BRONZE-AGE AND LATE-ANTIQUE EXPLOITATION OF AN ISLET IN THE SARONIC GULF, GREECE

The examination of islets in the Gulf of Korinth and the Saronic Gulf has formed an important part of investigations in Greece by Ohio State University archaeologist since 1981. This work entails archaeological surface survey and topographic mapping of ancient and medieval remains. This information, supplemented by data from the southern Argolid and elsewhere in the Peloponnesos, has revealed a pattern of exploitation of marginal zones in the period from the 4th through the 7th centuries A.C., and to some extent in the Late Bronze Age or Mycenaean period (1600-1200 B.C.). Recent work has concentrated on the island of Evraionisos in the western Saronic Gulf. Surface ceramics indicate the presence of Mycenaean to Byzantine components on various parts of the island, with Late Roman material particularly abundant. Despite its lack of a natural source of drinking water, the island provided enough advantages to be used, at times heavily, from late prehistoric through early modern times. The pattern of exploitation and its implications for economic conditions in the Late Bronze Age and Late Antiquity are discussed.