GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTION, ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION, AND DATING IN 2 HELLENIC PYRAMIDS

Geophysical prospection employing magnetometry and electromagnetic mea surements has been applied in and around two small sized pyramids of H ellenikon and Ligourio in Argolid, Greece. The magnetic anomalies appr opriately assessed were interpreted as possible archaeological targets . Subsequent test excavations revealed the presence of room foundation s and parts of walls, as well as a plethora of ceramic ware. Typologic al study of the ceramics classified them to as early as the proto-Hell adic period and to as late as the first centuries A.D. The earlier per iods have been also confirmed by a novel application of thermoluminesc ence (TL) dating of ceramics and the megalithic stones themselves. The present results question earlier attempts classifying these pyramids at the Classical period and favour much earlier periods.