Listaros, Phaistos

Archaeological Survey and Ethnographic Research

In the early 1980s, Listaros and its surrounding areas were included in an archaeological survey of the Western Mesara Plain. The survey, conducted by a Greek-American team, aimed to document the history of settlement and human interaction with the environment in the region. The geological analysis revealed that Listaros is situated near a spring at the contact between porous Miocene marls and impermeable metamorphic rock. The village is surrounded by fields of grain and olives, and the wild vegetation is more diverse than in the coastal areas.

The landscape of Listaros and its surrounding areas has been shaped by centuries of human activity, including agriculture, grazing, and burning. The villagers have traditionally relied on the local flora and fauna for food, forage, fuel, construction, crafts, medicine, spice, and ritual. The main food plants include barley, wheat, legumes, olives, and grapes.

Detailed ethnographic research conducted in the 1980s as part of the archaeological survey provides insights into the family and social life of Listaros and other villages in the Western Mesara Plain. The research focused on documenting local patterns of subsistence in pre-mechanized periods, recording human-land interactions, and integrating this data with geological and botanical findings. The study revealed that villages like Listaros, whose landholdings primarily consist of red soils, were at a disadvantage in terms of subsistence, as these soils require consistent irrigation for optimal productivity. The research also highlighted the importance of community ties and the role of the local environment in shaping the cultural practices of the villagers.