The Venetian “kastro” of Folegandros. Construction started early in the 13th century for some 200 families. The Kastro was originally not whitewashed, merging into its surroundings. Beyond the walls are lovely squares and whitewashed houses of the 17th and later centuries.

The kastro of Kimolos. As at Folegandros, it consists of a series of houses that are facing each other, with exterior walls as defensive perimeter. The town is a fairly modern development: in the past, habitation centred on the bay of Ellenika (on which more later this week!)

Good night from Kimolos

Had a fantastic day being shown around new excavations on Sifnos, including the magnificent Mycenaean and Iron Age citadel of Ay. Andreas (👇🏻). Some very exciting finds, that may shed light on (continuity of) rituals at the site, and settlement distribution in LBA Sifnos.

A witness to ancient rituals in a cave above the port of Kamares, Sifnos. Tentatively dated to the 6th century BC, this inscriptions marks the cave as a sanctuary of the Nymphs. Remains of pots, animal bones and a pyre hint at the rituals taking place here.

Good night from Apollonia, Sifnos.

Right. Paper and slideshow ready for the 16th Colloquium on Mycenaean Studies, which will take place in Madrid in early September. Looking forward to discussions, and meeting colleagues and old friends.

One reason why many archaeologists think that Corinth fell to Mycenae early on, is the absence of monumental burials. Yet the remains of a tholos were found during roadworks👇🏻. Nothing remains, yet it’s a good reminder that absence of evidence is not evidence for absence.

That the Corinthia must have been of importance in Mycenaean times is clear from various -and often very wealthy- cemeteries. Broneer, who explored the area extensively, even suggested that a fortification wall was built across the isthmus in the 13th century.

Jorrit Kelder The Isthmus Wall is very interesting. The stretch of it in the sanctuary is impressive, but there’s a lot of imagination required to extend it all the way.