Nivritos - 2007

Nivritos. Liana Starida, Eleni Kanaki, Periandros Epitropakis, Z. Aletras, Ch. Mpilmezi and N. Marnellou (13η ΕΒΑ) report on work at the settlement of Nivitros, 42 km SW of Heraklion, between Gergeri and Zaros. The name is pre-Greek. During the Middle Ages, Nivtiros was under the control of the Latin Patriarchate of Constantinople and it is mentioned in documents of the 13^th century.

Between Nivritos and Zaros part of a Greco-Roman aqueduct that used to transfer water from Zaros to Gortyna was found. It seems to have been used until the Venetian period. The Venetians probably repaired it and reused it for the same purpose. It was built of crude stones and lime mortar, while it was covered with a built arch made of mudbricks. On the interior, the conduit was covered with hydraulic mortar. The start of the aqueduct must have been where the large water source named Votomos of Zaros is. The conduit was many kilometres long. In some occasions the construction of bridges was necessary, while in others the conduit was dug in the natural rock.

[Entry created by C. Koureta]