Through the study of the excavation and bibliographical data concerning five neighbouring cemeteries in Mesogaia and their integration in the broader frame of Eastern Attica, there are no features that differentiate these cemeteries from the broader picture of the ancient burial customs that are so far known in the area. In contrast, an impression of a ‘common language’ is attested. One can observe, however, elements that are differentiated in the countryside customs compared to the urban customs, due to the different circumstances that prevailed in these regions. Finally, it is interesting to detect the differences, as well as the similarities between the so-called demotic cemeteries on the one hand, and family cemeteries on the other.

In the present paper, an ancient cemetery, which came to light east of Paiania in Attica, on the site Agios Athanasios, and was excavated in 1969, is presented for the first time. It was an extended and densely used cemetery, but the excavated site was only a small part of a much wider cemetery, which belonged to the inhabitants or demotai of the demos of Paiania. The dating of the pottery allows us to date the cemetery mainly to the first half of the 5th century B.C., with few vases dating from mid-6th century B.C. through the 3rd quarter of the 5th century B.C. The cemetery is viewed within the historical frame of Mesogaia area and mortuary practices are placed in context within other cemeteries in southeastern Attica.

This thesis constitutes an attempt to approach and interpret a Prepalatial tholos tomb, Tholos Γ at the cemetery of Phourni, in Archanes, Crete, and Prepalatial mortuary practices in general, within the conceptual framework and the theoretical developments of the archaeology of death. The study follows four main stages. The first is the study of the evidence from Tholos Γ (presented in more detail in the Appendices of Volume 2), which allows the reconstruction of the entire history of the tomb, from its construction until its excavation. Thus, Tholos Γ, apart from being one of the very few well excavated and unlooted Prepalatial tombs, becomes the only tomb the history of which can be followed in relative detail. In the second stage, a synthesis of the existing theoretical approaches to the mortuary archaeological record is attempted, and the problems, potentials, advantages and significance of the archaeology of death are examined. The theoretical framework within which we approach Prepalatial mortuary practices is also presented. The third step is a description and discussion of the mortuary practices of Tholos Γ and other Prepalatial cemeteries, and particular emphasis is given to variations, differences and changes through time and space. The evidence presented and the conclusions made in the first three stages are used in the final stage of analysis, where an attempt is made to reconstruct the mortuary beliefs, and the horizontal and vertical organisation of Prepalatial society on the basis of the available mortuary evidence. Concerning the last two topics, we also discuss the Cycladic character of the Tholos Γ assemblage, and, more generally, the character of Creto-Cycladic relations during the early Prepalatial period. At the end of the thesis conclusions are made on the basis of what was discussed before, and possible issues for future research are investigated.

This thesis constitutes an attempt to approach and interpret a Prepalatial tholos tomb, Tholos Γ at the cemetery of Phourni, in Archanes, Crete, and Prepalatial mortuary practices in general, within the conceptual framework and the theoretical developments of the archaeology of death. The study follows four main stages. The first is the study of the evidence from Tholos Γ (presented in more detail in the Appendices of Volume 2), which allows the reconstruction of the entire history of the tomb, from its construction until its excavation. Thus, Tholos Γ, apart from being one of the very few well excavated and unlooted Prepalatial tombs, becomes the only tomb the history of which can be followed in relative detail. In the second stage, a synthesis of the existing theoretical approaches to the mortuary archaeological record is attempted, and the problems, potentials, advantages and significance of the archaeology of death are examined. The theoretical framework within which we approach Prepalatial mortuary practices is also presented. The third step is a description and discussion of the mortuary practices of Tholos Γ and other Prepalatial cemeteries, and particular emphasis is given to variations, differences and changes through time and space. The evidence presented and the conclusions made in the first three stages are used in the final stage of analysis, where an attempt is made to reconstruct the mortuary beliefs, and the horizontal and vertical organisation of Prepalatial society on the basis of the available mortuary evidence. Concerning the last two topics, we also discuss the Cycladic character of the Tholos Γ assemblage, and, more generally, the character of Creto-Cycladic relations during the early Prepalatial period. At the end of the thesis conclusions are made on the basis of what was discussed before, and possible issues for future research are investigated.