The Mycenaean Settlement at Riza – Katsivelata, located near the village of Tzannata in southeastern Cephalonia, represents the residential and administrative center (Asty) of a major Late Bronze Age power hub. Identified by archaeologist Odysseus Metaxas in 2007, the site was systematically excavated between 2011 and 2013 under the direction of Dr. Antonis Vasilakis, then Head of the L.E. Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.

Key Archaeological Findings

The excavation at Riza revealed structures that are unprecedented in size and complexity for the Ionian Islands,. Key discoveries include:

• The Ellipsoidal (Ovoid) Megaron: A monumental building dating to the Late Helladic II/III period (1600–1100 BC). It features an irregular arch-shaped floor plan with a perimeter of 45 meters and a total area of 168 square meters. Internally, it is divided into four large rooms.

• The Processional Way (Pompiki Odos): An impressive paved road, approximately 300 meters long, bounded by a surrounding wall. This road physically and symbolically connected the residential center on Katsivelata hill with the monumental royal tholos tomb at nearby Bourtzi.

• Residential Foundations: Excavations uncovered significant urban structures and residential foundations, proving that this was an organized settlement rather than a temporary encampment.

Strategic Significance and Homeric Relationship

The discovery of this residential center is a cornerstone of the theory that southeastern Cephalonia is the true site of Homeric Ithaca.

• The Administrative Heart: This site represents the palatial seat of a powerful Mycenaean elite,. Archaeologists suggest it served as the center of power for the "great-hearted Cephalonians" who controlled the Ionian islands and the opposite mainland coasts.

• Visual Proximity to the Harbor: The settlement’s location provided a commanding view of the sea and the harbor of Reithros (modern Poros gorge). This matches the Homeric description in which the suitor Antinous, standing in the palace courtyard, could see a ship returning from the island of Asteris (modern Oxia).

• Economic Hub: The settlement oversaw a region rich in natural resources, particularly the fir forests of Mount Ainos (identified as Homeric Mount Neriton), which were essential for the Mycenaean naval power described in the epics.

Current State of the Excavations

Despite its international importance, the research program at Riza was abruptly suspended in 2013 due to institutional changes and the implementation of the "reserve law",,. Since the cessation of work, the excavated structures, including the ovoid megaron and the processional road, have suffered from severe neglect and environmental deterioration, leaving the "speaking stones" of the Mycenaean past in a state of decay.

The Riza settlement acts as the missing half of a royal portrait; while the nearby tholos tomb provided a house for the dead, this residential center provided the living quarters and administrative throne for the kings who inspired the Homeric legends.

Selected bibliography concerning the specific area and the Mycenaean presence on the islands of Kefalonia.

• John T. Pierce, “Homer’s Influence on Mycenaean Archaeology and the Understanding of Late Helladic Historical Geography” (John T. Pierce, Professor Emeritus, Departments of Geography and Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, Canada.) https://jaa.thebrpi.org/journals/jaa/Vol_12_2024/1.pdf

• John Albanese: (2020). “Some Preliminary Finds from the Tholos Tomb and Ossuary at Borzi Hill, Tzannata, Kefalonia.” Revista Maracanan 22. Available at: http://seer.unirio.br/revistam/article/view/11211/10988.

• Klavs Randsborg, KEPHALLENIA: Archaeology & History, The Ancient Greek Cities, BLACKWELL MUNKSGAARD Vol. 1 & 2, 2002.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Tzannata of Poros,” Archaiologikon Deltion, vol. 47 (1992), part B1, Chronika, pp. 154–157.

• Lazaros Kolonas: archaiologia.gr/print-article/?print=35604

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Built Chamber Tomb at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 11, pp. 381–382.

• Lazaros Kolonas: Proceedings of the Conference on Letters, History and Folklore of the Pronnon region, “The Tholos Tomb of Tzannata of Poros,” p. 339.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “The geographic advantage, the relief and the prehistory of an area, decisive factors for the foundation of a Mycenaean installation. The example of Cephalonia,” Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia2018, vol. 5, pp. 111–122.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Ancient Installations of Southeastern Cephalonia,” 7th Panionian Conference, vol. 2, pp. 37–45, Lefkada 2002.

• Antonis Vasilakis: ttp://www.elliniki-gnomi.eu/archives/47791 “‘Odysseus was king of the Cephalonians’” | ELLINIKI GNOMI.

• Antonis Vasilakis: Kefallonia Newspaper, interview with Dr. Antonis Vasilakis by Athanasia Markatou & archaiologia.gr/print-article/?print=35604

• Antonis Vasilakis: “Mycenaean settlement at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia,” archaiologia.gr/?p=35604

• Antonis Vasilakis (Honorary Director, Ministry of Culture; Former Ephor of Antiquities of Cephalonia–Ithaca & Zakynthos): “Mycenaean Seminar: Late Helladic Apsidal / Ellipsoid (Ovoid) Megaron at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia.”

• Antonis Vasilakis: “Late Helladic Ellipsoidal Megaron at Tzannata of Poros. New evidence for the Late Helladic period in Cephalonia,” Proceedings of the 1A Panionion Conference 2018, vol. 5, pp. 51–74.  https://www.openbook.gr/ia-diethnes-panionio-synedrio/

• Ioannis Moschos, “Mycenaean occupation in Cephalonia. Population nuclei, list of sites and conclusions,” 7th Panionian Conference announcement, Lefkada, 2002.

• Ioannis Moschos, “The Area of Pronnon and the eastern coast of Cephalonia before history, topography of the island, catalogue of sites and conclusions,” Proceedings of the Pronnon Region Conference 2005, pp. 227–324.

• Odysseas Metaxas, “Observations on the early biography of the Odyssey,” 2020, Kymothoe magazine, vol. 30, pp. 55–84.

• Odysseas Metaxas: Diverging trajectories within the west Mycenaean koine: the evidence from Kefalonia. (book chapter) In Archaeology of the Ionian Sea, Oxbow Books (2022) 10.2307/j.ctv22fqc0s.18 (pp. 169-178)

• Odysseas Metaxas: “Archaeolinguistic elements from Cephalonia,” 1A Panionian Conference 2018, vol. IV, pp. 751–769. https://www.openbook.gr/ia-diethnes-panionio-synedrio/

• Ioannis Boskos & Odysseas Metaxas: “The Tholos Tomb of Mavrata 80 years later,” Proceedings of the 1A Panionion Conference 2018, 5th volume, pp. 125–137. https://panionio.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/04-boskos-metaxas-sel.-123-138_m.pdf

• Georgia Stratouli, Odysseas Metaxas, Anastasios Bekiaris, Anagia Sarpaki: “Practical social cohesions in the Neolithic of the Ionian: readings of archaeological material from the Drakaina Cave in Poros, Cephalonia,” 11th International Panionian Conference (Corfu, 30 April – 4 May 2014), published in the Proceedings 2017.

• E. M. Chatziotou–G. Stratouli–E. Kotzambopoulou, “The Cave of Drakaina,” Archaeological Proceedings of Athens (1989), pp. 31–60 & Evangelia-Miranda Chatziotou, Georgia Stratouli, “The Drakaina Cave at Poros Cephalonia: evidence for prehistoric use and cult in historical times,” Proceedings of the 6th Panionian Conference, vol. A, pp. 61–76.

• Stamatina Zapanti, “The participation of the Pronnon of Cephalonia in the Athenian Alliance,” Keph. Chronika, vol. 5, pp. 193–200.

• Olympia Vikatos, “In the footsteps of the Taphians pirates: their wanderings in the Ionian Sea during the Late Bronze Age and the Dark Ages,” Proceedings Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia 2018, pp. 75–110.

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood, Archaeology and the Search for Homeric Ithaca: The Case of Mycenaean Kephalonia Article in Acta Archaeologica · December 2018

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Reuse and cult at the Mycenaean tombs of Kephalonia in the ancient historical periods. July 2020 In book: Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia 2018 (pp.223-242)

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood, The Ionian Islands in the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (3000-850 BC), 2nd edition. August 2025 Publisher: Liverpool University Press.

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Islands in the stream:: a maritime perspective of the south-central Ionian islands in the Late Bronze Age, January 2022 DOI:10.2307/j.ctv22fqc0s.15 In book: Archaeology of the Ionian Sea (pp.117-136)

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Archaeology of the Ionian Sea: Landscapes, seascapes and the circulation of people, goods and ideas from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Bronze Age January 2022 Publisher: OXBOW BOOKS 

• Petros Petratos, “From Heracles to the Dragon. Arakli and the strait of Poros,” Proceedings 1st Conference on the Letters, History and Folklore of the Pronnon region, Cephalonia 2005, pp. 379–395.

• Petros Petratos, “Homeric Nymph Cave: Melissani Cave,” Keph. Chronika vol. 8, 2003, pp. 239–265.

• Petros Petratos, “The Homeric Krokyleia,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 9, 2003, pp. 155–165.

• Marinatos, Spyridon N. 1962. Kefallinia: A Historical and Archaeological Walk.
  (Πρωτότυπο: Κεφαλληνία. Ιστορικός και αρχαιολογικός περίπατος)

• Marinatos, Spyridon.1923 (for the years 1920–21).“Archaeological Investigations throughout Cephalonia.”(Πρωτότυπο: «Αρχαιολογικαί έρευναι ανά την Κεφαλληνίαν»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1932. “The Goekoop Excavations in Cephalonia.” (Πρωτότυπο: «Αι ανασκαφαί Goekoop εν Κεφαλληνία»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1933. “The Goekoop Excavations in Cephalonia (Part II).”
  (Πρωτότυπο: «Αι ανασκαφαί Goekoop εν Κεφαλληνία» — συνέχεια του προηγούμενου τόμου)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1951. “Excavations in Cephalonia.” (Πρωτότυπο: «Ανασκαφαί εν Κεφαλληνία»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1964 (published 1967). “Investigations in Sami of Cephalonia.”
  (Πρωτότυπο: «Έρευναι εν Σάμη της Κεφαλληνίας»)

• Henriette Putman Gramer – Gerasimos Metaxas, Homeric Ithaca: An unidentified Mycenaean center in the islands of the Cephalonians, Cactus Editions, Athens 2000.

• Henriette Metaxas-Putman Cramer, Makis Metaxas, Jan Pierce, John Pierce.
  "IN far SEEN ITHACA Unravelling Homeric Riddles in the Ionian Sea" (forthcoming).

• Athens APE-MPE: “The most important archaeological events in Greece in 2011,” scientists speaking to APE-MPE, 28 Dec. 2011.

• Vaggelis Pantazis, “The size of Homeric Ithaca,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 8, Argostoli 1999, p. 271.