fragments are alteredFrequent: Monocrystalline quartz, angular, low sphericity, 0.4–≤0.0625mmFrequent: Amorphous concentration features, sub-angular and sub-rounded, low sphericity, in most cases opaque, 0.2–≤0.0625mmVery few: Polycrystalline quartz, sub-angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.5–≤0.0625mmFew: Calcite, sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 1.2–≤0.0625mm

CommentsSecondary calcite has filled most of the channels across the section. Some of the mudstones are densely occupied by monocrystalline quartz fragments

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

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PK12

Fabric Coarse fabric with chert and very few dolerite fragments

MicrostructureFew macro and meso channels oriented parallel to walls of vessel, few macro vughs and common micro and meso vughs randomly orientated, double- to open-spaced

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Brown across section. No colour differentiation between core of vessel and walls. Optically active

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 50:30:20Coarse fraction: 4–0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from pebbles to very fine sand. The fine fraction if of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with poorly-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is close- to double-spaced and it has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supported Dominant: Chert, angular and sub-angular, high to low sphericity, 2.5–≤0.0625mmCommon: Tremolite, sub-angular, medium sphericity, 2.0–≤0.0625mmCommon: Amorphous concentration features, sub-rounded and sub-angular, medium to low sphericity, 1.0–≤0.0625mm, dark brown and opaqueFew: Textural concentration features, sub-rounded, high to low sphericity, 2–≤0.0625mm. Some contain monocrystalline quartz in fine fractionFew: Monocrystalline quartz, angular, low sphericity, 0.6–≤0.0625mmFew: polycrystalline quartz, sub-angular and sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mmFew: Calcite, sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mmFew: Dolerite, sub-rounded, high to medium sphericity, 1.25–≤0.0625mm

CommentsRocks and minerals in this fabric are altered and deformed due to weathering. Presence of secondary calcite in some of the channels across the section

Table AIV.4. Description of the LM fabrics identified by petrography (continued)

PK13

Fabric Coarse fabric with phyllites and schists

MicrostructureFew macro and meso channels randomly oriented, common macro vughs and frequent micro and meso vughs, also randomly orientated, double- to open-spaced

GroundmassHomogeneous through section. Dark brown in the core, becoming reddish brown towards external wall, but remaining dark brown towards internal wall. Optically active

Inclusions

c:f:v 0.0625 mm = 45:25:30Coarse fraction: 4–0.0625mm in long diameter. Fine fraction: ≤ 0.0625mm in long diameter. The size of the coarse fraction ranges from pebbles to very fine sand. The fine fraction is of fine sand and below. The matrix is fine with poorly-sorted inclusions and bimodal grain-size distribution. The packing of the coarse fraction is single- to open-spaced and it has a Wackestone texture, being matrix supported Dominant: Monocrystalline quartz, angular, medium to low sphericity, 0.75–≤0.0625mm Frequent: Polycrystalline quartz, angular, high to low sphericity, 3.0–≤0.0625mm Frequent: Amorphous concentration features, sub-rounded, medium to low sphericity, 1.5–≤0.0625mm, dark brown and opaqueFew: Schists, sub-angular, medium to low sphericity, 4–≤0.0625mmFew: Phyllites, sub-angular, medium to low sphericity, 4–≤0.0625mm Rare: Textural concentration features, sub-rounded, high to low sphericity, 1–≤0.0625mm, dark brown with monocrystalline quartz in fine fraction

CommentsOpaque amorphous concentration features found on top of fragments of polycrystalline quartz

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

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geological map of Crete?). It is therefore impossible to pinpoint the provenance of this fabric, based solely on the specimen’s mineralogy. The repetitive character of the geology of the island, where specific geological series exist in different areas (reference to geological map of Crete), as well as the absence of excavated kilns and production debris associated with specific pottery types do not allow the straightforward pinpointing of the geographic areas from where ceramic fabrics derived. Furthermore, because of the very small number of samples, the compositional characterization of the corresponding fabrics is restricted to the picture obtained by the respective three sections, and therefore only a very general idea of the broader area of origin can be formed, suggesting the necessity for a more systematic, archaeometric analysis of LM III pottery found at Pyla and other LC sites (cf. Ben-Shlomo et al. 2011).

For the purpose of this very preliminary study, a combination of archaeological and compositional information was employed in order to form some basic arguments regarding the production and distribution of these types of pottery. Several large amphoroid kraters of the type represented by PK-11 and PK-12 are recorded at several sites in Cyprus (see Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010 for a full list of sites and associated publications), while their distribution in other Eastern Mediterranean regions is restricted to Ugarit and Lachish (Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010). Even on Crete, the number of large amphoroid kraters is very small, with most coming from Kommos (Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010). Kommos per se could be a strong candidate for the import of the pithoid/amphoroid krater PK-12 as this harbour-settlement is located in the south–central part of the island, in close proximity to concentrations of volcanic igneous rocks.

As has already been stated, mudstone tempering is a technique used for the production of Minoan pottery recorded in the central and mainly in the western parts of Crete (Kiriatzi 2003: 125; Pentedeka et al. 2010: 21–22). Therefore, in the case of PK-11, Kydonia (Chania) is the strongest candidate area for its production and distribution. Archaeological evidence also points

towards the area of Kydonia as the production locus of the pithoid/amphoroid krater with the triple roll handles, as this specific type has not yet been recorded outside the boundaries of west Crete (Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010). As the upper half of the body of PK-11 can be confidently restored as having a triple-roll handle from rim to shoulder, and considering both the krater’s typology and technology of production, it may be suggested that the harbour-settlement at Kydonia is the likely place of origin of PK-11.

While clay resources containing metamorphic rocks in the form of phyllites and schists can be found in different parts of Crete, Karageorghis and Georgiou argue that the pithos made with fabric PK-13 (Karageorghis & Georgiou 2010: no. 13) is macroscopically and technologically compatible with north–central Crete. Dikaios, on the other hand, questioned the attribution of this pithos as a LM III vessel (reference needed). The petrographic study of this fragment has indicated that it cannot have been produced in Cyprus but rather was imported to the island from Crete. However its mineralogical examination cannot be more explicit regarding its origin, as more comparative studies both in terms of pottery typology and fabric composition are essential for associating this type of pithos with a specific area on the island.

The presence of this LM III pithos and large amphoroid kraters at Pyla-Kokkinokremos underlines the active involvement of the settlement in the interaction networks between Cyprus and Crete during the transition from the 13th to the 12th centuries BC. This petrographic study suggests the various areas on Crete from where this pottery could have derived, including the prominent LM harbours of Kydonia and Kommos. It is anticipated that this preliminary study will be succeeded by a broader research project, which will include similar material from Crete and Cyprus for a more systematic comparative analysis of LC and LM pottery samples, shedding more light on the character of Pyla-Kokkinokremos and the settlement’s range of contacts in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Appendix IV. Petrographic analysis of Late Cypriote cooking pots and Late Minoan pottery from Pyla-Kokkinokremos

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Colour plate VI

Colour plate VI

1. Sherd no. 246 (left) and no. 247 (right), seen in clean sherd section using a USB microscope

2. Sherd no. 243 (left) and no. 247 (right) in thin section

3. Sherd no. 240 (left) and no 244 (right) in thin section

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Colour plate VII

Colour plate VII

4. PK-11 in thin section 5. PK-12 in thin section

6. PK-13 in thin section