The Sindos Priestess - Despoina Ignatiadou

Under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Dr. Karolos Papoulias and H.E. the President of the Italian Republic Hon. Giorgio Napolitano

‘PRINCESSES’

of the Mediterranean in the Dawn of History

Edited by NiKOLAOs Chr. Stampolidis with the collaboration of Mimika Giannopoulou

Organisers ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ UNIVERSITY OF CRETE

With the cooperation of the Embassy of Greece in Rome

Athens 2012 3

The Sindos Priestess The ancient cemetery of Sindos The ancient cemetery at Sindos, with only 121 graves, two of which were double, was the burial ground for the inhabitants of the

settlement on the nearby double trapeza (mound) of Nea Anchialos in the sixth and fifth centuries BC. The settlement has tentatively been identified with the ancient cities of Chalastra, Strepsa, and Sindos.

Many graves were robbed in antiquity. Several, however, contained undisturbed male and female burials with grave gifts either offered

by the deceased’s family, or used during the prothesis and the burial. These provide invaluable information on the population’s beliefs

and customs. The settlement probably prospered from the exploitation of gold from the nearby auriferous Echedoros River (modern Gallikos River).

The graves were simple constructions, but contained opulent grave gifts, including metalwork of the highest quality: precious gold and

silver jewellery accompanied the rich female burials, and gold sheet covered the shrouds of men and women. Silver, bronze, and iron vases, vessels, and symbolic models were placed in the graves of both men and women. The iron weapons that accompanied the men indicate their warrior status.

The ancient cemetery of Sindos was excavated in the Sindos Industrial Area, 23km northwest of Thessaloniki, in 1980-1982.1

The Sindos priestess was buried in approximately 510-500 BC in a cist grave in the ancient cemetery discovered in the area of Sindos, Thessaloniki. Rich in gold grave gifts, her burial was one of the cemetery’s most opulent, demonstrating the deceased’s important

place in the settlement’s society. The deceased probably belonged to the ruling class, and her priesthood is inferred from the rituals performed at her grave, her jewellery’s value

and symbolism, and the ritual vases and iron models laden with sacerdotal symbolism that accompanied her body.

The cist grave consisted of six stone plaques, one for each side, the floor, and the cover.

The use of these carefully hewn plaques differentiates this grave from the majority of the cemetery’s simple pit graves.

1. The excavation has been fully published by the excavator Aikaterini Despoini. The most important burial assemblages were exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki soon after the excavation’s completion; the excellent exhibition catalogue was written by the excavator and the archaeologists Ioulia Vokotopoulou, Michalis Tiverios, and Vasiliki Misailidou-Despotidou (1985). For theories and bibliography on the finds, the region, the ancient city’s identification, and its inhabitants’ ethnic identity see Despini 2009. For the identification of the settlement excavated at the double trapeza of Nea Anchialos with ancient Sindos see Τιβέριος 2009, 406.

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The woman was buried with her head pointing east, according to the rule then prevalent for female burials (fig. 1).2

She was tall (approximately 1.60m) and fully clad in gold and silver jewellery: earrings, necklaces, pendants, pins, bracelets,

and a finger ring. A mask of gold sheet attached to a textile covered her face; her body was probably wrapped in a shroud

decorated with appliqué gold bands and triangles. On her feet she wore funerary sandals with gilt silver soles. One silver and

several bronze, glass, and clay vases surrounded her body. The iron models of a table and throne were placed near her shins.

Several bronze and clay vases, and iron models were found outside the grave, where they probably had been left after the funerary ritual.

A group of one silver and several gold objects were more likely

related to the funerary ritual than to the deceased’s attire. The

group’s most important element is the gold mask used to cover the face (fig. 2, n. 1).

Fig. 1. The priestess’s grave.

Curiously, the mask was found next to the head and was neither crumpled, nor at an angle as it would have been had it fallen off the deceased’s face after the organic material

on which it was secured disintegrated. In fact, it was slightly covered by the deceased’s left shoulder indicating that it might have been removed from the her face and placed

to the left of her head before the grave was sealed. The mask was made of a trapezoidal gold sheet with a smaller sheet over the nose. The stylized facial features, which were impressed using a (wooden?) matrix,3 do not suggest a portrait. Instead, they resemble those of the other funerary masks from the same cemetery.

Face masks are particularly rare in sixth century BC burials, with examples from the Sindos, Archontiko, and Trebenischte cemeteries. Stylistic differences in the masks from these three cemeteries suggest that they were produced locally.

Fig. 2. Mask, 510-500 BC.

2. For the excavation report on the priestess burial see AD 35, 1980, Β2, 368, pl. 216b.

3. For technological observations on the Trebenischte mask see Ilieva-Penkova 2009.

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Three gold bands and nine pairs of triangular plaques were found on or adjacent to the deceased’s body. They all have sewing holes for securing them to an organic material. All

three bands are 44cm long. The only decorated one – it features an impressed guilloche

– was found stretched over the head (n. 2), so it could not have functioned as a diadem or have been sewn onto a head cover. The other two were found on either side of the

body, near the pelvis and hips, their upper ends converging towards the body (n. 3). Near them was a silver double pin. The triangular plaques were dispersed over the upper body (n. 4). Similar ornaments from an almost contemporary burial at Aigai were considered

ornaments of an epiblema – that is, an outer garment that covered the upper body and fastened at the waist with a double pin. However, the Aigai bands extended down to the

deceased’s feet,4 whereas an epiblema normally covered a woman’s head and shoulders.

Moreover, similar bands and triangles also occur in male burials at Sindos and elsewhere.5

It is more likely, therefore, at least in the case of Sindos, that the bands and triangles were sewn onto some kind of funerary cover, or shroud, that was secured with the silver double pin (n. 5). The double pin supports this hypothesis as it occurs in both male and female burials at Sindos and, therefore, cannot be associated with male or female dress.6

The deceased’s feet were clad in funerary sandals, probably made of leather with gilt

silver soles (not on display).7 This type of funerary shoe (it could not have been used in life) occurs in other contemporary sacerdotal graves in Macedonia.

The deceased’s gold jewellery is among the richest and finest from the sixth century BC. The most unusual gold ornament was found near the head. It consists of two long strands

of twisted wire that hung from her temples over her chest. The strands end in conical elements decorated with relief faces. The faces are strange looking, even ugly, with a flat nose, broad, straight mouth, prominent chin, and low hairline.

4. Kottaridi 2004, 141.

5. See for example Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 382-390, male burial 52, and 498-504, male burial 57. Also, all of the men’s burials at Trebenište, see Filow 1927, 18-24.

6. For double pins from Macedonia see Μισαηλίδου-Δεσποτίδου 2003, especially 218, footnote 1183-1184.

7. Δεσποίνη 1998, 75-76

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It is uncertain whether they represent a man or a woman. One suggestion is gorgoneia (fig. 3, n. 11).8 This is the only example of an ornament of this type that is decorated with faces – the other three, from Sindos and Aigai, feature rosettes in the same place.9

The deceased’s earrings consisted of an intricate openwork hoop with a tiny fastening

hoop that passed through the earlobe.10 An impressive double rosette attached onto the top

of the hoop protruded when the earrings were worn (fig. 4, n. 7).

Obviously, the rosette had symbolic connotations, since it also occurs on the woman’s other gold jewellery, the large necklace beads, and the pins. Its pointed, strongly curved

leaves might refer to the sepals of the pomegranate flower, which open to reveal the flower’s curly pinkish white petals and stamens, probably rendered by the granulated centre on the earring. This rosette is set against another long-petalled rosette, which has

been identified as the upper section of the opium poppy pod. The hypothesis that the earring’s decoration combines the pomegranate and opium poppy is enhanced by the presence of this combination on the rest of the deceased’s jewellery.

The two gold pins indicate the type of garment in which the deceased was buried: the Doric peplos, the most common woman’s garment at that time, a heavy square cloth

fastened with pins on the shoulders and belted. They were found in position on her shoulders and are among the most precious examples of pins excavated in Macedonian

cemeteries. They consist of a long gold shaft and a double spherical head topped by a rosette-disc and a small flower, the same combination as on the earrings (n. 6, fig. 5). 11

Fig. 3. Necklace, 525-500 BC.

Fig. 4. Earrings, 525-500 BC.

8. Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 320 (A. Despoini).

9. Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 154, 155. Kottaridi 2004, 145.

10. For a drawing of how it attached onto the ear see Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 512. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 62-63.

11. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 173.

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The spherical pinheads usually imitate poppy pods as suggested by the exquisite rock

crystal, gold, and ivory examples of earlier periods, which render in relief the vertical ribbing of the pod’s surface.12 The filigree ribbing of the upper spherical element divides the pod vertically into segments in a similar manner. Moreover, like the real pod, the sphere is decorated with a filigree rosette. The lower spherical element, however, is

different in shape and decoration, and cannot be regarded as a mere repetition of the upper one. Its surface is clearly divided into an upper and lower hemisphere, both decorated with spiralling filigree motifs.

The deceased wore two necklaces around her neck. The larger necklace, which consists

of two pendants and 57 biconical beads of three different types, is distinguished by its length, volume, and variety of its components. The smaller ribbed beads obviously imitate poppy pods.13 The surface of the biconical beads and the pendants is divided into

Fig. 5. Pins, 525-500 BC.

two hemispheres. One hemisphere is decorated with long petals – a rosette covering the entire curved surface. Each of the large spherical pendants ends in a rosette with pointed petals, which may represent pomegranate sepals (fig. 6, n. 10).14

Though much smaller, the second necklace is equally precious. It consists of biconical

beads and several pyramidal pendants of unknown symbolism. The central pendant is shaped like an ornate miniature vase, probably a representation of an actual ritual vase, whose contents were precious, since it required a lid. Pointed pomegranate sepals

decorate the lower end of the pyramidal pendants, the cylindrical suspension rings, and

the miniature vase’s base and lid – on the miniature vase they spring from the centre of a filigree rosette (fig. 7, n. 9).15

The iconographic types of the pomegranate16 and poppy17 are similar, since both

are spherical and crowned by a radiating element, the pointed sepals and the rosette respectively. They differ in the fact that the pomegranate’s sepals point down when the

fruit hangs from the tree, whereas the poppy pod’s rosette points up when attached to the plant’s stem.

Fig. 6. Necklace, 525-500 BC.

Fig. 7. Necklace, 525-500 BC.

12. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 174-175. Σταμπολίδης 2003, n. 1051.

13. For glass poppy-shaped beads see Ιγνατιάδου 2010, 94, n. 87, 443 (D. Ignatiadou).

14. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 117.

15. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 114.

16. Ζώση 2002-2003.

17. Κρητικός – Παπαδάκη 1963. Ιγνατιάδου 2005. Ιγνατιάδου 2008.

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On the other hand, the poppy pod is vertically ribbed. It is possible that in the Sindos

jewellery, the poppy pod is depicted ribbed and with its rosette pointing up, whereas the

pomegranate is shown divided into two hemispheres and with its sepals pointing down.

The repetition of these two motifs (pomegranate and poppy) together on the deceased’s

most important and precious jewellery indicates their significance to the ancient society that produced them and their possible use in religious ritual. The miniature vase’s

position as central pendant may indicate its central importance in the deceased’s cult duties. Vase-pendants have been associated with opium confections and are depicted in Greek sculpture.18

A closer examination of representations and actual finds, both miniature and in true size,

shows that this closed vase without handles was a special vase connected with sacerdotal functions since the Bronze Age and in many neighbouring cultures. Moreover, it is often

combined with a spherical vase without handles, which also lends its form to pendants in iconography, and in reality.19 In fact, the Sindos burial contained a unique pair of such pendants in the form of an ovoid and a spherical vase made of rock crystal, the

most precious material in antiquity. The ovoid pendant features gold leaf with triangular

fringes on the neck, a decoration similar to the filigree decoration on the gold examples.

These pendants, which hung from silver chain links, were found in the deceased’s armpits and were therefore probably sewn onto her garment near her shoulders (n. 8).

The precious braided chain with two pairs of snakehead finials also hung from the

deceased’s shoulders. This is a rare gold example of a type of chain that usually occurs in silver with gold finials in other contemporary burials (n. 12).20

Below the armpit, between the torso and hands, were two gold bow fibulae with silver

pins. Compared to other contemporary examples they are particularly sturdy, with a solid

gold rod threaded through three cylinders and ending in decorated finials (fig. 8, n. 13).21

They were found lower than the rock crystal pendants and the braided chain so they were not used to secure either of these. Indeed, if the fibulae had been used for this reason, their

pins would have gone through the silver or gold chain links. The fibulae were probably used to secure an ornament made of gold plaques over the deceased’s chest. This unique find consisted of fifteen plaques and grain-shaped pendants.

18. Mitsopoulos-Leon 2001.

19. Ignatiadou (forthcoming).

20. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 161 and 107 (for a similar find of the eighth century BC).

21. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 182.

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Fig. 8. Pair of bow fibulae, 525-500 BC.

The plaques feature double loops on the reverse probably for threading two parallel yarns (fig. 9, n. 14).22 The position of the two fibulae, with their pins exactly parallel to the deceased’s sides, corresponds to the horizontal layout of this chest ornament.

The deceased wore two silver bracelets with snakehead tips high on her forearms (n. 15)

and an undecorated, though heavy and well made, finger ring on her left hand (n. 16).

The ring may also indicate that she was a priestess, since similar rings were found in the

Fig. 9. Chest ornament, 525-500 BC.

cemeteries of Macedonia and neighbouring regions on the hands of men and women, some of which were identified as priests and priestesses.23 Lower, near the silver bowl,

were two unique eye-shaped silver beads with gold ‘eyes’ (not displayed).

Several ritual vases pertaining to her sacerdotal duties accompanied the priestess’s burial.

The silver omphalos bowl (n. 18) is the most important of these because of its shape and material. All of the suspected priest/priestess ‘aristocratic’ burials from this period

contain one special silver vase. This is usually a silver bowl, usually with omphalos and often gilt. Instead of a bowl, some burials feature a silver kantharos or goblet, both also used for pouring libations as suggested in iconography.

22. Δεσποίνη 1996, n. 135.

23. Kottaridi 2004, 147. Filow – Schkorpil 1927, pl. II.1.

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Because of their material, these were probably one’s most precious personal ritual vases and, of course, the most expensive vases in this particular burial assemblage.24 The

priestess’s belongings also included ten bronze omphalos bowls (n. 19-25. The bronze bowls are not identical; they vary in size (D. 16-18 cm), as do their omphaloi. Some feature a small suspension hole near the rim. Both the silver and the bronze bowls are the

strongest indicators of the deceased’s priestess status. A libation vase par excellence, the bowl is also associated with drinking, but within a ritual context.25

The bronze exaleiptron found next to the deceased’s body was also a ritual object (n.

17). The use of the exaleiptra is still debated, and this applies also for the numerous

clay examples with the single-piece body, which are regarded as vases. The body of this bronze exaleiptron consists of two pieces, upper and lower, the former simply sitting atop

the latter, leaving a small gap between them. It is unlikely that such an object was used

for liquids. The rare metal exaleiptra occur in rich Macedonian burials. They were made

of bronze, iron, or a combination of the two, the iron examples being, of course, more precious because of the difficulty of hammering the metal and its unique shine. Like

the Sindos example, exaleiptra usually have a tripod base and ring handles suspended from spool-shaped attachments. Some examples feature a flat lid, a possible indication of precious contents.26

Two vases were found near the priestess’s feet: a bronze dinos-shaped lebes (n. 26) with

a clay Black-figure hydria inside it (n. 30). The hydria is a vase associated with water, as is probably the lebes,27 therefore the two vases are a reference to a ritual involving water.

The lebes is undecorated, whereas the hydria’s iconography (standing men and women holding wreaths) does not provide a particular reading.

Four glass vases (one fragmentary) were scattered inside the grave. These small amphorae of opaque white glass with purple decoration are characteristic examples of the coreformed glass perfume bottles of the period (n. 27-29), although white glass is rare.

24. Provided, of course, that there is no vase in a material more precious than silver, such as rock crystal, glass, or gold; this does not occur in Macedonia. For a comparison of the value of metals see Vickers 1992.

25. Δεσποίνη 2011, 339-340, notes 31-37.

26. For the metal exaleiptron from Karabournaki and relevant bibliography see Descamps 2009.

27. Although it has been suggested that this type of lebes-dinos might have also been used as a krater, see Δεσποίνη 2011, 335-339.

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We do not know whether these were placed inside the grave filled with aromatic oil, or empty and thus purely symbolic.28

Also near the deceased’s feet were two iron models of furniture: a throne (n. 31) and a tripod table (n. 32). The tripod table occurs in other graves at Sindos, both in iron and

bronze. One large iron model from a male burial featured two miniature iron knives on

the tabletop. Their presence suggests the table’s use for some kind of carving.29 Iron and bronze furniture models occur in several tombs at Sindos and elsewhere. They are usually

taken to indicate banquets, even though they occur in both male and female burials and there is no indication that women participated in these banquets.30 The banquet

association is further weakened by other evidence, particularly in this Sindos grave: the clay dinoi may have served as kraters, but this cannot be proven here for the bronze lebes,

particularly given its association with the hydria. It is equally difficult to support that wine

was mixed inside the lebes because of the comparatively small capacity of the hydria,

which supposedly contained the water. Moreover, symposiac vases are entirely absent, since the bowls are ritual. The vases found outside the grave do include two drinking

vessels, but the deceased’s relatives used these in a ritual. So was the vase formerly identified as a jug, which is in fact a large aryter (water jar, n. 34) without a spout, which

could have been used for filling small drinking vessels. With a capacity larger than the lebes, it would have been heavy when filled and probably unsuitable for tableware. The

iron furniture models do not indicate the deceased’s participation in a symposium, but rather her priestly status as references to the priestly throne and offering table. Since the

Bronze Age, the throne is associated with female deities and by extension to their priests and priestesses. Figurines of seated goddesses (or priestesses) from Sindos and other

contemporary cemeteries depict this type of chair,31 which is associated diachronically with priesthood. Seated burials of priests and priestesses occur throughout antiquity and to this day.32

In Classical antiquity, thrones were included in the burials of queens (in the Macedonian

tombs of Aigai, for example) not because of the deceased’s royal status, but because of their office as high priestess, a result of their royal status. The case of the lady from Sindos is probably similar, since she probably had the double status of princess and priestess.

28. For the production of these vessels see Grose 1989, 95-174.

29. Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 277 (A. Despoini).

30. Tomlinson 1989. Χρυσοστόμου – Χρυσοστόμου 2009a, 481. Δεσποίνη 2011, 340-341.

31. See, for example, Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 107. ΚαραμήτρουΜεντεσίδη 2008, fig. 164.

32. Gergova 2006. Christianity also adopted this tradition, from Coptic Egypt to Orthodox Greece, where deceased priests were seated during their funeral procession and burial. Presumably they were also seated during the prothesis, or ‘laying out’ of the body, as in the case of the Coptic Patriarch Senouda III, who died in 2011.

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The combination of political and religious offices in the persons of rulers

and their spouses has already been noted and seems to have been widespread

from the royal and aristocratic regimes to democratic Athens in the institutions of the Archon Basileus and the Basilinna.33

Outside of the tomb, excavations revealed a group of objects that was used during the funerary ritual. Such objects were obviously considered unclean

after the ritual and were left behind in the cemetery, as they were not suitable for use by the living. A large bronze jar (fig. 10, n. 34) was probably used

for carrying water, possibly for the deceased’s bath, in association with a smaller bronze lebes-shaped pot (very fragmentary, not displayed).

Fig. 10. Bronze jar outside the grave.

The necessary libations were performed with a bronze omphalos bowl similar to those

found inside the tomb (fig. 11, n. 33). This bowl was probably part of the deceased’s personal belongings, bringing the number of bowls up to thirteen. The use of the two clay kylikes is uncertain (n. 35-36). Since the more precious bowl would have been used for libations, they might have had some other auxiliary ritual function.

Apart from the vases mentioned above, two groups of models were also found outside the grave. Among these, an iron model of a four-wheeled cart, found upside down (n.

37), recalls similar iron or lead carts from Sindos and other contemporary cemeteries.

The study of the finds from the Archontiko cemetery shows that two-wheeled chariots

occur in male burials and four-wheeled carts in female burials.34 This also applies to the

Sindos finds. In Attic iconography, two-wheeled chariots are associated with Dionysiac

and Eleusinian religious celebrations.35 Four-wheeled carts, however, are associated with

the deceased’s funeral procession, and this might be the reason for its presence here.36

This particular cart model provides further evidence for this identification: instead of the

two-wheeled chariot’s side panels, the cart’s deck features an elongated cage consisting of rods and narrow plaques.

33. Kottaridi 2011a, 97.

34. Χρυσοστόμου 2009.

35. Μανακίδου 2010, 185-190. Descamps – Lequime 2011, n. 96/3 (D. Ignatiadou).

36. Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 295 (A. Despoini).

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Fig. 11. Bronze bowl and iron cart outside the grave.

This structure can be identified either as the cart’s ‘cabin’ or as a kind of carrier for the deceased’s body. Terracotta models of four-wheeled carts with cloth canopies occur

since the Bronze Age.37 Here, however, the cage is too low to serve as a canopy frame.

On the other hand, the two iron objects interpreted as spit rests (n. 38), although they

do not resemble the other spit rests from the Sindos cemetery, might be related to the

cart’s structure and would provide the canopy with the necessary height for receiving the deceased’s body. A terracotta cart model from Vari may illustrate this second interpretation: the body is carried on a kind of stretcher with four tall legs sheltered by a

funerary shroud; it is accompanied by four lamenting women, one of whom appears to have a leading position in front of the body.38

Not far from the cart model were two bundles of joined iron rods and three miniature iron

knives. One bundle consists of straight tapering rods secured onto two elongated iron

plaques (n. 39). The other bundle, which lay in the continuation of the first, consists of curved rods (n. 40). Both bundles preserved traces of wood on the reverse indicating that

they were attached onto a common wooden surface, possibly a box.39 Bundles of straight iron rods occur in other contemporary burials; the rods are usually interpreted as spits

supported on iron firedogs. These two bundles, however, resemble bunches of curving twigs or stems. The three miniature iron knives might be considered together with the

bundles as they probably relate to some ritual of cutting up plants (n. 41). Although their

small size does not exclude their actual use, these are probably models of larger knives,

as suggested by the discovery of two similar miniature knives atop the miniature table from another Sindos grave.40

37. Littauer – Crouwel 1974.

38. Oakley 2008, 336, fig. 2.

39. See the interpretation for the contemporary burial at Aigai in Kottaridi 2011, 97.

40. Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 277 (A. Despoini).

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The burial of the Sindos priestess is chronologically and typologically comparable with

slightly later burial Λ II at Aigai (see pages 413-433 in the present volume), which features

the same basic group of grave gifts.41 At first glance, the Aigai burial, with its relief gold diadem, gold bands, gold double pin, gold bracelets, sceptre, ‘distaff’, relief bowl, and terracotta busts, seems more impressive and opulent than the Sindos burial. The Sindos

burial does not lag behind, however, far from it. The tomb’s construction is different,

the Sindos tomb being a cist grave and the Aigai tomb a simple pit. The quality of the jewellery also differs: at Aigai the fibulae feature a gold pin but with simpler decoration:

the pins use only the poppy pod motif, the twisted wire necklace features rosettes instead of faces (or ‘gorgoneia’), the woven chain is silver instead of gold, the necklace with the pyramidal pendants is lacking (both burials contain a single pyramidal pendant), as are the pomegranate pendants, the chest ornament, the rock crystal pendants, and the gold

mask. The composition of the vase groups also differs. Both burials contained thirteen

bowls, but at Aigai the silver bowl is gilt and the bowl left outside the tomb silver-plated.

Moreover, the exaleiptron is made of iron (therefore more precious), there is only one

glass vase (as opposed to four at Sindos), and the lebes is replaced by a bronze hydria (also

related to water rituals). Drinking vessels are lacking entirely, as are any references to a symposium, including the miniature furniture set. The cart model and possible spits were

found inside the grave. A careful comparison of the two assemblages demonstrates the

importance of the Sindos finds and qualifies the two burials as different though equivalent expressions of a religious koine that dictated such treatment for their priestess queens.

The finds and customs reveal nothing of the deity served by the Sindos priestess. All those legible indices, such as ceramic iconography, figurines, inscribed grave gifts, are

lacking. However, the silent evidence of the symbolisms might eventually help us to understand not only the deceased’s social status, but also her religious beliefs.

Despoina Ignatiadou

41. Ανδρόνικος 1988. Kottaridi 2004. Kottaridi 2011a.

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Sindos, TOMB 67 2. Strip

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7977.

Gold. Fairly well preserved in three fragments. L. 44.5cm, W. 3.5cm.

Strip made of thin gold sheet with embossed double guilloche. Slightly irregular shape, several holes for sewing onto an organic material.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 316 (A. Despoini).

D.I.

3. Strips

510-500 BC. Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7979.

Gold. Fairly well preserved.

L. 44 and 42cm, W. 2.5cm.

1. Mask

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7980.

Gold. Complete, fairly well preserved.

H. 22.2cm, W. 22.2cm.

Mask made of a relatively thick trapezoidal gold sheet. The stylized facial features were impressed on a matrix: the outline of the forehead, the eyebrows, the eyes and pupils, the ears, mouth, and chin.

The nose is made of a separate gold sheet, which covers a notch in the large sheet.

Above the eyes are two holes for sewing the mask onto an organic substance.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: : Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 322 (A. Despoini).

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Two strips made of thin gold sheet with embossed double guilloche. Slightly irregular shape and varying width, several holes for sewing onto an organic material.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 317 (A. Despoini).

D.I.

4. Gold sheets

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7978, ΜΘ 8409, ΜΘ 8925.

Gold. Fairly well preserved, three fragmentary. Max. H. 7cm, max W. 6.8cm.

Nine pieces of gold sheet in the shape on two adjoined triangles, some torn from larger pieces forming three or four triangles. They are decorated with upright and inverted embossed petals and have holes for sewing onto an organic material.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 318 (ΜΘ 7978, ΜΘ 8409) (Α. Despoini). ΜΘ 8925 unpublished.

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5. Double pin

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7984.

Silver. Complete, corroded.

H. 10.2cm, W. 2.5cm.

Double pin made of a bent silver rod with pointed tips. The head, which consists of a short shaft with three plastic rings and a conical tip, is riveted onto the pin.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 311 (A. Despoini).

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pendant has an undecorated spherical body, the other an ovoid body decorated with gold leaf forming triangular fringes around the neck. The pendants hang from silver chain links. A further link is preserved.

7. Earrings

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7975a, b.

Gold. Excellent preservation.

D. 5.7 and 5.5cm, D. of flower: 2.5cm.

Two gold band earrings consisting of a hoop and a complex rosette. Gold wire, both straight and twisted into figure-ofeight loops, forms the band, which ends in a small loop at the back. The double rosette consists of a multi-petalled rosette below a smaller rosette with pointed petals, and two smaller pointed petals on the side. Filigree and granulated decoration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 321 (A. Despoini).

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6. Pins

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7971a, b.Gold.

Excellent preservation.

H. 25.8cm, H. of head: 9.7cm, max. D. of head: 4.2cm.

Two gold pins with a double head and solid shaft. Each pinhead consists of two spherical elements, the top one larger than the other, topped by a small disc and a rosette with pointed petals. The two spherical elements are hollow and filled with resin. Filigree and granulated ribbing, petals, and spirals decorate the heads.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 330 (A. Despoini).

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8. Pair of pendants

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7974a, b.

Rock crystal, gold, and silver.

Well preserved.

H. of pendants: 2.6 and 2cm, total H. 6 and 5.5cm.

Two vase-shaped rock crystal pendants with short necks and solid bodies. One

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος (A. Despoini).

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9. Necklace

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7964-5 ΜΘ, 7967γ.

Gold. Excellent preservation.

H. 0.6cm (biconical beads), 3.7cm (pyramidal pendants), 5.7cm (vase pendant).

Gold necklace consisting of seven biconical beads and five pendants. The beads are made of wire twisted into eight tiers. Four pendants consist of an inverted pyramid and a T-shaped suspension element. The central pendant is a miniature vase with a lid and pointed bottom. All of the pendants have filigree and granulated decoration, and end in a small rosette. A rosette also decorates the lid of the vase pendant. Also preserved is a further pyramidal pendant of slightly coarser manufacture.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 325 (A. Despoini).

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10. Necklace

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7962-3, ΜΘ 7966-7.

Gold. Excellent preservation.

Beads: L. 2.9, 1.5, and 0.85cm. Pendants: H. 6.2cm. Total L. 75cm.

Large gold necklace consisting mainly of three types of biconical beads: two beads with cylindrical extensions decorated with filigree petals and granulated triangles; forty-six beads with filigree petals; and nine beads with longitudinal grooves. The two large spherical gold pendants with T-shaped suspension elements, rosetteshaped finials, and filigree and granulated decoration are shaped like pomegranates.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 323 (A. Despoini).

11. Necklace

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7968, ΜΘ 7969.

Gold. Well preserved, mended.

L. 90 and 80cm, D. of spirals: 0.5cm, H. of end cylinders: 3cm.

This particularly long necklace consists of two rows of twisted wire attached to conical cylinders with suspension hooks at the back. The cylinders’ filigree decoration consists of a face with a wide nose and mouth and pronounced chin, framed by petals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 320 (A. Despoini).

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12. Braided chain

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7970.

Gold. Excellent preservation.

L. 74.2cm.

Complex gold chain made of braided wires. The main chain ends on either side in two similar chains, beginning from two small cones. The four ends are attached to cylindrical elements shaped like the scaly body and head of a snake biting into a suspension hoop.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 327 (A. Despoini).

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14. Chest ornament

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7972.

Gold. Excellent preservation, one pendant missing.

L. 15.

Chest ornament consisting of fifteen plaques and fourteen pendants. Each plaque is formed by two groups of three petals on either side of a central rib. A pendant shaped like a grain of wheat hangs from a suspension ring attached to the central lower petal.

On the reverse are small threading loops for two parallel threads.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 315 (A. Despoini).

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13. Bow fibulae

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7976a, b.

Gold, silver. Excellent preservation apart from the corroded pin.

H. 4cm, L. 6.4cm.

Two gold bow fibulae with silver pins, probably for suspending chain n. 12.

The body consists of a solid curved shaft bow that passes through three cylindrical elements at equal intervals. A pair of rosettes decorates the end on which the pin rotates, with a single rosette on the hook on which the pin closes. Filigree and granulated decoration BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 328 (A. Despoini).

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15. Bracelets

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8407.

Silver. Corroded.

D. 8.2 and 7.6cm.

Two solid silver bracelets ending in stylized snakeheads. Dense parallel lines near the heads on one bracelet.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 310 (A. Despoini).

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16. Ring

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7973.

Gold. Excellent preservation.

D. 2.3cm.

Solid gold ring with convex outer surface.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 324 (A. Despoini).

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18. Omphalos bowl

19. Omphalos bowl

H. 3-3.5cm, D. 18cm, omphalos D. 3.5cm.

Shallow silver bowl with central omphalos (boss) surrounded by long, densely arranged, radiating relief petals.

Small shallow bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss).

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8574.

Silver. Corroded.

17. Exaleiptron

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8695.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 8.5cm, D. 17.5.

Bronze exaleiptron with a two-part body on a tripod base. The body consists of two parts: a shallow bowl and a convex, ringshaped upper part. The base consists of a ring with vertical and criss-cross hatching (the latter over the feet) and three curved feet. Four decorative spools are preserved (they were not reconstituted onto the vase); two held iron ring handles.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 313 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 309 (A. Despoini).

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8553.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 3cm, D. 11cm, omphalos D. 2.5cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 314 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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D.I.

20. Omphalos bowl

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8552.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 3.5cm, D. 16.5cm, omphalos D. approx. 4cm.

Shallow bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss).

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 294 (I. Vokotopoulou).

21. Omphalos bowl

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8692.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 4.7cm, D. 16.7cm, omphalos D. 3.5cm.

Bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss).

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 301 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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22. Omphalos bowls

D.I.

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8693.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 3 and 6cm, D. 18 and 16.5cm, omphalos D. 3.2 and 4cm.

Two bronze bowls with simple omphalos (boss), stuck one inside the other.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 302 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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24. Omphalos bowl

23. Omphalos Bowl

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8694.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 2.9cm, D. 14.5-16.2cm, omphalos D. 3cm.

Shallow bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss).

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 303 (I. Vokotopoulou).

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. Σ 9153.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 5cm, rim D. 16cm, omphalos D. 3.5cm Bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss) and suspension hole below the rim.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unpublished D.I.

D.I.

25. Omphalos bowl

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. Σ 9156.

Bronze. Corroded, restored.

H. 4.6cm, rim D. 15.7-17.1cm, omphalos D. 3.9cm.

Bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss).

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unpublished.

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26. Lebes

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8554.

Bronze. Restored.

H. 18cm, rim D. 19cm, body D. 29cm.

Bronze lebes with horizontal rim, angular shoulder, deep body, and rounded bottom.

D.I.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 304 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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27. Amphoriskos

28. Amphoriskos

29. Amphoriskos

Miniature amphora of opaque white glass with purple decoration. It features a flaring rim, ovoid body, vertical handles, and pad base. A purple glass thread decorates the perimeter of the rim and base, as well as the body, where it forms zigzags framed by horizontal revolutions above and below.

Miniature amphora of opaque white glass with purple decoration. It features a flaring rim, ovoid body, vertical handles, and pad base. A purple glass thread decorates the perimeter of the rim and base, as well as the body, where it forms zigzags framed by horizontal revolutions above and below.

Miniature amphora of opaque white glass with purple decoration. It features a flaring rim, ovoid body, vertical handles, and pad base. A purple glass thread decorates the perimeter of the rim and base, as well as the body, where it forms horizontal revolutions (above) and zigzags (below).

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7812.

Glass. Complete.

H. 9.6cm, max. D. 4.7cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 307 (M. Tiverios). McClellan 1984, 200, n. 12, pl. 10, 35, 36. Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 276.

D.I.

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7813.

Glass. Mended.

H. 9.6cm, max. D. 4.6cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 308 (M. Tiverios). McClellan 1984, 200 n. 13, pl. 10, 35, 36. Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 277.

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8958.

Glass. Mended and reconstituted.

H. 10.5cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 274.

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30. Black-figure hydria

525-510 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7810.

Brownish red fabric. Complete.

H. 18.8cm, D. 13.3cm.

Black-figure hydria with decorative metope depicting six standing figures: a man, two couples, and a woman. The men wear a himation, the women a peplos and a band in their hair; the women also hold a wreath. Above the figures, a row of tongue-like motifs and a row of alternating inverted palmettes and lotus buds decorate the shoulder. This type of hydria is attributed to a Euboean workshop.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 293 (M. Tiverios). Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 224.

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31. Model of a throne

32. Model of a tripod table

This model of a chair consists of a rectangular iron plaque (seat) and iron rods for the back and legs.

Model of a tripod table consisting of a rectangular iron plaque and iron bands for the legs.

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8689.

Iron. Corroded, mended, and reconstituted.

H. 10cm, seat: 7.7×7cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 296 (A. Despoini).

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510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8690.

Iron. Corroded, mended, and reconstituted.

H. 3.7cm, L. 7cm, W. 4.3cm.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 297 (A. Despoini).

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VASES FOR FUNERARY RITUAL

33. Omphalos bowl

525-500 BC. Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. Σ 9157.

Bronze. Corroded, mended and reconstituted.

H. 4.5cm, rim D. 18.3cm, omphalos D. 4.1cm.

Bronze bowl with simple omphalos (boss) and suspension hole below the rim.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unpublished.

34. Aryter

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8555.

Bronze. Corroded and reconstituted.

H. 26cm, rim D. 19.5cm, D. 29cm.

Large bronze vessel with horizontal rim, cylindrical body, and conical neck. The strap handle, with ribbing on the sides and a rounded lower end, is riveted below the rim and onto the shoulder BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 309 (I. Vokotopoulou).

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D.I.

35. Attic Black-figure Droop cup (kylix)

520-510 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 7811.

Brownish red fabric. Mended and reconstituted.

H. 9.5cm, rim D. 17.4cm.

Clay kylix with tall foot and black glaze. The main decorative zone features black painted stylized palmettes and lotus buds connected to one another by fine curved lines.

Below these is a band of black and white dots and a radiating ornament.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 300 (M. Tiverios). Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 113.

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36. Attic Black-figure kylix

520-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8287.

Brownish red fabric. Mended.

H. 4.7cm, rim D. 8.1cm.

Clay kylix with splaying foot and black glaze. The main decorative zone features black painted stylized palmettes and vertical motifs that may represent lotus buds with details in added purple and white. These floral motifs stand on a horizontal chain or braid motif.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 306 (M. Tiverios). Σαριπανίδη 2011, n. 121.

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37. Model of a four-wheeled cart

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8646.

Iron. Corroded, mended and reconstituted.

H. 9.5cm, dimensions of chassis: 16.2×5cm, L. of pole: 16.5cm.

Model of a four-wheeled cart made of iron rods and plates. It features a chassis, pole, two axles, and four four-spoked wheels of different sizes. The chassis consists of a frame attached to the wheel axles and an elongated cage made of rods and narrow plates. The bifurcated cylindrical pole widens towards the front end where part of the yoke is preserved.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 295 (A. Despoini).

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38. Iron objects

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8691.

Iron. Corroded.

L. 15.6. H. 1.

Each consists of an iron rod with pointed ends standing on two curved iron plates.

Formerly identified as spit rests, they recall elements of the cage on the cart model.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 299 (A. Despoini).

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39. Bundle of rods

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. ΜΘ 8647.

Iron. Corroded and fused.

L. 11.5cm, W. 3cm.

Straight iron rods placed one next to the other and secured with iron plates at the ends so as to form a flat bundle. One end tapers, the other is pointed. Remains of the wooden surface that was in contact with the bundle are visible on the reverse.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Δεσποίνη – Βοκοτοπούλου – Μισαηλίδου – Τιβέριος 1985, n. 298 (A. Despoini).

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40. Rods

510-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. Σ 9050.

Iron. Corroded and fused.

L. 9.8cm.

At least eight curved iron rods held together to form a cylindrical bundle at one end.

They have differing curvatures and are pointed at the open end. Remains of the wooden surface that was in contact with the bundle are visible on the backside.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unpublished.

D.I.

41. Knives

525-500 BC Sindos cemetery, Tomb 67.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, inv. n. Σ 9049.

Iron. Corroded. One fragmentary.

L. 10.1, 9.2, and (pres. L.) 5cm.

Three small knives consisting of a single iron plate forming a thick handle and a finer blade. The back is angular and the cutting edge curved.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unpublished.

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