4.21 Lagoudhera Valley: Prehistoric

Ceramic evidence for activity during the prehistoric period is almost completely absent, with the exception of two Chalcolithic sherds from the hillslope to the east of Mavrovouni (TS02). However, this slope has been very much altered and may even contain imported soil. The chipped stone, while not exclusively prehistoric, is present in densities up to 5.3 lithics per 100m². There are notable concentrations around Ayia Marina Mavrovouni (TS02), Xyliatos Litharkies (TS05) and Xyliatos Ayios Kyriakos (TS10). Jasper is locally available (TP096), and the extent of its use is made clear by the distribution of chipped stone artefacts of that material. The lack of diagnostic artefacts around the quarry prevents interpretation of its exact date. Similar problems occur with the adits associated with Ayia Marina Mavrovouni (TS02) (Given et al. 2002, 32). While these adits are certainly ancient, it is unclear if they reach back to prehistory.

Ground stone concentrations around Mavrovouni may relate to prehistoric ore processing, particularly where there is a higher proportion of heavy duty pounders and grinders. Pounders and grinders seem to have been used for metallurgical purposes at the Bronze Age settlement of Koutroullis (TS06) in the Karkotis Valley, and this may well have been the case here as well. Grinding and pounding ore was not limited to prehistoric periods, however, so the ground stone tools could relate to later periods as well.