This paper presents the results of a rescue excavation undertaken in the Cave of Antiparos in 2006 that anticipated construction works. This excavation marks the first step towards understanding the general history of the cave' s use. Evidence for the prehistoric use of the cave was found in almost all of the trenches open under disturbed upper layers which contained pottery of the Archaic, Classical and later periods, and modern material. The Cave of Antiparos, only briefly explored, provides new evidence for the Late Neolithic I and II, and Early Bronze Age in the Cyclades. This material is comprehensively presented and discussed here in the context of other Cycladic sites of that period such as Saliagos, Akrotiri on Thera, Koukounaries on Paros and Zas Cave on Naxos.

A small cave filled with pottery and other Minoan artifacts was discovered by road construction near Pacheia Ammos. The small site, excavated by the 24th Ephorate under the direction of Stavroula Apostolakou, yielded a large assemblage of pottery. The assemblage is of great interest for the stylistic development of East Cretan White-on-Dark Ware because it comes from an early stage in the development when the complicated curvilinear motifs of this style had not yet appeared. The deposit can be assigned to EM III. It contains both fine and coarse ceramic pieces, including painted and unpainted vessels.

The article investigates aspects of pottery production and consumption at Phaistos during Middle Minoan (MM) IIIA. After the excavations carried out by Pernier and Levi, our knowledge of MM III has seen significant progress over the last decade helping us to look at the role of the palace in this period as well as allowing the ceramic sequence of MM IIIA and MM IIIB to be distinguished. In particular, owing to the rich series of MM IIB and MM IIIA pottery deposits at the site, it is now possible to differentiate on stratigraphic and stylistic grounds an Early from a Mature MM IIIA phase. Using typology and evaluating aspects of pottery manufacture and technology, this article tries to clarify the role of Phaistos in the Early MM IIIA phase and to understand patterns of change and continuity after the earthquake destruction of MM IIB. The analysis reveals considerable continuity from MM IIB pottery manufacture and decoration, along with major changes that raise questions about the social groups using the pottery and new ways of consumption. Although physically damaged, the Phaistos palace emerges as an important entity in MM IIIA, as changes occurring in this period in the western Mesara demonstrate.

This paper presents a re-reading of previously published evidence from Kastri on Kythera which compels us to reconsider the mechanisms by which Mycenaean ceramic traits such as the goblet spread to Crete. Possible links between Minoan goblets from the final Neopalatial levels at Kastri and a Marine Style goblet from Knossos are examined and the implications of such links for the date of the initial appearance of this shape on Crete are considered. Attention is drawn to the pronounced indigenous character of salient aspects of the Minoan goblet and the Minoan version of the Ephyraean Style. It is suggested that the LM II Ephyraean Style goblet is better conceived of as a novel hybrid form combining native and non-native elements, than as an intrusive mainland trait. An attempt is made to account for the changes in usage associated with the goblet at LM II Knossos in terms which do not invoke invasion by mainland Mycenaeans. It is suggested that the changes in question reflect a process of increasing uniformity in material developments in the southern Aegean, and that this process was the outcome of symbolic exchanges which elite groups at Knossos fostered with mainland elites following the demise of the Neopalatial system on Crete.