Phaistos West Court Phaistos
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇬🇷 Crete, Phaistos, Greece
About
About Phaistos West Court Phaistos
Phaistos West Court Phaistos in Crete, Phaistos, Greece is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.0510N 24.8130E controls access to Crete resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for Crete, Phaistos, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1963 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Phaistos West Court Phaistos main structure
c. 1943
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2003–2018
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Phaistos West Court Phaistos) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.0510° N · 24.8130° E · 381 m · 3 mapped features
Phaistos West Court Phaistos — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
35.0518° N · 24.8139° EPhaistos West Court Phaistos — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
35.0500° N · 24.8123° EPhaistos West Court Phaistos — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
35.0525° N · 24.8142° E