Utilitarian Ceramic Trays from Mitrou: Introducing a New Artifact Class

In this article, I present a new type of prehistoric object from Greece, the ceramic utilitarian tray. Many fragments of utilitarian trays have been found throughout the excavated settlement at Mitrou, East Lokris. Utilitarian trays are frequently poorly preserved at the time of excavation due to the high density of straw inclusions and relatively low firing temperature. These vessels are abundant at Mitrou from the MHto PG periods, but recently they have been found elsewhere in Greece in the LH period. The primary use site and associated finds suggest a function of the object for home craft activities.