Ancient Ilis, Municipality of Ilida - 2011

Ancient Ilis, Municipality of Ilida. Christos Mantzanas (Z’ EPKA) reports on the new trenches opened in the archaeological site of Ancient Ilis. The excavation opened 70 new trenches (fig. 1) between Decumanus Maximus, Cardo I and Cardo III (fig. 2). Findings included: walls of houses and baths, mosaic floors, street limits, pottery, coins, small objects, and sculpture fragments.

The trenches in the SE corner of Insula I 6 (fig. 3) revealed mostly roughly made walls, dated during the late antiquity. A dentalium dentalis was found while cleaning the well found in the area (figs. 3-4), which is mostly a prehistoric site’s finding. Another prehistoric finding was located no more than 20 m. away (a flint tool, fig. 5).
The trenches in Insula I 5 were in the building Στ/Α’s area (fig. 6). Amongst other findings where about 30 small bronze coins, which were small subdivisions of late Roman times, called nummi. Another coin, found near the well, was one depicting Faustina (with the inscription DIVA FAVSTINA), dated in the second century AD.

The trenches in Insulae I 4 and I 7 were on both sides of the Roman baths [NE of the “Muses Mansion” (Building P)]. They revealed the surface of Cardo I S of the baths (figs. 7,8). A mosaic depicting maritime scenes was revealed in the E side of the baths (figs. 9-11). It was surrounded by flowers and other vegetal decorations, while the main scenes depicted colorful tritons (male and female) and cetacean creatures
About 25 m. S of the trenches in Insula I4 (within Cardo I) a reversed stone vessel was found, made of volcanic rock (figs. 12-13). Another tool made of volcanic rock was found on the NW, this time was a bread-shaped mill.

Both Insula I 6 and Insula I 4 presented signs of continuous commercial action during the fifth century AD. Another mill was located behind Decumanus Maximus, perhaps indicating the presence of bread-making workshops in the area.

It was noteworthy that various areas within the excavation presented a distinct destruction dating in the fourth century AD, which was verified by the finding of Constantine the Great’s coins within the destruction layers.

[Entry created by E. Kourti]