In the northeast of the promontory Trench IV was opened to
investigate the depth and character of deposits in that part of the
site. Over 1.20 metres of habitation evidence remains, covering much
of the settlement history of Priniatikos Pyrgos.
The earliest levels are Final Neolithic / Early
Minoan I and consist of evidence for cooking in the form of a
possible hearth and cooking vessels. These are associated with a
pebbled / metalled surface that extends c.3 metres x 3 metres,
though no associated architecture is known.
A particularly interesting phenomenon succeeds
this phase of occupation, in relation to pebbled surfaces.
Successive phases are laid in this exact area beginning with the FN
/ EM I and continuing through examples with larger pebbles and ones
with small cobbles, terminating around MM I (the subject of ongoing
investigation). This represents re-occupation and re-use for over a
millennium, though from no chronological phase has any architectural
remains being recovered.
These pebbled surfaces are cut through by an
Early Byzantine wall that represents the next major phase of
activity in this area of the site. The architectural units have not
yet been fully defined, though the finds are consistent with those
from across the site. Two wine amphorae speak of importation and
consumption of wine at the site, and a midden deposit provides a
high concentration of glass fragments.
A deep pit (possible well) may have dated as
late as 19th century, though its purpose and chronology
remained uncertain due to a dearth of finds and the health and
safety restrictions prohibiting excavation to its base levels.
