Lefkandi

Lefkandi is an archaeological site on the island of Euboea, Greece, renowned for notable Early Iron Age finds that have reshaped understanding of the Greek Dark Ages. The site produced a distinctive monumental burial structure and associated grave goods dated to roughly the 10th century BCE.

Excavations at Lefkandi revealed a long, rectilinear building often called a “heroon” that housed important burials, including two human interments and horse remains, dated to the Early Iron Age (around the 10th century BCE). The site also preserves settlement and burial evidence spanning the Late Bronze Age into the Archaic period, with rich pottery assemblages.

Modern archaeological fieldwork at Lefkandi began in the mid-20th century and has continued intermittently; fieldwork revealed complex burial practices and continuity of occupation after the collapse of Mycenaean palatial centers. The site’s finds have been central to debates about continuity and change in early Greek society.

Lefkandi sits on the coast of Euboea near the modern village of Lefkandi, on the island’s western shore looking toward the Greek mainland. The site occupies a coastal, low-lying position that was favorable for settlement in antiquity.

• 10th-century BCE burials: The most famous find is a monumental Early Iron Age building with burials dated to around the 10th century BCE, which included two human burials and horse remains.

What to See #

• The "heroon" burial building: An elongated burial structure from the Early Iron Age that contained important burials including two human interments and associated horse remains dated to around the 10th century BCE; the feature altered understanding of Greek Dark Ages mortuary practice.
• Cemetery and settlement deposits: Adjacent cemetery areas where both inhumations and cremations from the Late Bronze Age into the Archaic period have been excavated, providing a long sequence of occupation evidence.