Monumental tomb of Kissamos

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania carried out a rescue excavation in the town of Kissamos prior to the construction of the wastewater sewerage system (NSRF 2007-2013). The works of the project in Polemiston 1941 Street brought to light a monumental tomb, part of the ancient cemetery of Kissamos which is located slightly to the north, close to the city boundaries. This quarter covers the west cemetery of the Roman period. This study concerns a funerary monument which typically belonged to a single wealthy family. A rock-cut subterranean built chamber tomb dating from the second half of the 1st c. AD was uncovered and investigated. It was found disturbed. However, among the grave offerings that have escaped looting are glass vessels. These perfume bottles have features in common with vessels found in grave excavations of the Early Roman period (1st-2nd c. AD) from the wider area of Crete and elsewhere. One distinctive category of find is that of the metal objects and accessories. Also worth noting is the presence of many gold foils and sheets which decorated the burial cloth. Similar monuments of the Early Roman period (1st-2nd c. AD) have been found in excavations of Central and East Crete. This particular type of built vaulted tomb, inspired by the Macedonian tombs, refers to the ‘Macedonian type’ tombs of later Hellenistic times from the regions of Macedonia, Thessaly and Central Greece. The architectural typology of the tomb complements our view on the types of burials of West Crete and the organization of the Kissamos cemetery.