Voundeni

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Voundeni ( Greek Βούντενη ) is the modern name of a Mycenaean settlement and a nearby, associated necropolis in the area of ​​the Greek municipality of Patras , about seven kilometers northeast of the city center, in the west of the Achaia landscape , northwest Peloponnese .

The site was first explored archaeologically in 1923 by Nikolaos Kyparissis, who also excavated a few graves. Systematic excavations took place from 1988 to 1994 and from 2004 to 2007, both under the direction of Lazaros Kolonas. Large areas of the necropolis were explored - a total of 75 rock chamber tombs were examined - as well as parts of the settlement.

The so far only partially explored, naturally protected settlement, whose ancient name is unknown, was located on the Bortzi hill, which stands out from the surrounding landscape. It was already inhabited in the Middle Helladic period (approx. 2000–1600 BC); Traces of settlement were found until Roman times . Voundeni ruled a territory that included some already proven small villages and hamlets in the area as well as fields and forests for food and material production, but also a port that was in the area of ​​the mouth of the Meilichos . It is one of the largest Mycenaean settlements in western Achaia and, like other fortified, larger settlements in this region, e.g. B. Teichos Dymaion , as a so-called princely seat . Unlike z. B. in Messenia or Attica was formed in West Achaia in the 14th century BC. BC probably not a palace center, so Voundeni and comparable settlements did not lose their importance and power locally even in the late Mycenaean period.

Chamber tomb of the Voundeni necropolis with a long dromos

The necropolis was used for about the same period; the graves could be dated from the late Helladic II B to the end of SH III C (approx. 1500-1050 BC) due to the grave goods , some graves were also dated in the subsequent Sub- Mycenaean period (approx. 1050-1000 BC) .) continued to be used. The cemetery is located southeast of the settlement and covers an area of ​​1.8 hectares . So far, 75 chamber graves have been researched, some of which show clear differences: the rock graves vary not only in terms of their ground plan - round, oval, to rectangular - but also in their size. Grave no. 4, which dates from the early 14th to the late 11th century BC. And has a long dromos and grave 75 are the largest chamber graves and must have belonged to dignitaries of the settlement. Grave goods that were found in most of the graves come partly from regions further away such as Laconia , Argolis or Crete , some even from Italy, Asia Minor and the Syro - Palestinian region and testify to the importance of Voundenis.

The necropolis and settlement mounds are part of the Mycenaean Park Patras , where most of the graves can be visited.

Web links

Commons : Mycenaean necropolis of Voundeni  - collection of images

Remarks

  1. ↑ Ιannis Moschos, Οι Μυκηναίοι στην Αχαϊα, Φαίδιμος 1. Mycenaeans in Achaea. Society for the Study of Mycenaean Achaea, Faedimos 1. Patras 2007, p. 19
  2. ↑ On the last two sentences see Sigrid Deger-Jalkotzy : Mykenische Rulersformen without Palaces and the Greek Polis. Aegaeum 12-2, 1995, pp. 367-377, especially (with reference, inter alia, to Voundeni) pp. 374 f.
  3. ↑ see explanation board in the archaeological park for grave 4

Coordinates: 38 ° 15 ′ 23 ″  N , 21 ° 46 ′ 35 ″  E