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Mycenaean cemetery at Kambi

In Mycenaean times, the island was widely populated as the number of the graves found in lowland and semi-mountainous areas suggest. The Mycenaean cemetery on Vigla hill west of Kambi village is of great importance. The excavation was carried out under the guidance of curator of Antiquities Pinelopi Agalopoulou in 1971-1972. Findings show that local populations were organized according to Mycenaean social and economic structures. The14 graves–the majority of which has been plundered–are rectangular pit graves carved in original limestoneand are covered with stones (photos 4-9). The multiple burials in Kambi–contrary to the pit graves in other places where one or two dead persons were buried– suggest that they were used as family graves. Although Mycenaean cemeteries where in most cases close to settlements, the settlement to which these graves belong has not been located. The cemetery dates from 1400-1190 BC based on the grave offerings that were found: locally made Mycenaean clay pots of open and closed form (piriform juglets, three-handled alabastra, stirrup jars, feeding bottles, kylikes), bronze knife, clay buttons, etc.