Kisamos - 2014

Kisamos. Maria Skordou (ΚΕ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on discoveries made during the Kisamos wastewater collection and transport project, 2011–2014.

Excavations helped to clarify the topography of ancient Kisamos, including the city and its necropolis. The ancient city extended E to W between two rivers, the Kamarianos and Pyrgianos, and from the sea to the low foothills to the N. Near the W bank of the Pyrgianos, on the E slope of the hill of Pyrgos a retaining wall was found, of length 6.50m. It was built of partially worked stones and plaster, while its eastern face was dressed (Fig. 1). In the W part of the city on I. Theocharaki Street, architectural remains were found, comprising rooms of a private house, dating to the Roman period. In a later phase, a circular construction made of unworked stones and plaster was found here, lined with plaster and clay (Fig. 2). Its shape resembles that of a heath, and there is evidence of combustion found inside too. Outdoor hearths have been found throughout the city, which seem to date after the earthquake of 365 AD.

Similar remains of another private house were found in the E of the city (Sector XXIX) between 17–21 Polytechnic Street, as well as a fragment of a pathos. In the NE part of the city (Sector XLIII) a wall built of unworked stones, tiles and mortar found in a NW-SE direction was found with a plastered face. 

In the SE part of the city on Omogenon Amerikis Street (Sector IV) a built pipe came to light the continuation of a pipeline network from Roman Kisamos (Fig. 3 and 4). In Sector III, more sections of the water pipes were found, running EW and sloping to the E. In addition, architectural remains of walls from covered areas or partially-covered areas with floors were found. To the NE, in two streets, a brick-built water tank was found on Ethnikis Antistasis Street and N on Irini Street (Fig. 5).

On I. Pneumatikaki Street (Sectors XIII, XXXVII and XXXIX) a complex of three clay pipes was discovered, and a clay well connecting them. The water network appears to have run alongside an extensive sewer system, laid next to a well-defined road network, indicative of careful city planning. The main road (decumanus maximus) crossing the city EW has been found in three points on its W end, and during the construction of the sewage network, a 14m section of the cardo maximus was found. To the NW, sections of the road were found E of the main plateia and on Omogenon Amerikis Street, which extends to an uncovered area of the Kisamos Health Centre and S on the Faragitaki plot. Recent work on Pneumatikaki Street reveals a third parallel road coincides with the current road (Fig. 6).

Excavation around these streets confirmed the size of the insulae of the city, and also of one villa the ‘House of Pheidias’, 13m x 14m. To the N, part of the sewage network was discovered, consisting of a large pipeline on the same axis as the road (cloaca). This was part of the main sewer system running EW, intersecting with other pipelines near the islet. The prosperity of ancient Kisamos is attested by the wealth of its villas, decorated with mosaic floors. The ‘House of Pheidias’ was located in the middle of the city, presumably in the most affluent district.

In the N part of Omogenon Amerikis Street (Sector XLV), both walls and a cast grave of a later phase have been found, constructed on the surviving Roman period walls. Deeper walls also attest to use of the space in an earlier period. In the S room, a set of pottery vessels of the mid third century AD were found, including skyphoi and lamps (Fig. 7,8,9). It appears to be a food storage area.

In the S part of the same area (Sector XIV, XXV) on I. Pneumatikaki Street, four enclosures were discovered. One had a mosaic floor with a multicoloured geometric composition, dating to the first half of the third century AD, contemporary with the ‘House of Pheidias’ (Fig. 10 and 11).  Even further S on Irini Street (Sector XXVI) a wall made of worked blocks with plaster was found, 6m long (Fig. 12). Following the road E, part of a black and white mosaic floor was found with a geometric design.

In the central part of Omogenon Amerikis Street (Sector XLVI) domestic structures were found of the Roman period. These buildings were also found with a mosaic, with flora decorative motifs (Fig. 13 and 14).

Further E on Giannoudovardi Street (Sector XII) architectural remains were discovered of a large house, including also a mosaic floor of the late Roman period, and a wall found NE-SW (Fig. 15 and 16). The walls define a space of approximate 7.30m in length probably related to a bath installation, perhaps a private path. The N wall, plastered on its S side, had two curved walls (Fig. 17).

To the S, fragments of frescoes were found on the ground (Fig. 18). The S wall was found with a rectangular opening, and inside it parts of the fallen superstructure.

Among the few public buildings that have come to light to date are baths in different parts of the city. The E baths have been partially excavated and are visible and accessible. In Elafonissiou Street (passing W of the baths, Sector XXVII), part of a sewer pipe in orientation NW-N was found, 4m long. On the W side of the city, in the area of the church of Agios Nikolaos, remains of a large bath complex have been found. On Kontogianni Street, a road passing to the W, another sewage pipe running NW at a length 5m also came to light.

On the N side of Tzanakaki Street (Sector VII), part of the walls of the Venetian fortress. It was preserved at a length of 2.50m, and 1.60m wide. Inside the fortress, more walls were located with other curved elements, perhaps dating after the earthquake of 365 AD. At the intersection of Anousaki and Skalidi Streets (Sector IX) part of a mosaic floor with a black and white geometric pattern were found.

In the NW part of the city (Sector VI) on Pyrgia Street, parts of a building complex of the Roman period were found. Here a large wall was found running NW, 9m in length, 2.50m in depth (Fig. 19 and 20). To the E of the walls, a floor made of plaster was found (Fig. 21). It is thought that this building complex was a port facility, and that the coastline would have been closer to the building in antiquity. Much pottery was collected from this area, mostly unpainted and coarse pottery, but also bronze coins, bone and metal tools, fragments of glass and loom weights.