Trapeza - Giannia site - 2012

Trapeza - Giannia site. Christina Katsarou (ΣΤ’ EPKA) reports on the finalization of the excavation which took place in Giannia, which had started five years ago. The architectural remains found were part of a settlement which had been in use between the Archaic and the Hellenistic eras (figs. 1). 

The phases of the settlement before the Hellenistic times were not particularly well preserved. A Classical building was preserved in a rather good state, as it was safely covered by a road constructed in the fourth century BC (fig. 2). Pottery vessels and figurines were found inside this building, dated in the fifth century BC. The most important finding was a clay tile, decorated by red and blue colors, depicting a female figure, whose lower body was that of a snake. The design was identified as a depiction of the mythical monster Skylla. 

According to the excavational data, the settlement was rebuilt in the fourth century BC. It now had parallel streets towards the beach, oriented NW-SE. Six building complexes were excavated, dated mostly during the fourth and the third century BC, in the latest phases of the settlement. This dating was based on the multiple coins found on the extended destruction layers of these phases, left in situ at the settlement, since it was not in use after the second half of the third century BC. It was noteworthy that the architectural remains of these phases presented traces of earthquake destruction. The pottery found contained large vessels (pithoi) and smaller vessels (fig. 3). Additionally, there were many metal objects found, apart from the plethora of coins from all around the Greek world, such as many bronze hooks and a triton (fig. 4). These findings indicated that the residents of the settlement were active fishermen. The coins were proof that the area was very active commercially. It was possible that the settlement in Giannia was the sea-port of the city of Vouras. 

[Entry created by E. Kourti]