Keros yields new evidence of prehistoric technical expertise

The island, excavated by the British School at Athens under permit from the ministry, has long been known as the site where exceptional Cycladic figurines and a temple were found. The prehistoric settlement and a metallurgical center that played a major part in its economy are located at Daskalio, Keros' western promontory which the risen sea level has turned to an island.
Daskalio promontory has a naturally pyramidal shape, marked by a series of retention walls built in antiquity. The island is covered by buildings, giving the impression from those approaching by sea of a large and uniform landmark. Daskalio comprises the largest known settlement in the prehistory of the Aegean known so far.
The latest season?s work revealed more about the architectural and technical expertise of the island's builders: a series of imposing and densely built constructions, including an impressive staircase and an advanced system of channels, used either to carry water to the site or as part of a drainage system (further analysis will determine their use).
The University of Cambrige excavating team, including Dr Colin Renfrew ' pioneer in Aegean studies  and Dr Michael Boyd, said that at least 1,000 tonnes of stone were imported from Naxos, 10 kilometres away, to construct Daskalio. 
Known from earlier findings for rituals linked to the neighboring temple, Keros' standing importance as an economic center of activity in the prehistory of the Aegean was further confirmed by findings on Daskalio: two new metallurgical areas were identified, one of them containing a mold for making copper knives, and the other the top part of a complete clay furnace.
Analyses of burnt remains show the locals ate legumes, grapes, olives, figs, almonds, emmer wheat and barley. Keros, however, was not the producer of these and had to import them, as the island was not self-sufficient. These foods, as well as the copper used in their important metallurgical industry, were imported from other Aegean islands or mainland Greece.
The use of advanced scientific methods on the island has allowed the recording of every excavation and laboratory result digitally, providing archaeologists real-time access to data. An Institute of Cyprus team is scanning the whole site by laser at every season?s end, recording the state of work in detail.
The Cambridge university excavations, which serve as training site for students from several countries including Greece, have been funded by a series of organisations, institutes, and private entities including the Institute for Aegean Preshistory, the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, the British Academy, and the National Geographic Society, among others.