Of the dozens of Neolithic settlements of Magnesia stand settlements Sesklo and Dimini, 10 and 7 km. respectively west of the city of Volos. The two settlements were among the most important Neolithic settlements not only in the region, but the whole of ancient Greece. The prehistoric settlement of Sesklo developed over the hill “Kastraki” and the area around the simerno Sesklo. Sesklo first inhabited in the middle of the seventh millennium. The striking findings of Sesklo enabled archaeologists to talk about the culture of Sesklo. Two thousand years later, το 5.000 π.Χ, 3 km east of Sesklo dimitrgiBCe an equally important Neolithic settlement, Dimini, which inhabited 4.000 years until the end of the Mycenaean period, το 1.100 π.Χ. Dimini artifacts were found from the Mycenaean era, many of them are in the museum of Volos, and the archaeological site are Mycenaean tombs in very good cittion.BC

The Stone Age

Burials

Inside the Neolithic settlements found rarely normal burials in simple pits with the dead placed in a contracted position or secondary burials Translation of bone. Most often found burning, mainly infants, in funereal vases. Many times, especially in cases of infants, burials were under the floors of the houses of the Late Neolithic. Parallel, only during the Late and Final Neolithic identified organized cemeteries outside the boundaries of settlements.

These are known from scant archaeological evidence. However, believe that death is an important milestone in the Neolithic societies and disrupt the normal life of the community. The attitude towards the dead and indirectly refers to the social relations among members of the community.

Sesklo

The prehistoric site of Sesklo developed over the hill Kastraki defining two streams and the surrounding area. Located 15 km SW of Volos, near the present village Sesklo. Inhabited since the mid-seventh millennium until the Middle Bronze Age. The settlement reached its peak in the Middle Neolithic period (5millennium), which extends over a large area, at least 100 acres.

It is one of the greatest places in Greece for the Pre-Pottery Neolithic knowledge (late seventh millennium BC), mainly because here the Neolithic triptych (residency, agriculture, livestock) recorded net. The extent of the Pre-Pottery settlement period could not be ascertained . Details of this phase have been identified both in the hill Kastraki (Sesklo A), and beyond the northeastern edge of the Acropolis (Sesklo C). It remains huts, as shallow trenches, foundation trenches for thin rectangular house, circular pits and sections of solid clay walls probably house.

Remains of the Early Neolithic have been found both in Sesklo A, and the flat side to the west (Sesklo B) and nearby. Key feature of the architecture of this phase is the diversity of types and variety of materials, as there were so stone house foundations and walls of bricks, and construction of molded clay, sometimes with external plates, like uprights.

Most architectural remains are visible today at the archaeological site of Sesklo belong to the Middle Neolithic period (6millennium). During this period the settlement extends onto Kastraki (Sesklo A), and the flat slope in the west (Sesklo B) and nearby , in’ a space as mentioned above is approximately 100 acres. This period coincides with the known culture of Sesklo, while the pottery found in the settlement was the basis of dating subperiods Middle Neolithic. The settlement of this period gives the impression of an organized settlement with connective tissue. Destroyed by fire in the late 5th millennium BC and was abandoned for more than 500 year.

One of the most interesting buildings of the Middle Neolithic period on the Acropolis Sesklo A is called the House of Potter. The house was named after the first excavation Ch. Tsounta, because inside the rooms were kept in situ many vessels due to the sudden destruction by fire.

In this house identified two main architectural phases, that chronologically placed in the Middle Neolithic period. In the first phase (M.N.III.A), was a simple, square building with a floor of yellow clay slabs and medium-sized. The port was located at the western wall, and leading to a covered courtyard to the west. In the second phase (M.N.III.V), became large-scale reconstruction: The courtyard was a separate house, while the same house he grew in length and had two rooms separated by a dividing wall. The northern room containing storage vessels and in situ, while the south containing structures for the preparation of food and other things cottage. The door of the second phase was opened on the east wall.

Notable architectural feature is the three objectors on the north wall separating the north side of the building in 3 nearly equal length segments. To maintain sufficient height anoint objectors and the intermediate wall with clay. Many signs point to the existence of the house was one that relied on the mezzanine these objectors.

The House of Potter destroyed by fire and has gained special importance in restoring the history of the settlement, particularly at the end of the Middle Neolithic, which is a typical example.

Sesklo rebuilt after its destruction in the Late Neolithic period but only on the site of Acropolis. During this period built on the highest point of the Acropolis Concert. The Palace was excavated by Chr. Tsounta early 20th century. It is a building that consists of vestibule, main room and chamber was surrounded by a system of circular stone enclosures. Around’ this central core prescribe any other houses of the village.

The building is oriented East-West and the entrance is west. In the main room was found in a clay floor piloktisti quadrilateral plate with ribbon rim. Three conical holes in the middle of the room show the wooden poles that supported the roof. Two small stone structures elliptical shape of Northwestern. chamber angle related to the activities of occupants trofoparaskefastikes.

East of the main room formed a separate area that is likely to opisthodomos.

Entire Southeast. side of the courtyard around the Mansion, and a section of the palace has now collapsed in the nearby stream, however this building still remains the most impressive building of the Neolithic in’ whole of Thessaly, due to the size of.

Later selectively populated in Early and Middle Bronze Age. To this period belong some houses on the citadel (Sesklo A) and the cist graves found both Sesklo A and B Sesklo.

Dimini

The Neolithic settlement two months is the chronological continuity of Sesklo built on a low hill of 16 m. Located on the western edge of the modern village of Dimini, 5 χλμ. from the city of Volos. The settlement is 3 χλμ. from the present coastlinkmever, the period of its foundation (end of the fifth millennium BC) the shoreline was located about one kilometer. An important feature of Dimini is continuous habitation from the Neolithic Age to the end of the Late Bronze Age. We believe that access to the plains that were suitable for agricultural cultivation and livestock, but rather the possibility of communicating with sea routes to the central Aegean were the main conditions for uninterrupted habitation Dimini.

It is a well organized settlement, from which come most of our information about the spatial organization of the Late Neolithic. Unique architectural element is the 6 concentric stone enclosures built gradually in pairs around the hill. The stone enclosures are intersected by an equal number of radially arranged catwalks, separating the settlement in 4 Sections. Between pairs of the enclosures were built the houses had stone foundations, brick superstructure and consisted of 2-3 main rooms and auxiliary rooms.

A large open plan house, known as House N stands for the specific organization of the interior. Within’ it found space for preparing food (hearth) and a storage area. At the top of the hill the first two precincts define the central courtyard, reference point for all activities of the settlement. In the NE end of the central court at the end of the Neolithic period(end of the fourth millennium) built a large mansion consists of two bedrooms and a vestibule. Inside one room survives a built horseshoe outbreak. The house is associated with some form of social hierarchy and centralized power, which seems like it began to form slowly at the end of the Neolithic period and the Final Neolithic fully developed during the Early Bronze Age.

During the Middle Bronze Age(2millennium BC) The hill was used as a cemetery with stone cist graves. In the Late Bronze Age(14th century. B.C.) the SW side of the hill, built a large vaulted tomb, while the SW corner of the yard built a mansion in the foundation stone slabs used cist tombs of the Middle Bronze Age.

The first villages

Thessaly, located in the center of the Greek peninsula, presents a remarkable variety of landscapes and ecosystems. The interior is characterized by two broad plains with low hills. In the past important was the presence of an extensive lake, of Voiidos, Today Carla, which has now dried up today. To end rises the mountain of Pelion coast of the Aegean Sea. The outlet to the Aegean Sea through the secure Pagasitikos Bay gave out very early the opportunity to communicate with other Neolithic societies on islands and coasts of M. Asia.

The climate during the Neolithic period, which was a bit wetter than today with similar temperatures, favored the development of mainly oak and coniferous forests in the mountains along with low shrubby vegetation. Many species of wild animals living in this region, such as red deer, deer, hare and wild boar. The Great Plains was the usual cereal and legume.

At the beginning of the Neolithic period, around the middle of the seventh millennium BC. (6800 B.C.), came the first signs of a permanent establishment in the form of small villages. Choosing positions in hilly areas with access to lowland, suitable for cultivation but also in areas suitable for farming.

From the earliest huts constructed by the Neolithic people with twigs and skins, have only the oval pits of their base. Examples of such structures are found in the village of Sesklo, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic layers (7millennium BC)

In the next phases of the Neolithic period (6millennium BC) homes built with more durable materials such as stone and clay and was rectangular with one or two rooms. The foundation stone was and walls built with raw bricks. The wooden roof brought smearing clay and was pitched or four-sided, depending on the size of the house. The architectural elements of the superstructure are known from the remains of clays and wood found in excavations of Neolithic houses. Valuable is the information from the clay house models. As seen from these dummies, there were large openings in walls, which can be interpreted as doors or windows and a hole in the roof for the smoke from the hearth.

Both inside the home and outdoors beside them, There were several constructions to serve everyday needs, as foci, Ovens, storage and laboratory space.

The Bronze

The palace of Iolkos

DIMINI

MYKINAIKOS SETTLEMENT – PALACE

The Mycenaean palace Dimini built between the eastern wall the hill with the Neolithic settlement and the main part of the Mycenaean settlement with the road. ‘A porch on the road that crossed the settlement led to the palace. The palace consists of two large mansions surrounded by smaller buildings connected by a courtyard. Founded in the early 13 °” century BC. (Late period IIIV1) onto’ an older mansion the 14 ° century BC. and abandoned in the early 12th century BC. (Late IIC early period).

The first building called Building A and is oriented A to D. It consists of two wings of rooms connected to each other by a corridor. The north wing are the main places of residence, while the south wing and the auxiliary Factories. A’ a space laboratory revealed a stone weight with three incised symbols Linear B writing, while in the hallway was a set of stone molds and other tools related to metallurgy. The walls of the Hall A fairly well preserved in sufficient amount and are coated, as floors, white plaster. To the north and south wings developed two independent.

The vaulted tombs

Recovered at the Iolkou, without doubt the most, must be attributed to two large vaulted tombs investigated Dimini early last century. Large vaulted tombs from the Mycenaean important monuments of architecture found in many all over Greece. The first tomb ever found Dimini, known as the tomb mound was discovered in 1901 from B. Stai. The tomb was built with ekforic system consists of a long corridor, with a nozzle total length 16.30 m. which was closed by gate. Three large stones form the lintel of the mouth and over the transom opens the relieving triangle, essential to good static design of the building. Today a part of the monument's dome has collapsed, but at the time built up until it was closed and covered with soil. In this tomb, the construction of which is placed in the 13th century. B.C., in the space of the dome was a special partition as chamber tomb which held the deathbed. The burial room were covered with large rectangular plates and the height of the walls reached one meter.

Unfortunately, the monument was looted and have only found a few gems gold tesserae, ivory buttons and fragments of glass jewelery spiral, that escaped the attention of looters, who rather grave desecration, Entering the relieving triangle in ancient and in modern times not. Very important is the finding of a gold necklace vote found during work fixing the monument. The matrix with which they built the golden votes, has been found in the workshops of the Hall A.

Directly across from the grave, at the foot of the hill, there is a second tomb, just prior(14century. BC), known as vaulted tomb Lamiospito. The vaulted tomb Lamiospito generally maintained in its original form, except for the central part of the roof had collapsed and had been looted in antiquity. However, yielded significant findings, such as jewelry and bronze weapons display at the National Archaeological Museum. Its diameter is 8.20 m. and preserved height is 8.20 m. Access to the tomb is through road length 14.50 m. and width 3.30 m, which presents N-NE orientation. The faces of the terraces retained by a maximum of 4.50 m. On the way there were two dams of rubble, next the mouth and another at the other end. The entrance to the interior of the tomb was through a door height 3.00 m. and width 1.90 m. From the mouth of the tomb began a desk height 0.55 m. and width 0.50 m, built by 5 adobe raw series that ran around the wall of the dome. The Ch. Outhaul felt that was the place of temporary storage of the dead and placing grave goods. Beneath the bench this, found two carvings from the floor of the dome where they had placed four dogs that apparently accompanied the hunting wanax. The lintel of the tomb consists of 4 large plaques bearing relieving triangle. The dome survived almost intact and is built with ekforic system. This tomb was recently restored and is a monument.

The Legend

The most important mythological cycle as given in the mythical town of Iolkos where the Argonauts, the first great naval expedition of the Greeks. According to legend was the founder of the Aeolian Iolkou Kritheas. The Aeolian have their cradle Thessaly, formerly called Aeolis. They moved from ancient Arni, perhaps from the present area of ​​the Tower Kieriou Karditsa, Thessaly in central, eastward Thessalian coast. After installing Minion, center of the Mycenaean civilization in Thessaly.

According to legend Pelias, son Krithea, usurped the throne from his eldest half brother of the king Aeson and Iolkos. Jason, the son of Aeson, grew up safe in Pelion near centaur Chiron and when he descended from Pelion Iolkos to claim the throne of his father, arrived monosandalos and lost a sandal in the river passing Anavros. Then Pelias remembered an older oracle, whereby it would lose its power of one man monosandalo, and to protect the throne sent Jason to Colchis, country of Aeetes, to bring back the Golden Fleece. Έτσι, organized the Argonauts, The first nationwide campaign, involving all Greek to find precious metals and new technologies and new markets for the distribution of Greek products. Jason with the help of Medea brought back from the Asian coast the Golden Fleece. The rest of the story is known to us from the tragedy by Euripides. Pelias refuses to surrender the throne to Jason. Έτσι, the return of Jason riots erupt in the palace of Iolkos. Eventually took the throne the son of Pelias, the Acastos, who can not give back the power and glory of the kingdom Iolkou. So the second big nationwide campaign to Troy the leadership of the ships passing in Eumelos, his son Admitou from neighboring Feres.So

The identification of ancient Iolkos, the capital of Minion kings possessed a dominant position in Pagasitikos bay, always been for researchers of Thessaly in the first issue. By 1980 two sites with Mycenaean ruins were known in the Gulf of Pagasitikos. The location in Old (called the Castle of Volos) had previously been identified with Iolkos and location Pefkakia who was identified with the port of Iolkos, the Nilias.

However, these views to match the ancient Iolkos revised by the revelation of an extensive Mycenaean center at the archaeological site of Dimini.

Iolkos : The city of mythical Argonauts

In the Late Bronze Age, known as the Mycenaean period, the edge of Thessaly is great since it consists of nine principalities and participate in the Trojan War with 280 Ships and central hero Achilles. Archaeological research verifies this daily picture of Mycenaean Thessaly and brings to light new settlements beyond the currently 100. So, is not surprising, neither random, that in Thessaly currently born the most important myths of the Greeks, or that the earth is traced Greek cosmogony and theogony. Placed here by the gods of Olympus, Titans of Othrios, the Lapiths and the Centaurs, better known by the Centaur Chiron in Pelion.

Magnesia in Bronze

Although the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age is considered as a major cultural intersection, in fact not observed in Thessaly immediate and substantial differences between the two seasons. The Neolithic Age bequeathed so many elements in the Bronze Age, that changes occurred gradually and was completed for a long time have continued the practices and methods of the Neolithic period. The form of settlements and lifestyles do not change on several key points. The economy is based primarily on agriculture and ranching old tradition in this area so no revolution occurs in the region of Thessaly, in contrast to the East, which had the lead in development with advanced technology and metallurgy.

What changed things and we believe was an important parameter affecting the characteristics of settlement in the beginning of the Bronze Age in the Pagasitikos, is a geological episode with C14 dated to the 4th millennium BC. This geological episode, σύμφωνα με τον γεωλόγο Zangger, resulted coastline removed from Dimini, which since ceased to be a coastal , and create a great plain where one was organized Mycenaean city with a strong administrative, economic and religious center. The city was built on one edge IOLKOU, a deep groove (Hesychius, IOLKOU : deep groove) while the harbor was Pefkakia.

THANKS

Thanks

archaeologist Mrs.. Royal Adrimi-Sismani
for the texts on the site, and the
staff of the site Dimini.