Excavations at Kokkinorachi near Sparta (Kilometre position 45+000, Site Δ 5) - 2013

Excavations at Kokkinorachi near Sparta (Kilometre position 45+000, Site Δ 5). Maria Tsouli (Ε’ ΕΠΚΑ) and Maria Theodosi-Kontou (Ε’ ΕΠΚΑ) report on finds at site Δ 5 during the construction of a road junction in Sparta. 

Wall remnants of former edifices were found scattered throughout in an elongated territory of 190 sq. m. (Fig. 1). All these walls were made of average-sized unworked stones and mud, while most of them aligned in the same NE-SW direction.

In the site’s S sector, an ancient pavement of 1.10m width was found framed within Walls 4 and 5. This former wall is thought to be followed by Wall 10 and, intermittently, by Walls 9 and 11. A long structure (2.70 x 0.70m) was discovered to the W of Wall 11, in a presumed continuum with Wall 5. The N sector of the site contained a few more walls, and was comparatively less ordered than the S sector. Reaching conclusions about the site’s usage is deemed to be a precarious endeavour due to modern works and interventions.

Very few ceramics were revealed by the archaeologists, mostly some black pottery vessels deployed in drinking and transporting liquids, such as amphorae, skyphoi, and dishes. Two finds that outstood were parts of an oil lamp, as well as female-bodied idols topped by human heads. A part of a lion leg, reminiscent of second to first century BC finds in Lesbos, and another male idol in a sedentary position were covered with traces of black dye. A copper coin dated to the first century BC’s latter half, decorated with a male head (obverse) and a truncheon (reverse), was also found. A black skyphos and a vessel are thought to suggest an even earlier use of the site by humans. A small vessel with angular handles, reminiscent of third-century BC finds in Corinth, was uncovered, too.

[Entry created by M. Androulakakis]