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Loading map.L01 Maryeli Koutsouveri
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Periods Represented
MH, MH III-LH II, LH I-II, (LH IIIA-B)
Max Dimension
170 m. (N-S) x 120 m. (E-W)
Actual Area in Hectares
1.56
On-site Density (Sherds per Hectare)
9.60
Ratio of On-site Density to Off-site Density
70
Collection Strategy
Selection (S) => Micro-tract (M)
Diagnostic grabs within micro-tracts only (no vacuums)
Location and Description

Koutsouveri is a steep, oblong-shaped hill some 700 m. N of Maryeli[006.18][093.29], with excellent views to the Velika[093.16] and the Maryeli valleys[093.11]. The site lies on the SE part of the summit and on terraced upper slopes to the E and S. The terrace walls are built from local limestone, and the terraces and the summit are currently grazed. The summit is covered with low matted grass, thickets of maquis and mature trees.

Visibility is generally poor, except along trails where animals have recently been grazed. On the summit, particularly on its S side, are at least 20 large stone piles, comprising irregular and roughly cut (not finished or hammered) blocks of local limestone. In some of these piles, the blocks have been carefully stacked so that the piles have even, vertical faces[093.12]; in others the stones are piled more casually. A long E-W wall of local limestone blocks divides the summit into two parts.

The stone in the piles on Koutsouveri must have been scavenged from collapsed buildings. A local informant told a PRAP field team that, as recently as 15 years ago, grain was grown on the hill and that the giant rock piles had been created by villagers to clear fields of stones; he reported that many of the stones came from walls dismantled at that time.

A few shallow pits, apparently dug by would-be looters, were observed by us on the hilltop first in 1991; in 1994, artifacts were collected from one such pit. No new diggings were noted in 1995.

Material on the site is confined almost exclusively to MH (including some early MH) and MH III-LH II coarse wares, including many pithos fragments, an assemblage similar to that from Site A2. Later LHIII material is scarce. A reference to HL lamps under this site in UMME appears to refer to another nearby location (see Sites L2 and L5).

Intervisible sites
Maryeli Farfa ti Rahi (1) (L2); Maryeli Farfa ti Rahi (2) (L5)
Artifact Summary

The material consists almost entirely of MH and MH III-LH II coarse wares, including many pithos fragments. Parallels for several of the pieces are early MH. The few later pieces are randomly distributed across the site.

References
UMME #116; PHSP1: 235 [34]
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