The hills around me were covered in cypress as the sun set. The turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea shimmered on the western horizon.
A team of archaeologists, university students and local workmen were digging deeper into the remains of Iklaina, a Bronze Age city that once ruled the surrounding landscape and may have played a role in the legendaryTrojan War, more than 3000 years ago. The researchers can use the burned and buried settlement to study the politics of ancient Greece and the Mycenaean people.
The Mycenaean civilization flourished throughout the Peloponnesian Peninsula between 1700 and 1100 B.C. The Mycenaean society was ruled by a conglomerate of palaces that oversaw regional kingdoms and various kings sought to expand their rule over the land. The mainland development of palaces and vaulted tholos tombs was one of the highlights of the period.
In 1876, the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann began excavating the fabled city of Mycenae and, in uncovering treasure-laden grave circles of ancient kings, turned the world's attention to theMycenaean civilization. The excavation of other Mycenaean palatial sites, including Tiryns, Gla and Pylos, continued to expand the understanding of the Bronze Age world.
While research at these sites offered a glimpse into Mycenaean politics and the lives of the elite, they didn't provide evidence of the lives of the general population. Archeologists have sought out towns in lieu of palaces and tombs in order to fill in gaps about the early Greek civilization. Only a few have been excavated in full.
During the summer of 1999, Michael Cosmopoulos, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a professor of Greek Archaeology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, was conducting an archaeological survey with colleagues and students. In the 1950s the Greek archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos discovered a Bronze Age pottery site in an olive grove near the quaint mountain village of Iklaina. On his first visit to the site, Dr. Cosmopoulos noticed a large mound of olives, which he suspected was a settlement.
The Cyclopean terrace, a multistory building foundation constructed of massive boulders, was found in the buried remains of the mysterious mound. The researchers scanned the surrounding area to find the boundaries of the site and to help them plan where to dig. Not only were there dozens of buildings surrounding the terrace, but the maze of structures extended to an area of over 30 acres.
Iklaina was more than just a palace. The city was made up of houses, streets and workshops.
The most comprehensive excavation of a Mycenaean regional capital has taken place over the last 16 years. An elite district consisting of plazas, paved roads and administrative buildings, with large megara, or great halls used for formal events, was revealed during excavations around the Cyclopean terrace. The site had a network of stone drains and ceramic pipes that were used to distribute water.
The frescoed walls were found in the interior of several rooms. Researchers believe that the site was occupied between 1800 and 1200 B.C., based on the way the buildings and walls were built.
One of the earliest records of bureaucracy in Europe can be found in a fragment of a clay Linear B tablet, which was found next to a burned pit.
A large residential and commercial complex was found beneath an olive grove next to the original palatial discovery.
Dr. Cosmopoulos said that we can't just look at monuments and sites. There needs to be a balanced view of daily life.
Local craftsmen made their own wares from local clay, even though some pottery was traded throughout the Mediterranean. Recovered animal bones and charred plant remains have shown the importance of cows, sheep and pigs. It's possible to identify where fabric was once made with the help of specialty artifacts. There are figurines found next to charred bones.
After being sacked and annexed by the kings of Pylos, Iklaina was likely ruled by its own people. This discovery has provided a new perspective on how Mycenaean states developed and suggests that a group of competing rulers unified smaller, regional capitals such as Iklaina to amass power.
A team of researchers with expertise in the Mediterranean Bronze Age, ceramics, architecture, biomolecular analysis, andgeochemistry are needed for the Iklaina project. Between 15 and 20 archaeologists from the United States, Greece and Canada work with laborers from the Iklaina village. A dozen additional specialists can be found each day at the project's lab and repository, processing and studying artifacts that are brought in from the field.
The excavations have become a field school for people interested in becoming professional archaeologists. He wants to help the students understand the relevancy of ancient cultures to modern society and their own lives.
Locals have been hired to work at the site and locals have been invited to see the excavations. It is the main draw for some people. Many people are interested in the ancient city and the chance to connect with their ancestors.
The villagers are embracing the ancient site as part of their community. She said that the town has come to life again.
The locals have embraced their role as caretakers, and every winter they watch over the site as an extension of their own community.
A dream of Dr. Cosmopoulos is to turn the town into an open-air museum where people can learn about Mycenaean culture. He said thatArchaeology needs to contribute.
The Prefecture of Peloponnese recently approved funding to build a road to the site, and as the plans are made to expand access, modern Iklaina hopes that heritage tourism will help share their village's deep history with the world.
Dr. Ruscillo said that history belonged to everyone. One of the most important things we can do is encourage everyone to take care of the history together and truly respect it.
Matt Stirn lives in Boston and Jackson Hole. His work can be seen on the social media platform.
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