Ancient Sikyon - Siryon - 2011

Siryon, kilometric positions 16+944-17+104, Ancient Sikyon, Municipality of Sikyon. LZ’ EPKA reports on the excavation held in Siryon, in sectors A’ and A. Many architectural remains were found in the excavated area, which, in combination with the particularly significant number of small findings indicate three phases of use of the site (early Archaic-late Classical times).

Spaces I-VI were located in the S area of Sector A (fig. 1) and in the N area of Sector A’ (fig. 2).
Space I, in the S side of the building complex, had a rectangular plan and it was oriented W-E. Its entrance was in the SE, while E of it was a staircase. In the center of the area was a large stone, perhaps used as a base for a wooden column supporting the roof. The large number of characteristic small findings (figurines and vessels used as offerings) as well as the position of the space (above Geometric burials), correlated the space to an ancestral worship area. It was dated between the late fifth and the midst of the fourth century BC.
Space II produced many small findings, dated in the late Archaic/Classical times.
Space V had a rectangular plan, and it was considered to be a seven kline andron. Its entrance was placed off the wall’s center, in the NE. The floor bore a mosaic made of pebbles (fig. 3). The mosaic was formed by well-rounded small pebbles, mainly white and black, although there were some red-colored ones. The composition was formed by white pebbles, while the gaps were filled with black. This style dated the space in the first half of the fourth century BC, while a bronze Corinth coin found in the rooms’ inside confirmed that it was in use also during the second half of the fourth century BC.

A total of 14 graves of the Geometric period was found in the same area of Syrion, in the areas where there were no later buildings preserved. They were distributed as follows:
a) Five cist graves, lined with clay, without any covering. The deceased individuals were cremated in them, and the grave-goods were golden, bronze and silver pieces of jewelry, an iron tool and pottery.
b) A cist grave without covering.
c) Two cist graves with covering.
d) Six monolithic larnaxes with covering.
e) A large cist grave, carved on the natural rock (fig. 4). It was probably a double simultaneous burial, possibly of relatives, due to the fact that the individuals were hugging each other, and their legs were intertwined. The grave-goods were many [bronze ritual pins, iron tools, dated in the Middle Geometric times (MGII)], indicating that the individuals could have been parts of a local elite.

[Entry created by E. Kourti]