Kythera Island Project (KIP) study season 2005
Assessment and Analysis: Study season
Kythera Island Project undertook a six week study season. Study of the pottery by Drs C. Broodbank, A. Johnston, E. Kiriatzi and J. Vroom concentrated on (1) completing all final details on a large number of already studied sites, (2) study of two large, exceptionally artefact-rich sites (Sites 060 and 093) in the vicinity of Kastri, both with quantities of fine Prehistoric and Classical material, (3) study of several other Prehistoric and Classical sites, including a uniquely well-preserved First Minoanising and/or First Palace period site in the interior (Site 082), and (4) analysis of the distribution of Byzantine, Venetian and Recent period pottery, with a specific emphasis on the growth of Late Venetian to Recent trade at the port of Avlemonas (Site 103). In tandem with this, R. Exarchou drew c. 190 sherds for publication, and E. Kartsonaki (supervised by E. Kiriatzi) undertook ICP analysis at the Fitch Laboratory of samples taken from the 1960s Kastri excavation material, which have already been analysed by ceramic petrology. The predominantly Classical to Roman metallurgical material collected during the 1998-2001 survey was macroscopically studied by M. Georgakopoulou, as the first phase in her analysis of this material during her forthcoming tenureship of the Chemistry Fellowship at the Fitch Laboratory. T. Carter and M. Milic spent ten days on Kythera writing and preparing illustrations for publication of the lithics, and T. Gerousi continued analysis towards the same end in Athens. N. Krahtopoulou completed laboratory analysis and initiated publication preparation of the Skafidi geoarchaeological core (now with a radiocarbon sequence running from the Late Neolithic to Byzantine periods) and of the Palaiopolis First Palace Period terrace section. GIS analysis on Kythera was conducted by V. Delrieu and inputting by J. Cutler. S. Davies studied Venetian-period taxation records in the local archives in Chora.
Active in 2004.