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1949; Brann 1961). In fact, most evidence of settlement in this period presents itself in the
form of scatters found in later contexts (Coldstream 2003, p.303).
It has been argued (Mazarakis Ainian, 1997) that where structures do exist, particularly on the
mainland and early in the period (EG, ninth century BCE), they may be, in some cases, the
first post BA examples of temples (see Chapter 4). For instance, Building ST at Mende
Poseidi certainly suggests sacred significance rather than domestic use (Moschonissioti 1998,
p.265-7; Hall, 2006, p.86) Alternatively, such structures may have served more than one
function, being both a ‘chieftain’s’ house and a sacred building, such as has been suggested
for the PG chieftain’s house at Nichoria (Coulson et al. 1983). The hypothesis is that these
early structures were built more substantially than the dwellings of ordinary people, because
of the high status they held within the community, and as such, they have survived in the
archaeological record.
The plan of most buildings on mainland Greece, especially in the earlier G, whether domestic
or sacred, is generally apsidal, following the trend seen in the preceding PG period. Examples
have been found at Argos and Nichoria, as well as an isolated oval house of the 9th century in
the Agora at Athens. As stated in Chapter 4, although both domestic and sacred buildings
appear to have a similar form in the late PG and early G, as the period progressed, the two
types developed distinctive architecture. Temple buildings developed the peristyle and
became increasingly isolated and imposing, such as that at Ano Mazaraki-Rakita in Achaea
dated to the later eighth century (Mazarakis Ainian 1997, p.279; Hall 2006, p.86). Domestic
buildings on the other hand become gradually clustered and, in some cases, increasingly
rectangular. Some scholars have interpreted this as resulting from an increase in population
and as indicating a degree of planning (Snodgrass [1971]2000, p.413). Whilst both clustering
and the change from apsidal to rectangular may very well be responses to population increase,
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