THE HELLENISTIC CEMETERIES OF STAVROMENOS, RETHYMNON. THE EXCAVATION OF A CLUSTER OF TOMBS AT THE VARDIA SITE.

In May 2015, a cluster of tombs of the Hellenistic period was excavated at the coastal site of Vardia in Stavromenos, Rethymmnon, where remains of Hellenistic and Roman tombs are visible for 250 m. along the coast. Four cist tombs and probably one tile-roofed tomb were revealed. The finds included 40 vases, an iron knife and fragments of a copper pin. Thirty-four of the vases were unguentaria, while there were also two lamps, one oinochoe /jug and probably a cooking vessel. Most of the burials are dated to the late Hellenistic period (second half of 2nd century BC), except for burial 1 which is dated to the beginning of the middle Hellenistic period (early 3rd century BC). The cluster of tombs excavated at the Vardia site seems to belong to a larger organized cemetery which was in use from the Hellenistic period onwards and served the needs of the ancient city of Stavromenos.