Prehistoric Cemetery of Tsepi

What I can see

It has been characterized as a unique cemetery of the Proto-Helladic era (3200-2800 BC) and is full of mysterious and disturbing images of an era that we know little about its ceremonies. There are 60 family tombs in the area and each one has a small path leading to its entrance. The walls of the chambers were lined with slate slabs or dry stones. The antiquities are protected by a modern building, which allows a circumferential view of the tombs.

What I can't see

The dead were placed on river stones and in fetal position. River stones also bordered the tombs. The tombs had a capacity of 10 dead in succession. When a new dead person was to be burried together with vessels, figurines and tools, the previous ones were moved aside. After the burial of the last dead, the pit was filled with stones and it was closed with stone slabs so that it could not be used again. Skeletons of children and adults were discovered, many without skulls. From those skeletons that had skulls, these were damaged and the lower jaw was missing, except in one case that the jaw was crushed. The detachment of the lower jaw might have been a funerary custom.

Bibliography