







The Koutroulou Magoula Archaeology and Archaeological Ethnographic Project 2010-2019: Season 2017
Excavation: Research excavation
In 2017 the project sought to understand the nature of human settlement and habitation, architecture, use of space and social practices in the areas north of Building 1, as well as to explore for the first time the slope of the tell and to investigate the character of the surrounding ditches. Excavation resumed on top of the mound in trench Z2 and confirmed that this is an area of rich building and other activity in the Neolithic, including roofed and open spaces of various natures, and features such as pits where large quantities of artefacts and ecofacts had accumulated. To add to this complicated picture, the area had been disturbed by various anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic processes, including a clearance cairn and extensive burrowing by rodents and larger mammals. In exploring the deeper strata in this area, other features were revealed, including a possible apsidal alignment of small flat stones which may define a platform/working area. In addition, in the southwest area of this trench several layers of what appear to be successive clay floors interrupted by fills of soil were detected, recalling a pattern found in 2015. A new area of excavation (Trench Ξ15) was opened on the eastern slope of the mound where geophysics had indicated the possible existence of a burnt structure. While no walls were found, it is clear that this was an area of rich and extensive activity. Archaeological confirmation of the existence of large perimeter ditches and their maintenance allows us to discuss the role and social significance of community-wide projects in the Neolithic which may have served both practical and symbolic purposes.
Active in 2017.