Lecture by Rodney D. Fitzsimons & D. Matthew Buell

Rodney D. Fitzsimons (Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Trent University) & D. Matthew Buell (Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Concordia University), “Having Our (Saracen’s) Head Examined: Recent Research by the CIG at Khavania, Crete”

This paper presents the preliminary results of the Khavania Archaeological Project, which was conducted over the course of three seasons in the summers of 2019, 2021, and 2022. The primary objective of this research was to document all natural and anthropogenic features at the coastal site of Khavania, East Crete, where trial excavations by the local Ephorate had brought to light the remains of a substantial harbour settlement with occupation spanning the Early Bronze Age through historic periods. Exploration of the eastern and southern shores of the Mirabello Bay has produced abundant evidence for cultural development in the region, which stands in stark contrast to the lack of attention shown for the western side of the bay, where Khavania is situated. Rescue excavations throughout the area have produced a solid understanding of the historical landscape, but the earlier prehistoric remains have continued to elude detection. It is in this context that the site of Khavania begins to assume such importance. Utilising both traditional and digital means of architectural recording, we identified a number of structural features, while limited collection of surface materials indicates activity spanning the Early Bronze Age through to the Medieval era. Finally, analysis of fixed and portable remains indicates that Khavania’s residents were interacting with contemporary settlements within the broader region throughout these periods. These results allow us to begin filling in a striking lacuna in the larger archaeological landscape that occupies a key, strategic position at the crossroads of several important communication routes running along the north shore of the island.

This lecture will also be streamed via the Institute’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw79IXo_N2c