Mochlos

Mochlos called a small island located in the Gulf of Mirabello , 27 km from Sitia. Opposite the island lies the modern village of the same name . It is a small island in antiquity was peninsula and in Venetian maps mentioned by name Scoglio de muflo, while the locals still call it St. Nicholas of the small church located there. The island was developed extensive and important Minoan settlement with port. The first inhabitants settled on the island of Mochlos during the Early Minoan I period . In the Early Minoan III period placed the edge of the settlement that became one of the most important centers of Minoan civilization.

Approximately between 3650/3500 - 3000/2900 BC found habitation levers reinforced with the arrival of new residents probably from central Crete during the Early Minoan II period (3000/2900 - 2300/2150 BC ) in which the settlement grew significantly. In the Early Minoan III (2300/2150 - 2160/2025 BC ) Mochlos growing rapidly . The plain on land provided rich agricultural production , while the narrow strait that linked the current island to the mainland in antiquity , forming two natural harbors safe .

         As a transshipment center funneled the rest of Crete obsidian from Melos and raw materials from the East . The importance of the port is evidenced by the discovery of a signet 18th century . B.C. In so-called " district of craftsmen ; manufactured gold jewelery, gems and stone vessels , all of excellent art . In the Early Minoan cemetery was in use until the Middle Minoan period ( to about 1600 BC) , the grander tombs were monumental , built as homes and kterismenoi with gold jewelry , gems and stone vessels . The shapes of certain vessels mimic Egyptian standards and strengthen the testimony of Crete -Egypt relations from the Early Minoan period yet .

      During the Late Minoan IA period (1600/1580 - 1480 BC ) the settlement was destroyed by the eruption of Thera and immediately reconstructed , as demonstrated by the volcanic ash layer thickness from 0.07 to 0.10 m, which was located below floor and walls of a house . The new city was planning system similar to that of lice and Gournion , main streets that intersect with other smaller districts and horizon . The houses were built in different levels adapted to the slope, with two or three floors . The boulders of sandstone used in the construction came from the quarry to the Vaya . From the same quarry supplied building materials dwellers Gournion to build the palace of their city .

       During the Late Minoan III period (1390 - 1070 BC ) seems to have been big changes . The size of the city decreased significantly , the old houses were repaired and reoccupied . Changed even burial habits .

      The last phase of extensive inhabitance Mochlos represented by a fortification of the 1st century . B.C. in northern and eastern part, which was perhaps an attempt to stabilize the Ierapytna the presence of the north coast of Crete .

     

The first excavations Mohlos made ​​by the American archaeologist R. Seager in 1908 , which explored the important Early Minoan and Middle Minoan cemetery , but also parts of the Minoan settlement. After nearly 50 years of continued research on the island N. Platon ( 1950 ) by excavating a Minoan vaulted tomb and a major Mycenaean cemetery with chamber tombs . The 1995 underwater survey conducted between Mochlos Crete by J. Leatham and S. Hood, which revealed Roman remains. During the years 1971 , 1972 and 1976 , the K. Davaras and Soles in collaboration with the American School of Archaeology better explore the cemetery was first dig R. Seager, offering new data . Investigations continued in the coming years , revealing new information about the settlement and cemeteries , while 1986 N. Papadakis excavated a series of seven Mycenaean chamber tombs . Maintaining the site is good and each time work is fixing and cleaning by the American School of Classical Studies in collaboration with CG Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities .