A dark age refuge centre near Pefki, East Crete

Abstract

This paper presents the result of the field investigations undertaken at newly identified dark age sites near Pefki, E. Crete, in 1990–1. A series of LM III–PG/G settlements (complemented with graveyards) show the same topographical characteristics as ruled the settlement pattern of dark age Crete, and support the idea that it was a serious threat from outside that forced people to abandon the coastal plains and low valleys and look for safety in the mountains. Detailed description of the topographical situation and finds as recorded on the surface are presented, to give comparanda for very restricted evidence published from other dark age sites in Crete.