The settlement

The ancient settlement was fortuitously discovered in 1965 during the construction works of the communal water tank of Vitsa. The excavations were carried out by Ioulia Vokotopoulou from 1966 untill 1987. The settlement dates from the middle of the 9th to the last quarter of the 4th century BC. Its ancient name is yet unknown. It has been a small village (komi), resided by a small number of families. The inhabitants belonged to the tribe of Molossians, engaged in animal husbandry and cultivated small parts of land.

The cemeteries

Two cemeteries located to the north and south of the settlement have been excavated, on which 180 graves have been revealed. The grave offerings -mainly vessels, jewelry, and weapons- were placed next to the skull and feet or next to the tibiae. Burials were usually individual.

During the five centuries of use of the cemetery no change in the burial habits has been observed.

Iulia Katsadima